Some pet food testing in Europe has found 14 of 17 pet foods to include meats not identified on product labels. Lack of pet food transparency is a worldwide concern.
In this study (and this one was a study), researchers testing 17 popular brands of pet food sold in Europe. The study looked for animal protein sourced from cow, horse, pig and chicken. Of significant concern, “there was detection at substantial levels of unspecified animal species in most products tested.” Unspecified animal species could be any animal other than cow, horse, pig and chicken. Let us hope these researchers will do further DNA analysis to determine the exact animal that was dubbed ‘unspecified’.
Quoting the report from this study…
“A major finding was the relative abundance of proteins from unspecified animal species in 14 of the 17 products. Amongst these 14 samples, bovine, porcine and chicken DNA were found in various proportions and combinations but were not explicitly named on the product labels. With two products (“Encore Chicken Breast with Brown Rice” and “Chappie Original”), the detection of chicken DNA only was consistent with their declared chicken contents. Two products (“Hill’s Prescription Diet R/D Feline Weight Loss” and “Cooperative Gourmet Terrine with Chicken and Game”) appear to contain no and 1% chicken DNA respectively, contrary to expectations.”
“Another key observation concerned the headline description on pet food labels. Seven products with prominent descriptions containing the term “with beef” comprised between 14% and 56% bovine DNA. Only two of the seven were found to contain more bovine DNA (>50%) than pig and chicken DNA combined. With the remaining five samples, three contained more pig than bovine DNA. Another 6 headline labels that highlighted “chicken” or “with chicken” contained 1% to 100% chicken DNA of which two products contained more pig or bovine than chicken DNA.”
“Whilst the present practice in pet food labelling appears to be within current regulatory guidelines, our findings have highlighted two related weaknesses in product labelling that could adversely affect consumers (pets) and their owners. Firstly, in most products evaluated (14 out of 17), substantial protein contents of cow, pig and chicken were found but these animal species were not explicitly specified on product labels. Secondly, headline product information may not tally with buyers’ expectations. Our findings highlighted what could be regarded as a considerable mismatch in the labelling standard of the pet food industry and what the purchaser might reasonably expect. For example, it would be reasonable for a purchaser to expect from a product prominently labelled as “beef stew” to have “beef” and not “chicken” as the major animal constituent. It may be a surprise to shoppers to discover that prominently described contents such as “beef” on a tin could, within the Guidelines, be a minor ingredient, have no bovine skeletal muscle (meat) and contain a majority of unidentified animal proteins.”
My thanks to these researchers for highlighting once again that pet food consumers face tremendous challenges when trying to find an honestly labeled pet food. Now we need for regulatory authorities to step up (worldwide) and protect pets and pet food consumers by strengthening regulations and enforcement. Unspecified animal protein is unacceptable. It’s time to put the consumer and their pet first – industry second.
More links on this pet food testing:
http://news.discovery.com/animals/pets/weird-meat-mixtures-found-in-popular-pet-foods-150331.htm
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
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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Marcia
April 9, 2015 at 2:20 pm
Surprise, surprise, surprise! Science Diet’s PRESCRIPTION food, sold at Veterinarians’ offices Nationwide had 1% of DNA of Chicken — probably listed as the second on the Ingredients list. The Vets in this Country either need more emphasis on nutrition and how vitally important to healthy pets, or stop taking KICKBACKS from Science Diet in the name of morality and integrity! Why did sSD come out with a new “Naturals” line if their good ol’ white and red bag contained all the nutrients (and none of the FILLERS) for the optimal health of your pet. At least we KNOW Purina contains a lot of fillers and by-products, but have you ever found it in a Vet’s office? I hate SD. Biggest scammers in the pet food industry!
Roger
July 2, 2015 at 6:29 pm
Marcia, you’re absolutely correct.
I constantly tell people it’s a great sign if you see bags of Hill’s Prescription Diet and Science Diet piled up in the waiting room… a sign to do a 180 and get the hell out of there!
You can also be sure these vets over-vaccinate and sell neurotoxic, carcinogenic flea / heartworm poisons to boot!
Roger Biduk
Pat P.
April 9, 2015 at 7:05 pm
I hate Science Diet. Unfortunately, a web site, of which I am a member, uses it frequently for their CKD cats. Their renal diet is one of the few that, supposedly, contains lower phosphorus and lower protein (not surprisingly), in addition to other requirements for cats with kidney disease. Many members are upset if prescription diets are criticized, especially, since there is little choice in pet foods to meet those needs, and cats have to eat. Many people are not in a position to make their own foods and are, therefore, limited to what the market has to offer which is pathetically little and of poor quality.
Although I won’t purchase it, I don’t know what to feed my CKD cat that is palatable and safe. I feed him some good raw food and one or two canned varieties, but that necessitates that I, also, give him phosphorus binders, the best and most common of those considered is Aluminum hydroxide, which can, over time, provide too much of the metal, potentially causing problems.
