Special requirements for pet treat packaging pouches
Pet treat packaging pouchessit in direct contact with food, so food-contact material safety standards apply in full. China’s pet treat market reached CNY 58 billion in 2025, growing 18.5% year on year, and demand for treat pouches climbed 22% alongside it.
| Standard | Scope | Core requirements |
|---|---|---|
| GB 4806.1-2016 | Pet food for the Chinese market | Sensory indicators, physical/chemical indicators, additive use |
| FDA 21 CFR | Pet food exported to the US | Food contact substance list |
| EU 10/2011 | Pet food exported to the EU | Overall migration limits |
Key note: pet food pouches must carry thefood contact mark and provide third-party test reports. Refer to theState Administration for Market Regulation food-contact material standards for the latest requirements.
Barrier performance requirements for pet treat packaging pouches
Treats — meat-based products above all — are highly vulnerable to oxygen, moisture and light, which puts high-barrier packaging on the requirement list.
| Snack type | Oxygen transmission rate requirement | Recommended material structure |
|---|---|---|
| Dried meat treats | <5 cm³/m²·24h | PET/AL/PE |
| Freeze-dried treats | <1 cm³/m²·24h | PET/AL/PA/PE |
| Biscuit-type treats | <10 cm³/m²·24h | PET/PE、BOPP/CPP |
| Wet food (moisture-containing) | <2 cm³/m²·24h | PET/AL/PA/PE |
Material selection: a full comparison of PET/PE, aluminum foil and mono-materials
Mainstream material structures for pet treat packaging pouches
1. PET/PE structure — strong clarity, moderate pricing and dependable print results, though barrier performance is unremarkable; fits biscuits and low-oil treats; cost index ⭐⭐
2. PET/AL/PE structure (with aluminum foil) — outstanding barrier and long shelf life, but opaque, non-recyclable and expensive; built for meat treats and freeze-dried treats; cost index ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. PET/PA/PE structure (with nylon) — puncture-resistant with solid barrier and transparency, at a higher price point; the right call for bone-in treats and sharp-edged products; cost index ⭐⭐⭐
4. Mono-material PE structure — recyclable, eco-friendly and aligned with the EU PPWR regulation; barrier is moderate and coating is required; suits pet food exported to the EU; cost index ⭐⭐⭐
For a detailed comparison of different materials, refer to our earlierPros and cons comparison of 6 common packaging materials。
Pouch type selection: how to choose between stand-up pouches, 8-side seal pouches and shaped pouches?
Pouch type decision framework for pet treat packaging
| Pouch type | Applicable products | Shelf effect | Cost | Recommended scenario |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| stand-up zipper pouch | 50g-500g treats | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Mainstream choice |
| 8-side seal pouch | 500g-2kg treats | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Premium positioning |
| three-side seal pouch | 10g-50g small packs | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ | Trial packs, gifts |
| shaped pouch | Pet treat gift boxes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Differentiated competition |
Stand-up zipper pouches arePet treat packaging pouchesthe mainstream format for three simple reasons: upright display, resealability and flexible capacity. In practice, single-serve treats (10g-30g) go into three-side seal pouches, family packs (200g-500g) into stand-up zipper pouches, and gift packs (1kg and up) into 8-side seal pouches.
Printing process: choosing between composite printing and digital printing
1. Lamination printing (gravure printing): rich saturated color, batch-to-batch consistency and low unit cost at volume — offset by heavy plate fees and high MOQs; the right choice for stable bulk orders (>10,000 pcs).
2. Digital printing: plate-free, workable at small volume and fast (3-7 day turnaround), with a higher unit price and slightly looser color consistency; ideal for new product tests, small runs and personalization.
Selection of printing inks: water-based inks are the eco-friendly recommendation with low VOC; UV inks deliver vivid color but emit more VOC; andbenzene-free and ketone-free inksare mandatory for food packaging, in line with theEU food contact materials framework regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 standard.
Compliance essentials: special requirements for pet food packaging
Labeling requirements for pet treat packaging pouches
| Label element | Requirement | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient list | Must be labeled | GB 7708-2011 |
| Net content | Must be labeled | Metrology Law |
| Production date / shelf life | Must be labeled | Food Safety Law |
| Storage conditions | Recommended | Industry practice |
| Food production license number | Must be labeled | SC certification requirements |
| Pet food labeling | Must be labeled | GB/T 31217-2014 |
Packaging compliance for exported pet food
| Target market | Compliance requirements | Packaging impact |
|---|---|---|
| US | FDA registration, ASTM standards | FDA compliance statement required |
| EU | FEDIAF standards, PPWR regulation | Prefer recyclable materials |
| Japan | Pet Food Safety and Hygiene Law | Local Japanese test reports required |
Cost control: 5 ways to reduce pet treat packaging costs
1. Lightweight design: thinner pouch walls take 10%-20% out of material cost
2. Standard sizes: use supplier standard tooling to waive mold fees
3. Bulk purchasing: annual usage above>50 tons, lock in pricing
4. Mono-materials: meets EPR requirements, reducing fees by 30%-50%
5. Localized supply chain: reducing shipping costs and lead times
Summary: selection framework for pet treat packaging pouches
Looking back atPet treat packaging pouches as a whole, selection can be summarized as:
- Determine product characteristics -> meats/biscuits/freeze-dried, oil content, moisture content
- Determine materials -> PET/PE, PET/AL/PE, PET/PA/PE, based on barrier requirements
- Determine pouch type -> stand-up zipper pouches (mainstream), 8-side seal pouches (premium)
- Determine printing -> gravure (large volumes), digital (small batches)
- Determine compliance → food-contact material standards, labeling requirements, export compliance
Pet treat pouches are not about“the more expensive the better”, but“the safer and more suitable the better”.
To learn more about choosing between pouch types, see ourDetailed Guide to Common Flexible Packaging Pouch Types。
ForPet treat packaging pouches have customization needs? Welcome toContact PurestPack. We offer one-stop service from material selection, structural design, printing and sampling to mass production, with our professional team providing free customization advice to help your product stand out on the shelf.
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References:State Administration for Market Regulation food contact material standards, EU framework regulation on food contact materials、FEDIAF《Pet Food Packaging Guidelines 2025》