Dear Purina Pet Food, you claim your lawsuit against Blue Buffalo is an action “to stop false advertising aimed at pet owners.” Purina, if you are serious about stopping false advertising to consumers, there is one thing you can do to prove that.
Please consider this an official request from pet food consumers. If you have a sincere goal of stopping false advertising aimed at pet owners — turn over your evidence of false advertising to regulatory authorities (independent lab results proving Blue Buffalo pet foods contain by-product meal). It’s that simple.
Purina, pet food consumers request you turn over your independent lab results to Missouri Department of Agriculture (the state your pet food is headquartered in) and to FDA. If you have evidence a pet food is mislabeled, and in turn adulterated due to mislabeling – it is your ethical duty to provide this scientific evidence to regulatory authorities.
We look forward to you (Purina) doing the responsible thing for all pet food consumers, aiding regulatory authorities to remove a mislabeled product from store shelves.
Sincerely,
Pet Food Consumers
Pacific Sun
May 30, 2014 at 11:58 am
I guarantee you that if every United States TAPF follower here sent the above letter to 1) Purina and on that letter, you copied 2) any local media outlet, Purina would be forced to respond in one way or another. It wouldn’t hurt to send one more copy to a big box chain pet supply store either … just to put them on notice as well. That we’re watching!!!
Address:
Nestle Purina, 200 Checkerboard Drive, Gray Summit, Missouri 63039
Email Us:
purinafarms@purina.nestle.com
Thomas N Reedy
May 30, 2014 at 8:03 pm
This whole thing is pathetic, akin to ‘the pot calling the kettle black’ (or is it the reverse, I never could remember).
Cooper
May 31, 2014 at 8:34 am
I find it rather ridiculous that you feel purina is the problem here. Blue buffalo has been very successful at duping pet owners into believing their product is the best choice for pets, and yet it has done nothing to prove that other than create flashy ads that appeal to the human. Last I checked most humans are not consuming pet food.
Also, purina, hills, and royal Canin all do great research on their diets. They have excellent quality nutrition with the pets needs in mind, not the owners misguided beliefs of what a pet should be eating. Each of these companies has board certified veterinarians on staff, along with pet nutritionists who work together to formulate diets that meet and exceed the needs of the dogs and cats. Blue buffalo has life source bits which are not the good idea pet owners have been led to believe. They are a different size, shape, and weight and therefore with shifting and settling in the bag, they do not come out in an even distribution which provides the pet with weather too much, or too little of the vitamins and minerals the pet needs.
When will pet owners wake up and realize they are not as smart as they think they are? They are easily swayed by slick marketing campaigns by companies who spend more money hiring marketers than veterinarians and nutritionists, and more money spent on advertising than on actual research.
The fact hat blue buffalo has a “true blue challenge” that people think shows them the truth about pet food is ridiculous. They have skewed their survey to give you the answers that you want to you to see.
Ellie
May 31, 2014 at 12:54 pm
Highly processed food such as kibble cannot contain “excellent quality nutrition” no matter how many veterinarians and nutritionists helped to formulate it.
Perhaps you should do some research of your own on the process of producing kibble. Then you might try to do your own investigation into what true “excellent quality nutrition” really is and where it is found.
No one, not human or animal, can enjoy the nutritional benefits of meats, vegetables, grains, or fruits in such a highly processed state where the nutrition is literally cooked to death. Nor can they enjoy the benefits of the nutrition that comes from those fresh ingredients by replacing such ingredients with synthetic vitamins.
Americans have been deceived into thinking real nutrition can come from a bag, box, or can by the food industry in general and are reaping the results with the diseases we now consider “normal” as we and our pets age. Arthritis is not “normal” and neither is cancer, heart disease, diabetes or obesity. Studies have shown that people who live in countries that eat from their gardens and their own live stock have very little or none of these diseases.
Our pets now suffer from the same food induced diseases that humans in this country suffer with because convenience always trumps quality in the mind of many consumers. Science is not always working for the better good of society. Those “experts” are hired for one purpose and that is to help manufacture a “food product” that the company can produce as cheaply as possible and that can last for long periods of time on a shelf. The stock holders are truly the ones those experts are meant to please, not you or your pet.
