Shun NagaiIngredient names commonly found on pet food labels—such as “chicken meal” and “meat meal”—are not merely marketing terms. In the United States, they are legal terms with strict definitions established by AAFCO (the Association of American Feed Control Officials). Each “meal” term has detailed standards covering the animal source, parts included/excluded, and processing method, allowing professionals to interpret the true nature of the ingredient from the label wording.
In contrast, Europe (under the FEDIAF framework and EU feed labeling rules) does not use an equivalent unified system of detailed ingredient definitions in the same way. Instead, labeling may rely on broader category terms such as “meat and animal derivatives.”
This article provides a technical explanation of AAFCO meal definitions and the key differences versus FEDIAF/EU labeling practices.
AAFCO: Meal Definitions and Labeling Rules
Under AAFCO, pet food ingredient names have strict definitions, and labels must use the correct official terms consistent with those definitions. In particular, ingredients ending in “meal” generally refer to rendered animal-protein materials—animal tissues that have been processed by heating to remove much of the water and fat, then dried into a concentrated protein ingredient.
Chicken meal
AAFCO defines chicken meal as a dry rendered product derived from clean muscle tissue and skin from poultry (such as chicken), potentially including bone, but excluding feathers, heads, feet, and viscera.
In simple terms: chicken meal is a high-protein ingredient made by rendering and drying chicken meat and skin.
Bone may be included, but non-permitted parts (e.g., feathers, head parts) must not be present. If prohibited parts are included beyond what is unavoidably trace, the ingredient cannot legally be labeled “Chicken Meal” under AAFCO rules.
Chicken by-product meal
Chicken by-product meal is produced by rendering and drying chicken by-products. Under AAFCO’s definition of poultry by-product meal, it is a dry rendered product derived from carcass parts of slaughtered poultry (such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines), excluding feathers, and it has specified labeling/quality requirements (e.g., guaranteed analysis standards related to crude protein, calcium, and phosphorus).
In other words, chicken by-product meal is a concentrated powdered protein ingredient made from non-muscle parts (such as organs, necks, feet, etc.) after rendering to remove moisture and fat.
The key difference from chicken meal is whether non-meat parts are included. Under AAFCO standards, if by-products are used, the label must specify “by-product meal,” and it cannot simply be labeled as “chicken meal.”
Beef meal
Beef meal is a cattle-derived meal ingredient and, under AAFCO definitions, falls under meat meal (Meat Meal). Meat meal is defined as a product obtained by rendering mammalian tissues, excluding blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide, manure, and stomach/rumen contents—except for minute amounts that may be unavoidably present during processing. It also has quality standards such as calcium and phosphorus ratio requirements.
If the ingredient is derived from a single animal species only (e.g., cattle only), AAFCO allows the species to be specified on the label as “Beef Meal.” If it is a mixture of species, it may be labeled more generally as “Meat Meal.”
Lamb meal
Lamb meal is a sheep-derived meal ingredient (lamb/mutton). Like beef meal, it is a type of meat meal under AAFCO definitions and refers to rendered and dried lamb tissues (bone may be included if applicable).
If the source is limited to sheep, the product can be labeled “Lamb Meal.” In practice, pet food labels often use species-specific meal terms for differentiation.
Fish meal
Fish meal is a meal ingredient derived from fish—either whole fish or fish processing remnants—rendered (or dried) into a powdered protein material. Under AAFCO, the definition is not limited to a specific fish species; various fish types may be used as raw material.
Typically, it refers to clean, non-decomposed whole fish or fish cuttings that are dried and ground (with oil optionally extracted), serving as a high-quality source of protein and fat.
As a labeling practice, if only a single fish species is used, it is recommended to specify the species (e.g., “herring meal”). If multiple species are mixed or not specified, it can be labeled broadly as “fish meal.” AAFCO’s 2023 revised guidance also indicates that for fish-derived ingredients such as fish meal, it is acceptable to label them as “fish” without specifying the species.
Key takeaways
AAFCO “meal” terms are standardized legal definitions with clear specifications for raw materials and processing. Labels must reflect those definitions (e.g., if by-products are included, it must be labeled as “by-product meal,” not simply “meal”).
Because rendering removes much of the moisture and fat, meals are protein-concentrated compared with fresh meats. As a result, they are widely used in commercial pet foods as practical protein sources to meet AAFCO nutritional standards at manageable cost.
FEDIAF/EU: How Ingredient Names Are Handled and Labeled
Specific ingredient names vs. category names
In Europe, pet food labeling follows EU-wide feed labeling rules, and the ingredient (feed material) declaration has a distinctive feature: manufacturers may choose either:
- listing specific ingredient names, or
- listing broader category (group) names.
