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Originally Posted by Ellie May  I really like NB. Can't explain it...I just "feel" good about it.  The same goes for Innova. I'd probably stay away from the kinds with fish meal, but I don't think they would even be an issue. I hate ethoxyquin, but I don't know the amount that the ends up containing when the cooking process is over? The thing is, I think somebody isn't telling the absolute truth somewhere. If NB's suppliers ahve to use E, then don't all US fish suppliers? So then that is every dog food that contains fish in the US... But then do other US dog food companies that use fish have the same story about it being required?  So then we are stuck with Canadian dog foods if we want them to be fish based (nothing wrong with that...just shouldn't have to feed a food made in another country...)???
So very confusing and really a hard decision...
Maybe somebody could ask NB how many ppm end up in the food after cooking (and maybe before cooking to compare)? |
My understanding is that only fish intended for use in dog/pet food is treated with ethoxyquin, and some dog food manufacturers claim to use "human grade" and "fresh" fish -- presumably
not treated with ethoxyquin.
The claim that ethoxyquin treatment is required by law confuses me too. This quote from the US Food and Drug Administration's website seems to contradict the claim. Also, see the last line concerning the amount of ethoxyquin that ends up in the food:
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*From the Food and Drug Admin* Another pet food additive of some controversy is ethoxyquin, which was approved as a food additive over forty-five years ago for use as an antioxidant chemical preservative to help prevent the destruction of some vitamins and related compounds in animal foods and to help prevent peroxide from forming in canned pet foods. In the 1990s, CVM began receiving reports from dog owners attributing the presence of ethoxyquin in the dog food with a myriad of adverse effects, such as allergic reactions, skin problems, major organ failure, behavior problems, and cancer. However, there was a paucity of available scientific data to support these contentions, or to show other adverse effects in dogs at levels approved for use in dog foods. Subsequent studies by the manufacturer of ethoxyquin showed a dose-dependent accumulation of a hemoglobin-related pigment in the liver, as well as increases in the levels of liver-related enzymes in the blood. Although these changes are due to ethoxyquin in the diet, the pigment is not made from ethoxyquin itself, and the health significance of these findings is unknown. Nevertheless, CVM has asked the pet food industry to voluntarily lower the maximum level of use of ethoxyquin in dog foods from 150 ppm (0.015%) to 75 ppm. Regardless, most pet foods that contained ethoxyquin never exceeded the lower amount, even before this recommended change. |