Most vets that I have had really push this horrible stuff, knowing very little about nutrition, believing what the Hill’s reps tell them and enjoying the bonuses they receive. I would love to find a good vet that doesn’t believe in this company or prescribe the product! Of course, some encourage feeding Royal Canin, instead, which I don’t like, either. What is a devoted and, hopefully, responsible pet parent to do?!
Laurie Matson
April 9, 2015 at 8:27 pm
I know one and he is in Southern Minnesota!!
Peter
April 10, 2015 at 5:59 am
Pat, many people may not have to go to prescription diets for their CKD cats. The low protein diet is recommended only for cats in end-stage renal disease. It has been discredited for earlier stages of CKD. You can get lower phosphate commercial canned and dry foods that are appropriate for cats who are not in stage 4. Options decrease, especially when cost is a factor, but there are many. Of course we have to ask, why the phosphorous content of commercial cat foods is so high (I would suggest, in part, it is because of reliance on cheap protein sources, such as fish, in almost every canned food).
Science Diet makes a fortune off of its line of prescription foods, many lines are unconscionably high priced.
Pat P.
April 10, 2015 at 11:15 am
Peter: Thanks for your response.
Due to being ill myself, with various chronic illnesses (including renal disease), and being house-bound, I have spent hundreds of hours (over the last few years), researching cat foods and all the specific ingredients. I have found very few, whether they are suitable for renal cats or not, that I believe are healthy and safe. I will not feed dry (esp. for a CKD cat) and avoid fish, as much as possible, although many companies add it to foods. If you have been visiting this site for any length of time, you will notice that Susan doesn’t believe that there are many good foods, either (especially if you have obtained her annual list). Another reputable site, Dr. Pierson’s catinfo.org, also agrees. A third that I trust, Natural Cat Care Blog, is of the same opinion. If you read what is allowed in the foods, according to AAFCO and the FDA, it is horrific.
My cat has stage IV kidney disease. His previous vet refused further treatment and suggested euthanizing (she knew little about cats, and I believe little about their kidney disease, so she, irresponsibly and selfishly tried to CHA), but I switched vets and made some adjustments on my own, so he has improved, somewhat, although this new vet is ridiculously expensive and not impressive.
In any case, even though high protein is a concern, and even bigger one is the phosphorus, and many of the ones low in it are lousy foods, for one reason or another. Aside from what is known about the company, their customer service response to inquiries, and what is labeled, a big unknown for most is the quality of the ingredients, in addition to actual amounts. Even though a cat MUST eat, I hate to think that what I am feeding is contributing to the worsening of his condition.
There is not a simple solution. Despite knowing that there may be many with degrees of lower phosphorus, it is all the other garbage that is in the food.
Peter
April 10, 2015 at 12:29 pm
I agree with everything that you wrote.
I am convinced the solution for CKD cats is home cooking. However, after much research, the recipe I obtained was conditioned that it was not appropriate for CKD cats (I have no idea why), with the author/holistic vet insisting on a 2-3 hour phone consult to determine an appropriate adjustment. I simply don’t feel that is necessary: a review of my cat’s “numbers” should be fairly straightforward for an expert. And I don’t see why I should engage in a 2-3 hour phone consult, to discuss things I already know. It is just too expensive (specialist fees) for an unknown. So I am struggling. I wish you Godspeed in your efforts.
Marcia
May 6, 2015 at 10:27 pm
I think Royal Canine is the most over-priced dry dog food on the shelf. I worked as a pet food rep, and one attraction to RC is that it has pictures of the dog on the bag. I had the hardest time convincing Asian pet parents to look at the ingredients on the bag and compare the price. Some varieties of RC are literally $7.00 a pound for the dry food. Are you kidding me? Yet people who cannot read English as well as others grab the RC with a picture of their little Maltese on it and they dont care how much it costs!
Great packaging (like Beneful) to appeal to the human buying (and trusting that the pet food company really CARES about their pets’ nutrition) the food for their pet. People do not know how many people would buy the biggest bag of Beneful at Petco, schlep it over their shoulder and believe Purina cares about their pet’s nutrition! And, why buy it at Petco, where it is likely to cost 30% more than at Wal-Mart or grocery store?
The industry is frought with lies, fraud, hidden tactics, etc., and whoever goes up against the Big Pet Food Industry has some real courage and bravery! It can get extremely competitive in this bllion of dollars a year business!
Thank you Susan!
Roger
July 2, 2015 at 6:47 pm
Pat, feed a good grain-free wet food… diets that are high in protein and low in sodium and phosphorus are ideal.
There’s a big misconception about cats with CKD needing a low protein diet.
Good article from the great Dr. Will Falconer, DVM, CVH “Feeding the Kidney Patient: The Low Protein Diet Myth” http://vitalanimal.com/low-protein-diet-myths/
Roger Biduk