Why Your Pet’s Food Is Probably Contaminated
Environmental Working Group, a public health advocacy group, conducted a study that revealed the significant presence of harmful forever chemicals in pet food brands such as Purina, Pedigree, and Iams.
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American consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the danger of allowing chemicals into our food products and household goods. Unfortunately, that focus has allowed other chemically-laden products to slide under the radar. So recent news about the presence of forever chemicals in pet food came as a shock to concerned pet owners.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a public health advocacy non-profit. According to its website, the group’s “…mission is simple: To empower you with breakthrough research to make informed choices and live a healthy life in a healthy environment.” They conduct research in areas ranging from food and water to energy.
Recently the EWG published a study on the presence of PFAS in pet food packaging. According to The Guardian, “PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of about 12,000 compounds used to make products resist water, stains and heat. They’re called “forever chemicals” because they don’t naturally break down, accumulating in humans and animals.”
The highly toxic “PFAS are linked to a range of serious health problems like cancer, birth defects, kidney disease and liver disease.” And 11 bags of pet food tested by the EWG contained traces of PFAS. Some of the bags even showed extremely high levels of the substance.
During the study, the EWG did not test the pet food itself for the presence of these forever chemicals. However, previous research clearly shows the ability of PFAS to leach from packaging into food. And that’s not all.
The dangerous forever chemicals can leach out of the pet food bags and into your home. So, pet owners may unknowingly be exposing their homes and their inhabitants to dangerous levels of PFAS. But the Food and Drug Administration continues its refusal to ban the use of forever chemicals in food packaging, despite public pressure.
Plus, the EWG report found that no “top pet food manufacturers” have publicly committed to ceasing the use of forever chemicals in pet food packaging. A science analyst with the EWG, Sydney Evans, told The Guardian, “we need strong new state and federal actions to eliminate sources of PFAS pollution … and end unnecessary uses of PFAS in pet food packaging and in products found in and around the home.”
If you have fur babies at home, you might like to know which pet food brands contain the forever chemicals. The highest concentration levels were in Meow Mix Tender Centers chicken and salmon flavors of dry cat food. PFAS were present at over 600 parts per million (ppm).
Purina Cat Chow Complete chicken had levels of over 350ppm. But the cat owners are not the only ones receiving bad news. Tests for forever chemicals in dog food also showed extremely high levels of PFAS.
Kibbles ’n Bits bacon and steak flavor had slightly under 600ppm. The chicken and brown rice selection from Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula had 150 ppm. However, there is a small glimmer of good news among all the bad.
While all pet food packaging tested contained forever chemicals, some brands had much lower amounts. Purina, Pedigree, and Iams represent the dog food category. And Rachel Ray Nutrish, Iams, and Blue Buffalo cat food all had lower levels.
