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Pet food is NOT for people

Pet food does not need to meet the same standards as food made for people. It is illegal to process and sell pet food for human consumption.

Don’t take chances with your own or your family’s health. Buy pet food for cats and dogs, not for people.

The detailed information below is also available in a free printed brochure titled ‘Pet food is NOT for people’, in English, Tongan, Samoan, Niuean, Cook Island Māori, Korean, and Chinese.

Ask your local Public Health Unit for a copy, or call us on 0800 693 721 (0800 NZFSA1). Alternatively, you can download this page in PDF format.

View this page as a brochure in PDF format [PDF: 2.27 MB]

Meat sold in New Zealand for people comes from animals that are free of disease. It is inspected to make sure it is safe to eat. It must also be produced in clean and hygienic premises. Pet food is also inspected but is not manufactured to the same hygiene standards as human food.

All of the food for human consumption must be safe to eat. This protects us from the risks that may be in some food products. There are high standards required to prepare meat for humans and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) ensures that these rules are followed.

There are lots of protein alternatives that do not cost a lot of money, are safe and are produced specially for people. These include eggs; cheese and other dairy products; dried beans, peas and lentils; cheaper cuts of meat and some types of fish.

Remember the 4Cs – clean, cook, cover, chill.

August 2007

ISBN number 978-0-478-31111-2 (print)

ISBN number 978-0-478-31112-9 (online)