In a recent article titled “Blue Buffalo Gets Its Day in Court — And Then This Happened,” author Dr. Karen Shaw Becker uncovers a complex and deceitful narrative within the processed pet food industry. The article discusses a lawsuit between Nestlé Purina PetCare and Blue Buffalo, in which Purina accused Blue Buffalo of lying to customers about their use of natural ingredients. Blue Buffalo adamantly denied these allegations, reiterating their commitment to using only high-quality ingredients in their products. However, as the lawsuit progressed, it was revealed that Blue Buffalo had been unknowingly deceived by their suppliers, resulting in the use of lower-cost, misleading ingredients in their pet food. This shocking revelation exposes the need for greater transparency and accountability within the pet food industry.
Blue Buffalo Lawsuit against Nestlé Purina PetCare
Background of the lawsuit
In 2014, Nestlé Purina PetCare filed a lawsuit against Blue Buffalo, alleging that Blue Buffalo had lied to customers about its use of natural ingredients in their pet food products. Blue Buffalo responded to these allegations by denying them and expressing their commitment to the integrity of their brand and products.
Blue Buffalo’s response to the allegations
Blue Buffalo founder and chairman, Bill Bishop, issued a public response on the company's website, categorically denying the allegations made by Nestlé Purina PetCare. He emphasized that Blue Buffalo does not use chicken or poultry byproduct meal, ground corn, or artificial preservatives in any of their pet food products. Bishop also reassured the public that Blue Buffalo had never purchased corn or poultry byproduct meal.
Discovery of shady practices by feed ingredient company
During the lawsuit filed by Nestlé Purina PetCare, it was revealed that Blue Buffalo had been defrauded by its suppliers. The feed ingredient company, Wilbur-Ellis Feed LLC, had been mislabeling pet food ingredients for years, substituting lower-cost poultry feathers ground into feather meal and other byproducts for premium ingredients. Wilbur-Ellis Feed admitted to these practices and faced legal consequences, including probation and significant damages.
The Mislabeling of Pet Food Ingredients
Case against Wilbur-Ellis Feed LLC and Diversified Ingredients Inc.
Wilbur-Ellis Feed LLC, a feed company based in California, and Diversified Ingredients Inc., a commodities trader and broker, were involved in the mislabeling of pet food ingredients. They were accused of substituting lower-cost ingredients like feather meal for premium ingredients in shipments to pet food manufacturers. Both companies pled guilty to adulteration or misbranding of food in federal court.
Revelations about mislabeled pet food ingredients
The case revealed that the mislabeled ingredients, such as feather meal, were shipped to multiple pet food companies, including Blue Buffalo. This raised concerns about the widespread nature of the fraud and the potential impact on other pet food brands. The case highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in the pet food industry.
Admission of guilt and consequences for the companies involved
Wilbur-Ellis Feed admitted to substituting lower-cost pet feed ingredients for premium ingredients and faced legal consequences, including probation and significant damages. The co-owner of Diversified Ingredients Inc. could also face imprisonment. These plea deals were seen as a step towards holding the pet food/feed industry accountable for their actions.
Impact on the Pet Food Industry
Other pet food companies affected by the fraud
While Blue Buffalo was one of the companies affected by the mislabeled pet food ingredients, it is unclear which other pet food producers received feathers mislabeled as chicken or turkey meal. The case raised concerns about the extent of the fraud and its impact on the industry as a whole.
The potential for more criminal and federal charges in the future
The plea deals made by Wilbur-Ellis Feed and Diversified Ingredients Inc. may set a precedent for future charges against pet food manufacturers and ingredient suppliers. The pet food/feed industry may face criminal and federal charges if they continue to violate laws and compromise the integrity of their products.
The need for accountability in the pet food/feed industry
The discovery of the fraudulent practices in the mislabeling of pet food ingredients highlights the importance of accountability in the pet food/feed industry. Consumers rely on pet food companies to provide accurate information about the ingredients used in their products. More transparency and regulation are needed to ensure the safety and quality of pet food.
Feather Meal as a Main Protein Source
Overview of Royal Canin's ‘anallergenic' pet food line
Royal Canin's “anallergenic” pet food line is designed for intensely allergic pets that don't respond to novel protein diets. The main source of protein in this line is feather meal. The company claims that the formula took 10 years to develop and is intended for pets with severe allergies.
