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The FDA Four
- 4-21-2011
- Categorized in: Pet Food Ingredients
FDA testing found four pet food/pet treat ingredients to be associated with pentobarbital in dog food; "Meat and Bone Meal, Beef and Bone Meal, Animal Fat, and Animal Digest". What pet foods/treats use one (or more) of the four risk ingredients? Here's a partial (but very long) list of the pet foods that contain the FDA Four.
Background: Pentobarbital is a drug used to end the life of an animal. It is commonly used to euthanize dogs, cat, and horses. Several years ago the FDA tested dog foods (no cat foods were tested) purchased from retail store shelves for the presence of the drug pentobarbital. From the FDA website "There appear to be associations between rendered or hydrolyzed ingredients and the presence of pentobarbital in dog food. The ingredients Meat and Bone Meal (MBM), Beef and Bone Meal (BBM), Animal Fat (AF), and Animal Digest (AD) are rendered or hydrolyzed from animal sources that could include euthanized animals."
IF federal food safety laws were actually enforced with pet food, any pet food that contained pentobarbital (thus a euthanized animal) would be considered adulterated and thus prohibited. But, sadly, the FDA does not enforce federal food safety laws with pet foods (read more about illegal pet food ingredients).
So...we do not know with certainty that every batch of pet food containing the ingredients Meat and Bone Meal, Beef and Bone Meal, Animal Fat, and Animal Digest contain the drug pentobarbital or a euthanized animal. We only know that from FDA testing, these common pet food and treat ingredients are associated with the drug pentobarbital and thus a euthanized animal and we know pentobarbital would ONLY be in a pet food ingredient if that ingredient contained a euthanized animal (this drug would never naturally be in any pet food ingredient). We also know that IF these pet food/treat ingredients did contain pentobarbital, they would be deemed adulterated according to federal food safety law (that's if anyone of pet food regulatory authority bothered to follow federal law).
So...what pet foods contain the FDA Four?
The following is not all inclusive. And the list could change if any of these pet foods removed the FDA Four ingredient. Please feel free to add to this list in your comments AND certainly share this list with your friends and family. Big Thanks to Kelly H. for helping me compile the list of pet foods!
Remember: I am NOT saying the following list of pet foods contain pentobarbital or a euthanized animal. I am saying that the following list of pet foods do contain, according to FDA testing, an ingredient that was determined to be associated with the drug and a euthanized animal.
As of 4/21/11...
FDA Four Pet Foods
(Meat and Bone Meal, Beef and Bone Meal, Animal Fat, and Animal Digest)
Alpo
Prime Cuts Savory Beef Flavor Dry Dog Food
Beneful Pet Food
Original Dog Food Dry
Healthy Weight Dog Food Dry
Playful Life Dog Food Dry
Healthy Radiance Dog Food Dry
Healthy Harvest Dog Food Dry
IncrediBites Dog Food Dry
Healthy Growth for Puppies Dry
Snackin Slices Dog Treat
Cesar Canine Cuisine
Filet Mignon Flavor Dog Treats
Grilled Chicken Flavor Dog Treats
Prime Rib Flavor Dog Treats
Chef Michael
Rotisserie Chicken Flavor Dog Food
Filet Mignon Flavor Dry Dog Food
Eukanuba
Sensitive Skin Dog Food Dry
Kibbles & Bits Dog Food
Original Dog Food Dry
Wholesome Medley Dog Food Dry
