Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Pet Food News

Science Diet Gets FDA Warning Letter

On the most recent list of FDA Warning Letters was Science Diet. The FDA is not pleased at how Science Diet promotes/advertises their “Healthy Mobility Diet”. Here’s what the FDA said…

On the most recent list of FDA Warning Letters was Science Diet.  The FDA is not pleased at how Science Diet promotes/advertises their “Healthy Mobility Diet”.  Here’s what the FDA said…

From the FDA Warning Letter to Science Diet dated 11/23/11…
Based on claims made by Hill’s Pet Nutrition for this product, the Healthy Mobility Diet is a drug under section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FD&C Act”), [21 U.S.C. § 321 (g)(1)(B)], as it is intended for use in the mitigation and treatment of joint disease in dogs.   As discussed below, this product is an unapproved new animal drug and your marketing of it violates the FD&C Act.

The Healthy Mobility Diet bears the following claims on its label:
•    “Tested nutrition to enhance active mobility in just 30 days”
•    “Improves joint flexibility in just 30 days”
•    “Enhance active mobility in just 30 days
Vital fatty acids
Optimal levels of Omega-3 fatty acids to enhance overall mobility”
•    “Improve joint flexibility in just 30 days
Omega-3 fatty acids plus Glucosamine & Chondroitin Sulfate
Natural key building blocks of healthy cartilage and joint function”

“Numerous other statements made on the Hill’s Pet Nutrition website to promote the Healthy Mobility Diet indicate that it is intended to mitigate or treat disease.”  The FDA does not allow any product – human or pet – to make statements of curing a disease unless it is a drug (which has gone through expensive approval trials).

And the FDA cites many more instances of Science Diet pushing the line with the marketing of Healthy Mobility.

To explain a little further, the FDA does not consider food as healing; that food could cure or improve a disease or illness.  I disagree with this belief, but that aside, it is the FDA’s position that anything that cures or heals a disease or ailment would be considered a drug.  Thus, if it is a drug, the drug must go through FDA approval process.  As an example, with Science Diet’s claim of “improve joint flexibility in just 30 days!” – the FDA considers this to be a drug claim – thus it is not allowed for a food to make such a claim.

Science Diet should have known better.  They have been in the pet food business for too long now not to understand FDA’s perspective on health claims.

As of today 12/2, it does not appear that Science Diet has removed any of the marketing statements the FDA addressed in the Warning Letter.  Per the Warning Letter, Science Diet has 15 working days to respond.  It will be interesting to see if Science Diet will remove these marketing terms or if the FDA will cave to Science Diet.  We’ll see.

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
PetsumerReport.com

What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
Is your dog or cat eating risk ingredients?  Chinese imports?  Petsumer Report tells the ‘rest of the story’ on over 2500 cat foods, dog foods,  and pet treats.  30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. www.PetsumerReport.com

Are you subscribed to Truth About Pet Food Newsletter?  Click Here to subscribe

Follow Truth about Pet Food on Twitter

Become a Fan of Truth about Pet Food, Dinner PAWsible, Buyer Beware on Facebook

Find Healthy Pet Foods in Your Area Click Here

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Shane Fox

    December 15, 2013 at 2:32 pm

    Did anything ever come of this after their warning was received by Science Diet?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Learn More

Human Grade & Feed Grade
Do you know what the differences are between Feed Grade and Human Grade pet food? Click Here.

 

The Regulations
Pet Food is regulated by federal and state authorities. Unfortunately, authorities ignore many safety laws. Click Here to learn more about the failures of the U.S. pet food regulatory system.

 

The Many Styles of Pet Food
An overview of the categories, styles, legal requirements and recall data of commercial pet food in the U.S. Click Here.

 

The Ingredients
Did you know that all pet food ingredients have a separate definition than the same ingredient in human food? Click Here.

Click Here for definitions of animal protein ingredients.

Click Here to calculate carbohydrate percentage in your pet’s food.

 

Sick Pet Caused by a Pet Food?

If your pet has become sick or has died you believe is linked to a pet food, it is important to report the issue to FDA and your State Department of Agriculture.

Save all pet food – do not return it for a refund.

If your pet required veterinary care, ask your veterinarian to report to FDA.

Click Here for FDA and State contacts.

The List

The Treat List

Special Pages to Visit

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Click Here

Pet Food Recall History (2007 to present)
Click Here

Find Healthy Pet Foods Stores
Click Here

About TruthaboutPetFood.com
Click Here

Friends of TruthaboutPetFood.com
Click Here

You May Also Like

Pet Food Regulations

The FDA has recently issued a warning letter to Hardy Animal Nutrition for using illegal industrial grade, pesticide contaminated and sludge oil fats –...

Pet Food News

The Chapman University study that found 38% of pet foods tested to be 'potentially mislabeled' did not provide consumers with names of the products....

Recalls

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls 62 Bags of “Science Diet® Adult Small & Toy Breed™” Dry Dog Food in California, Hawaii and Nevada...

Pet Food News

A Hong Kong based consumer association tested numerous brands of kibble (dry) pet foods and found 3 U.S. made pet foods to contain aflatoxins,...