On April 25, 2022 we shared information about Halo Pet Food, their responses to questions we asked and their lack of response to our follow up questions. On April 27, 2022 we received Halo’s responses to our follow up questions.
We originally asked Halo about their claim ‘freeze dried raw coated’ kibble. Their response implied the freeze dried raw coating is applied after the kibble is made, but we wanted to confirm that asking “am I correct that the coating is sprayed on after kibble manufacturing?“
In the recent email from Halo they responded:
“Yes, we apply our freeze dry raw coating after extrusion.”
We asked this question to see if Halo’s process was different than other manufacturers. Most kibble is extruded (a process where ingredients are combined and cooked through heat and pressure), dried with heat, and then a flavoring ingredient is sprayed on the kibble as the final step. Pet food manufacturers are not required to disclose exactly what their flavoring ingredient is. The FDA has stated that flavorings are similar to a chef’s secret recipe (no kidding, they really did say that). But, as it turns out – Halo’s process is similar to other manufacturers.
Our follow up questions to Halo questioned further their claim of “World’s Best Ingredients. Guaranteed“. We asked (as follow up): “With your response to the website claim ‘The world’s best ingredients. Guaranteed.’ – your explanation is very different than your website claim. You explained ‘We source premium ingredients that deliver guaranteed nutrients to the dog.’ But your website claim is ‘world’s best ingredients – guaranteed’. Those are two different things. So again, can you provide information on how it was determined the dog food is guaranteed to include the world’s best ingredients?“
Halo basically repeated their previous response stating (in the April 27, 2022 response) that World’s Best Ingredients means:
“We use ingredients that meet our high-quality specifications to ensure that we deliver leading levels of guaranteed nutrients to the dog.”
And the last follow up question is a perfect example of why it is so important to ask manufacturers questions and get clarity on claims. We originally asked Halo about their “Full Ingredient Traceability” claim. Their initial response provided sourcing information instead of country of origin information – or at least we felt their “Sourced in…” statement could be interpreted as ingredient supplier source – not the actual ingredient country of origin. As it turns out, our interpretation was wrong.
We asked Halo (as follow up): “And with your ingredient tracing – ingredients “sourced in the USA” is very different than country of origin. Where you source ingredients is not full traceability as your website claims. Any pet food can source from a US supplier, when ingredients originated outside the US. Will Halo correct their website removing the full traceability claim?“
Halo responded on April 27, 2022: “The locations that we list on our website are the country of origin.”
We appreciate that Halo provided us with responses.
Wishing you and your pet the best –
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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Colleen Eisele
April 27, 2022 at 1:46 pm
I find Halo’s statement – “We use ingredients that meet our high-quality specifications to ensure that we deliver leading levels of guaranteed nutrients to the dog” a telling one. Using ingredients that “they deem” being of high quality? They sell the stuff, presumably make a profit from it – so they are also the arbiters of what ingredients have a basis for being superior? A bit like policing oneself. Halo is no better a company than any other – in fact they rely on Ellen Degeneres’ name and supposed likeabilty to proffer up a product.
Patricia D Durlak
April 27, 2022 at 1:47 pm
When my dogs were poisoned in 2009 from Nutro, was after the china incident, I started feeding Halo. I love Halo and my Pekingese coats and eye’s showed it. Shiny coats and no more brown stains on the eye’s. Nice stools also..I had 8 Pekingnese and 2 Shih Tzu’s.. They passed at 15 and one I have that remains is 16 1/2.. So Halo for me has been wonderful..
spookywanluke
April 27, 2022 at 2:04 pm
Two good answers and one meh. I’m actually happy with what we got as even that is fairly rare!
Kathryn
April 29, 2022 at 1:09 pm
At least the Country of Origin has been resolved…
Considering they responded at all says something…
Amy
April 29, 2022 at 4:23 pm
I just don’t understand the technology. If it’s raw, how can it be freeze-dried (cuz that’s not raw) and seriously – how do you spray on a freeze dried meat? I can’t visualize it. What I can visualize is spraying on animal digest and calling it freeze-dried raw – which is a huge disconnect.
Fifitrixiebelle
April 30, 2022 at 11:20 am
Just the fact that they tried to con people with their BS marketing completely turns me off to this brand. Thank you, Susan, for digging deeper.
Please report on Rawbble, as I’m afraid they may be up to the same shenanigans.
Chris
May 11, 2022 at 11:15 am
Good responses from Halo. I don’t get the uproar over using World’s Best. Every coffee shop thinks they have the World’s Best cup of coffee. It’s a subjective phrase. But thanks for the good info.
CL Neenan
May 11, 2022 at 9:06 pm
Halo was one of the first brands to make cat food that humans could actually eat.I used to feed Spot’s Stew to my cats because I couldn’t find any other “healthy” foods on the shelves. Mind you, this was before every company started jumping on the “natural” bandwagon. I could see the quality compared to other foods. They still produce a good product in my opinion.
The word “Natural” means nothing – don’t be fooled by it. Poop is also “natural” but I wouldn’t want to eat it!! READ YOUR LABELS PEOPLE – Keep track of what is going into your companion’s body.