SECTION 63.10. Descriptive Terms

(a) Caloric Terms

(1) "Light"

(A) A dog food product which bears on its label the terms "light", "lite", "low calorie", or words of similar designation shall:

(i) contain no more than 3100 kcal ME/kg for products containing less than 20% moisture, no more but less than 65% moisture, and no more than 900 kcal ME/kg for products containing 65% or more moisture; and

(ii) include on the label a caloric content statement:

(I) in accordance with the format provided in Regulation PF9; and

(II) .which states no more than 3100 kcal ME/kg for products containing less than 20% moisture, no more than 2500 kcal ME/kg for products containing 20% or more but less than 65% moisture, and no more than 900 kcal ME/kg for products containing 65% or more moisture; and

(iii) include on the label feeding directions which reflect a reduction in calorie intake consistent with the intended use.

(B) A cat food product which bears on its label the terms "light", "lite", "low calorie", or words of similar designation shall:

(i) contain no more than 3250 kcal ME/kg for products containing less than 20% moisture, no more than 2650 kcal ME/kg for products containing 20% or more but less than 65% moisture, and no more than 950 kcal ME/kg for products containing 65% or more moisture; and

(ii) include on the label a calorie content statement:

(I) in accordance with the format provided in Regulation PF9; and

(II) which states no more than 3250 kcal ME/kg for products containing less than 20% moisture, no more than 2650 kcal ME/kg for products containing 20% or more but less than 65% moisture, and no more than 950 kcal ME/kg for products containing 65% or more moisture; and

(iii) include on the label feeding directions which reflect a reduction in calorie intake consistent with the intended use.

(2) "Less" or "Reduced Calories"

(A) A dog or cat food product which bears on its label a claim of "less calories", reduced calories", or words of similar designation, shall include on the label:

(i) the name of the product of comparison and the percentage of calorie reduction (expressed on an equal weight basis) explicitly stated and juxtaposed with the largest or most prominent use of the claim on each panel of the label on which the term appears; and

(ii) the comparative statement printed in type of the same color and style and a least one-half the type size used in the claim; and

(iii) a calorie content statement in accordance with the format provided in Regulation PF9; and

(iv) feeding directions which reflect a reduction in calories compared to feeding directions for the product of comparison.

(B) A comparison between products in different categories of moisture content (i.e., less than 20%, 20% or more but less than 65%, 65% or more) is misleading.

(b) Fat Terms

(1) "Lean"

(A) A dog food product which bears on its label the terms "lean", "low fat", or words of similar designation shall:

(i) contain no more than 9% crude fat for products containing less than 20% moisture, no more than 7% crude fat for products containing 20% or more but less than 65% moisture, and no more than 4% crude fat for products containing 65% or more moisture;

(ii) include on the product label in the Guaranteed Analysis:

(I) a Maximum crude fat guarantee immediately following the minimum crude fat guarantee in addition to the mandatory guaranteed analysis information as specified in Regulation PF4(a)(1); and

(II) a maximum crude fat guarantee which is no more than 9% crude fat for products containing less than 20% moisture, no more than 7% crude fat for products containing 20% or more but less than 65% moisture, and no more than 4% crude fat for products containing 65% or more moisture.

(B) A cat food product which bears on its label the terms "lean", "low fat", or words of similar designation shall:

(i) contain a maximum percentage of crude fat which is no more than 10% crude fat for products containing less than 20% moisture, no more than 8% crude fat for products containing 20% or more but less than 65% moisture, and no more than 5% crude fat for products containing 65% or more moisture; and

(ii) include on the product label in the Guaranteed Analysis:

(I) a maximum crude fat guarantee immediately following the minimum crude fat guarantee in addition to the mandatory guaranteed analysis information as specified in Regulation PF4(a)(1); and

(II) a maximum crude fat guarantee which is no more than 10% crude fat for products containing less than 20% moisture, no more than 8% crude fat for products containing 20% or more but less than 65% moisture, and no more than 5% crude fat for products containing 65% or more moisture.

(2) "Less" or "Reduced Fat"

(A) A dog or cat food product which bears on its label a claim of "less fat", "reduced fat", or words of similar designation, shall include on the label:

(i) the name of the product of comparison and the percentage of fat reduction (expressed on an equal weight basis) explicitly stated and juxtaposed with the largest or most prominent use of the claim on each panel of the label on which the term appears; and

(ii) the comparative statement printed in type of the same color and style and at least one-half the type size used in the claim; and

(iii) a maximum crude fat guarantee in the Guaranteed Analysis immediately following the minimum crude fat guarantee in addition to the mandatory guaranteed analysis information as specified in Regulation PF4(a)(1).

(B) A comparison on the label between products in different categories of moisture content (i.e., less than 20%, 20% or more but less than 65%, 65% or more) is misleading.

Source Note: The provisions of this §63.10 adopted to be effective February 1, 2017, 42 TexReg 308