The "Belgian Professional Chamber of Manufacturers and Importers of Pet Food and Accessories" (P.C.P.F.) was established in 1972 by four companies: Quaker Oats, Masterfoods, Carnation (Friskies) and Vitobel at the request of the Belgian authorities who were looking for a representative speaking-partner for this sector of activity.
This also marked the beginning of pet food specific legislation and the existence of this trade association provided a forum to address common problems encountered by Belgian and foreign operators. It represents the interests of the industry before the public authorities while overseeing compliance with the industry's ethics. Finally, it informs the general public of its achievements and its social and economic role.
Some may be surprised to learn that in Belgium, as in most of the countries within the European Union, legislation relating to pet food is in many respects more stringent than for human food.
The fact that the pet food industry is fairly recent explains why the regulations are so strict both for pet food and accessories.
Among other things, legislation stipulates all the relevant information for the proper use of the product by the consumer, such as the ingredients used, the analytical composition (protein, fat...) and the best-before date, also the controls, safety and hygiene standards which the raw materials, the equipment, etc. need to satisfy.
All these requirements which make the consumer feel secure are in addition to the voluntary controls already carried out by the manufacturer at all levels of the production process. Any problems arising at European level are addressed in collaboration with FEDIAF.