Final answer:
Pet foods that do not meet nutritional adequacy requirements must include a specific label, except when formulated for growth, maintenance, reproduction, or unspecified purposes. These diets should be complete and balanced to meet pets' life stage or condition-specific nutritional needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pet foods that do not meet nutritional adequacy requirements must include the statement "intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only," except for diets that support growth, maintenance, reproduction, or any specifics not defined by regulatory guidelines (Not Specified). This is because a complete and balanced diet is essential for the health and wellbeing of pets, providing necessary nutrients for their bodily function, as well as the minerals and vitamins required for maintaining structure, regulation, and reproductive capability. In this context, the statement is exempt for categories that are designed to meet the complete dietary needs of pets in certain life stages or conditions. For example, a food that explicitly states it meets the requirements for growth or reproduction should provide the necessary nutrients for those specific processes.