Recollects
In 2023, greater than 236 million kilos of pet meals had been recalled. The commonest explanation for recollects this yr was because of pathogenic micro organism contamination.
2/8/23 – Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL – dry – extra 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 – extra vitamin D. – expanded from 2/8 recall.
3/11/23 – Stratford Care USA – complement – elevated ranges of Vitamin A.
7/25/23 – ‘What the Raw’ – deal with – Clostridium botulinum.
9/5/23 – Mid America Pet Food – dry – Salmonella.
644 instances, 5 lb baggage – estimate 4-5lb baggage per case = 12,880 lbs.
10/23/23 – TFP Nutrition – dry – Salmonella.
421,700 lbs.
10/30/23 – Blue Ridge Beef – uncooked – Salmonella.
1,350 lbs.
10/31/23 – Mid America Pet Food – dry – Salmonella.
9,508,943 items, 5 lb – 15 lb – 40 lb – estimate 1/3 every = 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 – uncooked – Salmonella and Listeria.
FDA
In January of 2023, we realized the FDA was attempting to change federal regulations to delete the time period animal feed – changing it with the time period animal meals. As most animal meals merchandise don’t meet the authorized necessities of meals, we offered FDA remark that this regulatory transfer would additional mislead pet homeowners. (To learn our remark to FDA, Click Here.) To our information, FDA has not taken any motion on this difficulty.
We gave a presentation to FDA in February 2023 concerning the pet meals ingredient definition course of.
Dr. Karen Becker, pet meals formulator Steve Brown and myself had two meetings with FDA this yr concerning AAFCO’s one measurement matches all Nutrient Profiles. We evidenced to FDA one measurement positively doesn’t match all – exampling how simply pets could be nutrient poor or expertise nutrient excesses except they eat the right amount of pet meals. The FDA did admit that some pets “can not get sufficient required vitamins” from their pet meals – however has by no means taken any motion to right the difficulty.
We additionally evidenced to FDA that feeding directions on pet meals labels are of concern. And once more, FDA has taken no motion (to our information) to right this concern.
The FDA issued solely two Warning Letters in opposition to pet meals this yr, each to uncooked pet meals producers.
AAFCO
On the January AAFCO meeting we realized of a regarding new livestock feed ingredient approval. AAFCO authorized a livestock ingredient of “Recovered Family Meals” – approving the method of a recycling program supplied by an organization to position bins in houses for every day meals waste. Picked up much like different recycled objects, however this will get processed into animal feed.
On the August AAFCO meeting there was a suspicious argument from trade concerning a voluntary declare pet meals may make concerning copper. The proposal would permit pet meals to voluntarily restrict the extent of copper of their pet meals, stating low copper on the label. However trade argued (and argued) in opposition to it. The dialog was stalled, with hopefully a call from AAFCO on the subsequent assembly in January 2024. We despatched our statement to AAFCO concerning this difficulty upfront of the 2024 assembly.
Testing
In January 2023 the University of New Mexico printed a paper discovering canine DNA in two pet meals. Of the six canine meals they examined, two totally different meals contained 17 elements that weren’t listed on the label.
Lawsuits
Midwestern Pet Food settled the lawsuit in opposition to them for the aflatoxin contamination of their pet meals recalled throughout 2020 and 2021. The corporate agreed to pay $75.00 for every pet that turned ailing, and $150.00 for every pet that died.
There was a brand new lawsuit filed in opposition to Purina Pet Food for “pure” claims when the meals include artificial elements.
And an extended standing lawsuit in opposition to Hill’s Science Diet prescription pet meals was granted class standing in 2023. This lawsuit challenges the ‘prescription’ facet of veterinary diets.
Questionable Public Statements
A 2023 Super Bowl commercial introduced out questionable conduct in a veterinarian. When the Farmer’s Canine business got here on, the veterinarian acknowledged she yelled at her television as a result of “…this business was promoting non-kibble (uncooked/contemporary cooked) pet food. And I hate these kinds of pet food.”
An industry post known as customers and advocates that debate the darkish facet of pet meals (equivalent to unlawful elements allowed by FDA) “concern trolls“.
Rendering
Baker Commodities – a rendering facility in California – continues to be in a authorized battle with metropolis officers concerning odors coming from the power. A metropolis inspector acknowledged: “the odor on the facility smells intensely of rotting animals. He stated in a sworn written assertion filed in courtroom that the primary time he inspected Baker he wished to vomit.”
One other Superstar Pet Meals
This yr Martha Stewart added a pet meals line – a feed grade pet meals.
We want everybody a Joyful New Yr. Right here’s hoping we are able to nudge ahead this yr modifications in pet meals that gives pet homeowners with the transparency and pet meals security they deserve.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the most effective,
Susan Thixton
Pet Meals Security Advocate
Creator Purchaser Beware, Co-Creator Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
Change into a member of our pet meals client Affiliation. Affiliation for Reality in Pet Meals is a a stakeholder group representing the voice of pet meals customers at AAFCO and with FDA. Your membership helps representatives attend conferences and voice client issues with regulatory authorities. Click Here to be taught extra.
What’s in Your Pet’s Meals?
Is your canine or cat consuming threat elements? Chinese language imports? Petsumer Report tells the ‘remainder of the story’ on over 5,000 cat meals, canine meals, and pet treats. 30 Day Satisfaction Assure. Click Here to preview Petsumer Report. www.PetsumerReport.com
Discover Wholesome Pet Meals in Your Space Click Here
The 2024 Checklist
Susan’s Checklist of trusted pet meals. Click Here to be taught extra.
The 2023 Deal with Checklist
Susan’s Checklist of trusted pet deal with producers. Click Here to be taught extra.
