In February 2025, Consumer Reports published their testing results of various pet food products. One of the pet foods that was tested – “Pedigree’s Complete Nutrition Adult Roasted Chicken, Rice, and Vegetable” – was found to contain more than 4 times the allowed level of vitamin D.
Consumer Reports provided the lab results to Mars Petcare (manufacturer of Pedigree dog food), stating: “Following a thorough review of the single 2023 Pedigree product batch referenced by Consumer Reports, we can confirm that our products are safe.”
But…
On May 2, 2025 a lawsuit was filed against Mars Petcare based on the lab analysis performed by Consumer Reports. From the lawsuit:
“Defendant Mars is a manufacturer and seller of pet food, including PEDIGREE
Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken & Vegetable Dog Kibble (the “Contaminated Kibble”).”
“The packaging of the Contaminated Kibble unequivocally promises that the pet
food is a “100% Complete & Balanced” (the “Nutrition Claim”) diet for dogs.”
“However, despite the Nutrition Claim, Mars manufactured and sold Contaminated
Kibble that failed to comply with Mars’ representations regarding the quality and composition of the Contaminated Kibble. In fact, Mars manufactured and sold Contaminated Kibble that independent testing found to contain excessive amounts of Vitamin D.”
“Because the Contaminated Kibble contained an undisclosed excess of Vitamin D,
pet owners throughout the United States purchased Contaminated Kibble that was falsely and misleadingly marketed as an “100% Complete & Balanced” diet for dogs.”
“On February 12, 2025, Consumer Reports reported that it had conducted independent testing studying the nutritional profiles of popular pet foods. Consumer Reports tested three samples of the Contaminated Kibble. The independent testing revealed that the Contaminated Kibble contained an average of 14,282 IU/kg of Vitamin D, more than 28 times the minimum maintenance amount and 4.8 times the maximum amount permitted by AAFCO.”
To read the full lawsuit, Click Here.
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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CATHERINE E STEELE
May 19, 2025 at 11:54 am
One of our dogs was killed by excess vitamin D years ago by Blue Buffalo kibble; who failed to recall the adulterated food for 3 months, despite numerous veterinarians reporting issues. It is beyond frustration that this issue continues and pet “food” manufacturers have not been held accountable.
Karin Chuoke
May 19, 2025 at 2:01 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about your dog. This is so wrong. Our innocent and voiceless pets are not only subjected to poor “food” quality, but potentially dangerous and deadly ingredients. This is totally unacceptable and laws need to be changed. Our pets are our family members and we want high quality human grade food that has safety standards in place. We need to be assured that when we purchase canned food or dry kibble or treats, that they are perfectly SAFE and HEALTHY, not diseased, uninspected or unregulated “food.” This is NOT FOOD. Laws need to change to protect our cats and dogs. I plan to become more involved in this effort to change laws.
JEAN E. Colson
May 19, 2025 at 2:20 pm
So sorry for your loss and I feel your frustration that other companies have failed miserably at learning well-publicized information.
We decided many years ago now to feed our four (pedigreed) cats a homemade raw diet. We lost the oldest cat this past January due to metastasis in his gut.at 18 years old. Our others three cats, now nearly 18 5, 17 5 and our “baby” who will be 16 years old at the end of July. We also stopped vaccines at age 5. They are in really good condition and get semi-annual labs done by our mobile vet. The mobile vet let’s us get away with professional attention but don’t require vaccinations like stand-alobe vets require. The vets are amazed at how great our cats are doing. We are elderly (82 & 86) so we’re slowing down right along side our cats!!Jean
Michael
May 19, 2025 at 12:48 pm
Why wouldn’t you add what impact too much vitamin D does to a dog? That would at least have a useful impact so people stop feeding it. A simple search on Grok would be so easy for you to copy and paste. Perhaps you arent bright enough to handle the consumer reach you have Susan. Time to pass it on to someone more tech savvy.
Susan Thixton
May 20, 2025 at 7:57 am
Wow, you must be having a bad day today to post such an insulting comment. I hope you have a better day tomorrow.
Sharon Testa
May 20, 2025 at 2:57 pm
Always a jerk who thinks they know all about pet food…just ignore the ignorance I been following you for 5 years and you do so much research and investigating to let us know the real truth behind closed doors!! I thank and appreciate what you do!!
Fifitrixiebelle
May 20, 2025 at 1:03 pm
Perhaps you, Michael, aren’t smart enough to both know by now, as well as google. Besides, what difference does it make exactly what it does? If it’s bad enough to be FOUR TIMES the allowed amount AND result in a lawsuit, what are you going to do — somehow qualify the effects in your own little way? Pffffft
Dianne & Pets
May 21, 2025 at 1:20 am
Perhaps you could have given Susan a hand by searching for and putting the information in a comment. That would have been helpful.
Fifitrixiebelle
May 20, 2025 at 1:05 pm
I haven’t always agreed with CR selections and do not currently subscribe, but this makes me want to subscribe. Good work, CR!!