[kval07]

I think Kristi at Natural Balance and I are going to be on a first name basis. I email her atleast once a month for something. I emailed about this and this was her response: (I'm stumped by her comment in blue...required by law?? I am going to look in to that when I have a moment.)

Hello,
Thank you for contacting Natural Balance regarding the concern you have with the fish products used in our diets. Natural Balance does not use ethoxyquin to stabilize any of our products. However, it is required by law (U.S. Coast Guards and FDA) that all fish meal being transported before processing contains ethoxyquin to prevent decay of the product. Once it has entered processing, heat dissipates the ethoxyquin. Some large pet food companies continue to add ethoxyquin to stabilize their products. Natural Balance DOES NOT.

We use Naturox, a natural preservative, which contains citric acid and vitamin E. Natural Balance is committed to providing the finest quality food for our companion animals, and is taking all the steps necessary to insure that this happens. We also suggest that you take some time to look over our “Buy with Confidence Program” (www.naturalbalanceinc.com) in which we post ALL the testing that has been done on our products. Before our products ever leave for distribution they are tested for the following contaminates: aflatoxin, DON (Vomitoxin), melamine, cyanuric acid, ochratoxin, fumonisin, and zearalenone. Soon to be added to this group of testing is E-coli and salmonella. Further, the FDA recommends that ALL pet food companies test for vomitoxin, aflatoxin, zeralenone, ochratoxin, and fumonisin. At this time Natural Balance is the ONLY pet food company that is testing for these contaminates.