'n Beefy Bits Dog Food Dry
Mini Bits Dog Food Dry
Homestyle Beef Dog Food Dry
Honestyle Chicken Dog Food Dry
Brushing Bites Dog Food Dry
Balanced Bites Dog Food Dry
Tender Cuts with Real Turkey, Bacon & Vegetables in Gravy Dog Food Canned
Tender Cuts with Real Lamb, Rice & Vegetables in Gravy Dog Food Canned
Tender Cuts with Beef & Vegetables in Gravy Dog Food Canned
Tender Slices with Beef & Vegetables in Gravy Dog Food Canned
Tender Slices with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy Dog Food Canned
Hearty Cuts with Real Beef, Chicken & Vegetables in Gravy Dog Food Canned
Meatballs & Pasta Dinner with Real Beef in Tomato Sauce Dog Food Canned
Burger Dinner with Real Bacon & Cheese Bits in Gravy Dog Food Canned
Lassie Brand Dog Food
Training Treats Baked with Lamb
Nature's Recipe
Healthy Skin & Coat Venison Meal & Rice Recipe Dog Food Dry
Toy Breed Chicken Barley & Rice Recipe Dog Food Dry
Large Breed Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe Dog Food Dry
Farm Stand Selects Turkey with Real Fruits and Vegetables Recipe Dog Food Dry
Farm Stand Selects with Real Fruits and Vegetables Recipe Dog Food Dry
Healthy Skin & Coat Lamb Meal & Rice Dog Treats
Nature's Select
NV Hip & Joint Biscuit
Ol' Roy Dog Food
Ol Roy Dry Dog Food
Kibbles, Chunks & Chews Dry Dog Food
Krunchy Bites & Bones Dog Food Dry
Cuts in Gravy Mixed Grill Canned Dog Food
Cuts in Gravy Cheeseburger Flavor Canned Dog Food
Cuts in Gravy Country Stew Canned Dog Food
Pedigree Pet Food
Large Breed® Nutrition for Dogs Dry
Small Breed® Nutrition for Dogs Dry
Adult Complete Nutrition for Dogs Dry
Healthy Joints Food For Dogs Dry
Healthy Longevity Food For Dogs Dry
Adult Complete Nutrition for Dogs Dry
Healthy Joints Food for Dogs Dry
Healthy Longevity Food for Dogs Dry
Healthy Weight Food for Dogs Dry
Wholesome Nutrition for Dogs Dry
BreathBuster Snack Food for Dogs Med & Large
Goodbites Hip & Joint
Goodbites Oral Care
Goodbites Multi-Vitamin
Goodbites Skin & Coat
Goodbites Senior
MarroBone Snack for Dogs Sm, Med & Lg. Dog
Purina One
Cat Foods
Healthy Kitten Formula Cat Food Dry
Smartblend™ Salmon & Tuna Flavor Cat Food Dry
SmartBlend™ Chicken & Rice Formula Cat Food Dry
Vibrant Maturity® 7+ Formula Cat Food Dry
Beyond™ Chicken & Whole Oat Meal Recipe Cat Food Dry
Beyond™ Salmon & Whole Brown Rice Recipe Cat Food Dry
Urinary Tract Health Formula Cat Food Dry
Advanced Nutrition Hairball Formula Cat Food Dry
Indoor Advantage® Hairball & Healthy Weight Formula Cat Food Dry
Sensitive Systems Cat Food Dry
Dog Foods
Healthy Puppy Formula Dog Food Dry
SmartBlend™ Lamb & Rice Formula Dog Food Dry
SmartBlend™ Small Bites Beef & Rice Formula Dog Food Dry
SmartBlend™ Chicken & Rice Formula Dog Food Dry
Vibrant Maturity® 7+ Senior Formula Dog Food Dry
Beyond™ Chicken & Whole Oat Meal Recipe Dog Food Dry
Beyond™ Lamb & Whole Barley Recipe Dog Food Dry
Large Breed Puppy Formula Dog Food Dry
Large Breed Adult Formula Dog Food Dry
Sensitive Systems Dog Food Dry
Healthy Weight Formula Dog Food Dry
Biscuits Lamb & Rice Flavor
Purina ProPlan
Dog Foods
Natural Beef & Barley Formula Dog Food Dry
Natural Chicken & Brown Rice Formula Dog Food Dry
Natural Salmon & Brown Rice Formula Dog Food Dry
Natural Turkey & Barley Formula Dog Food Dry
All Life Stages Chicken & Rice Formula Dog Food Dry
Shredded Blend Beef & Rice Formula Dog Food Dry
Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Dog Food Dry
Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Large Breed Dog Food Dry
Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Weight Management Dog Food Dry
Shredded Blend Lamb & Rice Formula Dog Food Dry
All Life Stages Lamb & Rice Formula Small Bites Dog Food Dry
Chicken & Rice Formula Weight Management Dog Food Dry
Giant Breed Formula Dog Food Dry
Large Breed Formula Dog Food Dry
Large Breed Formula Weight Management Dog Food Dry
Performance Formula Dog Food Dry
Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula Dog Food Dry
Small Breed Formula Dog Food Dry
Toy Breed Adult Formula Dog Food Dry
Cat Foods
Natural Chicken & Brown Rice Formula Cat Food Dry
Natural Salmon & Brown Rice Formula Cat Food Dry
Chicken & Rice Formula Cat Food Dry
Salmon & Rice Formula Cat Food Dry
Hairball Management Formula Chicken & Rice Formula Cat Food Dry
Indoor Care - Salmon & Rice Formula Cat Food Dry
Indoor Care - Turkey & Rice Formula Cat Food Dry
Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula Cat Food Dry
Urinary Tract Health Formula Cat Food Dry
Weight Management Formula Cat Food Dry
Purina Dog Chow
Puppy Chow Puppy Food Dry
Puppy Chow Large Breed Formula Food Dry
Healthy Morsels™ Soft & Crunchy Bites
Complete and Balanced Dog Chow Dog Food Dry
Healthy Morsels with Real Lamb & Rice, Soft & Crunchy Bites Dog Food Dry
Naturally Complete Dog Food Dry
Little Bites Dog Food Dry
Fit & Trim Adult Dog Food Dry
Active Senior 7+ Adult Dog Food Dry
Purina Cat Chow
Nurturing Formula Kitten Chow Dry
Indoor Formula Cat Food Dry
Complete Formula Cat Food Dry
Naturals Cat Food Dry
Healthful Life® Cat Food Dry
Science Diet®
Cat Foods
Adult Hairball Control Cat Food Dry
Adult Hairball Control Light Cat Food Dry
Adult Indoor Cat Food Dry
Adult Light Cat Food Dry
Adult Optimal Care™ Ocean Fish & Rice Recipe Cat Food Dry
Adult Optimal Care™ Original Cat Food Dry
Adult Oral Care Cat Food Dry
Adult Sensitive Skin Cat Food Dry
Adult Sensitive Stomach Cat Food Dry
Healthy Advantage™ Feline Adult Cat Food Dry
Kitten Healthy Development Ocean Fish & Rice Recipe Cat Food Dry
Kitten Healthy Development Original Cat Food Dry
Kitten Indoor Cat Food Dry
Mature Adult Active Longevity™ Original Cat Food Dry
Mature Adult Hairball Control Cat Food Dry
Mature Adult Indoor Cat Food Dry
Nature's Best® Chicken & Brown Rice Dinner Adult Cat Food Dry
Nature's Best® Chicken & Brown Rice Dinner Kitten Cat Food Dry
Nature's Best® Ocean Fish & Brown Rice Dinner Adult Cat Food Dry
Nature's Best® Ocean Fish & Brown Rice Dinner Kitten Cat Food Dry
Dog Foods
Adult Active Dog Food Dry
Adult Advanced Fitness Original Dog Food Dry
Adult Healthy Mobility™ Large Breed Dog Food Dry
Adult Healthy Mobility™ Dog Food Dry
Adult Healthy Mobility™ Small Bites Dog Food Dry
Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Dog Food Dry
Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Large Breed Dog Food Dry
Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Small Bites Dog Food Dry
Adult Large Breed Dog Food Dry
Adult Oral Care Dog Food Dry
Adult Sensitive Skin Dog Food Dry
Adult Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Dry
Adult Small Bites Dog Food Dry
Healthy Advantage™ Canine Adult Dog Food Dry
Healthy Advantage™ Puppy Food Dry
Healthy Advantage™ Puppy Large Breed Dry
High Energy Dog Food Dry
Mature Adult Active Longevity™ Dog Food Dry
Mature Adult Large Breed Dog Food Dry
Mature Adult Small Bites Dog Food Dry
Puppy Healthy Development Original Dog Food Dry
