Some interesting news…a large New York law firm that often represents consumers is investigating the ‘Real Meat’ claims of pet foods. This could get ‘real’ interesting.
Milberg LLP website states: “Milberg is investigating pet food companies that sell products advertised as “real meat.”
“Many pet food companies advertise their products as made with “real meat.” However, pet foods often contain processed meat, meat meal or by-products that would otherwise be discarded as not fit for human consumption. These meats are far from those fit for human consumption and are far removed because of processing from their natural state. Because of the lower quality of the meat used and the processing it undergoes, these pet foods contain far less protein and instead have more added ingredients like carbohydrates.”
The website asks that pet food consumers that would like to learn more, to contact…
Jessica Sleater, Esq.
Milberg LLP
One Pennsylvania Plaza, 49th Fl.
New York, NY 10119-0165
Phone number: (800) 320-5081
Email: contactus@milberg.com
And the site includes a “Pet Food Claim Evaluation” form for any pet food consumer to fill out online.
This could get very interesting. I wonder how many people have purchased a pet food based on the made with ‘real chicken’ or ‘real beef’ claim, yet found out later ‘real’ could be 4D meat (sourced from dead, diseased, dying, and disabled – rejected for use in human food meats). I also wonder if this progresses to a lawsuit, if pet food manufacturers will finally have to prove the quality – or disclose the lack of quality of their meat ingredients.
Will Big Pet Food be eating their ‘Real Meat’ words? We will certainly be watching this one.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
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Nina Wolf
August 21, 2013 at 7:10 pm
can you even IMAGINE what the industry would look like if manufacturers had to disclose meat grades, processing plant names/co-packer names, ingredient sources (country of origin), etc. My, my wouldn’t the landscape be different…
Kelley
August 21, 2013 at 7:13 pm
According to TAPF’S article “What IS real Meat?” ( http://truthaboutpetfood2.com/real-meat ) it doesn’t seem like there is any single definition of what “real” means. But that it is more about what “real meat” is not. More a case of exclusion. So I wonder, in order to pursue this investigation, if the parties involved have discovered (first) a method of effective testing, and (secondly) if they’ve collected specific evidence through testing that is contrary to published claims?
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That would mean the lawsuits might have to be individualized per manufacturer however. In other words, if in the case of Blue Buffalo which has said “Real means meat, not a meal or by-product” then the testing of BB would have to prove there is no meat meal or by-products present, and MOST especially if these ingredients are not listed on the label. Therefore this investigation might be the attempt to go after either a certain company (or others) based on a collection of individuals who have similar experiences in order to successfully demonstrate the case and perceived intention.
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For the company (or others) at issue, the agency would need a record of current (and previous) advertising claims (print & media), and the packaging, and (my guess is) unopened bags of the product, and the testing results of food used, and of course specific people to actually represent (meaning people who say they have been misled or deceived) using their testimony. And then it would have to be determined whether or not the deception was accidental, unintentional, anecdotal, or intentional (depending on examples, consistency and duration).
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It is no wonder that successful litigation against PF companies is few and far between.
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Let us wish the prosecutors and claim seekers all good fortune in the pursuit of making these companies become both responsible and …. accountable for their words!
Jay Smith
August 21, 2013 at 8:08 pm
There’s no “industry” definition of what “real meat” means. But, that’s the pseudo-world of pet food industry that’s so important for all of us to buy into. In truth, we ALL know the definition of “real meat,” and it’s based on common experience. That “common experience” definition is reinforced by photographs of supermarket chicken, turkey, fish and beef cuts. The act of including actual ingredients that are far-and-away different than the “common experience” ingredient, the expectation of which is reinforced by the depictions that are actually ON the product labels and advertising, constitutes deception – regardless of the legal definition.
The same can be said of the use of the term “Natural.” If you substitute the words “not made or caused by humankind” for the word natural, does that “Natural” label claim still work for you?
MadlyMad
August 21, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Now this is exciting…and welcome.
Regina
August 21, 2013 at 10:30 pm
Do keep us posted! This is interesting. I know that I’ve looked at some of the treats out there that have the words “real chicken” on the front of the label, but then when I read the ingredients, there is not any actual chicken meat in them. It’s all by-products. I’m amazed at how many people don’t ever read the ingredient list. I see people who have no idea what is in their pets’ foods, because they only look at the front of the bag, with the pretty pictures and bold claims.
Some people don’t even realize that the word “meat” in the ingredient list isn’t a good thing. “Meat” doesn’t tell you what animal the meat is from, so it could be anything!!!
brad
August 22, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Have you read the book Pet Food Pets Die For by Ann N Martin pet food researcher that has gone to these big commercial pet food factories.
Meat can mean the killed dogs and cats from killing shelters. Why do those big trucks pick up all those dead dogs and cats from killing shelters for FREE. Because the big commercial pet food companies pay the truckers to pick up the loads of unwanted dead dogs and cats to cook up as free meat protein or meat byproducts for big commercial pet food.
The truckers also pick up the moldy unsellable wheat corn soy from cereal manufacturers and deliver to Big Pet Food Manufacturers.
They also pick up the free used fat and oil from commercial restaurants that has been stored in barrels outside in the heat for who knows how long. This free fat sticks all the dead dog cat meat by products, moldy wheat, corn, soy, then it is mixed with food coloring, then molded into kibbles.
Now I know why my pets had so many problems eats Big Commercial Pet Food.
Avoid science diet, purina, iams, eucanuba, nutro, hills, big grocery store brands or walmart brands, etc.
read more at NaturalNews.com
Nicole Lindsley
August 23, 2013 at 10:08 am
This is exciting for us! Please come investigate our meat, all you will find is fresh ground meat, organs and produce.
I really hope they look at some of the new corporate pet food companies that have jumped on the “fresh” bandwagon, such as Fresh Pet. I am really curious if their board member run business is using real meats. I think we all know the meat in kibble is processed meals.
Thanks Susan!
Marilyn J. Caruso
August 23, 2013 at 11:26 pm
Can somebody Please put out an actual healthy cat and dog food with no garbage or euthanized animals in it, and charge what it actually costs?
We will pay that, and our pets will not have to suffer.
Jay Smith
August 26, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Marilyn
The tide is turning. There are forward-thinking companies that are doing what you want — and even going better! Demand nothing less than USDA Inspected/Passed (and even GRADED) meats. “For-fresh-market” vegetables and fruits, and NO PROCESSED foods. Check Susan’s “The List.” We’re out there, and Susan is blazing the trail to us for you!
Jay Smith
Nina Wolf
August 26, 2013 at 9:23 pm
I remember the days when home-made was the only alternative to big pet food awfulness, and as the owner of a small pet store that refuses to carry almost everything out there, I truly appreciate the few companies who DO care, who DO use the right ingredients and sourcing and manufacturing process, and who care about co-packing facilities, etc. Please know there are shops and customers out here standing behind you 200%. We are out here spreading the word, disseminating info, trying to educate. Keep those healthy products coming, and we will explain to people what makes them so special. Maybe some day we’ll have more than three or four dog food brands in our shop!
Reader
August 27, 2013 at 12:39 am
I think Jay Smith is too modest to mention his own product namely “Fresh Fetch” (not to be confused with Fresh Pet). You can read about his product here at http://freshfetchpetfoods.com/.
Talk about doing all things right, and putting into practice everything that TAPF teaches to look for in quality PF, this producer is an excellent example of doing so.
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No, I am not affiliated with the product nor this site, but I do know it has been very well reviewed and has also returned the Pledge to Quality and Origin. Thank you Fresh Fetch!!!