Pacific Sun
May 31, 2014 at 2:57 pm
After years of reading the same theme I began cooking for my dogs. For an old dog who needs better nutrition than ever, knowing old people stuck with convenience foods and Ensure cr_p just end up feeling worse. And for a younger dog for the best start in his life. I’m lucky though only feeding 30 lbs. monthly for $65. Fresh baked meat, veggies, carbs, probiotics, antioxidents. But you know what? We have this discussion all the time. What about people who feed 60+ lbs with no home grown, farmers or local market access? What about people who rescue and foster? Limited budgets? What about every animal who needs good care? The answer is (even though we’re personally doing better) we can’t stop advocating for PFI transparency. People need to make whatever decisions are necessary for their own circumstances – based on information AND accuracy.
Recently Mulligan Stew quit kibble “because” they wouldn’t compromise “quality” saying a $45 bag of food would increase to $100. But was the company seeing profit decline because people wouldn’t pay even what they were already asking? The issue is education. Do enough people out there believe in the need for MS’s kibble? People do know (no matter how stupid they are …and yes truly they are) that whole food is better than convenience food. What the PFI sells IS convenience and economy – period. There will always be “half” the population that doesn’t care what any “animal” is fed. So we can only reach the other half. The way to do that is to scare them wit-less. Unfortunately most people won’t and can’t accept what makes up PF. Even fixed up “scraps” don’t sound too bad, if you imagine what gets scrapped off your own dinner plate into the compactor.
But for the purposes of advocacy, we have to harp on what the FDA Compliance Policies really mean – the result of which – is that dogs are dying (many prematurely) of cancer now more than ever. Not less. Cats suffer renal failure because kibble is looking so enticing and instinctual! If the PFI was truly doing “due diligence” researching and abiding by the results of what healthy PF nutrition means (even at the convenient and affordable level) then pets should be living longer, healthier lives, more than ever! Not less. Question is, why can I can throw the (whole food version) of the very same ingredients I see listed on a bag of PF into my own mix (and do) for a safe and ailment free diet … and the PFI can’t?? The answer is (of course) so why is it – that they ARE allowed to make a profit at the expense of an animal’s welfare? For the PFI to be able to violate an ethical business premise that exists in every other industry – is just insane! It’s profoundly criminal.
So how DO we scare people into reality? We do it with facts. Discussing it here because you never know who’s reading for the first time, today. And learning. Especially by asking people to help with the Pet Food Test! https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-pet-food-test#home
By realizing that 2 huge PF companies are finally admitting in public the effects of advertising gimmicks! And knowing that it’s serious enough now, that they’ve taken the next step – evidence gathering. The tuggle between NP and BB may be curious amusement to on-lookers, but know that the level of discussion they’re now engaged in (keeping in mind) AS an industry – is positively historical!
Because no matter what – they won’t be able to disguise the facts much longer, and consumers who care, WILL be asking more questions!! There will come a point, when companies will have to PROVE the efficacy of their product!
Valerie Noyes
May 31, 2014 at 7:46 pm
Ellie, that is a beautiful response! Kudos!! I agree with you wholeheartedly.
Cooper
June 1, 2014 at 11:45 pm
Thank you for assuming I know nothing about what I am speaking on. I have done research, and I am very well educated on pet health, and nutrition.
What I find most appalling is that pet owners are completely misled by companies like blue buffalo and the companies that produce “raw food”. The average pet owner doesn’t know what they are buying, they are buying buzzwords and marketing schemes not nutrition. And all of these people who say “I did my research….and I chose to feed blue buffalo, or organic food, or holistic diets” are the same people who have no idea that those are just buzzwords companies use to pander to them.
Blue buffalo doesn’t have a veterinarian on their senior team. They have no nutritionists.
They produce a food which is inferior in quality and nutrition and claim it is the way they are meant to be fed in the wild.
I would like to know when was the last time your dogs or cats went picking blueberries and foraging for cranberries. Never. That’s when.
If a dog or cat actually ate “like their ancestors” they would be going for intestines and liver (the abdomen and organ meat) first and then Tearing the flesh when they are done with the insides.