Puppy Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Large Breed Dog Food Dry
Puppy Large Breed Dog Food Dry
Puppy Small Bites Dog Food Dry
Simple Essentials™ Treats Small & Toy Oral Care Adult Small Nugget
Special Kitty Cat Food
Original Cat Food Dry
Gourmet Cat Food Dry
Kitten Food Dry
Whiskas Cat Food
Whiskas® Purrfectly® with Chicken Dry Cat Food
Whiskas® Purrfectly® with Chicken & Salmon Dry Cat Food
Whiskas® Meaty Selections™ Dry Cat Food
Whiskas® Indoor Dry Cat Food
Whiskas® for Kittens Dry Cat Food
Tempations® Classics Cat Treats
Blissful Catnip
Backyard Cookout
Surfers' Delight
Hearty Beef
Tasty Chicken
Creamy Dairy
Savory Salmon
Seafood Medley
Tempting Tuna
Tantalizing Turkey
Tempations® All Naturals Cat Treats
Wild Alaskan Salmon
Beef Tenderloin
Free Range Chicken
Yellow Fin Tuna
Tempations® Essentials Cat Treats
Dentabites®
Hairball Control
Indoor Salmon
Indoor Chicken
Skin & Coat
Kitten
To print the above list of FDA Four pet foods, Click Here
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
TruthaboutPetFood.com
PetsumerReport.com
What's in Your Pet's Food?
Is your dog or cat eating risk ingredients? Chinese imports? Petsumer Report tells the 'rest of the story' on over 2000 cat foods, dog foods, and pet treats. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. www.PetsumerReport.com
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Thankfully, I don't feed any of my furries any of those foods!
And... they make the bags so pretty and continue to tell us what smart owners we are to buy their products to feed our companion animals... Well, I have news for them, we are getting smarter every day about the *rap they are putting into those pretty bags and cans. I am so glad that I do not feed any of this junk to my pets. The truth cannot be spread fast enough to suit me or all the animals forced to eat this sanitized garbage, no matter what they choose to call it this week.
THANK YOU Susan for all your efforts!
About once every month you post something that just blows my mind.
Amen!!!
Glad to see the FDA is finally acknowledging this about how euthanized animal remains are being used and substantiates what Anne N. Martin has been saying all along in Food Pets Die For in her expose on the commercial pet food industry!!!!
Sorry, this does not prove that euthanized PETS go into pet food, just euthanized ANIMALS. Many large animals, such as cattle and horses, are euthanized on the farm, at the vet's, etc. To kill a 2000 pound animal requires a very large amount of pentobarbital. Since they are rendered along with all the other stuff that goes into the vats, the pentobarbital spreads throughout all those materials.
FDA claims that they developed a very sensitive test for DNA, and no dog or cat DNA was found in any of the samples used in the study cited.
It's possible that dog/cat remains go to the many other uses for rendered products...cosmetics, fertilizer, etc. Not defending FDA or pet food...but there is not a straight line between pets-in and pet-food-out, and we need to be careful about making claims that are not truly supported by the evidence.
If you "follow the money", common sense suggests that it would be incredibly stupid of a big renderer to take a chance that a pile of German Shepherds going into the vat would be noticed on an unannouced inspection by the Hill's guy. The value of the contract with Hill's doesn't justify the risk of losing it; especially because the value of the end product is so low.
