New lawsuit challenges Blue Buffalo’s claims of “protein-rich” stating a “small bowl” of Blue Buffalo dog food “contains more carbohydrate than a wild grey wolf is likely to consume in an entire lifetime.”
Filed in New York, Blue Buffalo is facing a class action lawsuit regarding the pet food’s marketing and challenging the high carbohydrate levels of kibble. Excerpts from the suit:
This is a proposed class action against Defendant for marketing and labeling its so-called “Blue Wilderness” line of dog food products (“Products”) as healthy, nutritious, and optimal on the basis that they are “[i]nspired by the diet of wolves” and otherwise consistent with dogs’ “ancestors in the wild.” Defendant’s Blue Wilderness packaging prominently displays an image of a grey wolf and promotes these products as “Nature’s Evolutionary Diet.”
But Defendant’s claims are deceptive because their Blue Wilderness products all contain high levels of dietary carbohydrates, which are neither healthy for dogs nor a meaningful part of the diet of grey wolves.
As Blue Buffalo marketing utilizes images and video of wolves, this lawsuit challenges what that marketing tells consumers. Emphasizing the difference between diet of a wolf and the Blue Wilderness dog food (marketed with images of wolves).
Millions of dogs in the United States — the vast majority of whom eat carbohydrate-rich kibbles like the ones sold by Defendant — suffer from diabetes. But among wolves — a species that never consumes carbohydrates — there has never been a single documented case.
Despite Defendant’s claims on its packaging that Blue Buffalo foods are “Healthy” and “Holistic,” the fact remains that the majority of Defendant’s dog food products are dry, “kibble”-style foods produced via extrusion processing, a manufacturing method which typically requires a high amount of carbohydrate-containing ingredients that are not healthy for dogs.
For instance, Defendant’s Blue Wilderness Chicken recipe dry dog food, which Defendant’s packaging touts as “protein-rich,” and “High-Protein” is composed of over 25% carbohydrate. As such, a small bowl of Defendant’s Blue Wilderness Chicken recipe dog food contains more carbohydrate than a wild grey wolf is likely to consume in an entire lifetime.
And this lawsuit addresses the concern of many pet owners, pet food manufacturers do not disclose the percentage of carbohydrates on pet food labels.
Not only are Defendant’s Blue Wilderness products high in carbohydrate content, but the high carbohydrate content of the products is hidden from consumers. Unlike most food products, the carbohydrate content of Defendant’s Blue Wilderness dog food product is not disclosed on any of Defendant’s product labels. Instead, Defendant markets and promotes its dog food products by focusing on the non-carbohydrate nutrients found in the products, such as proteins, fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Nor is the carbohydrate content disclosed on Defendant’s website.
To read the full lawsuit, Click Here.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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chuck linker
January 8, 2020 at 4:23 pm
THANKS TO YOU, SUSAN.
WITH PURINA’S FACTS, THIS NEWS MAY BE THE BEGINNING OF SYSTAMATIC REVELATIONS RE: PET FOOD RECIPIES & DISHONEST LABELING FOR MORE POPULAR BRANDS.
BLUE BUFFALO CAN’T SQUIRM OUT OF THIS ONE. IT MAY BE A LONG OVERDUE WARNING FOR ALL RETAIL PET FOOD COMPANIES.
LAWYERS DO NOT ACCEPT BAGS OF BUFFALO BLUE KIBBLE AS PAYMENT DO THEY?.
Donna Selander
January 8, 2020 at 5:22 pm
It is infuriating to find out about the deceit and lies that the pet food companies tell the consumers. Our pets get sick and suffer because of their lies. They show pretty pictures of fresh whole meat and vegetables on the package when the contents are diseased rotting meat, some containing euthanasia drugs or other concerning ingredients. Lies, Lies, and more lies.
robert catania
January 8, 2020 at 5:48 pm
I hope Mrs. white wins the lawsuit against blue buffalo.
I know for a fact that blue buffalo is adding “Chinese” toxic waste, and supplements to all their dog food.
~ Pet Owner ~
January 8, 2020 at 6:54 pm
Uhhh, would you like to clarify that for the benefit of the readers? Thanks.
robert catania
March 2, 2023 at 4:59 pm
I called Blue Buffalo corporate headquarters, and they actually told me that they place Chinese supplements in ALL of their dog food and dog treats!!……they are not even trying to cover this up!
…Chinese supplements = toxic supplements in pet food!
…The Chinese are well known to use toxic waste as a filler for pet food!……
….Can you understand that???????
Jeanette Owen
January 8, 2020 at 8:54 pm
Does their cat kibble have alot of peas & pea protein? That’s the worse thing to feed a cat!
Karin Yates
January 8, 2020 at 11:25 pm
The grain-free craze really irks me. I think it’s a result of the “gluten free” gimmick sold to humans. The so-called grain free foods simply replace rice with potatoes and dried beans, that I don’t believe there has been nutritional studies in dogs and cats on (?) I always tell people to just feed a premium food that does not contain corn, by-products, and artificial colors and flavors.