By products are not the horrible item you all seem to believe they are. By products can be, but they aren’t always.
By definition -byproducts include lung, heart, kidney, and other items which you will never Ever. See on the bag of pet food.
If they put that on the bag the owners would be “grossed out” but that is what your pets “ancestors” would be eating.
Instead they show pictures of chicken breast, and peas and carrots, and such. That is a marketing ploy to appeal to the gullible purchaser.
Most grocery and pet store brands contain the 4 D’s of meat. (Diseased decaying, dead, disabled.). These are the way many brands keep costs down.
Most people get Ina. Flap about pet food because they were told by a friend of a friend, etc….they take their pet nutrition advice from the 17 year old at the pet food store or they read about it on the internet. Perhaps from a blog that is written by a human dentist. Certainly not someone I want to get my pet care advice from.
I am neither a veterinarian, nor do I work for a pet food company, and most importantly I do not get a kick back from anyone.
I am an educated person, who sees the ridiculousness of the bullshit the average pet owner is willing to believe. They claim to care about their pets, but these are the same people who claim their veterinarian is an idiot trying to sell them a bill of goods with no science behind it. But you still willing to take nutrition advice from a website done by a human dentist, or from their yoga teacher, or the guy who fixes their car.
I don’t take my plumbing need a to my veterinarian, nor do I ask many landscaper to fix my roof. I go to the people who are most knowledgable in the area I seek information.
So, if you believe all pet foods are bad, except blue buffalo – so be it, but I would like to know what research you have done to come to this conclusion? Was it just the flashy commercials?
Pacific Sun
June 2, 2014 at 8:20 pm
Cooper, because you haven’t been following TAPF for as long as many readers, the following is offered. This article is one of a series and is definitely in pursuit of a long history of PFI disappointments. It’s helpful to be taken in context. I’m guessing people hit on TAPF through the internet except for a few directed referrals. The internet IS where information converges, period. To read the number of books, or do as much independent research as it would take to gain the volume of working knowledge that is now at our fingertips (regarding this subject) would prevent us from doing much else. Fortunately dedicated SME journalists exist (like Susan Thixton) who in turn use their own SME resources and insiders. Therefore the internet is neither a good or bad place except that how a reader chooses to use it, is their business and their risk. For many readers here, it has taken years to become educated (and therefore convinced) about PF issues.
TAPF readers arrive mostly for PF questions which often arise from doubts and unhappy experiences. The entire body of articles eventually confirms them. The rest arrive looking for answers because of very sick pet(s) both now and ones that have died prematurely. To be able to respond to readers here, especially newer ones, accurately (meaning effectively) you have to figure out what is their point of view. Most of them aren’t too adversarial. Just discussion oriented. The essence of this article isn’t to call out Purina’s advantage over BB or vice versus. Or to say one company has more of a problem than the other. In fact what both companies are doing now is precedent setting. The point is to demonstrate how the PFI is not being held to any regulatory authority. Oh one exists alright. Theoretically adulterated PF should be acted upon. But when does that happen? What does it take for that to happen? So a PF company (like NP) claiming to have the evidence should indeed be (and expected to be) responsible to regulatory authority first. Not doing so does seem more self-serving than not. For consumers to give them as much credit (as they would expect) for arguing over the finer points of misrepresentation, when the PFI as a whole is permitted FDA Compliance Policies, is really the ironically sad part of this story. Thus the point of the article is more about, hey Purina is this matter going to be taken seriously, or what?
This site is monitored by interested parties, which benefit from distractions to the real message and the cause of our concern. In fact It is unusual for readers here to become at odds with one another as much as this story seems to have provoked ….strangely. But nobody should ever be discouraged from being a part of this historical movement. Everyone’s point of view improves the discussion. Just understand that dedicated, caring readers have been disappointed for a very, very long time. They do know the difference, they have learned the hard way, and they’re far beyond being duped any longer. The loss of a pet is emotional and expensive. The real point is to say this. That the callousness an entire industry is permitted to demonstrate towards both those circumstances does not hinder their success and profitability. It protects their future!