Only independent renderers accept the truly awful material for rendering. There are also "captive" renderers associated with a feedlot or poultry operation, and only processing those animals. Hence a product with "poultry fat" probably came from Tyson's own facility that only processes birds.
Of course, even the big guys get some material from independents because pentobarb was found in many foods. Do read the report linked above; there is more info here: http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CVM/CVM... as well as a link to the brand names and actual test results. These are worth looking at for the negative results as well as those who got busted!
All that said, I believe that rendered pets probably *do* get into pet food; most likely in very cheap and/or locally made food--like the kind you find in open barrels at the feed store. But even though absolute "proof" does not exist, it's certainly a lesson in "getting what you pay for"!
Oh come on, Dr. Hofve. First of all these big PFC's don't need any defense. And the second point is, the more that pets are exposed to pentobarbital the more resistant they MAY be to "normal" doses previously assumed to be effective on pets. And the third point is, why reward these most profitable companies out there with any business when they are using the lowest common denominator type ingredient available. Has this ingredient been proven to be more "valuable" that another source? Or is it just damn cheap enough to increase the profit margin. WHEN will OUR pets stop paying the price for PFC's indescriminate behavior. There are plenty of other brand names under the Petsumer Report section that didn't see a need to use the FDA "four". The problem is whenever a scientific mind looks at am issue "scientifically" instead of from the Petsumer's expectation of quality AND safety, in the name of the Pet's optimal wellbeing!!
I read the report on the link you provided, the last paragraph of which stated: "Thus, the results of the assessment led CVM to conclude that it is highly unlikely a dog consuming dry dog food will experience any adverse effects from exposures to the low levels of pentobarbital found in CVM’s dog food surveys."
I wonder if those people at CVM who wrote this would eat the dry dog food?
The FDA assumed the pentobarbital found in the dog food was a result of euthanized canine, feline or equine carcasses. When the test failed to find canine or feline DNA, they presumed the only species left would be equine, however, "none of the dog food samples examined in this study tested positive for equine proteins." Now, what does that tell you?
Because they could not determine the source of the species responsible for the contamination, it begs the question: just where is the penobarbital coming from? There were only three choices, and their test could not confirm the presence of any of those species.
According to the FDA: "The results of this study demonstrated a lack of correlation between species identity and the presence of pentobarbital in dog food." and the test "does not define the source (i.e., species) responsible for the contamination."
Simply put: the test was a miserable failure. The FDA used their failure to find canine or feline DNA to sooth consumer anxiety by promoting the part of the story which concluded because they couldn't find canine or feline DNA in their lousy test, it must not be there. Spare me.
Well "doctor" I disagree whole heartedly and emphatically. I don't care WHAT animal is being rendered. I DO NOT WANT DISEASED RENDERED ANIMALS OF ANY KIND WHICH HAVE BEEN EUTHANIZED FOR ANY REASON being BOILED down in rendering vats and put into my DOG'S FOOD. Have you checked out what the government definitions are for many of the "approved" ingredients in pet foods????
I also DO NOT want my dog eating ANYTHING which was deemed not fit for human consumption because it's been "adulterated" with rodent, roach or bird excreta!!!
CPG Sec. 675.400 Rendered Animal Feed Ingredients
POLICY: No regulatory action will be considered for animal feed ingredients resulting from the ordinary rendering process of industry, including those using animals which have died otherwise than by slaughter, provided they are not otherwise in violation of the law.
CPG Sec. 675.100 Diversion of Contaminated Food for Animal Use
BACKGROUND: FDA does not object to the diversion to animal feed of human food adulterated with rodent, roach, or bird excreta.
You might consider not being taken in by the government propoganda and lies and read from those who have done exposes and have reports from those who were there to see such things. I guess if no one had caught the grossly inhumane treatment of sick cows being forced to get back up and walk to the slaughter houses we would have thought that Mad Cow disease was a hoax as well... jeeez.
I know that Old Yeller dog food also contains meat and bone meal. Because the first time I saw the food at the store, I scanned the ingredients, showed it to my room mate and said "Is it concidered Irony if a food named after a dog that was put down may contain other dogs that were put down?"
As it is said:
"It is a dog eat dog world"
Due to these kind of blogs we have come to know what is good and what is bad for our pets to feed. Every one knows that Pet Food and Nutrient play a significant role, but before this we were unaware of the facts about what ingredients we need for our pets.
OMG. Some of these brands are pretty obscure. But most of the POTENTIALLY biggest offenders are also the biggest brand names with the most media and print advertising AND also exposure from sponsoring AKC sanctioned Dog Fancier Events. And is also an ingredient in the biggest brand that the Veterinarian Practices push on clients. Isn't this interesting that two entities (supposedly) most concerned with pet welfare, breed standard, owner responsibility, breeder food programs (what gets sent home with puppy buyers, etc.) would be associated with the lowest common denominator of food ingredient.
Is there no other ingredient out there that could take the place of this ingredient's functionality. Or it is simply the lowest price point available?
Once again this message doesn't mean for sure that for sure that the ingredient identified contains an "euthanized" animal. But, by it's very presence there is t least the possibility. As opposed to other brands that don't contain the ingredient at all. So which product would a person feel JUST a little more comfortable about purchasing?? And how important is a "Big Brand Label" anyway to take any risk at all like the one being suggested?? Just 'pet food for thought'. But to allay anyone's worst fears why not just test any batch under any of these labels. I mean....just to rest a little easier....if that's at all possible?
Just curious if this testing has been repeated with samples that are more recent than the over-ten-year-old and almost-thirteen-year-old samples this refers to.
This is not new news...
Our company just launched a DNA-based testing service that detects fraudulent mislabeling of seafood. It can also detect the species present in pet foods. If you would like to have the brand you use tested please let me know. ed_diehl@acgtinc.com
www.seafoodid.com
How much might it cost to test a food sample?
Yes I like "Christine's" question. Susan does all the tireless research. And people like myself chime in their agreeement. But now it's time to do something! If a couple of us could "test" samples of those, major, MAJOR brands, and it turns out positive, the companies could be blown out of the water! Headline: "Consumers Take to Task PFCs" Result: "Species DNA found in food samples!!!" Ugh!
Provided none of his clients are BPF, I would chip in to pay for testing pet food! What about the rest of you? I think we should start a fund. I nominate the fund be called the Dog Stop Eating Dog Fund.
Maybe the focus of the discussion should be that there is pentobarbital in pet food. If it takes "a very large amount" of pentobarbital to kill an animal, why doesn't the (useless) FDA require that ANY animal euthanized with that drug be eliminated from the food chain?
The CVM claims that if it's there, low levels won't do any harm to your dog anyway, so don't worry. Well, don't worry UNTIL you need to euthanize your dog, then pray the poor creature doesn't come back to life in the vet's freezer or out back in the dumpster as we've all seen in the past due to the resistance that he's built up from eating food w/"low levels" of the drug in it.
We've seen enough videos of downed cows being tortured by forklift drivers and other disgusting behaviors of these factory workers so it's not a stretch for a Hill's rep. or anyone else to turn a blind eye to a barrel full of German shepherds or any other family pet.
One way or another, (thru Susan's tireless work, the melamine catastrophe, or reading the label), we've learned that "Big Pet Food" is not to be trusted and the FDA is a joke.
Why are you only quoting the first half of the FDA study? Why are you only linking to the appentix of the study article?
If you read the rest of the article on the FDA study, it says they did NOT find any presence of dog or cat DNA in the foods they tested:
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CVM/CVM...
Not saying that makes those great foods, the ingredients being discussed are very low-quality ingredients from unclear sources and I would not feed a pet food with them anyway but you seem to be misunderstanding the result of the FDA's study.
Just saw your comment.
Thanks for the extra context.
I'm still one pissed off Tortie, though, having just ate my eving Kibble an hour ago.
