There is no regulation or law limiting the level of copper in pet food. Over the past few years, there has been much debate in the pet food industry, with veterinarians and regulatory authorities regarding copper levels in pet food – many believe that copper levels in pet food (which does not have a maximum requirement) is associated with increased copper storage disease seen in dogs. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has put together a working group that includes veterinarians, nutritionists, and industry representatives – but the group cannot make any decisions. AAFCO followed that up with a proposal for a low copper label claim for pet foods, (if approved) allowing manufacturers to voluntarily guarantee the maximum level of copper in their pet foods there is a ‘Reduced Copper’ or ‘Low Copper’ claim on the pet food label.
Significantly, the proposed low copper or reduced copper claim on the pet food label is NOT a level below the current minimum required level. It’s not exactly ‘low’ – the proposed rule basically just establishes a maximum level for copper (a nutrient that currently has no maximum level – any level of copper above the required minimum is currently allowed in pet foods).
The current minimum level of copper required in an Adult Dog Food is 7.3 mg/kg on a dry matter basis (with no maximum).
The proposed low copper dog food label claim has the same minimum copper requirement, but includes a maximum of 15 mg/kg based on dry matter.
Although this should have been a simple decision to approve, some in the pet food industry argued (and argued) against this potential new rule. AAFCO took comments on the rule, and today Hill’s Pet Food conducted a pet owner survey – which we assume they will use to submit to AAFCO against allowing a low copper claim in pet food animal
Hill said they conducted a pet owner survey to investigate “pet owner awareness of dietary copper in pet food and the impact of a ‘low, moderate, or controlled copper’ claim on their purchase intent.”
“Participants were asked about their familiarity with copper and why it is added to pet food. Then, they were asked what certain claims about copper meant and how that might affect their pet food buying habits..”
Hill argues that because the majority of pet owners surveyed (78%) do not know why copper is added to pet food, they may be influenced to buy pet food labeled as low copper . “Overall, these results indicate that pet owners are more influenced by nutrition claims in pet foods, even if they are not familiar with a specific nutrient. Additionally, these results support the position of the American Veterinary Medical Association to not support claims pertaining to copper on an over-the-counter diet, and the decision to feed reduced copper or other partially adjusted food should be made in consultation with a veterinarian.”
Hill’s argument is weak, and somewhat insulting to pet owners. Hill’s takes issue with pet owners being swayed by low copper claims on pet food labels because they don’t understand the clinical purpose of copper in the diet, however if the same survey is given to vets – how many vets can tell you the exact purpose of copper in the diet? We’d safely assume not many (we asked a few, they didn’t know specifically why copper is a necessary nutrient).
Is Hill’s argument against a low copper pet food because they like these products only available in higher priced veterinary diets? Is Hill more concerned with profits than with a simple regulation that finally allows manufacturers to voluntarily guarantee maximum copper?
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Buyer Beware of Author, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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