The safety and effectiveness of dog food ingredients are regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). New dog food does not usually have to get FDA approval before being sold.
New ingredients that have not been previously established as safe may need FDA approval. For example, sources of meat may not need to be verified as safe since they already have been, but new additives to dog food may need to be approved by the FDA.
The FDA also regulates dog food labeling to ensure that the label does not make false claims about its ingredients or the function of the dog food. If a dog food company makes a specific claim about the health benefits of the dog food on the label, the FDA may test the validity of the claim.
If a dog food becomes contaminated with a substance that is potentially dangerous for dogs, the FDA may issue a dog food recall. In cases that the quality of the dog food has been compromised, but is still safe for dog consumption, the dog food company may issue a voluntary dog food recall.
In recent years, one of the most common reasons for pet food recalls has been a contamination with melamine. A supply of rice pricking concentrate from China was contaminated with melamine. Some of this rice protein concentrate was used by pet food manufacturers before the contamination was detected.
Information on dog food recalls can be found in the pet food section of the website for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The website also describes the role of the FDA in regulating dog food ingredients and dog food labeling.
Dog food recalls are often used to support a choice to move to a raw dog food diet. Many proponents of raw dog food diets also have concerns about the nutritious content of commercial dog food.
When considering what dog food would be the best for their dog, a dog owner should discuss any concerns they have with the veterinarian. Not all dog food has the same nutrition content. A veterinarian can be a valuable source of information in determining which dog food is best for the dog and fits within the dog owner’s budget.