The mission of this website and the readers who support it, is to change that viewpoint. And that policy.
Oksoonerfan11
October 30, 2014 at 1:39 pm
You guys realize the results of the test are posted on their website, right?
http://www.petfoodhonesty.com/test-results.php
Susan Thixton
May 31, 2014 at 9:08 am
Cooper – me personally, I think most of pet food is the problem…not singling out any particular pet food brand. But if Purina has science that proves another pet food is adulterated, the responsible thing to do is to provide this evidence to regulatory authorities. Why should Purina hold this evidence only for their lawsuit? After all, they are who claim they are trying to stop Blue from misleading consumers. That ‘stop’ should be done in a regulatory manner first. Then if Purina wants to sue, fine.
As far as board certified veterinarian nutritionists…if these DVM’s are recommending a pet eat nothing but a little brown kibble full of industrial animal waste, genetically modified grains, dyes and synthetic (man made) vitamins and minerals to ‘balance’ the meal – then perhaps one shouldn’t put an excessive amount of faith in these people’s expertise.
I think a great deal of pet food consumers are a lot smarter than industry is giving them credit for.
Mary L
May 31, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Cooper, either you must be a vet who gets a kickback from these companies, or associated yourself with these companies, or totally ignorant about the nutritional needs of dogs and cats. And no, I don’t care for Blue Buffalo either, but I wouldn’t feed Purina to any living creature on the planet.
Cooper
June 1, 2014 at 11:54 pm
Really, Mary? I am ignorant? You have no idea who I am, nor do you know anything about me.
For the record I am not associated with any pet food company, nor any veterinarian, nor any pet supply company.
I am an educated and insightful person who actually reads, learns, and investigates. I am not a lamb being led to slaughter blindly going where others feel I need to go.
I never defended purina or any company. All I have done is add to the argument that Blue Buffalo is a company that has been misleading people for years, and far too many people follow this pied piper willingly, without knowing the truth.
I commend purina for standing up to them. As with hills pet food, who also took them to task.
The fact is, blue buffalo is not the grand high supreme food they want you to think they are. I do not take my information from the internet, nor do I take it from just one source. Nor do I take pet care information from people who have no business offering medical advice.
So, thank you for your kind and insightful comments on who you know me to be.
For future don’t assume nor judge. Clearly you are not equipped to be a judge of my character.
M .Avery
June 2, 2014 at 11:32 am
Cooper, you’re full of ____! PERIOD!
Mike L
June 2, 2014 at 7:15 pm
cooper,
Mary stated
“either you must be a vet who gets a kickback from these companies, or associated yourself with these companies, or totally ignorant about the nutritional needs of dogs and cats”.
I mean, cooper, she didn’t simply claim JUST that you are ignorant of pet health needs etc… She did offer alternatives. Aaaanywho, sometimes I like to dance even if I’m not a big fan of the tune so here are few things I would like to point out/ask:
You said:
” purina, hills, and royal Canin all do great research on their diets. They have excellent quality nutrition with the pets needs in mind, not the owners misguided beliefs of what a pet should be eating”
Well I surely do agree that they don’t have owners misguided beliefs in mind. It’s also clear to me that they don’t have the non-misguided owners beliefs in mind. I couldn’t agree more with you that they do great research though it is obvious to me that the great research they conduct is purely aimed at how to sell pet feed at the highest possible price using the cheapest possible ingredients. Regarding this specific quote of yours, cooper, I am asking you to please clearly define exactly how you define “excellent quality nutrition”. Thanks.
cooper, your passion can be felt in this next quote:
“When will pet owners wake up and realize they are not as smart as they think they are? They are easily swayed by slick marketing campaigns by companies who spend more money hiring marketers than veterinarians and nutritionists, and more money spent on advertising than on actual research.”
Obviously you take exception to how much advertising Blue indulges in. It’s interesting to me that you chose to omit Purina et al from your plea. Unless you did actually did mean to include all other advertising pet food/feed companies. So, cooper, did you mean to include or omit Purina et al from your cry? Also, if you would be kind enough to indulge me because, after all, obviously you are very concerned about this issue .. please provide a list of the companies that spend more on advertising VS research and those that spend more on research VS advertising. Thanks cooper, you have my full attention and curiosity peaked.
