The Pet Food Safety Act — Act on Ensuring the Safety of Pet Feed (愛がん動物用飼料の安全性の確保に関する法律, Act No. 83 of 2008 / 平成20年法律第83号) — is jointly administered by MAFF and the Ministry of the Environment (環境省と共管) and regulates the full chain of pet food manufacture, import and sale.
Purpose: by regulating the manufacture etc. of pet feed, ensure its safety, protect the health of pet animals (pets) and contribute to animal welfare.
Scope: feed for dogs and cats (犬、猫). Complete diets (総合栄養食) plus snacks, supplements and gum are covered; toys, tableware, cat grass and goldfish food are excluded (対象外).
Powers of the two ministers:
- Set manufacturing-method standards and composition specifications; prohibit manufacture, import or sale of pet feed not complying with them.
- Prohibit manufacture/import/sale of pet feed containing harmful substances (有害な物質).
- Order manufacturers, importers or sellers to take necessary measures such as disposal or recall (廃棄、回収等).
Operator duties: manufacturers/importers must notify both ministers of their name and business establishment; manufacturers, importers and sellers (retail excluded) must record names and quantities sold in books; the ministers may collect reports and conduct on-site inspections (報告徴収・立入検査).
Source: MAFF Consumer & Safety Bureau overview slides, December 2025 (令和７年12月).