A recent survey by ELISA Technologies found numerous (anonymous) pet foods to include ingredients not mentioned on the label. Ten pet foods of 21 tested were found to be mislabeled. Almost 50%.
While the article published on the petfoodindustry.com website was meant to be helpful to manufacturers, guiding them to proper quality control of their pet foods, a consumer can hardly feel positive about the facts provided. Almost 50% of pet foods tested were mislabeled.
Excerpts from the petfoodindustry.com story…
“Ten of the foods were purchased in local grocery stores and 11 were purchased in local specialty pet stores. Five of the foods were chosen specifically because they claimed to be gluten-free, while the remainder was an equal mix of large and small brands.”
“We found eight foods that tested positive for an animal protein not listed on the ingredient label: two instances of undeclared beef/sheep, five of pork and one of deer. Conversely, in two instances, foods claiming to contain venison tested negative for deer content but positive for beef, sheep or pork.”
“Twelve of the 21 foods tested listed no gluten source (wheat, rye, barley or related grains) in their ingredient list, and five were specifically labeled as gluten-free or grain-free. Five of the 12 foods with no listed gluten source, including two of those foods promoted as gluten- or grain-free, tested positive for gluten at greater than 80 ppm. This level is far above FDA’s proposed limit of 20 ppm for gluten-free labeling in human foods.”
“Overall, there were 12 instances of mislabeling in 10 of the dog foods tested; two foods had more than one labeling issue.”
Looking at this from a consumer standpoint, if ten dog foods were mislabeled – each of those dog foods should have been recalled. It is a violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act for any food to be mislabeled.
What this survey should tell regulators is that many pet foods (almost 50% with this survey) are mislabeled. This survey should tell FDA and State Department of Agriculture representatives to test pet foods to guarantee the consumer they are getting what they pay for.
The petfoodindustry.com story states “this type of mislabeling is typically not intentional on the part of the manufacturer.” I disagree. Quality minded pet food manufacturers have detailed control policies in place including detailed documentation from ingredient suppliers.
A Venison Pet Food that contains no venison is an outright lie to consumers. A grain free pet food that contains grain is stealing consumers money. It is time regulatory authorities take notice and do something to protect pet food consumers. 50% of pet foods mislabeled is unacceptable.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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