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In short, no. This is one problem with doing testing in a controlled and/or laboratory setting and one reason why I don't hold feeding trials in accordadnce to AAFCO procedures in high regard.
Each feeding trial requires a minimum of eight animals and the trial must last 26 weeks. The same formulation of food must be fed throughout the trial, although different production batches may be used.AAFCO permits up to 25% of the animals starting the study to be removed from the study for “non-nutritional reasons or poor food intake.†Data recorded from the dispatched animals does not have to be included in the final reports. Finally, even if an animal loses 15% of its initial body weight throughout the course of the trial, the feeding trial is still considered a success. It is worth recognizing that there are no limits to the amount of weight an animal can gain during the trial. This is how AAFCO assures consumers that the pet food label exclaiming “nutritionally adequate!†is indeed nutritionally adequate - by managing to to sustain eight dogs (or maybe only 6 if 25% don't stay in the trial) for an entire six month period. Growth food testing is similar to maintenance food testing, except that growth food testing need only run for 10 weeks. Never mind that most pet foods designed for growth recommend feeding such formulas for the first 49 to 52 weeks of the animal’s life.
Please note that I have not referred to my current publications regarding feeding trials. This is information I remember from last years publications.
Each feeding trial requires a minimum of eight animals and the trial must last 26 weeks. The same formulation of food must be fed throughout the trial, although different production batches may be used.AAFCO permits up to 25% of the animals starting the study to be removed from the study for “non-nutritional reasons or poor food intake.†Data recorded from the dispatched animals does not have to be included in the final reports. Finally, even if an animal loses 15% of its initial body weight throughout the course of the trial, the feeding trial is still considered a success. It is worth recognizing that there are no limits to the amount of weight an animal can gain during the trial. This is how AAFCO assures consumers that the pet food label exclaiming “nutritionally adequate!†is indeed nutritionally adequate - by managing to to sustain eight dogs (or maybe only 6 if 25% don't stay in the trial) for an entire six month period. Growth food testing is similar to maintenance food testing, except that growth food testing need only run for 10 weeks. Never mind that most pet foods designed for growth recommend feeding such formulas for the first 49 to 52 weeks of the animal’s life.
Please note that I have not referred to my current publications regarding feeding trials. This is information I remember from last years publications.