Example:
| Style | Example |
|---|---|
| Specific ingredient listing | Dried chicken, corn, dried lamb, salmon oil, rice, beet pulp, minerals, vitamins |
| Category listing | Meat and animal derivatives, cereals, derivatives of vegetable origin, oils and fats, minerals |
According to FEDIAF’s practical labeling guidance, both approaches are allowed. In either case, ingredients must be declared in descending order by weight, and the declaration must cover all ingredients.
The “meat and animal derivatives” category
A common EU label category is “Meat and Animal Derivatives” (often translated as “meat and animal by-products/derivatives”). This is a legal category term that broadly covers land-animal-derived materials used in pet food.
Under EU Directive 82/475, the category is defined as meat parts obtained from the carcasses of warm-blooded land animals (fresh or appropriately preserved), and products and derivatives resulting from their processing.
Put simply, “meat and animal derivatives” broadly refers to animal-origin materials—meat, organs, and related by-products—arising from the food supply chain. In the EU, animal materials permitted for pet food use are limited to Category 3 (low-risk) animal by-products under Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 and Regulation (EC) No 142/2011.
These materials come from animals slaughtered under veterinary supervision, with no signs of disease and passing meat inspection, including parts that are suitable for human consumption or not used for human food for commercial reasons. Therefore, even when the label uses the broad term “meat and animal derivatives,” the animal-origin ingredients are still subject to strict EU hygiene and safety standards.
Why manufacturers use category names
A key advantage of category labeling is flexibility. If a label states only “meat and animal derivatives,” the manufacturer can adjust the mix of animal species and parts (e.g., chicken, beef, pork) depending on procurement conditions without changing the label for every production lot.
This approach supports stable supply and the effective use of by-products generated in human food processing, while maintaining the product’s nutritional design. It is not necessarily “to hide” the contents; even with category labeling, ingredient quality and safety are managed under strict rules, and products are formulated to meet required nutrition.
FEDIAF also explains that whether a manufacturer lists “meat and animal derivatives” or lists detailed items (e.g., chicken meal, beef, liver), the ingredients are used under the same safety and quality framework and should be appropriately formulated.
If a manufacturer highlights a specific ingredient on the front of pack (e.g., “with beef”), EU rules require that the composition declaration specify the highlighted ingredient with its percentage, such as:
“Meat and animal derivatives (beef 4%)”.
This ensures consumers can identify the minimum inclusion level of key emphasized ingredients even when category labeling is used.
Specific naming is also common in Europe
Using specific ingredient names is also common, especially for brands emphasizing quality and transparency. Many products list ingredients such as “dried chicken,” “dried salmon,” “dehydrated lamb,” “beet pulp,” and so on.
Under EU rules, when listing specific ingredients, it is not always mandatory to use the exact standardized names from the EU Feed Materials Catalogue (Regulation (EU) No 68/2013). However, if those catalog names are used, the ingredient should match the relevant definition/standard.
Catalogue naming is optional; manufacturers may describe ingredients in a way that is clear and not misleading to consumers, as long as the description matches the actual ingredient used (e.g., using “dried chicken” as a consumer-friendly expression).
Relatively flexible wording (including “meal” terms)
In EU labeling practice, ingredients equivalent to AAFCO “meals” can also be described clearly. FEDIAF guidance allows manufacturers to indicate when an ingredient is in a dried or concentrated form, using expressions such as “dried,” “dehydrated,” or “meal,” and to list ingredients based on their form as used in the recipe.
In real-world labels, you may see “meat meal,” “chicken meal,” or terms like “dehydrated chicken protein.” In any case, the presence of “meal” generally signals a dried, concentrated ingredient distinct from fresh meat or raw by-products.
Summary: Key Differences Between AAFCO and FEDIAF/EU
Under the AAFCO system, ingredient names are standardized and strictly defined. Labels list ingredients using individual, definition-bound terms such as “chicken meal,” “chicken by-product meal,” and “beef meal,” where the name reflects what parts are included and how the ingredient is processed.
Under the FEDIAF/EU system, manufacturers have more choice in how to declare ingredients, including the option to use broad category names to gain formulation and sourcing flexibility. As a result, a category like “meat and animal derivatives” may encompass a range of materials that would appear as multiple specific “meal” terms under AAFCO.
However, this does not mean weaker safety control. The EU framework restricts animal-origin ingredients to legally permitted materials (e.g., Category 3 animal by-products) under strict hygiene and safety regulations. Additionally, when a specific ingredient is emphasized on packaging, EU rules require the label to disclose the corresponding percentage.
For professionals in the pet food industry, it is essential to understand these differences and ensure ingredient labeling is compliant and technically accurate for each market—enabling clear communication of ingredient characteristics without misleading consumers, while meeting regulatory requirements.