Ingredient list and composition of the pet food
The Veterinary Diet Feline ANALLERGENIC dry cat food from Royal Canin contains ingredients such as corn starch, hydrolyzed poultry by-products aggregate (feather meal), and various other additives. The use of corn starch as the primary ingredient raises concerns as corn is known to be allergenic. Feather meal, despite being hydrolyzed, has 0 percent bioavailability, meaning it cannot be utilized by the pet's body at the cellular level.
Problems with feather meal as a protein source
Feather meal as a protein source poses several issues. While it is digestible, it lacks bioavailability, meaning the amino acids in feather meal cannot be effectively utilized by the pet's body. Furthermore, the high temperatures involved in processing commercially available pet food can damage amino acids, rendering them useless. The presence of feather meal and other questionable additives raises questions about the nutritional value of pet food products.
The Digestibility and Bioavailability of Feather Meal
Explanation of the hydrolyzing process
Hydrolyzing is the process of breaking down a protein source enzymatically. This process allows the amino acids in the protein source to be absorbed through the digestive tract and into the bloodstream. Hydrolyzing can make protein sources like feather meal digestible.
Difference between digestibility and bioavailability
While feather meal may be digestible, it lacks bioavailability. Digestibility refers to the ability of a nutrient to be broken down and absorbed, while bioavailability refers to the usefulness of the nutrient at the cellular level. Feather meal, despite being digestible, cannot be effectively utilized by the pet's body.
Limitations and drawbacks of feather meal as a protein source
Feather meal as a protein source has several limitations and drawbacks. It has 0 percent bioavailability, meaning the amino acids it contains cannot be fully utilized by the pet's body. Additionally, the high temperatures involved in the processing of pet food can damage the amino acids present in feather meal. These limitations raise concerns about the nutritional value of pet food products that rely heavily on feather meal as a protein source.
Contamination of Feather Meal
Findings of antimicrobials and other pharmaceuticals in feather meal
A study published recently found that feather meal samples were contaminated with antimicrobials (antibiotics) and other pharmaceuticals. The study included 12 samples of feather meal, and all of them tested positive for antimicrobials, with some samples containing up to 10 different drugs. Other substances, such as caffeine and acetaminophen, were also found in the samples.
Origin of the contaminated feather meal samples
The study found that feather meal samples from China had the highest concentrations of antimicrobials and other pharmaceuticals. This raises concerns about the sourcing and production methods of feather meal used in pet food products.
Implications for pets with food sensitivities
The presence of antimicrobials and other pharmaceuticals in feather meal raises concerns for pets with food sensitivities. These substances can potentially worsen or trigger adverse reactions in pets with sensitivities or allergies. Pet owners should be aware of the potential risks associated with feather meal and consider alternative protein sources for their pets.
Recommendations for Pet Owners
Importance of food intolerance testing for pets with suspected allergies
For pets with suspected food allergies or intolerances, it is important to conduct food intolerance testing. NutriScan, a food intolerance test developed by veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds, can identify common food sensitivities in dogs and cats. By identifying the specific allergens causing the adverse reactions, pet owners can make more informed decisions about their pets' diet and avoid potential health issues.
Suggestions for healing food allergies in pets
Pet owners can help heal their pets' food allergies by following certain strategies. These include avoiding allergenic ingredients, such as corn, and opting for high-quality, natural pet food brands. Providing a balanced and varied diet, incorporating fresh and whole foods, and considering novel protein sources can also be beneficial in managing and healing food allergies.
Choosing high-quality and reliable pet food brands
When selecting pet food brands, pet owners should prioritize high-quality and reliable options. It is important to read ingredient labels carefully and choose products that prioritize whole, natural ingredients. Researching and selecting brands with transparent sourcing and manufacturing processes can help ensure the safety and nutritional value of the pet food.
In conclusion, the Blue Buffalo lawsuit against Nestlé Purina PetCare shed light on the fraudulent practices in the pet food industry. The mislabeling of pet food ingredients by feed ingredient companies like Wilbur-Ellis Feed LLC and Diversified Ingredients Inc. raised concerns about the integrity and transparency of the pet food industry as a whole. Feather meal, used as a protein source in some pet food products, poses limitations and potential contamination risks. Pet owners should prioritize food intolerance testing, choose high-quality pet food brands, and be aware of potential allergenic ingredients to ensure the health and well-being of their pets.
