Statutory guidance

Flavouring innards for the manufacture of pet food - Import Information Note ABP/3E

Published 2 December 2024

1. General information 

This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of animal by-products (ABPs), which provides information on pre-notifications, veterinary checks, risk categories and more.

References to European Union (EU) legislation within this document are references to direct EU legislation which has been assimilated in Great Britain (assimilated direct legislation), as defined in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and can be viewed on the UK legislation website. 

2. Scope 

Import conditions for flavouring innards for the manufacture of pet food.

Flavouring innards are defined in Regulation (EU) 142/2011 as a liquid or dehydrated derived product of animal origin used to enhance the palatability values of pet food. 

Flavouring innards for the manufacture of pet food may be manufactured from: 

a) Category 3 material, other than material referred to in Article 10 (c), (n), (o) and (p) of Regulation (EC) 1069/2009

b) in the case of imported pet food or pet food produced from imported materials, from Category 1 material referred to in Article 8 (c) comprising of ABPs derived from animals which have been submitted to illegal treatment as defined in Article 1 (1) (d) of Directive 96/22

3. Production standards 

Flavouring innards for the manufacture of pet food must have been produced and stored in accordance with the requirements of Annex XIII, Chapters I and III, of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. In particular they must have been submitted to a treatment method and parameters, which ensure that the product complies with the microbiological standards set out in point 5 of Chapter II of Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) 142/2011. 

They must be packed in new or sterilised packaging or transported in bulk containers or other means of transport that were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. 

Random samples must be taken from flavouring innards during production and/or during storage (before despatch) to verify compliance with the standards laid down in point 5 of Chapter II of Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) 142/2011 in respect of salmonella and enterobacteriaceae. 

Attestation AH/800A Testing in GBHC564 (Flavouring innards for use in the manufacture of petfood) covers these sampling requirements. The intention of this attestation is that the competent authority assures themselves, prior to signing the certificate, that the sampling has been carried out prior to dispatch, during or after storage at the processing plant and complies with microbiological requirements for Great Britain (GB).   

There is no requirement for the sampling to be carried out by the competent authority. 

4. Country of origin 

Imports are permitted from trading partners listed in a document published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers for:

• non-EU countries
• EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries 

In the case of innards from ungulates 

Flavouring innards (not including those derived from poultry, fish materials or certain wild land mammals and leporidae), for the use in the manufacture of pet food must come from countries listed in the document for fresh meat of ungulates from which imports of fresh meat are authorised from the same species and where only bone-in meat is permitted. 

In the case of fish materials

Flavouring innards (derived from fish materials), for the use in the manufacture of pet food must come from countries listed in Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2019/626. 

In the case of poultry origin

Flavouring innards of poultry origin, for the use in the manufacture of pet food, must come from countries listed in the document for poultry and poultry products from which imports of fresh poultry meat are authorised.

In the case of innards from certain wild land mammals and leporidae 

Flavouring innards from certain wild land mammals and leporidae, for the use in the manufacture of pet food, must come from countries listed in the document for meat of wild leporidae, of certain wild land mammals and of farmed rabbits, from which imports of fresh meat from the same species are authorised.

5. Approved establishments 

Products must be produced in an establishment approved to export to GB. Importers should check prior to importation that the premises are listed on the correct list.  

Find consolidated lists of approved plants (excluding the EU)

Find approved EU food establishments

If the establishment or plant is not listed, importers are urged to contact the company concerned, who should contact their competent authority immediately. If the plant is not included on the appropriate list when veterinary checks are carried out the consignment is likely to be held and could be rejected and re-exported or destroyed.

6. Health certification  

Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate.  

Model health certificates for petfood

This requirement applies to products in the high and medium risk categories. Find information about import risk categories, inspection rates and related rules for animals and animal products imported from:

• the EU to GB
• non-EU countries to GB

7. Labelling requirements 

The end product must be packed in new or sterilised bags or transported in bulk in containers or other means of transport that were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with a disinfectant approved by the competent authority before use, and which bear labels indicating “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”. 

8. Contact for further information  

For more information about import requirements, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) imports team:

Centre for International Trade - Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX

Email: imports@apha.gov.uk 

Telephone: 03000 200 301