According to a recent study conducted by the University of New Mexico and published by the American Chemical Society, dog DNA was found in two different brands of pet food. The study, which aimed to investigate the effectiveness of whole-genome sequencing in the authentication of highly processed complex food, found that all six pet foods tested contained multiple ingredients not disclosed by the manufacturer, as required by federal and state pet food regulations.
The Study, “Using Pet Food as the Subject to Investigate the Effectiveness of Whole-Genome Sequencing in the Authentication of Highly Processed Complex Food” was published January 6, 2023 by the American Chemical Society. It can be found here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/
In addition to dog DNA, the pet foods analyzed contained as many as 17 undisclosed ingredients. Several of the pet foods also did not contain ingredients that they claimed to have, such as beets, salmon, and sweet potato. This mislabeling of pet food is a violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which requires that all animal foods be truthfully labeled.
This is not the first time that dog food has tested positive for dog DNA. In fact, it is the third time in four years that such a finding has been reported. The FDA regulates pet food similarly to other animal foods, requiring that it be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled. Yet, this recent study shows that 100% of the pet foods analyzed were mislabeled.
As pet owners, we deserve to know that the FDA is properly monitoring the pet food industry and that we can trust the ingredient statements on pet food labels. On behalf of pet food consumers, we are calling on the FDA to provide evidence that it is effectively regulating the pet food industry and validating ingredient statements on pet food labels. We need to ensure the safety and well-being of our beloved pets, and it starts with truth in labeling.
Source: Susan Thixton, Truth About Pet Food. Please Share this on Facebook to help raise awareness!