IndianaIndiana law sets label rules for pet and animal feed
Indiana’s feed law sets label rules for pet foods and lets state officials require scientific support when they have reason to question commercial feed’s nutritional suitability.
What it does
Pet food labels must identify the food, its ingredients, and its nutrition. Dog and cat foods generally need nutrition statements and feeding directions, with exceptions for some treats and veterinary foods.
Commercial feed labels must accurately describe the feed and how to use it. Makers may have to support a feed’s nutritional suitability, and unsupported feed may be removed from sale.
Pet food makers and sellers may ask the state chemist to review a label under the 2026 AAFCO model, if they meet the model and federal rules and pay required fees.
Argument forClear label information could help pet owners compare foods and follow feeding directions that match a product’s nutrition claims.
Argument againstThe detailed label rules could raise compliance work for pet food makers, especially when they make nutrition, calorie, or ingredient claims.
More detail
Pet food labels must show required product, ingredient, nutrition, and feeding information. The rules cover pet food and specialty pet food, including dog and cat food. Dog and cat food labeled clearly as a snack or treat does not need a nutrition adequacy statement. Nutrition claims must meet the specified standards or testing rules; some calorie and fat claims also require added label details. These provisions took effect July 1, 2026.
Commercial feed makers must label feed accurately and provide required safety and use information. These provisions cover commercial feed makers and commercial feed, including feed with drugs, additives, or added nonprotein nitrogen. If there is reasonable cause to doubt a feed’s nutritional suitability, the state chemist may ask its maker for scientific support. If the maker does not provide requested support within 30 days of written notice, the director may treat the feed as adulterated and order it removed from sale. These provisions took effect July 1, 2026.
The state chemist must review some pet food labels under a specified industry model when requested. This option applies to makers or sellers of pet food and specialty pet food. The maker or seller must request this review, meet the model and federal labeling and manufacturing rules, pay required fees, and avoid prohibited acts. This provision took effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Feb 24Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Feb 24Public Law 16Major
- Feb 19Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 18Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 12Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Feb 11Returned to the Senate without amendmentsMinor
- Feb 10Third reading: passed; Roll Call 231: yeas 96, nays 0Passed House
- Vote recorded SB 249 - Culp - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 9Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 5Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 28First reading: referred to Committee on Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentMinor
- Jan 22Referred to the HouseMinor
- Jan 21Cosponsor: Representative Aylesworth
- Jan 21House sponsor: Representative Culp
- Jan 20Third reading: passed; Roll Call 40: yeas 46, nays 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded SB 249 - Leising - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 15Second reading: amended, ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 15Amendment #1 (Leising) prevailed; voice voteMajor
- Jan 15Senator Alexander added as third author
- Jan 15Senator Glick added as second author
- Jan 13Committee report: do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 8First reading: referred to Committee on AgricultureMinor
- Jan 8Authored by Senator LeisingIntroduced
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