Import Health Standard for Shelf -stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products  
PETFODIC.ALL   19 November 2019     Page 1 of 13 IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD FOR SHELF -STABLE 
PETFOODS CONTAINING ANIMAL PRODUCTS  
Issued pursuant to Section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993  
Dated:   19 November 2019  
USER GUIDE  
The information in Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) animal and animal product im port 
health standards is presented in numerically ordered sections with descriptive titles. Sections 
are grouped into one of four parts, designated alphabetically.  
Part A. GENERAL INFORMATION  contains section s of general interest, including those 
relating to the legal basis for MPI import health standards and the general responsibilities of 
every importer of animals and animal products.  
Part B. IMPORTATION PROCE DURE  contains sections which outline the requirements to 
be met prior to and during importation. Whether an import permit  is required to be obtained 
prior to importation is noted, as are conditions of eligibility, and general conditions relating to 
docume ntation accompanying the consignment, if necessary.  
Part C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE  contains sections describing the requirements to be met 
at the New Zealand border prior to any consignment being given biosecurity clearance . 
Part D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION  contains model health certification which must 
be completed by the appropriate personnel and accompany t he consignment to New Zealand 
where specified in the import health standard.  
PART A. GENERAL INFO RMATION  
1 IMPORT HEALTH STANDA RD 
1.1 Pursuant to section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993  (the Act) , this document is the 
Import Health Standard for Shelf -Stable Pe tfoods Containing Animal Products . 
1.2 Obtaining biosecurity clearance  for each consignment of shelf -stable petfoods 
containing animal products imported into New Zealand is dependant upon the 
consignment meeting th e requirements of this import health standard.  
1.3 This import health standard may be reviewed, amended or revoked if there are 
changes in New Zealand's import policy or the animal health status of the originating 
country, or for any other lawful reason, at th e discretion of the Director -General.  
2 IMPORTER'S RESPONSIB ILITIES  
2.1 It is the importer or agent’s responsibility to ensure that they are compliant with the 
current version of the relevant import health standard at the time of importation into 
New Zeala nd. Current versions of import health standards are available online at :  
Import Health Standard for Shelf -stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products  
PETFODIC.ALL   19 November 2019     Page 2 of 13 https://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/law -and-policy/requirements/ihs -import -health -
standards/   
2.2 Petfoods and petfood ingredients imported under this import health standard must be 
intended for consumption by terrestrial animal species that are kept in households, 
laboratories and zoos as pets or specimens, such as aviary birds, cats,  dogs, 
lagomorphs, mustelids, reptiles and rodents.  
2.3 Products intended to be fed to production animal species including poultry, ostriches, 
emus, cattle, sheep, deer, goats, pigs, horses etc . must not  be imported under this 
import health standard.  
2.4 This import health standard relates only to petfoods containing animal products (note, 
the product may also include  non-viable plant products or mineral products). P etfoods 
that do not contain any animal or plant ingredients, and only comprise of inanimate  
ingredients, such as minerals, are not subject to any biosecurity requirements.  
2.5 This import health standard specifically excludes  petfood derived from animal 
products that need to be refrigerated  prior to opening.  Please refer to MPI’s  website : 
https://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/law -and-policy/requirements/ihs -import -health -
standards/  to obtain import requirements for petfoods requiring refrigeration prio r to 
opening . 
2.6 Shelf -stable petfoods may be imported from the European Community using this 
 import health standard provided they do not contain bovine ingredients other than 
 milk. If the products include bovine material  then they can be imported under the 
 Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Processed Petfood  
Containing Category 3 Material Only from the Europ ean Community . 
2.7 The costs to MPI in performing functions relating to the importation of shelf -stable 
petfoods containing animal products shall be recovered in accordance with the Act 
and any regulations made under that Act.  
2.8 All costs involved with document ation, transport, storage and obtaining a  biosecurity 
clearance  shall be borne by the importer or agent.  
2.9 All petfood products sold on the domestic New Zealand market must comply with any 
legal requirements noti fied by the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines 
Act 1997. Petfood products that are manufactured for the purpose of being fed by 
mouth with the intention of providing nutritional benefit to the animal, are considered 
Oral Nutritional Compounds (ONC) under this Act and supporting Regulations. 
Importers are advised to consult the website:  https:/ /www.mpi.govt.nz/processing/pet -
food-inedibles -animal -feed-and-supplements/requirements -for-pet-food-animal -feeds -
and-supplements/  to check the requirements for selling petfood in New Zealand.  
3  DEFINITION OF TERMS  
Animal product  
A product that includes a material derived from any part or secretion of a  vertebrate or 
an invertebrate member of the animal kingdom .  
Import Health Standard for Shelf -stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products  
PETFODIC.ALL   19 November 2019     Page 3 of 13 Biosecurity clearance  
A clearance under section 26 of the Act for  the entry of goods into New Zealand.  
 
