Nylabone’s Pet Food Safety Certifications & Achievements

Ever since introducing our very first chew treats 30 years ago, the Nylabone^® team has spent the past three decades developing world-class edible products for treating, rewarding, and occupying our furry friends. As Nylabone's dog treats continue to evolve, our priority remains the same: providing the safest products for every dog.

Offering outstanding products goes beyond simply treating every dog as if they were our own. In fact, before we introduce any new item to the world, we make sure our very own dogs love it first! And as pet parents, we know just how important it is to give our dogs products we can trust and feel good about—especially when it comes to chews and treats. That's why we at Nylabone are dedicated to making the safest, highest-quality edible products for dogs.

How Nylabone Ensures Treat Safety 

In short: Nylabone chew treats are made and tested in the USA, in facilities that operate under FDA Food Safety Modernization Act rules, hold SQF Level 2 certification, undergo voluntary SMETA social-compliance audits, and pass annual USDA export audits. 

On top of those outside certifications, an internal quality-control team inspects manufacturing on an ongoing basis, and accredited third-party labs test finished products. 
No single certification can carry the weight on its own. That’s why Nylabone combines independent audits, government inspection, and continuous internal checking. Together, they add up to a complete safety program rather than a single seal on a package. 

The table below breaks down what each certification actually covers and why it matters to a pet parent reading a label, beyond what the acronym stands for. 

FDA FSMA Compliance

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspects all facilities where Nylabone treats are made to ensure our facilities meet the FDA's rigid food safety practices. We uphold the strict standards set by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), a federally mandated law that protects public health through food safety regulations. Our Food Safety plan is FSMA compliant, meaning we have incorporated preventive controls to minimize potential risks that may occur in our production process flow.

In addition to our procedures meeting FDA pet food regulations, Nylabone's compliance exhibits our devotion to food safety so you can feed your dog their favorite treats with absolute confidence.

SQF Level 2 Certification

Our facilities undergo Food Safety audits benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) to earn SQF's rigorous Level 2 Certification. This successful certification shows our dedication to producing safe and reliable products for customers worldwide.

SMETA Social Compliance Certification

Our dedicated employees and robust manufacturing practices are responsible for making sure your dog receives the very best Nylabone treats. To ensure we are maintaining ethical business practices from start to finish, we voluntarily undergo the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA). This comprehensive inspection covers Sedex's four pillars of Labor, Health and Safety, Environment, and Business Ethics—all of which are critical to running our company responsibly.

USDA Certification

Whether you and your pup live in the United States or abroad, you deserve the same quality chew treats all Nylabone customers expect. Our facilities undergo annual audits from the United States Department of Agriculture that certify us to export Nylabone treats to the European Union, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Korea. Conducted by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's team of trained veterinarians, these audits assess product safety and allow us to share our world-class treats with dogs around the globe.

Nylabone Quality Control Team Inspections

In addition to meeting the rigid requirements of these pet food safety certifications, we conduct our own internal inspections to confirm all processes meet Nylabone's high standards. Our quality control team routinely inspects our manufacturing and packaging facilities to self-check procedures and ensure programs are up to date.

Because we value every pet parent and dog, we implemented a robust food safety testing program that further ensures product quality. We use accredited third-party testing facilities to assess our products and verify they are safe for your four-legged friend.

Nylabone Safety and Certifications: Frequently Asked Questions 

Are Nylabone treats made and tested in the USA? 

Yes. Nylabone chew treats are made and tested in the USA, in facilities that also undergo the FDA, SQF, SMETA, and USDA audits described above. 

Are Nylabone treats independently tested? 

Yes. Beyond Nylabone’s own internal quality-control inspections, accredited third-party testing facilities independently assess finished products to verify they meet safety specifications. That outside check is separate from the government and certification-body audits described in the table above. 

What safety certifications do Nylabone edible products have? 

Nylabone’s treat-manufacturing facilities are FDA FSMA compliant, hold SQF Level 2 Certification benchmarked by GFSI, undergo SMETA social compliance audits, and pass annual USDA APHIS export audits. See the table above for what each one actually covers.

What does SQF Level 2 certification mean for pet parents? 

Practically, it means an independent, GFSI-benchmarked auditor examined the facility’s entire food-safety management system, rather than a single batch of product, and confirmed it meets a standard recognized internationally. It’s a certification of the system behind the treat, which is different and broader than testing one sample off a shelf. 

How does Nylabone monitor product quality after certification? 

Certifications like SQF and SMETA are periodic audits, not constant supervision. Between those audits, Nylabone’s own quality control team runs ongoing inspections of manufacturing and packaging, and accredited third-party labs test finished products on a continuing basis. Certification confirms the system is sound; internal QC and outside testing are what keep it that way day to day. 

Who audits Nylabone’s treat-manufacturing facilities?

Several separate parties, deliberately more than one: the FDA (a federal regulator), an SQF certification body benchmarked by GFSI, Sedex through the SMETA audit, USDA APHIS veterinarians for export certification, and Nylabone’s own internal quality control team, backed by independent third-party testing labs. 

Do Nylabone’s safety standards apply specifically to edible products? 

Yes. Every certification and audit described on this page covers Nylabone’s edible chew treats and the facilities that make them. They are food-safety programs, so they don’t extend to non-edible chew toys, which fall under separate durability and chew-strength standards rather than food-safety certification. If you’re choosing a chew toy rather than a treat, our Chew Style Guide is the right place to look.