Start with the market-specific feeding role
Under EU feed law, complete feed is sufficient for a daily ration because of its composition, while complementary feed is sufficient only when used with other feed because it has a high content of certain substances.
In the United States, a product intended as a sole diet generally needs a supported complete-and-balanced nutritional adequacy statement. Treats and products intended only for intermittent or supplemental feeding use different label language. The complete/complementary choice in this website's brief is therefore a project classification, not final US label wording.
The intended role affects nutrient targets, substantiation, feeding directions and qualifiers. Set it in the technical brief before naming the product or building retail artwork.
Do not turn a reference into a certificate
AAFCO nutrient profiles and FEDIAF nutritional guidelines are reference frameworks, not decorative product approvals. The relevant framework, substantiation method and finished-product data must match the target market and the exact claim.
- State the destination market and life stage.
- Identify whether values are as-fed or on a dry-matter basis.
- Record the formula version and analytical test basis.
- Keep claim substantiation with the approved artwork version.
A useful buyer question
Ask the supplier to show where the feeding role, life stage, nutrient basis and substantiation method are recorded. If those answers live only in marketing copy, the project is not ready for artwork approval.