Frequently Asked Questions

The Human Grade Certification Seal is a symbol of trust and reliability for pet owners looking for quality food for their beloved companions. As a pet owner, do you really know what is in your pet’s food and how it was made? The Human Grade Certification program was developed to give pet owners confidence when choosing pet foods in a crowded and confusing marketplace. 

Having the Human Grade Certification Seal on a product means that the pet food maker has committed to using ingredients and manufacturing processes that meet our rigorous standards. The Human Grade Certification Seal enables pet food makers to differentiate themselves in the marketplace and empowers pet owners to “vote with their wallets” to drive demand for quality pet food.  

The Human Grade project also raises awareness about the importance of feeding your pet wholesome, nutritious foods. Our pets are members of the family and we advocate on behalf of pet owners everywhere for better standards and transparency when it comes to what they eat. 

Pet foods are frequently highly processed and contain filler ingredients like cornmeal, soybean hulls, and citrus pulp which add minimal nutritional value for animals. Many pet foods contain animal byproducts which can contain highly processed diseased or putrid meat, or excess parts like beaks, feathers, and fats from industrial-scale factory meat production. 

Standard pet food can also contain ingredients from rendering facilities where rotten, inedible animal by-products and waste are broken down and sanitized for use in various products. Pet food manufacturers often optimize their products for profit, not for what is in your pet’s best interest. Feed grade pet food can be labeled “natural” and “healthy” but contain these ingredients. We should do better for our pets. 

Human food is made under much stricter standards when it comes to ingredient quality and nutritional profiles. For example, human food contains USDA approved meat instead of uninspected byproduct that comes from industrial meat plants. 

The Human Grade Certification program was founded to elevate standards and expectations for pet foods. Having the Human Grade Seal shows the manufacturer’s commitment to producing quality, nutritious pet food that is made in accordance with Human Grade standards.

If you see the Human Grade Seal on a product, it signifies that product has met our standards for Human Grade pet food. That means the pet food maker has committed to every ingredient in the product and step of the manufacturing process to be in compliance with our stringent standards for Human Grade pet food. The product must also be free from artificial flavorings, colors, and preservatives. Our Seal is not awarded unless the pet food maker meets every single one of our requirements. 

Human Grade pet food is made under food standards for human food. However, we do not recommend or advise the consumption of Human Grade pet food for humans. Pet food is designed for pets: it contains ingredients and a nutritional profile specifically meant for certain animals. Animals are also able to ingest a raw diet that may not be appropriate for humans. 

Human Grade Certification helps ensure the quality of these ingredients and the integrity of the manufacturing process, but it does not signify that a product is fit or intended for human consumption. As such, we strongly advise people not to consume any pet food, whether Human Grade or not.

Yes! Pet owners are becoming more keenly aware of what they are feeding their animals. Younger consumers, in particular, look favorably upon products that demonstrate a commitment to wholesome ingredients and health. Pet owners are willing to pay a premium to ensure their pet food is being sourced from human grade ingredients and the market is continuing to grow.

In order to qualify for a Human Grade Certification Seal, the manufacturer has to meet or exceed every single one of our standards for Human Grade food. That means both in terms of quality of ingredients and the manufacturing process. No approval is given unless every box is checked. 

Not every pet food product submitted to us for certification will qualify for a Seal. A submission from a pet food maker must include affidavits and evidence regarding the sourcing of ingredients and the manufacturing process. Our team reviews submissions for adherence to our pet food requirements. We may utilize consultants with specific area expertise. We may also order independent inspections and follow up with further requests to make sure the product in question meets our standards.

The standards for meeting Human Grade Certification were developed to meet and exceed state, federal, and industry requirements. We look at consumer preferences, industry best practices, veterinarian recommendations, regulatory developments, and other factors to update our standards. 

Our priority and lodestar is always the health and wellbeing of our beloved pets.

To begin the Human Grade certification process, there is a non-refundable application fee that is paid whether or not the pet food maker ultimately meets our certification. The fee to use the Human Grade Certification seal on the maker’s products depends on a number of factors, including the type of product and sales volume, and also scales with revenues. 

Our goal is to make our certification program as widely available as possible while maintaining strict approval standards. For more information on our pricing structure, please contact our support team.

We do not certify entire companies. We certify individual products made by pet food makers.

Accepted pet food products are required to display the Human Grade Seal logo on product packaging and in advertisements in accordance with our Human Grade Seal Branding Standards.

In order to ensure ongoing compliance with our strict standards, every Human Grade Certification Seal is issued with a one-year term, with the ability to be reevaluated and renewed annually.

Please reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions.