From the melamine incident prompting the pet food recall of 2007 to the ongoing tally of canines suffering illness or death at the hand of contaminated jerky treats, the health and well-being of U.S. pets is certainly of great concern. In fact, on occasion, highly connected, impassioned pet owners have become a source of angst for pet food manufacturers. However, the free report, “Consumer Activists and Their Impact on the Pet Food Industry,"
reveals that through cooperation and information, consumer activists can number among a company’s greatest allies.
Through his integrative practice, Robert J. Silver, DVM, CVA, has a quarter century of experience with animals and their dietary issues. A consultant to the pet food industry, Silver is also familiar with the main concerns of today’s consumer activists. Of course, just because an ingredient is criticized doesn’t mean it’s been proven harmful to pets—or is commonly being used in their food.
Some of the most frequently debated additives are:
• Ethoxyquin—Used as a preservative for fats in pet foods and especially for fish meal, some research has indicated high levels of ethoxyquin are carcinogenic, and could cause damage to the liver and kidneys.
• Carrageenan—A common food additive, derived from seaweed and used as a thickening agent. Prohibited for use in infant formulas by the European Union.
• Canola Oil—FDA doesn’t allow canola oil in infant formula, which has caused some activists to question its safety in general. Additionally, canola oil was created through genetic engineering, another hot topic among consumers.
• Meat and Bone Meal—Potentially could contain rendered animal remains or meats rejected for use in human foods.
• Pentobarbital—A barbiturate agent commonly employed in the euthanasia of dogs, cats, horses and cattle. Unlike the other items, pentobarbital is not an ingredient, but a potentially harmful substance that’s found its way into some of the food supply.
To read the full report, visit animalnutritioninsights.com.
reveals that through cooperation and information, consumer activists can number among a company’s greatest allies.
Through his integrative practice, Robert J. Silver, DVM, CVA, has a quarter century of experience with animals and their dietary issues. A consultant to the pet food industry, Silver is also familiar with the main concerns of today’s consumer activists. Of course, just because an ingredient is criticized doesn’t mean it’s been proven harmful to pets—or is commonly being used in their food.
Some of the most frequently debated additives are:
• Ethoxyquin—Used as a preservative for fats in pet foods and especially for fish meal, some research has indicated high levels of ethoxyquin are carcinogenic, and could cause damage to the liver and kidneys.
• Carrageenan—A common food additive, derived from seaweed and used as a thickening agent. Prohibited for use in infant formulas by the European Union.
• Canola Oil—FDA doesn’t allow canola oil in infant formula, which has caused some activists to question its safety in general. Additionally, canola oil was created through genetic engineering, another hot topic among consumers.
• Meat and Bone Meal—Potentially could contain rendered animal remains or meats rejected for use in human foods.
• Pentobarbital—A barbiturate agent commonly employed in the euthanasia of dogs, cats, horses and cattle. Unlike the other items, pentobarbital is not an ingredient, but a potentially harmful substance that’s found its way into some of the food supply.
To read the full report, visit animalnutritioninsights.com.
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