Hemp and Animal Feed

According to Florida law, pet food, pet treats, specialty pet food and specialty pet treats are the only kinds of animal products that can consist of or contain hemp extract. These products cannot contain more than 0.3% total delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration on a dry weight basis.

The term "specialty pet” means any animal normally maintained in a household, including rodents, ornamental birds, ornamental fish, reptiles and amphibians, ferrets, hedgehogs, marsupials, and rabbits not raised for food or fur. "Pet food" and "pet treats" are made to be eaten by dogs and cats, and "specialty pet food" and specialty pet treats" are made to be eaten by specialty pets. 

Labeling Requirements

Basic Animal Feed Labeling Requirements

Any commercial feed distributed in Florida must be accompanied by a legible label bearing the following information:

1. Name and principal address of the company
2. Brand name and product name (if any)
3. Guaranteed analysis (minimum percentage of crude protein, minimum percentage of crude fat, and maximum percentage of crude fiber)
4. List of ingredients in descending order by their predominance of weight in formulation
5. Net weight or quantity

Hemp Feed Labeling Requirements

In addition to the basic animal feed labeling requirements, pet food, pet treats, specialty pet food and specialty pet treats that consist of or contain hemp extract must include the following: 

1. Scannable barcode/quick response code (QR code) linked to the certificate of analysis of the hemp extract batch (prepared by an independent testing laboratory)
2. Batch number
3. Internet address of a website where batch information may be obtained
4. Expiration date
5. Number of milligrams of each marketed cannabinoid per serving
6. Statement that the product contains a total delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration that does not exceed 0.3% on a dry weight basis
7. The phrase “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION” to clearly differentiate the animal feed product from similar food items that are approved for human consumption

View Florida's Animal Feed Hemp Labeling Checklist [ 1.6 MB ] .

Feed Master Registration

Distributors of pet and specialty pet food and/or treats must have a Feed Master Registration with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). "Distributor" means any person who distributes commercial feed or feedstuff. It does not include people who sell brand-name feed at retail on behalf of a registrant who manufactures such feed. To apply for Feed Master Registration, go to the Feed Licensing and Regulatory Website.

Reporting Tonnage

Distributors of commercial feed must report to FDACS the number of tons of feed distributed in Florida within 30 days after the end of each of the following quarterly reporting periods:

Tonnage can be reported online using our Feed, Seed and Fertilizer Regulatory Website.