recent dog food recalls?
By Lisa Givan, AZGRC Vice President

If you are a frequent visitor to our website, and we hope you are, you may have noticed the recent dog food recalls under the section:  GOLDEN ALERTS – RECENT RECALLS.

I monitor alerts from the FDA on a daily basis to provide you with current and critical information to keep your pets safe and healthy.  This recent trend of recalls from various manufacturers has a common theme.  Most of these foods were on shelves in the south & eastern part of the US, but came from familiar makers that distribute everywhere.  Proctor & Gamble, the maker of Iams/Eukanuba and now the owner of Natura Pet Products (Innova, Evo, California Natural, Healthwise, Mother Nature & Karma), had to recall certain lot numbers of Iams Puppy food in this recall. 

The common theme:  CORN.  The problem was a higher than acceptable amount of Aflatoxin levels due to mold on the corn.  Aflatoxins are considered unavoidable contaminants of food and feed, even where good manufacturing practices have been followed. The FDA has established specific guidelines on acceptable levels of aflatoxins in human food & animal feed.

Aflatoxins have received great attention because of their demonstrated potent carcinogenic effect.  The obvious question then is:  Why do pet food companies use corn at all if there is the potential to harm our pets?  It’s cheap and the truth is dogs don’t need corn.  And they certainly don’t need food that has a large amount of it. There may be nutrients from corn that can be of some value but it shouldn’t be in the top 10 ingredients on the list.  Ingredients must be listed in order by weight.  So if corn appears near the top, guess what you’re feeding your dog?  Yep, mostly corn!  There are so many other grains that offer better nutrition.

Every January we all resolve to eat healthier.  But do we include our dogs in this resolution?

Now is a good time to start reading your current dog food ingredient list.  You can use this helpful guide from Blue Buffalo [link to print].  Take it with you while shopping for dog food.  Don’t be fooled by pretty pictures and statements on the front of the bag – go straight to the back for the real info!

Here’s to a healthier (and safer) New Year for our pets! 

CLICK HERE for some tips for reading dog food labels.

*AZGRC does not endorse any particular food or manufacturer.  What works for one dog may not work for another.  Some basic ingredients to avoid:  wheat, corn, soy and ANY by-products.  Also avoid these artificial preservatives that may be carcinogenic (cancer causing):  BHA, BHT & Ethoxyquin.

**If your pet is on prescription food, don’t make any changes without discussing with your vet first.