Pet Food Quiz how much do you know about what your pet is eating?
Susan Thixton
July 07, 2008
True or False
1. All dog foods and cat foods contain meat.
2. All meats used in pet foods are certified USDA Grade A the same as human food.
3. All ingredients used in pet foods are considered safe.
4. All imported ingredients are tested for safety.
5. Pet Food labels provide you with honest, truthful information.
How many of the above statements are true and how many are false?
Ok, let´s look at the answers
1. All dog foods and cat foods contain meat.
False. According to the AAFCO definition, the common pet food ingredient ´by-product´ (and all variables such as by-product meal, chicken by-product, and so on) is NOT meat. In fact the official definition specifically states "other than meat". Many popular dog foods and cat foods contain by-products and no meat ingredient. Thus no all dog foods and cat foods do not contain meat (but they should).
2. All meat used in pet foods are certified USDA Grade A the same as human food.
False. Thanks to our friends at AAFCO and the FDA, meat or animal parts that have been rejected for use in human food are considered suitable for use in pet food. Examples would be diseased animal tissue and animals that have died or been euthanized prior to processing at a USDA facility. In other words, animals or animal parts that have been rejected from a USDA meat processing facility are NOT discarded they are processed into pet food.
3. All ingredients used in pet foods are considered safe.
False. Well, I guess it would depend on who you ask. Modern science has more than proven that some chemical preservatives commonly used in pet foods are linked to tumors and cancer. Yet AAFCO and the FDA both approve these chemicals to be used in pet foods. Controversial common pet food concerns is BPA (linked to cancer) in canned pet food linings and chemical preservatives BHA, BHT, TBHQ, and ethoxyquin.
4. All imported ingredients are tested for safety.
False. The FDA inspects about 1% of all imports shipped into the U.S. both human and pet products. Quality control testing is NOT mandatory in pet food manufacturing. AAFCO and the FDA only provide pet food manufacturers with ´recommended´ quality control procedures. All testing of imported ingredients is strictly optional.
5. Pet Food labels provide you with honest, truthful information.
False. According to AAFCO regulations pet food manufacturers are allowed to make "unqualified claims, either directly or indirectly" on a pet food label. While some pet foods might actually be premium or natural others might not be. Words like ´premium´, ´choice´, or ´natural´ on a pet food label mean absolutely nothing thanks to the regulations.
Unfortunately, the above is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to pet food and pet food regulations. It´s a shame. Many individuals, organizations, and even some veterinary schools have tried to nudge AAFCO and the FDA to update and reform pet food safety. Yet year after year, recall after recall it goes un-noticed. Congress passed an Amendments Act in September 2007 mandating the FDA reform regulations to improve human and pet food safety. However with pet food, the FDA has blatantly ignored Congress and continues to use an outdated ineffective system instead of reform.
Please learn as much as you can about what you are feeding your pet. The front of the bag or can of pet food can legally be misleading. Ingredients can come from China and not be tested for safety. Some foods are made from the highest quality ingredients while others are not it´s not easy to tell the difference.
Wishing you and your pet the best,
Susan Thixton
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