Dairy product  
Any product manufactured fro m the milk and cream of animals.  
 
Fo3 
Fo3 is a processing standard that specifies that the core temperature of the product has 
reached 121°C for 3 minutes. (Refer to Schedule 1 for time -temperature combinations 
equivalent to Fo3).  
 
Inspector  
Means a person  who is appointed an inspector under section 103 of the Act.  
 
Manufacturer’s declaration  
A document that has been prepared by the manufacturer on the manufacturing 
company’s letterhead paper and : 
a) Signed by the manufacturer’s quality manager or equivalent . 
b) Dated within the last 12 months  prior to the arrival of the consignment in New 
Zealand . 
c) Contain ing the statements required by this import health standard, the product 
name(s) relevant to the consignment and the details  of the importer 
(consignee) . 
 
MPI  
The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries .  
 
Meat  
Skeletal muscle of vertebrate animal species (e.g. avian, amphibian, fish, mammalian, 
and reptilian) with naturally included or adherent tissue or bone. This definition 
excludes animal by -products.  
Mea t product  
A product containing meat as an ingredient (such as meat patties, meat pies, salami or 
sausage), or meat that has been treated so that the cut surface of the meat no longer 
has the characteristics of fresh meat.  
Official certificate  
A certificat e issued by the exporting country’s Official Veterinarian  containing the 
following  information : 
a) A unique consignment identifier.  
b) The description  and amount of product.  
c) Name and address of the importer (consignee) and exporter (consignor).  
d) Name, signature a nd contact details of the Official Veterinarian . 
e) Certification by the Official Veterinarian that the requirements of this import 
health standard have been met.  
  
Import Health Standard for Shelf -stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products  
PETFODIC.ALL   19 November 2019     Page 4 of 13 Official Veterinarian  
A veterinarian of an exporting country’s Veterinary Authority who is auth orised 
according to official procedures to sign international veterinary certificates.  
 
Retorted  
Means heated in an unopened hermetically sealed container for a time, and to a 
temperature, by superheated steam under pressure, sufficient to render the conte nts 
commercially sterile, for example, traditional canning processes.  
Shelf -stable  
Not requiring refrigeration or freezing.  
Veterinary A uthority  
Means  the g overnmental Veterinary Service that has authority for implementing, 
supervising and auditing the animal health measures  and international veterinary 
certification process es recommended by the OIE (World Animal Health Organisation ). 
 
