Section 72.4. Guaranteed analysis

(a) The guaranteed analysis shall be stated in the following order:

(1) Crude protein (minimum).

(2) Crude fat (minimum).

(3) Crude fiber (maximum).

(4) Moisture (maximum).

(5) Any additional guarantees.

(b) The sliding scale method of expressing a guaranteed analysis, such as ‘‘protein 15-18%,’’ is prohibited.

(c) The label of a pet food which is formulated as, and represented to be, a mineral supplement shall include a guarantee of all the minerals contained in the ingredient statement.

(d) Pet foods containing 5.0% or more mineral ingredients shall include in the guaranteed analysis the minimum and maximum percentage of calcium (Ca) and salt (NaCl) and the minimum percentage of any added phosphorus (P) and iodine (I). Minerals (except salt NaCl) shall be stated in terms of percentage of the element when quantitatively guaranteed.

(e) The label of a pet food which is formulated as, and represented to be, a vitamin supplement shall include a guarantee of the minimum content of each vitamin contained in the ingredient statement.

(f) Vitamin guarantees shall be stated in units or milligrams per pound or parts per million, with the following exceptions:

(1) Vitamin E shall be stated in U.S.P. or International units.

(2) Vitamin A, other than percursors of vitamin A, shall be stated in U.S.P. units.

(3) The compounds pyridoxine hydrochloride, choline chloride and thiamine need not be stated in true vitamin units.

(g) Oils and concentrates containing vitamin A or vitamin D or both may be additionally labeled to show vitamin contents in units per gram.

(h) The term ‘‘d-pantothenic acid’’ may be used in stating the pantothenic acid guarantee.

(i) The vitamin potency of pet foods distributed in container smaller than one pound may be guaranteed in approved units per ounce.

(j) If the label of a pet food does not represent the product to be either a vitamin or a mineral supplement, but does include a table of comparison of a typical analysis of the vitamin, mineral or nutrient content of the product with levels recommended by a recognized animal nutrition authority, such comparison may be stated in the units of measurement used by such recognized authroity. The statement, in a table of comparison, of the vitamin, mineral or nutrient content shall constitute a guarantee and need not be repeated in the guaranteed analysis.