You claimed:
“They (Blue Buffalo) produce a food which is inferior in quality and nutrition”
A bold and courageous statement. My question is – compared to what? BB produces a food that inferior in quality and nutrition compared to exactly which other pet food companies and, if you will, please provide the source/s of your definitive proof. Thanks cooper, it’s the kind of proof/info that we need in order to make informed choices.
You claimed:
“By definition -byproducts include lung, heart, kidney, and other items which you will never Ever. See on the bag of pet food.”
Merrick “Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe” goes like this:
Deboned Beef, Beef Liver etc…
Ziwipeaks “Daily Dog” goes like this:
Lamb meat, Lamb liver, Lamb lung, Lamb tripe etc…
I know, I know .. I’m being picky but you DID emphatically state “ever”.
You stated:
“Most grocery and pet store brands contain the 4 D’s of meat. (Diseased decaying, dead, disabled.). These are the way many brands keep costs down.”
Please ..and this is really important to me and many others reading and participating here .. please, please provide proof that you have of this. References to any and everything you can share is of extreme importance to many. Thanks, cooper, I know you understand. Also, if you have information detailing exactly how much or the percentages that 4D is used in “Most grocery and pet store brands” and a list of the brands that you have proof are currently using 4D ingredients would be hugely useful to us all.
You said:
“I am neither a veterinarian, nor do I work for a pet food company, and most importantly I do not get a kick back from anyone.” and ” I go to the people who are most knowledgable in the area I seek information.” and “I am an educated and insightful person who actually reads, learns, and investigates.” and ” Nor do I take pet care information from people who have no business offering medical advice.” and ” I have done research, and I am very well educated on pet health, and nutrition.”
Good of you to share all of that, cooper. You have done research and only from those you deem qualified to provide you with relevant information. It would be great for us all to know exactly from whom you have collected your info and vital data. Please share the exact sources and resources you’ve accessed over the years or research because it would assist us all in our own efforts to achieve your level of expertise.
Whew! I apologize to you cooper and to anyone else slogging through this book of a reply as it’s pretty long winded. cooper, you have made some bold and passionate claims here. You have shared that you have conducted plenty of research and are better informed than the average pet owner. My hope is that you will make the time to provide us with the concise references you’ve used and the sources of your research in order for us all to learn. I mean, it’s one thing to make claims ..anyone can do that ..but it is truly helpful when claims are followed by research-able references. To be clear, I’m not asking you to defend your claims, I’m simply asking you to make it more clear for one and all what your research and claims are based on/from. Take your time .. maybe respond to one question at a time and not all in one letter if that helps any as your info is worth waiting for. Your effort is greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance,
Mike
Mike L
June 5, 2014 at 12:00 pm
cooper?
Are you out there?
We need your help.
Mike
Pacific Sun
June 5, 2014 at 12:54 pm
I think cooper must have packed up his sheet of talking points and moved on to the next media buyer client. We’re a tough bunch here to fool. Though I did try to be nice (:>)) Unfortunately he gave himself away when he said:
“Also, purina, hills, and royal Canin all do great research on their diets. They have excellent quality nutrition with the pets needs in mind, not the owners misguided beliefs of what a pet should be eating. Each of these companies has board certified veterinarians on staff, along with pet nutritionists who work together to formulate diets that meet and exceed the needs of the dogs and cats.”
Uhmmm, when was the last time anybody you know said something like that!
Mike L
June 5, 2014 at 3:12 pm
Katie,
It’s a pity that he chose not to share any of the research he claims to have conducted. This leaves us to draw our own conclusions about the value and validity of his claims. Perhaps he is just another corporate shill or troll or *gasp* both.
Cooper, if you’re out there, it’s not too late to shed some light on us. Please step up to the plate and provide references to/for the research you have conducted that substantiats your bold and brave claims and allow us to access this vital info for ourselfs. Hope that you realize that this IS important.
Mike
Mike L
June 5, 2014 at 3:14 pm
Whoops, meant to direct that last one to Pacific Sun, not Katie.
