All Roll Calls
Yes: 142 • No: 0
IndianaSB 249Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)SenateWALLET
State chemist.
Sponsored By: Jean Leising (Republican)
Signed by Governor
agriculturethe houseagriculture and rural development
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
13 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 13 mixed.
Standard labels and ingredient lists for pet food
Beginning July 1, 2026, pet food labels must show on the principal display panel: product and brand name, species, net quantity, guaranteed analysis, ingredient list, required nutrition or purpose statement, feeding directions when required, and the maker or distributor’s name and address. The ingredient list must be one continuous list in weight order using AAFCO or common names, and may not use brand names; meat sources must be identified unless from cattle, swine, sheep, or goats. You must list a full address (street, city, state, ZIP); the street may be omitted only if it appears in a current city or phone directory, and you may use the principal business address. Declared moisture is capped at 78% unless the product is mainly stew, gravy, sauce, broth, aspic, juice, or a milk replacer. Guaranteed analysis must follow the set order; microbe and enzyme guarantees must use the required format. Mineral and vitamin supplements must include minimum guarantees in required units, and products not meant to furnish protein, fat, or fiber (like some supplements) need not list those guarantees.
Stronger safety rules for animal feed
Beginning July 1, 2026, the state chemist can require proof that additives in feed are safe and effective. Acceptable proof includes GRAS status, prior‑sanctioned substances, compliance with 21 CFR, FDA drug approvals, or approved immunological constituents, plus special labeling and guarantees for direct‑fed microbials and enzyme products. The law also defines when feed is adulterated, such as if it contains poisonous or unsafe added substances, comes from diseased animals or animals not slaughtered, uses poisonous containers, or is irradiated outside federal rules. Adulterated feed may be removed from the market.
Light and low fat rules for pet foods
Beginning July 1, 2026, dog foods labeled light/lite/low calorie must meet calorie caps by moisture: under 20% moisture ≤ 3,100 kcal ME/kg; 20% to under 65% ≤ 2,500; 65% or more ≤ 900. Cat foods must meet: under 20% moisture ≤ 3,250 kcal ME/kg; 20% to under 65% ≤ 2,650; 65% or more ≤ 950. “Less” or “reduced calories” claims must name the product you compare to, show the percent fewer calories next to the claim, and use products in the same moisture category. “Lean” or “low fat” dog foods must be ≤ 9%, 7%, or 4% crude fat by moisture tier; cat foods must be ≤ 10%, 8%, or 5%, and you must show a maximum crude fat guarantee after the minimum. A calorie statement is allowed under “Calorie Content” as ME in kcal/kg (as‑fed); values can be calculated or tested, must be identified if calculated, and tested values must be within 15% of calculated.
New rules for pet food names and claims
Beginning July 1, 2026, ingredient names in a pet food’s product name must meet clear content rules. Using a meat, poultry, or fish name alone is allowed only if animal ingredients are at least 95% of product weight (excluding processing water) and at least one named ingredient is 70% of total weight. A 25% rule applies if you add a descriptor like “Dinner” or “Recipe,” and the named ingredient must be at least 10% of total weight. If you name multiple ingredients, each must be at least 3% (excluding processing water), listed by weight order, and shown in the same size and style. “With” claims need each named ingredient at least 3% (nutrients and condiments are exempt) and must follow type‑size caps by panel area (for example, under 5 sq. in.: 1/8 inch). Flavor names must match the ingredient list or identify the flavor source, the word “flavor” must be as clear as the flavor name, and you must provide proof if asked.
Old feed rules removed from code
Effective July 1, 2026, Indiana voids 355 IAC 6‑1 and 355 IAC 6‑2 and removes them from the code. The removal directive ends July 1, 2027. If your business was regulated by those rules, the rules that apply to you may change.
Optional state label review for pet foods
Beginning July 1, 2026, the state chemist reviews a pet food label against AAFCO model rules if you ask. To use the service, you must meet AAFCO and FDA rules, pay the required fees, and not have committed prohibited acts. The office may use the AAFCO label review checklist.
Proof for complete and balanced pet foods
Beginning July 1, 2026, a “complete and balanced” claim is allowed only if the product meets an AAFCO nutrient profile, passes an AAFCO feeding test, or is part of a tested product family. “All life stages” means gestation or lactation, growth, and adult maintenance. Dog and cat foods labeled complete and balanced must include feeding directions in household terms, showing “Feed (weight/unit of product) per (weight only) of dog (or cat)” and how often to feed, unless the label says to use under a veterinarian’s direction. If a label compares nutrients to an AAFCO profile, the product must meet that profile and the label must say so before the comparison.
Standard labels and guarantees for animal feeds
Beginning July 1, 2026, commercial feeds (not customer‑formula feeds) must show quantity, product and brand name, an “as‑is” guaranteed analysis, ingredient names, and the manufacturer or distributor’s address. Product names may not mislead; when a feed is medicated, the word “medicated” must appear under the name at no smaller than half the product‑name type size, with purpose and active ingredient statements. Guaranteed analyses must follow the required sequence and animal classes (for example, swine, poultry, cattle, horses, sheep, fish) and use required units, order, and max/min relationships for nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and drugs.
