Pet Food Program

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Our partnership with Kelly Registration Systems has concluded. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture will now be managing licensing, commercial feed, and pet food product registrations internally to enhance efficiency and provide a more streamlined experience.

What This Means for You:

All services previously handled by Kelly Registration Systems will now be managed directly through the department using the License Application & Renewal Services (LARS) system.
While your existing account data has been preserved, a new login is required to access the system.
You can expect continued excellence in service with responsiveness and support.

We appreciate your understanding and support during this transition. ‘How to’ guides are available to help you get started, and as always should you have any questions, feel free to contact Jamie Good at jgood@nd.gov / 701-226-7337 or Angela Rittmiller at arittmiller@nd.gov / 701-328-1497.

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LARS Transition How To Guides

Logging in for the first time
Creating an entity
Navigating LARS
Registering pet food products
Adding a supporting document

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To search for pet food products registered in North Dakota, click Product Search

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has the responsibility of ensuring the quality and safety of all pet foods that are sold or distributed in the state. The objective is to protect the health and safety of pets and protect the consumers’ interests in the quality of products offered for sale.

State law requires that all pet foods and specialty pet foods be registered by the manufacturer or the person whose name appears on the label prior to being distributed or offered for sale. Pet foods are those fed to domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, caged birds or small animals, and fish. Licenses for manufacturing or distributing pet foods and specialty pet foods are not required in North Dakota and are not subject to inspection (tonnage fees).

Pet Food Registration Details:
- Registration fees are $120 per product.
- The registration cycle is a designated two-year period beginning January 1st of every even-numbered year and ending December 31st of the following odd-numbered year.
- Each product registration must be submitted online by going to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s License Application & Renewal Services (LARS.
- Product labels must be submitted as part of the registration process.
  - Product label review may also include evaluating product documentation such as, but not limited to, spec sheets, facility permits/licenses or inspection reports.
    - Label submissions will be reviewed to ensure they meet all requirements, and any discrepancies will be addressed as needed.
  - Label review ensures that product labels and labeling are compliant with regulations and safety requirements to maintain product integrity and consumer protection.
- After the Department approves the labels and fees have been paid, a certificate of registration will be available for you to print from your LARS account.

Registration renewals and fees are due by January 31st following the registration expiration date. Renewal notices will be emailed during the month of November in odd numbered years. Products not renewed by January 31st will be cancelled and require re-registration.

A person is exempt from this section if the person:

Produces pet food in a noncommercial kitchen;
Sells the pet food directly to the end consumer at a community event or farmer's market; and
Does not use meat, poultry, fish, or their byproducts as an ingredient in the product.