4 EQUIVALENCE  
4.1 It is expected that the product will meet the conditions of this import health standard 
in every respect.  If  the product does not comply with the requirements, an application 
for equivalence may be submitted to  MPI for consideration prior to importation 
explaining the the reason(s) why the consignment may be considered of equivalent 
health status to a consignmen t complying with this import health standard, and what 
proposal is made to achieve an equivalent health status .  Applications may be sent to:  
Animal Imports Team , Ministry for Primary Industries,  PO Box 2526 , Wellington  
6140 , or email:  animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz   
PART B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE  
5 IMPORT PERMIT  
5.1 An import permit  must be obtained for shelf -stable petfoods containing  more than 2% 
of honey, pollen or royal jelly  from the Animal Imports  Team , Ministry for Primary 
Industri es, PO Box 2526, Wellington  6140 , New Zealand , or email  
animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz .  
5.2 An import permit  is not required for other petfood consignments that meet the 
requiremen ts of this import health standard.  
6 DOCUMENTATION ACCOMP ANYING THE CONSIGNME NT 
6.1 The consignment shall be accompanied by appropriately completed documentation 
where specified in section 7 of this import health standard.  
6.2 Documentation shall be in Englis h, but may be bilingual (language of exporting 
country  and English).   
Import Health Standard for Shelf -stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products  
PETFODIC.ALL   19 November 2019     Page 5 of 13 6.3 It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that any documentation presented in 
accordance with the requirements of this import health standard is original (unless 
otherwise specified) and clearly legible. Failure to do so may result in delays in 
obtaining biosecurity clearance  or rejection of consignments.  
7 ELIGIBILITY  
7.1 Canned/retorted  petfoods  containing beef/other bovine meat products/by -
products and other animal products  from Australia , Israel, Japan, or the United 
States of America  may be given biosecurity clearance  provided all of the following 
requirements are met:  
i. The product is shelf -stable   
ii. The product is commercially prepared, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
iii. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arrival  
iv. The country of origin  is clearly identifiable on t he packaging   
v. The product is:  
EITHER  a. subject to inspection on arrival to verify that the goods are in 
metal cans, retort pouches or other equivalent receptacles and 
that they do not require refrigeration to maintain quality  
OR b. accompanied by document ary evidence that the product has 
been subject to a retort  process (a product description or 
manufacturer’s declaration).  
7.2 Canned/retorted  petfoods  containing beef/other bovine meat produ cts/by -
products and other animal products  from Canada or Switzerland  may be given 
biosecurity clearance  provided all of the following requirements are met:  
i. The product is shelf-stable   
ii. The product is commercially prepared, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
iii. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arrival  
iv. The country of origin  (Canada  or Switzerland ) is clearly identifiable on the 
packaging   
v. The product is : 
EITHER  a. subject to inspection on arrival to verify that the goods are in 
metal cans, retort pouches or other equivalent receptacles and 
that they do not require refrigeration to maintain quality   
Import Health Standard for Shelf -stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products  
PETFODIC.ALL   19 November 2019     Page 6 of 13 OR b. accompanied by documentary evidence that the product has 
been subject to a retort  process (a product description or 
manufacturer’s declaration).  
vi. The product must be accompanied by certification that meets Part D. Zoosanitary 
Certification . 
7.3 Canned/retorte d petfoods containing animal products  from any countr y. 
7.3.1 Canned/retorted petfoods containing animal products NOT of bovine or 
porcine origin  may b e given biosecurity clearance  provided all of the 
following requirements are met:  
i. The product is shelf -stable   
ii. The product is commercially prepared, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
iii. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arrival  
iv. The pro duct is:  
EITHER  a. subject to inspection on arrival to verify that the 
    product does not contain bovine  or porcine   
    materials and is in metal cans, retort pouches or 
    other equivalent receptacles and that they do not 
    require refrigeration to  maintain quality  
OR  b. accompanied by documentary evidence that the 
    product does not contain bovine or porcine  
    materials and has been subject to a retort process (a 
    product description or manufacturer’s declaration) . 
7.3.2 Canned/retorted petfoods  containing pork/pork products/by -products 
and other animal products NOT of bovine origin  may be given biosecurity 
clearance  provided all of the following requirements are met:  
i. The product is shelf -stable   
ii. The product is commercially prepared, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
iii. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arrival  
iv. The product is: 
EITHER  a. subject to inspection on arrival to verify that the 
    product does  not contain bovine  material  
OR  b. accompanied by documentary evidence that the 
    product does not contain bovine material (a product 
    description or manufacturer’s declaration).   
Import Health Standard for Shelf -stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products  
PETFODIC.ALL   19 November 2019     Page 7 of 13 v. The product is  accompanied by an official certificate stating that the 
product has been subject ed to a retort process of Fo3 or greater (refer to 
Schedule 1 for time and temperatures to achieve Fo3).  
7.4 Dehydrated complete diets, dehydrated pet supplements, pet b iscuits and 
pelleted petfoods  containing beef /other bovine meat pr oducts/by -products and 
other animal products  from  Australi a, Israel, Japan or the United States of 
America  may be given biosecurity clearance  provided all of the following 
requirements are met:  
i. The product has been  cooked  by baking, or cooked during the process of 
extrusion   
ii. The product is shelf -stable  
