Study Finds Hidden Ingredients in Dog Food Not on Label

Recently, we read a blog article questioning the accuracy of pet food labeling. The piece referenced a study in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition first published October 29, 2010. The study analyzed four unidentified brands of dry venison dog food to determine if pet owners and veterinarians could safely use them in an elimination diet to test for food allergies in dogs. Venison or venison meal had to be listed as the first or second ingredient and the list could not contain a soy or beef ingredient. Three of the four venison canine dry foods with no soy products named in the ingredient list tested positive for soy, as well as other ingredients not listed on the package. ¹

Possible Reasons Soy Found

The soy found in three of the four dog foods tested may have come from the formula’s flavoring. The main ingredient in most "Natural Liver Flavors" is
not liver, but soy flour. A typical ingredient list for one of the most widely used natural liver canine flavorings is:  Soy Flour, Hydrolyzed Poultry Liver, Brewer's Yeast, Lecithin, Natural Tocopherols, and Rosemary.

Pet guardians never see this ingredient list…only the pet food companies that use it in their foods see it. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) allows pet food ingredient panels to say, “Natural Flavoring” or similar wording. Pet food companies are not required to state the ingredients of the “Natural Flavoring” they use.

In addition, man-made vitamins and minerals are routinely added to pet foods, even those marketed as “natural.”  The synthetic mineral supplements are called proteinates and contain hydrolyzed protein. The protein used in most mineral proteinates, such as iron proteinate and copper proteinate, is hydrolyzed soy protein. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) only requires that when adding synthetic vitamins and minerals, the manufacturer must include a disclaimer such as, “Natural with Added Vitamins and Minerals.” They do not require that pet food manufacturers list the source or hidden ingredients in those man-made nutrients.

No Hidden Ingredients in Nature’s Logic  

You won’t find these hidden ingredients in Nature’s Logic foods. We never use hydrolyzed proteins to flavor our foods. Instead, the flavor comes from naturally-dried meats, so there is no hidden soy in any Nature's Logic ingredient.

Further, Nature’s Logic has created the first and only, full-line of commercial pet food in the world with no chemically-synthesized vitamins, minerals, or other ingredients. All nutrients in Nature’s Logic foods come from whole foods and 100% natural ingredients, making them the safest and most natural foods for your pet. For more information, please visit www.natureslogic.com.

1 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2010.01016.x/full