What ingredients in pet food come from China? You'd be surprised

January 29, 10:44 PMDC Dogs ExaminerMichelle Critchell

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               Photo by: Alessandro Paiva

After the pet food melamine scare, where many pets were sickened and died, I called to find out the origin of ingredients in our pets' food.  I was surprised by the findings.  I also inquired about pet treat ingredients.  The representative from Milkbone® Dog Biscuits cheerfully said, "All our ingredients are U.S. based." (pause) "Except for the vitamins and minerals, which come from China."

Only the vitamins and minerals.

First the tainted pet food from China, then came the tainted baby formula scandal, which sickened hundreds of thousands of Chinese babies and resulted in the death sentence for three (so far) in charge of the fiasco.  There was a $24 million dollar class action settlement for the thousands who lost pets to contaminated food.

So, what can we do?  

NaturaPet® announced this month 100% their ingredients will come from trusted, non-Chinese suppliers.  Natura became the first pet food company in the industry to test and guarantee that all of its products are free from melamine and cyanuric acid. 

Supplements are needed to ensure that pets receive optimum nutrition, and among the necessary supplements - certain B vitamins and taurine - have been unavailable from anywhere other than China. After diligently working with its suppliers, Natura® has found alternative sources and has been using them exclusively. 

"We will not compromise on food safety and nutrition because both are so critical to the health of pets," said Don Scott, President of Natura.

The Natura® Product line: Innova, California Natural, EVO, HealthWise, Mother Nature, and Karma.

DC Dogs suggests you call your pet food manufacturer and inquire the origin of ingredients.  Only informed consumers can foster change.  

**Natura Products Contain No Peanut Butter or Peanut Butter Paste, and are Not Impacted by Product Recalls.

( FDA has posted a searchable database for the Salmonella recall.  Find everything from Cakes to Pet Foods: FDA.gov)

There are different schools of thought on commercial food vs. raw food diet.  Please read: Are You Poisoning Your Dog?

 Scroll through the slideshow below of the Melamine Milk Scandal: