<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 15.18.09.04" title_num="15" subtitle_num="18" chapter_num="09" heading="Label Format for Pet Food and Specialty Pet Food.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>General Requirements. In addition to other requirements for commercial feed provided by law, the requirements of this regulation shall apply also to pet food and specialty pet food.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Pet Food Labeling. A pet food and specialty pet food shall be labeled with the following information:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The product name and brand name if any, on the principal display panel as specified Agriculture Article, §6-109(a)(2), Subtitle 1, Title 6, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A statement specifying the species name of the pet or specialty pet for which the food is intended, conspicuously designated on the principal display panel;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A quantity statement as defined in Agriculture Article, §11-308, Subtitle 3, Title 11, Annotated Code of Maryland, on the principal display panel, by weight (pounds and ounces, and metric), liquid measure (quarts, pints, and fluid ounces and metric) or by count;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Guaranteed analysis as specified in Agriculture Article, §6-109(a)(5), Subtitle 1, Title 6, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>An ingredient statement as specified Agriculture Article, §6-109(a)(3), Subtitle 1, Title 6, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A statement of nutritional adequacy or purpose if required under these regulations;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Feeding directions if required under these regulations;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Name and address of the manufacturer or distributor as stipulated in Agriculture Article, §6-109(a)(4), Subtitle 1, Title 6, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>A unique and traceable lot number or production date.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Requirements for Outer Container or Wrapper. When a pet food or specialty pet food is enclosed in an outer container or wrapper and is intended for retail sale, the following requirements apply to the outer container or wrapper:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A vignette, graphic, or pictorial representation of any product on any pet food or specialty pet food label shall not misrepresent the contents of the package;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The use of the term “proven” in connection with a label claim for a pet food or specialty pet food is not permitted unless the claim is substantiated by scientific or other empirical evidence;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>No statement shall appear upon the label of any pet food or specialty pet food which makes false or misleading comparisons between that food and any other pet or specialty pet food;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Personal or commercial endorsement or endorsements are permitted on pet food or specialty pet food labels if it is not false or misleading;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A statement on a pet food or specialty pet food label stating “improved”, “new”, or a similar designation shall be substantiated and limited to 6 months’ production; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A statement on a pet food or specialty pet food label stating preference or a comparative attribute or attributes claim shall be substantiated and is limited to 1 year of production, after which the claim shall be removed or re-substantiated.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Requirement for Raw Milk.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Raw milk distributed as pet food or specialty pet food shall bear the following statement:</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>This warning statement shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner and shall not be smaller than the height of the minimum font for the quantity statement as shown in the following table:</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The label shall bear a unique and traceable lot number or production date.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>