Karen
January 8, 2020 at 11:50 pm
Many pet owners are oblivious as to what they’re feeding their dogs. “my dog loves it”. So sick and tired of seeing these stupid false statements. Like the dog has a choice!
Thank you Susan
Dave Boothman
January 9, 2020 at 7:44 am
On the other side of the issue, consumers are equally guilty. Kibble is a convenience food and the high carbohydrate content is common knowledge and ignorance of it is willful ignorance due to fear of having to give up a convenience. More important regarding pet food is that it is manufactured with no quality standard system monitored by a third party auditor as are all the components in your car and are most manufactured products, and incidentally are European pet foods.
Robert Catania
January 10, 2020 at 9:15 pm
….Do you work for the pet food industry???…….Yes, it is true consumers have a responsibility to watch their unregulated lawless ‘government” and “lawless corporations” who manufacture pet food, but most pet parents do not want “Chinese” toxic waste …or poisonous Chinese supplements in their beloved pets food,. or human food either…….consumers like myself, and Susan, and many other people care about their pets.
…I have paid lots of money, as the woman who is suing “Blue”, and so have many consumers for “Blue’s” substandard dog food, until I discovered that the despotic family who manufactured “blue’ dog food was using “Chinese’ toxic supplements to save money, and make more profit.
..I hope this woman is successful in her lawsuit.
MJ
January 10, 2020 at 12:55 pm
Please let us know when there’s a class action suit for the Blue Wilderness cat food. Sadly, even the vets are taken in by the lies or don’t know enough about them. When my cat was diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes, my vet, whom I adored, recommended “high-protein, low carb” foods for him, but he couldn’t name any particular brands! After much research on my part, I fed my cat Blue Wildernes with my vet’s blessing, thinking I was doing the right thing, perhaps to my cat’s detriment. Even other “high quality, high-protein, low carb” foods contained peas, potatoes, rice, and gawd knows what else! Thank you, Susan, for all you do!
Tina
January 11, 2020 at 8:54 pm
Thanks for this notification Susan!
When I became a cat guardian for the first time, I was entralled by Blue’s marketing (commercials) & packaging in stores (which signaled luxury & quality). I was surprised & dismayed to find that even their canned cat food contains much more carbs than the lower-priced Purina / Fancy Feast cans.
Here is how I calculate carb % estimate using the Guaranteed Analysis numbers on the can label:
Crude protein min + crude fat in + crude fiber max + ash max = X.
100 minus moisture max = Y.
If Y is less than X, then carb % is essentially 0%.
If Y is greater than X, take Y minus X = Z.
Take Z ÷ Y × 100 = carb % estimate.
Example:
Crude protein min 8%
Crude fat min 2.5%
Crude fiber min 0.5%
Moisture max 87%
Ash max 1.5%
8 + 2.5 + 0.5 + 1.5 = 12.5
100 – 87 = 13
13 – 12.5 = 0.5
0.5 ÷ 13 = 0.038 = 3.8% carb
~ Pet Owner ~
January 12, 2020 at 11:21 am
Want to try that formula over again. Here’s an actual can of dog food. Not Blue Buffalo. Not one I use but keep for emergency. The recipe is a “Stew” format.
Crude Protein Not less than 8%
Crude Fat Not less than 4%
Crude Fiber Not more than 1%
Moisture Not more than 82%
_______________________________
Total 95%
The difference is Carb 5%
Ingredients (and remember the first 5 are what count)
Beef (in beef broth) (1/4)
Beef Liver (1/4)
Carrots = (4.5 net carbs) (1/4)
Egg Whites (1/4)
Peas (1/4)
Potatoes (1/4)
Potato Starch (1/4)
Natural Flavor
Eggs (1/4)
Vits & Min
*contains no grains, wheat, corn, soy, artificial preservatives, colors or flavors
The problem isn’t the proportion (necessarily) because this recipe wouldn’t be so bad. The problem is with sourcing. And the integrity (or truth) of the actual ingredients. But my FIRST concern would be where did the protein come from!
Tina
January 12, 2020 at 2:28 pm
Hello ~Pet Owner~,
Unfortunately the estimated carb % of those numbers is not 5%, but rather about 28%. The numbers under Guaranteed Analysis cannot / should not be simply added up — the calculation for carb % is more complicated than that. This is why: the protein, fat, & fiber content is listed as % of dry matter — not listed as % of the can. This is why one must take out the moisture content & then calculate what % of the remaining dry matter consists of carbs. Pet food companies are not transparent in this — they count on most pet guardians to simply add up the numbers & subtract from 100 but that is not the correct way to find carb %.
~ Pet Owner ~
January 12, 2020 at 8:12 pm
Don’t misunderstand, am not here to counteract your contribution, just to add to the perspective. I get your point about the formula, mathematics don’t lie.