Stricter pet food labeling rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, pet food sold in Indiana faces tighter label rules. You cannot use “100%,” “All,” or similar words in the brand or product name if the food has more than one ingredient. Ingredient‑based names are allowed only if all ingredients are named, the named ingredient clearly gives the product a distinct trait or affects price, or the name does not imply other ingredients are excluded. Contractions or coined ingredient names in brand names are banned unless they meet those same rules. Labels may not compare products across moisture categories (under 20%, 20% to under 65%, 65% or more). Nutrient guarantees cannot be shown as ranges; list single values.
Stronger safety rules for medicated and additive feeds
Beginning July 1, 2026, makers of medicated feeds must follow federal good manufacturing practices at 21 CFR 225 and 226. Artificial colors are allowed only if harmless for the animal, and the state chemist can require proof that additives or drugs are safe and effective. Feed labels with additives must include clear directions and precautions that non‑experts can follow and all federally required information. Safety thresholds apply to poisonous or harmful substances, including fluorine limits (for example, 0.20% for breeding and dairy cattle; 0.30% for slaughter cattle) and a 50 mg per 100 lb daily fluorine intake threshold for roughage‑eating ruminants. If the feed’s suitability is in doubt, the state chemist can require a notarized affidavit within 30 days or deem the feed adulterated and act.
Licenses and fees for feed businesses
Beginning July 1, 2026, you must hold a commercial feed license to distribute feed in Indiana. Licenses run by calendar year and expire December 31. The license fee is $50 per year. You owe an extra $50 if you distributed before filing, and another $50 if a renewal is received after January 16. You must use the state form and provide company, address, contact, and product details. Indiana also offers interstate exclusion status for in‑state makers that ship substantial quantities to other states. Suppliers may not charge you the inspection fee if you have this status, but you must still report and pay inspection fees each quarter on feed distributed in Indiana, and you cannot credit another distributor’s payments.
What counts as commercial feed and suppliers
Beginning July 1, 2026, many raw or unmixed commodities are not treated as commercial feed unless you add nutrition claims to the label or the material is adulterated. Examples include unmixed whole seeds and some physically altered whole seeds; certain raw, unground meats; unground hay, straw, stover, silage, cobs, husks, and hulls; single chemical compounds and loose salt; and unmanipulated human food byproducts with over 90% moisture. The law also defines a supplier as anyone who provides feed ingredients, supplements, or premixes to Indiana manufacturers or distributors.
Limits on weed seeds and nitrogen
Beginning July 1, 2026, manufacturers that handle screenings or grain and seed byproducts must grind and treat them so weed seeds cannot grow. Finished feed must have zero viable prohibited noxious weed seeds, no more than 50 viable restricted noxious weed seeds per pound, and no more than 100 other viable weed seeds per pound. The law also limits nonprotein nitrogen. It is mainly for ruminant feeds, and labels must state “CAUTION: USE AS DIRECTED” if added nonprotein nitrogen supplies over 8.75% equivalent crude protein or more than one‑third of total crude protein. Nonruminant daily rations may get no more than 1.25% equivalent crude protein from nonprotein nitrogen. Medicated feed directions can stand in when appropriate.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jean Leising
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Kendell Culp
Republican • House
Mike Aylesworth
Republican • House
Scott Alexander
Republican • Senate
Susan Glick
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/10/2026
Roll Call 231 on SB0249.04.COMH
Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2
Senate vote • 1/20/2026
Roll Call 40 on SB0249.03.ENGS
Yes: 46 • No: 0 • Other: 2
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
2/24/2026SenatePublic Law 16
2/24/2026SenateSigned by the President of the Senate
2/19/2026SenateSigned by the Speaker
2/18/2026HouseSigned by the President Pro Tempore
2/12/2026SenateReturned to the Senate without amendments
2/11/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 231: yeas 96, nays 0
2/10/2026HouseSecond reading: ordered engrossed
2/9/2026HouseCommittee report: do pass, adopted
2/5/2026HouseFirst reading: referred to Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
1/28/2026HouseReferred to the House
1/22/2026SenateCosponsor: Representative Aylesworth
1/21/2026SenateHouse sponsor: Representative Culp
1/21/2026SenateThird reading: passed; Roll Call 40: yeas 46, nays 0
1/20/2026SenateSecond reading: amended, ordered engrossed
1/15/2026SenateAmendment #1 (Leising) prevailed; voice vote
1/15/2026SenateSenator Alexander added as third author
1/15/2026SenateSenator Glick added as second author
1/15/2026SenateCommittee report: do pass, adopted
1/13/2026SenateFirst reading: referred to Committee on Agriculture
1/8/2026SenateAuthored by Senator Leising
1/8/2026Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed Senate Bill (H)
Enrolled Senate Bill (S)
Introduced Senate Bill (S)
Senate Bill (S)