Makes me want to throw up, but then Daddy would have to bring out the Vacuum Monster, and I just don't want to deal with that this evening, so i won't toss my kibble. ;-D
Oh no they DIDN'T! My Human trusted Sci-Di & Nature's Best, for me as a kitten, and now 1 yr. old, and my mentor, a 13 yr. old. Our Vet sells the stuff, and while Nikita is now on the prescription J/D and that's not on the list, that doesn't make any of us any happier, especially our human.
I've been in your shoes. Unfortunately, the very LIMITED course on nutrition that vets take in vet school is usually a SHORT course which is also sponsored by one of the big offending companies. Some Vets do further research on their own but many have no idea just what it is they are "prescribing."
Thats funny all foods listed are dry foods. no canned foods at all. my cats eat none above foods though. they used to eat purina one though but when they switched to smartblends my cats longer liked it.
I am confused about the listing of some of the brands above. According to the study for example the brand Purina had NO in all the test fields for presense of pentobarbital. So why is it listed above as having pentobarbital when both test done in 1998 & 2000 both showed NO for presense of pentobarbital? I am sorry but the article above is a bit misleading. Yes it shows all the different foods tested but it should also state the ones that tested negative before it starts a mass hysteria for pet owners. I am not by any means vouching for any brand, just used Purina as a example. This is the page I am referring to http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CVM/CVMFOIAElectronicReadingRoom/ucm129135.htm
Let's re-read the article itself.
1) According to the FDA Pentobarbital has been detected in 4 ingredients (Meat and Bone Meal, Beef and Bone Meal, Animal Fat, and Animal Digest) 2) These ingredients are present in the brands named above, including Purina. And others. That's all. End of article.
By the way, the test being referred to is ELEVEN years old! While Purina in that test was absolved, why should that fact detract focus on all the other brands that DID test positive? In terms of triggering "mass hysteria"...yes it's about time and well over due! Because it's bad enough that ANY brand tested positive, ever! Period. When there is absolutely no need for an ingredient to be used that has the potential for risk. Let's use that old analogy concerning "baby food" again. Would it be "okay" for so many parts per million, at some acceptable minimum, not necessarily shown to be immediately hamful, yet potentially carcinogenic to be present in "baby food"? I think not.
But thank you for posting the link. It was actually very useful in demonstrating a point.
Oh, if only penobarbital were the only thing wrong with Purina (or Science Diet, or Iams, or Beneful or any other of those grocery store brands that have some of the most disgusting ingredients allowed in "pet" foods.)
Do a google search to read an excerpt from a book called Food Pets Die For by Anne Martin by entering: "Food Pets Die For book excerpt" in a google search bar. That one excert actually give the government definitions for ingredients as listed on pet foods and you are sure to have an eye opening experience....you may even wish to purchase the book to read the rest.
until 10 days ago I never heard or worried about bad pet food. But in that 10 days I lost 2 wonderful pets. ALL to the vit d issues in Blue Buffalo..my vet had to tell me what the issue was...They both died with horrible results...one bled from internal bleeding and was covered in blood. I almost lost a 3rd of my 3 but luckily got it to the vet and she will recover... it is a shame we pay good money for a product that we think is going to do your family well but end up not being that way at all.. if nothing else check to see what you are feeding is ok to do so...it has gotten so bad it is almsot where you need to print what we CAN feed out pets as compared of what not to...
My heart is broken ... but I hope no one else hass to go thru this
Does this blog have a relationship to Blue Buffalo and its current marketing campaign around the "truth" about pet food? In reading the selective way the FDA's report was cited, and considering how similar those references were to the main messages in Blue Buffalo's commercials, I feel the need to ask. Please don't think this is rude of me--I'm asking because I legitimately want to know for the well being of my own pets.
Oh no - TruthaboutPetFood.com or myself has NO relationship with any pet food company. No endorsement, nothing from any pet food company.