Organic pet food labels: what they mean in Australia

Guide · 2026-10-16 · 5 min read · by the Blueberry Bear Team

If you buy organic food for yourself, you may wonder about the dog or cat. Organic pet food is sold in Australia, but its labels work differently from human food. This guide explains how pet food is regulated, what the organic wording on a pet food pack means, and how to check a claim.

We don't make claims about pet health or nutrition. Your vet is the right person to advise on what your pet should eat.

How pet food is regulated in Australia

Pet food isn't covered by the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, which applies to human food. Instead:

• Australian Standard AS 5812 sets out requirements for the manufacturing and marketing of pet food for cats and dogs, including labelling. The current version is AS 5812:2023, which replaced the 2017 edition. The standard is voluntary, although the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA) requires its members to comply.
• The Australian Consumer Law applies to pet food like any other product. Claims on the pack, including organic claims, mustn't be false or misleading.
• Biosecurity and import rules apply to pet food made with animal products, especially imported products.

Governments have reviewed pet food safety regulation several times. If you want the latest position, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has a pet food safety page.

What "organic" means on pet food

In Australia, certification isn't legally required before a product sold here can be called organic, whether it's pet food or human food. But the ACCC expects any organic claim to be able to be backed up, and certification is the clearest way to do that.

Certifiers such as Australian Certified Organic (ACO) can certify pet food businesses. A certified organic pet food has gone through the same kind of process as human food: the business applies, its recipes, suppliers and processes are reviewed, and it is audited each year.

So on a pet food pack, look for:

• A certifier logo and certificate number, such as the ACO bud. You can look it up on the certifier's public register. Our guide How to check an organic certificate shows how.
• An overseas organic mark on imported pet food, such as the EU organic leaf or USDA Organic. Check the certifier's code or name on the pack.

"Certified organic" vs "made with organic"

As with human food, wording matters:

• "Certified organic [product]" with a logo usually means the whole product is certified, with a high minimum percentage of organic ingredients under the certifier's standard.
• "Made with organic chicken" or "contains organic ingredients" may only mean one or some ingredients are organic. The rest of the recipe may be conventional.
• An ingredient list with "organic" next to some items tells you exactly which ones are organic.

Our guide to Australian organic logos and label wording explains the percentages behind each wording.

Other words on pet food packs

• "Natural" has no legal definition in Australia. It may mean very little.
• "Human grade" isn't a defined term in pet food regulation either. Read what the company says it means.
• "Grain-free", "holistic", "premium" are marketing terms, not certifications.
• "Complete and balanced" is used to describe food intended to be fed as a pet's only diet, as opposed to treats or "complementary" foods. Ask your vet if you're unsure what your pet needs.
• "Australian made" and "Product of Australia" have specific meanings under the country of origin rules. The kangaroo logo is a registered certification trade mark run by Australian Made.
• Free range, grass-fed and similar claims on the meat in pet food should be specific. Look for a certification scheme or details from the maker.

Organic treats, toys and bedding

You'll also find "organic" on pet treats, cotton toys, beds and grooming products.

• Treats follow the same rules as pet food. Look for a certifier.
• Organic cotton in toys and bedding is usually certified under textile standards such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). Look for the GOTS logo and a licence number.
• Pet shampoos and grooming products may carry cosmetic organic marks such as COSMOS. Our guide to organic cleaning and skincare labels explains them.

Practical buying tips

1. Start with your vet's advice on what type of food your pet needs, then look for an organic option that fits.
2. Check the certifier and number on every product, not just the brand's website.
3. Read the ingredient list to see which ingredients are organic.
4. Change foods gradually. Vets commonly suggest mixing a new food in over several days. Ask yours.
5. Compare per kilo. Organic pet food is often sold in small packs. Bigger bags are usually cheaper per kilo, if your pet will finish them before the use-by date.
6. Store it well. Dry food in a sealed container, away from heat and humidity. Opened wet food in the fridge, used within the time on the label.

Will Blueberry Bear Organics sell pet food?

Not at launch. Our categories are food for people: fruit and veg, dairy and eggs, meat and seafood, bakery, pantry, drinks, snacks, and kids and babies. If Queensland sellers ask to list certified organic pet food in future, we'd apply the same rules as everything else: a current certificate from an approved certifier, checked on the public register, shown on every product. The products on our site today are clearly marked SAMPLE.

Information checked 16 October 2026 against Standards Australia (AS 5812:2023), the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, ACO and ACCC guidance on organic claims. General information only, not veterinary advice.

— the Blueberry Bear Team