Nutrition and Avoiding Toxins

A RUFUS Reading Room Article - 1,321 words

 

Should You Be Worried?  No. Should You Be Wary?  Yes.

Considerations of The Safety of Your BFF’s Food & Treats

It is somewhat disheartening to have to think about the dangers of contaminants, undesirable additives and other toxins that could be found in your BFF’s food if the maker of that food is careless, negligent or even downright unscrupulous.  It is a sad fact of life that we must live with, but if we prepare ourselves with knowledge, then we can know what to be on the lookout for, and to know when we should be suspicious about something that just doesn't “look right.”

 IMPORTANT: The information below is an overview of the more common concerns that we should note and be wary of.  It is NOT meant to be a scaremonger list so that you are in a constant state of worry. 

Indeed, the vast majority of food and treats that are available in the marketplace are safe for your furry buddies; there are only a few slip-ups or intentional wrong doings that happen over any given period of time; however, it only takes one scary headline to make pet owners very nervous. But rest assured that most vendors make extraordinary efforts and take exceptional care in the sourcing, processing, packaging and delivery to you of good quality, safe food and treats.

Some dangers are completely avoidable, while others sometimes are due to happenstance or unfortunate events or circumstances that are beyond the control of the food or treat vendor. 

• An example of the former, above, would be allowing some sort of contaminant (such as mold or bacteria) to be introduced into a production batch. Competent monitoring of ingredients sourcing, ingredients storage, storage procedures, handling and manufacturing procedures and equipment/utensils would prevent this from happening. 
• An example of the latter, above, might be damage to packaging, after the product has been manufactured, that would allow moisture, mold, bacteria or insects to invade the product.

Fortunately, serious breakdowns in the supply chain are rare and the low failure rate is a testament to conscientious handling of all kinds of consumer goods by the many people involved in the supply chain for any product, beginning to end.   

There are other categories of concern of which you should be aware.  Although these two matters do not rise to the lever of “danger”, they are issues that should be taken note of and avoided when you can. 

The first concern is the addition of undesirable ingredients – those that are not commonly recognized as dangerous or toxic by regulatory authorities, but rather, are not generally acceptable to BFF Caretakers who want only the best for their Friends.  An example of this would be the use of artificial dyes, undesired preservatives or flavoring chemicals.  The use of such additives is generally due to considerations involving costs and/or ease of production (which also directly impacts production costs).

The second concern is that of “are you getting what you think you are?”  Sometimes, a vendor who is, shall we say, not the most upstanding purveyor on the block, will name a food or treat in a way that is inappropriate, at best, or irresponsible. at worst.

An example of this would be to provide a food or treat with a marketing name such as “Chicken Yummie-Yums.”  The average consumer would, as a natural course, assume that vendor to be a scrupulous business and trust that chicken is, at least, a major ingredient.  Upon closer inspection, one could find that chicken is the next-to-last item in a 10-item ingredient list (with cheaper fillers and grains comprising most of the product).

A variation on this marketing tactic would be to see that there are “chicken flavored” items involved in the ingredients.  This might be actual natural chicken flavoring (such as a broth) or completely artificial flavorings.    Again, profit considerations are most often the reason for such mischief.

 

Some Countries Of Origin Are More Rigorous with Safety Oversight

As discussed in the article regarding “SOURCING (link),” in Rufus’ Reading Room, paying strict attention to the ingredient’s country of origin and country of processing is a critical part of selecting safe food and treats for you 4-legged Friends. Countries with rigorous food chain regulatory procedures and enforcement are the best bet when it comes to avoiding problems with your food purchases, either for yourself or your BFFs. With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the items that are known to have been problems in the past.  Once again, this is not to scare you, it is informational so that you can become a more discerning consumer.

• Aflatoxins: Produced by certain molds like Aspergillus flavus, aflatoxins are among the most potent natural toxins known. They can contaminate grains such as corn, which are common in pet food. Long-term exposure or acute poisoning from aflatoxins can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, or death in pets. Despite regulations, recalls due to high aflatoxin levels have occurred, indicating the persistence of this risk.
• PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances): Known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment, PFAS have been found in pet food packaging. These chemicals can migrate into the food, posing risks not just to pets but also to humans through secondary exposure. Health concerns include developmental issues, reproductive harm, increased cancer risk, and metabolic disruptions.
• Artificial Preservatives and Colorings: Ingredients like ethoxyquin, BHA, BHT, and certain artificial colorings (e.g., Yellow 5, Yellow 6) have raised concerns. Ethoxyquin, for instance, was originally developed as a pesticide before being used as a preservative. These chemicals are linked with health issues ranging from allergies and hyperactivity to potential carcinogenic effects.
• Pesticides: Residues from pesticides used on crops can end up in pet food, especially if not properly washed or if derived from sources that don't adhere to strict agricultural practices. These can include neurotoxins or chemicals that affect reproductive health when ingested over time.
• BPA and Phthalates: These chemicals, often found in plastics (see links: discussion of Mylar Food Grade packaging in “Costs & Quality," and also "Mylar Is The Best Choice"), can leach into pet food, especially if the food is stored or heated in such containers. They are known endocrine disruptors, linked to developmental issues, reproductive problems, and increased cancer risks.
• Mycotoxins Beyond Aflatoxins: Other mycotoxins like ochratoxin A (improperly stored grains) or fumonisins (found in improperly handled corn) can also contaminate grains and other ingredients. While less commonly discussed, these toxins can lead to kidney damage, immune suppression, and other health issues in pets.
• Heavy Metals: Though less directly from pet food manufacturing processes, contamination with heavy metals like lead, arsenic, or mercury can occur through environmental pollution or from certain ingredients. These metals can accumulate in organs, leading to severe health consequences over time.
• Animal By-Products: While not inherently toxic, the variability in quality and digestibility of animal by-products can lead to health issues if they include parts unfit for consumption or if they're from diseased animals. This concerns not just the nutritional aspect but potential contamination with antibiotics, hormones, or other residues.
• Inordinate Amounts of Grains or Fillers. While not dangerous, per se, this could deprive your BFF of the proteins, fats, minerals and other nutrients that you assume are in the product that would be contained in the meat sourcing.

 

General Concerns: The overarching issue with the above list of contaminants and undesirables often stems from regulatory gaps, where the use of certain chemicals might not be banned but merely restricted, or where the long-term effects are not fully understood at the time of their introduction into pet food production.

Mitigation Strategies to Help Ensure Your BFF’s Food and Treats Are Safe:

Common sense things you can easily do to keep in the know are:

• Choose brands with transparent sourcing and minimal processing.
• Regularly check for recalls and stay informed about pet food safety issues.
• Consider feeding raw or home-cooked diets under veterinary guidance to control ingredients.