Pet food and treat manufacturers have a legal and moral obligation to keep their products safe. Pet parents trust you with a member of the family, and retailers trust you with their brand. The clearest way to prove you have earned that trust is an independent, third-party food safety audit.
A third-party audit is an independent assessment of your food safety system by an accredited certification body. For pet food makers it does two jobs at once: it verifies your products are safe, and it opens the door to retailers that require certification before they will stock you. This guide covers what the audit is, why it matters, which standards apply, and how to get certified.
Key Takeaways
- Pet food is regulated like human food. The FDA regulates it as "animal food" under FSMA, with mandatory good manufacturing practices and preventive controls (21 CFR Part 507).
- Retailers want proof, not promises. Chains like Walmart and PetSmart increasingly require a GFSI-benchmarked certification for private label and shelf space.
- Three GFSI standards fit pet food: SQF, BRCGS, and FSSC 22000. Any one satisfies a "GFSI certification" requirement.
- A GMP audit is a strong first step if a full GFSI scheme is more than a buyer currently requires.
- Certification is a growth tool, not just compliance. It drives market access, product quality, and consumer trust.
What Is a Third-Party Pet Food Audit?
A first-party audit is one you do on yourself, and a second-party audit is one your customer does on you. A third-party audit is conducted by an independent, accredited certification body with no stake in the outcome, which is exactly why retailers and regulators trust it. The auditor reviews your food safety management system, walks your facility, checks records, and confirms you meet a recognized standard. Pass, and you receive a certificate buyers accept as proof.
It matters because pet food is not lightly regulated. The FDA oversees it as animal food under the Food Safety Modernization Act, and the Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule (21 CFR Part 507) requires current good manufacturing practices plus a hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls at most facilities.[1][2] A third-party audit is how you demonstrate you meet that bar and more.
Why Do Pet Food Manufacturers Need a Third-Party Audit?
Certification is about compliance, but the return on it is commercial:
- Market access: leading retailers such as Walmart and PetSmart prioritize GFSI-recognized certification for private label contracts. The right certificate opens doors that stay closed without it.
- Enhanced compliance: certification keeps you aligned with FDA requirements, lowering the risk of legal issues and the recalls that damage a brand overnight.
- Superior product quality: stricter ingredient sourcing, tighter process controls, and deeper quality checks produce a more consistent product.
- Consumer confidence: a recognized certification on the bag builds trust with discerning pet parents and sets you apart from competitors without one.
- Operational efficiency: a documented food safety system streamlines production, cuts waste from errors, and saves money over time.
Which Food Safety Standards Apply to Pet Food?
Most retailer requirements point to a GFSI-benchmarked scheme. Three fit pet food and animal feed, and because they share the same GFSI foundation, any one satisfies a buyer asking for "GFSI certification." Kiwa ASI audits all three.
| Standard | What it offers pet food makers | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| SQF | GFSI-benchmarked, with dedicated food sector categories for pet food and animal feed manufacturing; flexible for smaller producers and widely recognized by US retailers | SQF certification |
| BRCGS | GFSI-benchmarked, retailer-driven and prescriptive; recognized by major retailers and distributors worldwide | BRCGS certification |
| FSSC 22000 | GFSI-benchmarked and built on ISO 22000, covering the production of feed and pet food; a fit for sites already running ISO systems | FSSC 22000 certification |
| GMP audit | A good manufacturing practice audit; a strong first step or a fit where a full GFSI scheme is not yet required | cGMP certification |
Not sure how the three GFSI schemes differ? Our guide to IFS vs FSSC 22000 vs BRCGS compares them side by side.
How Do You Choose the Right Standard?
Two questions settle it for most manufacturers:
- What does your customer require? If a retailer's supplier manual names a scheme, that decides it. Never argue with a purchase order.
- What systems do you already run? A site with ISO management systems leans toward FSSC 22000. A site starting fresh often finds SQF or BRCGS faster to implement, and SQF's flexibility suits smaller producers well.
If no buyer has named a scheme yet, or you are early in your food safety journey, a GMP audit is a credible first step that shows commitment while you build toward full GFSI certification.
How to Get Certified
- Choose your standard based on your buyers and your operation.
- Run a gap assessment to see how your current system measures up and what to fix.
- Build and document the system, from your food safety plan and prerequisite programs to records and training.
- Complete the certification audit with an accredited certification body.
- Maintain and improve, because certification is an annual cycle, not a one-time event.
Pet food safety certification is not just a formality. It differentiates your brand, builds trust, and unlocks new markets. Choose the right path and demonstrate your commitment, and your brand can shine as brightly as the wagging tails and purring smiles you nourish.
Ready to get your pet food or treat facility audited? Kiwa ASI audits pet food and animal feed operations to SQF, BRCGS, and FSSC 22000. Request a quote or explore SQF certification with Kiwa ASI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is pet food regulated like human food?
A: Largely, yes. The FDA regulates pet food as "animal food" under the Food Safety Modernization Act. The Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule (21 CFR Part 507) requires good manufacturing practices and, for most facilities, a hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls, much like the human food rule.
Q: Which certification do retailers require for pet food?
A: Almost always a GFSI-benchmarked certification. For pet food that means SQF, BRCGS, or FSSC 22000. Retailers such as Walmart and PetSmart commonly require one of these for private label and shelf placement.
Q: Do small pet food makers need certification?
A: Not by law in every case, but it is increasingly the price of entry to retail. SQF in particular scales to smaller operations, and a GMP audit is an accessible starting point if a full GFSI scheme is more than your buyers currently require.
Q: What is the difference between a GMP audit and GFSI certification?
A: A GMP audit checks that you follow good manufacturing practices. A GFSI-benchmarked certification is a broader, audited management system built on that foundation, with a certificate that major retailers accept as proof. Many manufacturers start with a GMP audit and progress to full certification.
Related reading
- Walmart Food Supplier Requirements
- What Is GFSI Certification?
- What Is BRCGS Certification? Requirements, Audit Grades, and Cost
- How to Prepare for an SQF Audit
Sources
[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FSMA Final Rule for Preventive Controls for Animal Food.
[2] Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 21 CFR Part 507: Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals.