The Clean Label Project recently published a new study based on their testing of “79 top-selling dry, freeze-dried, and fresh/frozen dog food products”. Their results were published in the White Paper “Extremely High Levels of Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, and Cadmium Found in Dry Dog Food.”
“The Clean Label Project found an exceedingly high amount of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead in dry, air-dried, and freeze-dried dog food. Because there are few regulations for dog food related to contaminants, Clean Label Project compared these findings to data from 3,280 food, beverage, and supplement samples tested over the past 10 years, using the averages to illustrate the elevated contaminant levels in dog food compared to human-consumable products. Over 85% of dog food owners feed their dog dry dog food.”
“Fresh/Frozen dog food samples we tested were lower in contaminants than our human consumables benchmark from over 3,280 products. Furthermore, on average, fresh/frozen dog food was found to have exponentially lower contaminants than dry dog food.”
“This study underscores the urgent need to address the lack of federal regulations on heavy metals in dog food.”
From their published report:
Clean Label Project did not provide the individual results for each brand tested, but they did provide a full list of products tested. You can view those Here.
As concerning as these results are, there is something even more concerning behind these lab results.
Using the example of lead…
FDA regulations on the maximum level of lead allowed in bottled water is 5 ppb.
EPA action level of lead in tap water is 15 ppb.
FDA regulation on the maximum level of lead in children’s dry cereal is 20 ppb.
FDA’s action level for lead in pet food is 10,000 ppb.
The FDA states: “While the FDA CVM has not promulgated guidance, action levels, or tolerances for heavy metal levels in animal food, the FDA has—and uses—the authority to take action on a case-by-case basis where a particular animal food is found through routine or targeted testing to be adulterated. This is accomplished by taking into consideration information provided in the National Research Council of the National Academies Mineral Tolerance of Animals book (NRC) as well as information provided in the Association of American Feed Control Officials Official Publication (AAFCO OP).“
The problem is…the National Research Council Mineral Tolerance of Animals book has not been updated in more than 20 years. The book was published in 2005, based on published science prior to 2005.
Human food/water heavy metal contamination is monitored and the science is updated. But not pet food.
10,000 parts per billion of lead allowed in pet food is unacceptable.
Pet food contamination by heavy metals and numerous other contaminants will NOT change until the science is updated. FDA will not take action against toxic levels of contamination, AAFCO will not establish heavy metal maximums until the science is updated.
We urge every pet owner to insist that FDA partner with the National Research Council to immediately update the 2005 Mineral Tolerance of Animals. Pet food/animal feed is always put on the back burner of FDA’s ‘to do’ list. Our pets deserve updated science. FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine email: AskCVM@fda.hhs.gov
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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Cap Pellom
February 16, 2026 at 5:11 pm
Is Dr. Marty’s freeze dried raw dog food safe?
Susan Thixton
February 16, 2026 at 6:19 pm
We were not provided with individual test results. The only information we have is in the Clean Label Project results.
Samuel
February 17, 2026 at 6:56 am
If you go to the Clean Label Website, you can put your dog foods ingredients into the algorithm checker on the website and they can tell you how bad the food is.
Or if you have an an iphone you could download the app.
Bonnie S Morris
February 16, 2026 at 5:12 pm
This is nothing short of terrifying. What is wrong with the FDA. Thank you Susan, for all you do for our pets. I knew it was bad but this is simply over the top. Whatever would we do without you and your work. Like I said before, we LOVE YOU AT OUR HOUSE. THANK YOU.
Michele J Little
February 16, 2026 at 9:45 pm
Is our friend Kohl Harrington out there anywhere? Is there some way to help support the people that may have some influence that are on our side of this issue? You are the only one I know of that is making a difference.
T Allen
February 17, 2026 at 9:22 am
This is really bad but not unexpected. We’ve known for a long time, thanks to Susan’s hard work (Gold medal for sure!), how toxic pet feed is. Just an FYI about The Clean Label Project. They are only testing for contaminants!This is important. They are not making any determination of the amounts of labeled ingredients, their quality, suitability for purpose or effectiveness. Example. I put one of their certified sunscreen lotions into the EWG.org search and it came back as a level 6 (moderate hazard) including less UV protection than indicated! FreshPet dog food has no contaminants but needs to be researched elsewhere because Freshpet has had several recalls due to potential Salmonella contamination in specific products.I would have no problems feeding it because I cook all commercial products and all raw meat, except whole cuts of beef (sometimes).