Food Geek Edition:
The New York Times has a good article called The Truth about Cat and Dog Food:
[…]I wonder whether people who invest in high-end pet foods are getting their money’s worth. Are their pets really healthier and happier? Do they live longer? And are these foods any better than the generic versions sold in supermarkets and big-box stores?
Terrierman has posted a view on the above article.
The NYT piece contains an interview with food expert Marion Nestle, as does this piece in the San Francisco Chronicle.
A Veterinarian links the 2007 pet food recall to food safety issues which affect us all
FDA launches a pilot program for GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) “substances” in animal food. Let me guess, that would include everything on the planet?
Bravo, a company which sells raw pet food, is moving its production of beef and lamb formulas from the U.S. to New Zealand. Bravo had previously sourced some lamb and beef parts from New Zealand but did the manufacturing of the product in the States. One reason for the switch:
Sourcing and manufacturing the products in New Zealand enables Bravo to use the entire carcass and reduce the number of steps involved in the production process, thus resulting in better quality products[…]
I always like the idea of using an entire carcass of a food animal. I hate to think that anything edible or usable is wasted.
A cooked, homemade dog food recipe I came across
How does this vid compare with feeding time at your house?
I will quibble with Marion on one statement, and that’s where she says –
“All pet foods are made from the byproducts of human food production. No matter what the package says, your dog is not getting whole chicken breasts, but what remains after the breasts have been removed for human food.”
I can’t speak to other companies, but the small raw pet food company I personally work for uses ZERO by products. In fact, we use better ingredients than I routinely purchase for myself. To whit: free range eggs that are hand delivered by the farmer. Certified organic yogurt. Whole wild caught salmon. Fresh ground “AAA” Hormone free and grass fed beef. Whole turkey and chicken legs, backs and necks.
You get the idea.
So, it would be truer to say that “the majority” or “most”, but it’s really not fair to say that no one uses whole foods in their pet foods. I wouldn’t work here if they were using scraps or bad quality ingredients – my conscience wouldn’t let me.
Having read Marion Nestle’s books, I wonder whether her words weren’t spun to some degree by the author to reflect a personal viewpoint. I have asked her that very question and will post if I receive a public reply.
Here is the tweet I sent to Marion Nestle:
Were your words mischaracterized in the NYT piece re kibble is best, all foods are the same? Having read your books, I wondered
Here is her reply:
Nope. Not what I think. See book and judge for yourself. Thanks for asking