iii. The product is commercially prepared, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
iv. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arri val 
v. The country of origin (Australia , Israel, Japan or the United States of America ) 
is clearly identifiable on  the packaging  
vi. The product is accompanied by documentary evidence that the product has 
been cooked (a product description or manufacturer’s decla ration).  
7.5 Dehydrated complete diets, dehydrated pet supplements, pet b iscuits and 
pelleted petfoods  containing beef/other bovine meat products/by -products and 
other animal products  from  Canada  or Switzerland  may be given biosecurity 
clearance  provided all of the following requirements are met:  
i. The product has been  cooked  by baking, or cooked during the process of 
extrusion   
ii. The product is shelf -stable  
iii. The product is commercially  prepared, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
iv. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arrival  
v. The country of origin (Canada  or Switzerland ) is clearly identifiable on  the 
packaging  
vi. The product is accompanied by documentary evidence that the produ ct has 
been cooked (a product description or manufacturer’s declaration).  
vii. The product is accompanied by certification that meets  Part D. Zoosanitary 
Certification . 
7.6 Dehydrated complete diets, dehydrate d pet supplements, pet b iscuits and 
pelleted petfoods  containing animal products  from  any countr y.  
Import Health Standard for Shelf -stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products  
PETFODIC.ALL   19 November 2019     Page 8 of 13 7.6.1 Dehydrated complete diets, dehydrated pet supplements, pet b iscuits and 
pelleted petfoods  containing animal products  NOT of bovine or porcine 
origin  may be given biosecurity clearance provided all of the following 
requirements are met:  
i. The product has been  cooked  by baking, or cooked during the process of 
extrusion  
ii. The product is shelf -stable  
iii. The product is commercially prepared, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
iv. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arrival  
v. The product  is accompanied by documentary evidence that the produc t 
does not contain bovine or porcine materials and has been cooked (a 
product description or manufacturer’s declaration).  
7.6.2 Dehydrated complete diets, dehydrated pet supplements, pet b iscuits and 
pelleted petfoods  containing pork/pork products/by -products an d other 
animal products  NOT of bovine origin may be given biosecurity clearance 
provided all of the following requirements are met:  
i. The product is shelf -stable  
ii. The product is commercially prepared, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
iii. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arrival  
iv. The product  is: 
EITHER  a. subject to inspection on arrival to verify that the 
   product does not contain bovine  material  
OR  b. accompanied  by documentary evidence that the 
   product does not contain bovine material (a  
   product description or manufacturer’s declaration) . 
v. The product is accompanied by an official certificate stating that the 
product has been cooked by the process of baking  to a minimum core 
temperature of 70°C for at least 30 minutes, or by the process of 
extrusion.  
7.7 Dried dog and cat chews  containing animal products : 
7.7.1 Beef jerky chews  from Australia , Israel, Japan or the United Sta tes of 
America  may be given biosecurity clearance  provided that all of the following 
requirements are met:   
Import Health Standard for Shelf -stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products  
PETFODIC.ALL   19 November 2019     Page 9 of 13 i. The product d oes not contain any animal products  other th an bovine 
meat products  
ii. The product is shelf -stable  
iii. The country of origin (Australia , Israel, Japan or the United States of 
America ) is clearly identifiable on  the packaging  
iv. The product is commercially prepared, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
v. The product is within it s original sealed packaging on arrival  
7.7.2 Beef jerky chews  from Canada  or Switzerland  may be given biosecurity 
clearance  provided that all of the following requirements are met:  
i. The product does not contain any animal products  other than bovine 
meat products  
ii. The product is shelf -stable  
iii. The product is commercially prepared, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
iv. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arrival  
v. The country of origin (Canada  or Switzerland ) is clearly identifiable on  
the packaging  
vi. The product is acco mpanied by certification that meets Part D. 
Zoosanitary Certification . 
7.7.3 Mammalian rawhide  and mammalian ligamentum nuchae  chews from 
Australia , Israel , Japan or the United States of America  may be given 
biosecurity clearance  provided that all of the followi ng requirements are met:  
i. The product does not contain any animal products  other than the skin, 
hide or ligamentum nuchae of a mammal (i.e. not avian products)  
ii. The product is shelf-stable  
iii. The product is commercially prepared, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
iv. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arrival   
v. The country of origin (Australia , Israel, Japan or the United States of 
America ) is clearly identifiable on  the packaging.  
7.7.4 Mammalian r awhide chews  and mammalian  ligamentum nuchae chews 
from Canada  or Switzerland   may be given biosecurity clearance  provided 
that all of the following requirements are met:  
i. The product doe s not contain any animal products  other than the skin, 
hide or ligamentum nuchae of a mammal (i.e. not avian products)   
Import Health Standard for Shelf -stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products  
PETFODIC.ALL   19 November 2019     Page 10 of 13 ii. The product is shelf -stable  
iii. The product is commercially  prepared, packaged, and labelled as 
petfood  
iv. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arrival  
v. The country of origin (Canada  or Switzerland ) is clearly identifiable on  
the packaging  
vi. The product is accompanied by certification that meets Part D. 
Zoosanitary Certification . 
7.7.5 Mammalian r awhide chews  from any country may be given biosecurity 
clearance  provided that all of the following requirements are met:  
i. The product does not c ontain any animal products  other than the skin, 
