AAFCO’s bias against pet owners reared it’s ugly head today – denying pet owners and advocates from attending meetings.
AAFCO sent out a despicable email this morning…to consumer advocates and to two pet owners that have attended previous AAFCO meetings. ALL were told they COULD NOT attend future AAFCO meetings.
AAFCO used the excuse of the lawsuit filed by Answers Pet Food as to why consumers and consumer advocates can no longer attend AAFCO meetings. Even though we have NOTHING to do with the Answers lawsuit.
Association for Truth in Pet Food (our consumer association – myself, and Mr. BC Henschen) has been denied the opportunity to attend future AAFCO meetings and removed as an advisor to AAFCO Pet Food Committee and Ingredient Definitions Committee. We have NOTHING to do with Answers lawsuit.
Dr. Judy Morgan – a veterinarian that frequently attends AAFCO meetings – denied the opportunity to attend future AAFCO meetings. She has NOTHING to do with the Answers lawsuit.
Kohl Harrington, producer Pet Fooled – denied the opportunity to attend future AAFCO meetings. He has NOTHING to do with the Answers lawsuit.
And to top it off – 2 pet owners were sent an email telling them they will NOT be allowed to attend future meetings. One pet owner has attended 3 meetings, the other attended only 1 meeting. Neither of these pet owners has anything to do with Answers pet food or their lawsuit against AAFCO.
AAFCO’s true colors are showing. They have NEVER been pet owner or advocate friendly, and now they are blatantly anti-pet owner. To DENY pet owners any opportunity to attend regulatory meetings…to DENY pet owners any opportunity to have a voice in the regulatory process, is beyond criminal.
PLEASE send the AAFCO Board of Directors an email demanding that pet owners and consumer advocates be allowed to participate in the regulatory process.
Robert Geiger – President. Email: geigerb@purdue.edu
Kristen Green – President elect. Email: kristen.mary.green@uky.edu
Stan Cook – Past President. Email: stan.cook@mda.mo.gov
Ali Kashani. Email: akashani@agr.wa.gov
Sue Hays – AAFCO Excutive Director. Email: aafco@aafco.org
Erin Bubb. Email: ebubb@pa.gov
Dave Phillips. Email: davephillips@nd.gov
George Ferguson. Email: george.ferguson@ncagr.gov
Austin Therrell. Email: atherrell@scda.sc.gov
Hollis Glen. Email: hollis.glenn@state.co.us
If AAFCO doesn’t change their mind – we will be planning a LARGE protest at the next meeting in January. They cannot legally ban us from public meetings.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
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Amy
November 5, 2019 at 6:43 pm
With bells on! We’ll be there!
Peggy
November 5, 2019 at 7:10 pm
THANK YOU!!!
Woofielover
November 5, 2019 at 7:18 pm
There’s a LOT of things that they and the FDA can’t legally do – doesn’t stop them from doing them. They’re untouchable. Just ask them. No matter how many times you clearly point out how wrong, illegal, improper, illogical, irrational, etc. what they say and do is, it doesn’t matter. They’re very similar to Monsanto – they can do whatever they please and no one shall tell them otherwise. They are both reprehensible and disgusting organizations fueled by money and greed and nothing else.
Jutta
November 5, 2019 at 7:37 pm
It also means pet food companies are showing their true colors if they don’t speak out against AAFCO on this issue. If they remain silent, they are telling us loud and clear: we are nothing but useful idiots to be milked of our money.
And maybe we are. As long as we do give them our money.
Cannoliamo
November 5, 2019 at 7:55 pm
I think this lack of consumer representation, lack of public visibility and lack of consumer support should be taken with as much public attention as can be raised ….. I’d propose a national “Do not buy any AAFCO-labelled pet food day” in protest. I think once the newspapers and TV stations get notified of a specific date, they will handle the publicity and join in the support. In addition, I would suggest sending the names and phone numbers of every state AAFCO representative to the news media with an explanation of what they are doing.
Cannoliamo
November 5, 2019 at 8:27 pm
Something else that bothers me …. I’ve spoken with AAFCO representatives that have told me the reason why they copyright and sell the AAFCO standards is to fund their meetings since the states don’t provide sufficient funding for them to have and attend these meetings. (i.e. they’re public officials receiving our private money to attend meetings that intentionally exclude us). IMHO, this simply isn’t right.
https://www.aafco.org/Meetings
Laurie Matson
November 5, 2019 at 8:35 pm
Boy, they sure must have a lot to hide!!!
Mary Lynn Bartram
November 5, 2019 at 8:56 pm
That was exactly my first thought when I read this. How criminal
~Pet Owner~
November 5, 2019 at 9:16 pm
In response to:
“AAFCO used the excuse of the lawsuit filed by Answers Pet Food as to why consumers and consumer advocates can no longer attend AAFCO meetings. Even though we have NOTHING to do with the Answers lawsuit” would sounds a tad like victimization.
One of the things “Answers” mentioned in the “Dogs Naturally” interview, which can be read at:
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/government-vs-raw-pet-food-answers-sues-the-fda/
…. is that while “Answers” feels every raw PF manufacturer (and believer) is “cheering them on” – they’re not getting any practical support! Which is sad. So we can’t very well complain about AAFCO’s punitive response. Even though we’re now missing out on what seemingly goes on behind the scenes. So, yet another avenue of communication (investigation) has been eliminated.
Lesson:
If we’re to “stand” with Answers PF, then in fact we should view AAFCO as an entity that’s not even worth anyone’s time. Just like the government in general, which is just trading in lies and self-serving activities. With no validity or constructive purpose.
I would wear this act of rejection, as a badge of honor and distinction! Because if they felt they could manipulate you (and your associates, and us in some way) then you would’ve been welcomed..
I’ve read the basis of the lawsuit. And if they should win, it would be ground breaking. But … would also represent many repercussions.
Christine B Giammarco
November 5, 2019 at 10:28 pm
Wow Seems they are getting worse and worse. If the are funded publicly How can they deny entry into a meeting. Also if it come to a rally count me in!
Becky
November 6, 2019 at 1:17 am
I will send an email if you provide a template/sample email. Would you consider doing that?
chris
November 6, 2019 at 1:34 am
“They cannot legally ban us from public meetings.”
What do they have the public meetings for?
Arian Heald
November 6, 2019 at 8:13 am
I’ve sent an email to them all .Boycott AAFCO products until they change.
Cindy Gingrich
November 6, 2019 at 10:10 am
Thanks (sadly). Sent them a reasonably polite but forceful email. It would be great if vets could join in this outrage, but so many of them are in the dark.
Tina
November 7, 2019 at 3:33 am
Hi Susan. Thanks for letting us know. I would like to email all the AAFCO officials, but I would like to read the email AAFCO sent before doing so. Is it okay for you to publicize that email?
Harley
November 7, 2019 at 11:57 pm
Might I suggest a complete boycott of any product that is associated to AAFCO….. money talks, the lack of it SCREAMS!
Fraun Califar
November 8, 2019 at 5:41 pm
This is so typical..just like FDA, Big Pharma etc.!! At the very least..an email and boycott!!! Power and greed has no business in our lives let alone our pets!!!..dispicable!!!!