Taipei City Animal Protection Office

The variety of pet food on the market is expanding, and this year (2024), Taipei City Animal Protection Office (TCAPO) has initiated a quality inspection campaign for pet food. In the first half of the year, TCAPO inspected 67 pet food products, including dog and cat feed, canned food, snacks, and dairy products. TCAPO discovered 21 products with labeling deficiencies or undeclared information and have guided businesses for improvement within a set timeframe. Additionally, 45 pet food products were tested for harmful substances, and all results met the requirements of Animal Protection Act.  

TCAPO announced that they plan to monitor the hygiene and safety of pet food sold annually. Starting from July 1 this year, the new “Principles for Identifying False, Exaggerated, or Misleading Pet Food Labels and Advertisements,” established by the Ministry of Agriculture, have come into effect. In the second half of the year, inspections will be intensified to ensure that pet food advertisements and labels do not contain therapeutic claims or exaggerated, false information. In 2023, TCAPO found that a business had labeled its dog food with claims that it could “promote defense and wound healing,” This was deemed a violation of Article 22-5, Paragraph 2 of the Animal Protection Act for making exaggerated and false claims. As a result, the business was fined between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000. 

TCAPO reminds pet owners that while pet food can provide necessary nutrition, it cannot cure disease. If your pet has health problems, it’s important to consult a professional veterinarian. Owners are advised not to believe exaggerated or false advertisements that claim pet food can prevent or treat diseases, as this could delay necessary medical treatment for their pets.

When selecting pet food, pet owners should ensure the packaging includes complete and clear Chinese labeling. Consumers can visit the “Ministry of Agriculture Pet Food Registration Website” (https://petfood.moa.gov.tw/) to review product information and regulations. For details on pet food inspections and test results in Taipei City, or any questions, visit TCAPO’s official website (https://www.tcapo.gov.taipei/).