labels

[chicas]

i learned recently via itchmo or thepetfoodlist.com/forums, as i understand it, that pet food companies (and who knows what other companies) only have to use ingredients listed on the label for a limited amount of time thru out the year (something like 3-6 months).

the rest of the time they can put whatever they want in our pet food…   

does anyone have any info on this?

even more reason to go homemade.

[Cindy Nevarez]

It's 3 out of every 12 months. Only have to change labels after 6 months.  Lots of loose leeway there.

[Geff]

That law needs to be changed.

[Davis]

That law needs to be changed.

That's sure an understatement!!!  This labeling insanity is my biggest peeve at the moment.  It completely prevents us from being able to make safe, healthy choices. 

[pcanny.m]

I THINK LABELS SHOULD BE WRITTEN IN SIMLPE FORM.SPECIFING ALL THE PRODUCT THAT IS BEING MANUFACTURED,PRODUCED,AND WHERE IT COMES FROM.SOME PRODUCTS ARE LABELED U.S. AND HAVE INGREDIENCE SHIPED FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.NONE OF THIS MAKES SENSE TO ME.NOT ALL LABELING IS NOT SPECIFIC WHEN IT SHOULD BE.

[sylvia]

Does this apply to pet food only or to people food too? No chicken, no pork, no farmed fish, packaged foods??? What do we eat or cook for the pets? Luckily I live in an area with farm markets so I can get local grown produce for about 4 - 5 months a year but...

[Cindy Nevarez]

The current problem is that there have not been tests done to determine how much melamine stays in the muscle meat vs. the organs. Yet the FDA in spite of warning their own employees to stay away from it, makes a blanket statement that "it's Ok for humans to eat it."

Myself, I stay away from anything that could have it in it, and keep it from the animals too. My husband and daughter are still eating chicken in restaurants in spite of the obvious risk. However, both are very healthy, and do not have any comprimising illnesses nor health-related concerns......yet.

[chicas]

from the following link:  What's a Pet Parent To Do? - Advocacy for Animals

"Pet food marketers are allowed to use old labels for up to six months
after a food formulation is changed.
So even if the package doesn’t list these additives,
they may still be in the product."