In today’s crowded pet food market, it seems like every brand is marketing itself as “human-grade dog food.” But making claims and actually meeting the human-grade criteria are two very different things.
The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets specific guidelines for “human grade” dog food and treats. It must be manufactured, stored, handled, and transported in compliance with the stringent standards used for human foods. Each individual ingredient along with the end product must be fit for human consumption. But no, people should not eat it (just don’t tell our founder that).
At Elevate Pet Provisions, we go above and beyond the human-grade criteria – from our commitment to animal welfare to sourcing organic produce and utilizing our state-of-the-art facility – we promise to deliver the highest quality dog food to our customers.
But that can’t be said for all brands. Because AAFCO only provides the framework, it is up to federal and local government agencies to ensure brands are adhering to these standards. Which takes time, effort, and money.
Let’s take a deep dive into how human-grade dog food is defined, and why it matters for your pup’s health.
To meet the same high-quality standards that apply to food meant for people, human-grade dog food must follow the same safety, quality, and nutrition requirements as human food.
Here are the main criteria:
For dog food to be considered human-grade, all the ingredients must be fit for human consumption. This means that the food is free from by-products, fillers, and other low-quality components that are acceptable in traditional pet food. And it is not only the end product (i.e. the dog food) that must be deemed suitable for human consumption, but each and every ingredient must be handled, processed, and transported using the same protocols as human food laws set forth by federal regulations.
At Elevate Pet Provisions, we maintain rigorous documentation for every ingredient to ensure it meets the requirements for human consumption, and our suppliers are verified with the appropriate agencies.
Our USDA-certified cattle are born and raised in the US by local ranchers who take tremendous pride in their livelihood and follow humane, ethical practices throughout the animal’s entire life.
We also are also proud of our “whole-cow” philosophy. Because we own the entire supply chain, we are able to use every part of a cow – both for our human brands and our pet brand.
The produce in our dog food – sweet potato, pumpkin, apple, spinach, and green beans – are all organic, grown in the US, and when possible, from our home state of Montana.
According to AAFCO guidelines, human-grade dog food must be produced in facilities that comply with both human food standards and pet food regulations. Specifically, facilities are inspected under 21 CFR Part 507, defined as FDA regulations ensuring the safety of animal food production, includes these key requirements:
Another important aspect of human-grade dog food is where and how it’s produced. The facility must meet the same standards required for human food production, including being registered and inspected by the FDA as both a food and feed facility. This guarantees that the food is manufactured in a clean and safe environment.
At Elevate, because we make human food too, our facilities are both USDA and FDA-registered, and they meet all requirements for producing human-grade dog food.
Each step of the manufacturing process, from mixing to packaging, is done in compliance with human-food safety standards, ensuring your pup gets a product that is crafted with care. Our philosophy is: If it is good enough for dogs, it is good enough for humans. We also maintain written procedures that govern how our products are stored, transported, and handled to retain their human-grade status throughout the supply chain.
To meet the human-grade standard, the final product must be ready to eat for humans, although it’s formulated specifically for dogs (or other pets). This ensures that every component, from the quality of ingredients to the processing standards, meets human-food guidelines.
Elevate’s human-grade dog food is produced to the same standards as human food, meaning it’s prepared in facilities licensed for human food production and meets all applicable safety guidelines. While the formulation is specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs, the quality is on par with human food. This provides dog parents peace of mind knowing that what they’re feeding their dog is safe and nutritious.
While the term gets thrown around like a dog toy in marketing materials, to qualify for human-grade status in dog food, it must follow specific label guidelines to avoid confusion. AAFCO guidelines require that the term "human-grade" is used in conjunction with the intended use of the product (e.g., "human-grade dog food"). It must be in the same style, color, and font size. The largest and most prominent use of the term must be paired with its intended use statement to ensure clarity.
At Elevate Pet Provisions, we are committed to transparency. Our labels clearly indicate that our products are “human-grade dog food,” and we comply with all AAFCO labeling guidelines, ensuring you know exactly what you are feeding your pup.
Feeding your dog human-grade dog food isn’t just about avoiding low-quality ingredients; it’s about providing peace of mind. You know the standards and protocol are top-notch, while the high-quality ingredients used in human-grade dog foods often contain more nutrients and fewer preservatives, which can help support your dog’s overall health.
At Elevate Pet Provisions, we strive to provide your dog food as good as what you’d put on our own plate.
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