remember
By 2023, more than 236 million pounds of pet foods have been recalled. The most common reason for recalls this year is due to contamination by pathogenic bacteria.
2/8/23 – Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL – dry – excess vitamin D.
310,996 lbs.
2/8/23 – Royal Canin Veterinary Feline Renal Support F – dry – mislabeled.
20,882 lbs.
3/10/23 – Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL – dry – excess vitamin D. – expanded from 2/8 recall.
3/11/23 – Stratford Care USA – supplement – high levels of Vitamin A.
7/25/23 – ‘What the Raw’ – treat – Clostridium botulinum.
9/5/23 – Mid America Pet Food – dry – Salmonella.
644 cases, 5 lb bags – estimate 4-5lb bags per case = 12,880 lbs.
10/23/23 – TFP Nutrition – dry – Salmonella.
421,700 lbs.
10/30/23 – Blue Ridge Beef – raw – Salmonella.
1,350 lbs.
10/31/23 – Mid America Pet Food – dry – Salmonella.
9,508,943 units, 5 lb – 15 lb – 40 lb – estimate 1/3 each = 190,178,820 lbs.
Expanded 11/14/23 – Mid America Pet Food – dry – Salmonella.
Expanded 11/17/23 – TFP Nutrition – dry – Salmonella.
45,662,600 lbs.
12/22/23 – Blue Ridge Beef – raw – Salmonella and Listeria.
FDA
In January of 2023, we learned that the FDA is trying to change federal regulations to remove the term animal feed – replacing it with the term animal food. Because most pet food products do not meet legal food requirements, we commented to the FDA that this regulatory step would further mislead pet owners. (To read our comment to the FDA, Click Here.) To our knowledge, the FDA has not taken any action on this issue.
We gave a presentation to the FDA in February 2023 about the pet food ingredient determination process.
Dr. Karen Becker, pet food formulator Steve Brown and I have had two meetings with the FDA this year regarding the AAFCO one size fits all Nutrient Profiles. We have proven to the FDA that one size certainly does not fit all – for example how easily pets can become undernourished or experience over-nutrition unless they eat the correct amount of pet food. The FDA admits that some pets are “not get enough necessary nutrients” from their pet food – but never took any action to correct the issue.
We also proved to the FDA that the feeding directions on pet food labels are concerning. Again, the FDA has taken no action (to our knowledge) to correct this concern.
The FDA has issued only two Warning Letters against pet food this year, both to raw pet food manufacturers.
AAFCO
At the AAFCO meeting in January, we learned about the new animal feed ingredient approval. AAFCO approves an animal ingredient that “Recovered Household Food” – approving the process of a recycling program offered by a company to place trash cans in homes for everyday food waste. Collected like other recycled items, but it is processed into animal feed.
At AAFCO’s August meeting there was a dubious argument from industry about a voluntary claim that pet food could make about copper. The proposal would allow pet food manufacturers to voluntarily limit the level of copper in their pet food, indicating low copper on the label. But the industry argued (and argued) against it. The conversation stalled, with hopefully a decision from AAFCO at the next meeting in January 2024. We sent our statement to AAFCO on this issue before the 2024 meeting.
Test
In January 2023, the University of New Mexico published a paper looking for dog DNA in two pet foods. Of the six dog foods they tested, two different foods contained 17 ingredients not listed on the label.
Lawsuits
Midwestern Pet Food settled a lawsuit against them for aflatoxin contamination in their pet foods recalled in 2020 and 2021. The company agreed to pay $75.00 for each pet that became ill, and $150.00 for each pet dead animal
There has been a new lawsuit filed against Purina Pet Food for “natural” claim when foods contain synthetic ingredients.
And a long-running lawsuit against Science Diet prescription pet foods was granted class status in 2023. This lawsuit challenges the ‘prescription’ aspect of veterinary diets.
Questionable Public Statements
A 2023 Super Bowl commercial brought up the questionable behavior of a veterinarian. When the Farmer’s Dog commercial came on, the veterinarian said he yelled at his TV because “…this commercial advertises non-kibble (raw/fresh cooked) dog food. And I hate these types of dog food.”
An industry post called consumers and advocates discussing the dark side of pet food (like illegal ingredients allowed by the FDA) “concern trolls“.
Rendering
Baker Commodities – a rendering facility in California – continues to battle with city officials over odors emanating from the facility. A city inspector said: “the smell in the facility was that of rotting animals. He said in a sworn written statement filed in court that he inspected Baker the first time he wants to throw up.”
Another Celebrity Pet Food
This year, Martha Stewart added a line of food for pets – a feed grade pet food.
We wish everyone a Happy New Year. Here’s hoping that this year we can advance pet food reforms that give pet owners the transparency and pet food safety they deserve.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Buyer Beware of Author, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
Become a member of our pet food consumer Association. The Association for Truth in Pet Food is a stakeholder organization that represents the voice of pet food consumers at AAFCO and the FDA. Your membership helps representatives attend meetings and raise consumer concerns with regulatory authorities. Click here to learn more.
What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
Does your dog or cat eat dangerous substances? Chinese imports? Petsumer Report tells ‘the rest of the story’ on more than 5,000 cat foods, dog foods and pet foods. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Click Here to preview the Petsumer Report. www.PetsumerReport.com
Find Healthy Pet Foods in Your Area Click Here
The 2024 List
List of Susan’s trusted pet foods. Click here to learn more.
The 2023 Treat List
Susan’s list of trusted pet treat manufacturers. Click here to learn more.