Even so if you took the moisture out of everything, and they do when making kibble (obviously) so that the ingredients are turned into a powder, then the relative proportion is this: protein is half (beef, beef liver, Egg Whites, Eggs) to carbs (carrots, peas, potatoes, potato starch). Mainly because Beef, Beef Liver & Egg Whites are placed higher in the order of ingredients. Fiber comes from the carrots, peas, potatoes. The fat is in the meat.
Should my dog be eating a greater proportion of protein? Certainly. But (without having a degree in math) a consumer can still estimate what the type (or preponderance) of ingredients listed, mean to a diet. Personally I was grateful to read no “bad” carbs or soy or artificial additives. (Was Wellness being truthful, who knows).
But could you imagine how many cans of dog food I had to look through to find just that one??
Oh and by the way, it had no chicken in it either!!
Gem615
January 13, 2020 at 9:35 am
What exactly is going on with the BB case? I had 3 dogs (1 my service dog, the other 2 were wolf mix) that ate BB most of their lives… At 1st all I bought was the grain free & didnt switch to the chicken rice untip their later years. 2 of them, I had to put down after 1 had lost all control of his bladder & bowel and uncharacteristically would sleep all day long in a room away from the rest of the house. Since he was a rescue, I had thought maybe he was just a lot older than we thought, not to mention he became very overweight…. which now has me wondering. My service dog, a beautiful Std Poodle that really was the love of my life began out of nowhere, sporadically bleeding internally/ in his stools – it took 6 months of very expensive vets & every testing under the sun to finally fi d what they believed was already metastasized cancer near his spleen (not common whatsoever for his breed)… I watched him waste away from an always happy, perky boy to a skeleton of a dog & had to unfortunately put him down the very night before we were scheduled to see an oncologist. It’s been 2 years since his passing & I’m still not over it, as I cry writing this. I was never notified about any BB recalls & now, wondering if they played any role in any of these things with ‘my boys’. While 1 of my wolf mixes left was eating BB for a while (as they require a special diet, that supposedly BB fulfilled – but NOW know it doesnt!), without even knowing about any of this – switched him to a different brand anyhow. Not sure how much better this one is ‘yet’ – but I will not buy any brand that has their mfg recalled, EVER! Being disabled, buying pre-made food is obviously easier & I am disgusted to think I may have also ended up poisoning my own dogs without knowing it. I am beyond sickened & grievous to even think of it!
Now it’s been 2 years after the passing of my big little lovie, and have been in the process of finally considering a new pup to train as my new service dog, BUT am very concerned as to how I should now be feeding him when I get him – along with my existing wolf mix rescue & another i rescued just before my big boy passed… Raw feeding has crossed my mind often, though it would be extremely difficult with my disability – as I only shop monthly (if that) for myself…. I am sooo upset right now! Any more.detailed I fo would be appreciated – especially concerning a post I read saying that BB has diseased animal parts, along with toxic Chinese ingredients included in their food as well… the carb part was bad enough, but everything else is inexcusable!
Amanda McGee
November 27, 2020 at 3:43 am
Wanting our malti-poo to have a less fat diet, and after believing their advertising…she acquired a UTI, was bleeding and had crystals in her urine, three months after changing her to “Blue” products. She was on meds for several weeks to dissolve the crystals and has been incontinent since. We now give her Proin every day, and she’s on a prescription diet. We were on a long RV trip, at the time, and sought vet care along the way. Three vets in two states said her crystals developed because of changing to “Blue” products, that they’ve seen it many times, and that cats are especially susceptible to crystals from “Blue” products. When you research their products, it seems the complaints and law suits are on-going. They don’t recommend ANY of their products and either do I.
Caroline Snyder, West Virgimian Duck Farmer
January 27, 2020 at 10:45 am
This is just a snapshot of the current state of play with Blue Buffalo. First, Nestle Nutrition CEO took over in 2012 and things went downhill from there. In 2018, Cheerios manufacturer General Mills bought BB, and complaints of sickness and death in dogs and cats are escalating!
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/blue_buffalo.html
Rosalynn Huynh
June 20, 2020 at 2:04 am
Is there any way I can join this class action lawsuit? I just started feeding my dog BB Homestyle Beef Stew for two weeks and he has since had 4 accidents in the house, gained 25% of his normal body weight (from 13.3lb to 16.7lb in the two weeks) and lost a lot of his energy. He just seems out of it and I am super concerned. I am going to call the vet tomorrow to have him checked out but will stop feeding him BB ASAP. I had originally switched to this due to positive reviews of BB on the DogFoodAdvisor.com site. Why the hell do they say this is a good brand??!
BARBARA Schmidt
February 28, 2023 at 5:37 pm
BLUE BUFFALO NEARLY KILLED MY THREE PUPS. THEY WERE IN VETERINARY CARE FOR 5 DAYS.