Pet Food Consumer Alert (original) (raw)

China – a major supplier of pet food ingredients and treats – is making “a significant change”. China is now manufacturing complete pet foods and will be exporting soon. Every pet food consumer needs to pay close attention to their pet food labels for the words ‘Made in China’.

The announcement of China manufactured pet food states “Chinese manufacturers in the early days have been known in the pet industry as suppliers of cheaper snacks for dogs and cats and chewing bones for dogs, which were almost always delivered under the trademark of Western companies, but a significant change is now discernible.”

That ‘change’ is: China will now be manufacturing complete pet foods and exporting them all over the world. The shift to Chinese manufacturing is significant and a concern.

Knowing consumers would question the quality of the new pet foods, the Chinese pet food manufacturers hired “an international consultant in the field of pet food” and had ingredients and complete pet foods tested by “SGS – Germany GmbH, Hamburg”. The announcement stated testing was performed on ingredients and finished products for antibiotics and heavy metals. The Chinese pet foods were stated to have passed with flying colors “no antibiotic activity, heavy metal concentrations were consistently below the analytical detection limit”.

The announcement goes on to tell consumers: “From these results, it should be noted that all the products have been manufactured with great care, that the raw materials originate from healthy animals”.

There are several concerns with China officially becoming a pet food manufacturer…

One…Chinese manufactured pet food will likely sell under national brand names to unknowing consumers.

Just how many US/Canadian pet companies purchased Chinese jerky treats to private label under their own brand – examples are Purina Waggin Train and formerly Del Monte Milo’s Kitchen – the concern for consumers is the same behavior will take place in pet food. For companies whose interests are focused on profits (not pets), co-packing with a Chinese pet food manufacturer could mean millions more in profits each year. We can very safely assume this will happen, and happen soon.

Another concern…Chinese manufacturers will introduce their own brands all over the world. Consumers can assume that the Chinese manufactured brands exported into the US and Canada (and all other countries) will have brand names that will not draw attention to manufactured in China.

As example the brand name probably won’t be: 健康动物宠物食品

It’s more likely to be a brand name like this: Healthy Animal Pet Food. Misleading consumers just how jerky treats imported from China did.

One more concern with China manufactured pet food…customer support. Should a pet here in the US or Canada become sick or die linked to the pet food, who is going to provide answers?

I suspect we will see new brands of China manufactured pet foods on store shelves very soon. And I suspect we will notice that some familiar brands will switch to a co-packer in China (a change that could happen without notice).

Consumers will need to be very diligent and carefully examine the label of every pet food they purchase – and every time they purchase it. ‘Made in China’ will be required to be on the label, but…the statement will be very small, difficult to find and read (a font issue). From this point on – carefully read the fine print on your pet food label. Continue to ask your existing pet food who manufactures for them and where.

China getting into the manufacturing of complete pet food is significant, but not in the way China thinks.

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food

What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
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