hide or ligamentum nuchae of a mammal (i.e. not avian products)  
ii. The product is shelf -stable  
iii. The product is commercially prepar ed, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
iv. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arrival  
v. The product must be accompanied by  an official certificate stating that 
the product has been soaked in a lime solution of pH 14 for at least 8 
hours . 
7.8 Dried sardines  from any country  may be given biosecurity clearance  provided that 
all the following requirements are met:  
i. The product does not contain any animal products  other than fish  
ii. The product is shelf -stable  
iii. The product is commercially prepared, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
iv. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arrival.  
7.9 Products  containing dairy  ingredients  from any country  may be given biosecurity 
clearance  provided that all the following requirements are met:  
i. The product does not contain any animal products  other than dairy  ingredients  
ii. The product is shelf -stable  
iii. The product is commercially prepared, packaged, and labelled as petfood  
iv. The product is in its original sealed p ackaging on arrival   
Import Health Standard for Shelf -stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products  
PETFODIC.ALL   19 November 2019     Page 11 of 13 7.10 Petfoods containing any honey, pollen or royal jelly from any country  may be 
given biosecurity clearance  provided that all the following requirements are met:  
i. The product does not contain an y animal products  other than honey, pollen or 
royal jelly ingredients  
ii. The product is commercially prepared and packaged  
iii. The product is in its original sealed packaging on arrival  
iv. The product is accompanied by  
EITHER  (a) a manufacturer’s  declaration certifying  that the product 
contains  no more than 2% honey, pollen or royal jelly  
OR (b)  an import permit . 
7.11 Petfoods containing any honey, pollen or royal jelly in addition to other animal 
product ingredients specifi ed in other clauses in this import health standard need to 
comply with all the requirements in the relevant clause, and be accompanied by  
EITHER  (a) a manufacturer’s declaration certifying  that the product contains  no 
more than 2% honey, pollen or royal j elly 
OR (b)  an import permit . 
PART C. CLEARANCE PR OCEDURE  
8 BIOSECURITY CLEARANC E AND DIRECTION  
8.1 An inspector may inspect consignments upon arrival in New Zealand to check that 
they meet the conditions of eligibility  stated  in section 7 of this import health 
standard.  
8.2 Providing that the consignment meets the conditions of eligibility , the consignment 
may, subject to sections 27 and 28 of the Act, be given a biosecurity clearance  
pursuant to section 26 of the Act.  
PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION  
9.1  The following Model Zoosanitary Certificate contains the information required by 
MPI to accompany imports of consignments of shelf -stable pe tfoods containing 
bovine material into New Zealand from Canada  and Switzerland.  
9.2  MODEL VETERINARY CERTIFICATE  
Name of Animal Product : ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........   
Exporting Country : ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................   
Competent Ministry of Exporting Country : ................................ ................................ ............    
Import Health Standard for Shelf -stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products  
PETFODIC.ALL   19 November 2019     Page 12 of 13 I. Identification of Product : 
Number of packages:  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......  
Natu re of packaging:  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......  
Nature of the goods:  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......  
Species product derived from:  ................................ ................................ ........................   
Net weight in kilograms (kg):  ................................ ................................ .........................   
Number of the container(s) and container seal number(s):  ................................ ............   
Production date(s):  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........   
II. Origin of Product : 
Name and official approval number(s) of establishmen t(s): ................................ ..........   
 ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........   
III. Consignment Information : 
Place of loading:  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............   
Name and address of consignor:  ................................ ................................ .....................   
Name and address of consignee:  ................................ ................................ ....................   
Port of Disembarkation : ................................ ................................ ................................ ............   
Country of Final Destination : NEW ZEALAND  
IV. Health Attestation : 
I hereby certify with respect to the shelf -stable petfoods herein described:  
 The products do not contain any specified risk materials (SRMs).  
Cattle of all ages: Tonsils and distal ileum.  
Cattle aged 30 months or older: Brains, eyes, spinal cord, skull and vertebral 
column  
 
Done at:  ................................ .....................   on: ................................ .............................    
Import Health Standard for Shelf -stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products  
PETFODIC.ALL   19 November 2019     Page 13 of 13 Schedul e 1 – Fo3 Time and Temperature  
Equivalent time and temperature parameters to 121°C for 3 minutes (Fo3) require the product 
has been processed to/greater than one of the following minimum core temperature and time 
parameters:  
 
110°C for 40 minutes  
111°C for  32 minutes  
112°C for 25 minutes  
113°C for 20 minutes  
114°C for 16 minutes  
115°C for 13 minutes  
116°C for 11 minutes  
117°C for 9 minutes  
118°C for 7 minutes  
119°C for 6 minutes  
120°C for 5 minutes  
121°C for 3 minutes  (Fo3)  
122°C for 3 minutes  
123°C for 3 minutes  
124°C for 3 minutes  
125°C for 2 minutes  
126°C for 1 minute  
127°C for 46 seconds  
128°C for 37 seconds  
129°C for 29 seconds  
130°C for 23 seconds  
131°C for 18 seconds  
132°C for 15 seconds  
133°C for 12 seconds  
134°C for 9 seconds  
135°C for 7 seconds  
136°C for 6 seconds