Mike
Chris
July 11, 2014 at 3:45 am
I must say Mary. I have my doubts about blue but I agree lots of purina products are real garbage!! Would never feed them to my dogs with all the scraps of the slaughterhouse in them!! No way!! Pedigree should be removed from the shelves just to mention one!! Yuk!!
Katie
June 2, 2014 at 4:21 pm
I was browsing the net and ran across this. I’m quite shock at Purina’s action. However, I have many times run across questions regarding Blue Buffalo’s packaging. Many of its treat bags says No Chicken but I find chicken on the ingredient list. I’ve never paid attention to it since my dogs love them since they’re grain free regardless. I am interested in what is the basis behind their lawsuit. Definitely don’t like the fact that someone is telling me I’m being duped by a brand that I like so much.
Valeria
August 5, 2014 at 4:43 pm
I came across this site while looking for Blue Buffalo reviews. I recently catsat for neighbors who recommended it (the crunchy). I never fed my own cats the well known commercial wet cat foods, including Purina, choosing to get their vittles from Whole Foods Market. I read ingredients, that is what everyone should do. I wonder if anyone here can recommend pet food that is only healthful. From what I see so far, BB is no better than Purina or those other popular pet foods. Do we have to make our own pet food??!!
Patty Sheffield
August 28, 2014 at 12:15 am
Ihave ten wondered why someone does’t harvest nyc’s sewer rats. My cats love to catch wild stuff.
We could by rats ore mice in cans. These animals reproduce at astronomical rates.
Just say in’
Patty
Valeria
August 28, 2014 at 11:25 am
They’re probably already in there!
Valeria
August 28, 2014 at 11:27 am
Oops – this one was my reply to a different poster, Bobbie. Sorry! At least you got the one intended for you only. Valeria
Bobbie
August 28, 2014 at 8:57 am
Valeria, making your own is probably the best way to control what your animals eat. We’ve only bought commercial food for our foster dog (as required by our rescue) and I spent more on feeding that one dog a high quality kibble than I do to feed 3 (equally sized dogs) of our own a home prepared raw diet of fresh meat, fish, and eggs. Their diet consists of 99% fresh meat/fish with virtually no grains and no carbs so this is NOT one of those home prepared diets where a bit of meat is added to a big pot of rice or veggies.
We’ve been feeding our dogs this way for many years and it never ceases to amaze me when I see what these companies charge for carbs in a bag.
Valeria
August 28, 2014 at 11:22 am
Yes, I agree. We have cats and long before I ever saw ‘wholesome’ brands I made my own meals, cooked meat or fish with veggies. Years ago I used a supplement called ‘PetGuard’ that contained all necessary nutrients. Whatever I sprinkled that on, they ate. I can no longer find that. Raw meat/fish…………….they won’t touch it. My vet recommends that too, but if they won’t eat it…………….??!! Frustrating! I bet they’d eat it with the PetGuard (which I can no longer find, off the market I suppose). Thanks!
anna
September 7, 2014 at 3:45 pm
Dogs on a raw diet should not need supplements if you regularly feed them organ meat including liver and heart, and a small amount of pureed/cooked veggies. You should never feed raw fish to pets, unless it has first been frozen for over a week! Raw fish can harbor parasites that will then force you to have to worm the poor animal, ugh. Never heard of a dog who would not eat a raw diet though. When my dogs won’t eat I cook up some hamburger, then put that in the food processor with water and a little yogurt; you only need a little and the yogurt makes it last a week in the fridge. Even if I dilute it quite a bit, they still gobble up just about anything I’ve put it on!
Ellie
October 31, 2014 at 10:32 am
I know raw feeders will disagree but you might try lightly cooking your meat and veggies. Some animals, especially those used to eating processed food, need that “scent” incentive to get their appetite going. When they smell something cooking they get the scent and are more interested in eating.
Make sure you switch your protein source regularly.
I never buy grocery store meats because they are full of antibiotics, steroids, and hormones. Many times there are local farms near you that use grass fed naturally raised livestock. You might have to do some searching but they are out there. Many do sell online.