[rosemaryninja]

I just discovered that under US Coast Guard regulations, any fish meal must be preserved with ethoxyquin.

(c) At the time of production of the material, it must be treated
with at least 400 ppm antioxidant (ethoxyquin); in the case where the
material contains more than 12 percent fat by weight, it must be treated
with at least 1000 ppm antioxidant (ethoxyquin) at the time of
production.

References can be found here:
http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/fishmeal.html

The reason why this doesn't appear on the ingredients list is that a dog food company does not have to list a preservative that they themselves did not add.

I just started my dogs on Natural Balance Fish & Sweet Potato.

Has anyone heard more about this? Any thoughts or updates?

[skunkstripe]

I was not aware of that but I want to thank you for posting this.

From what I could find, ethoxyquin accumulates and is a carcinogen.

I've fed my dogs fish-based kibble for the last time until or unless one of those makers proves otherwise. I'm going to contact Wellness asking about the ethoxyquin to see what they say. They claim that the Whitefish & Sweet Potato Recipe is "naturally preserved", but who knows.

http://www.avianweb.com/ethoxyquin.htm
http://petcaretips.net/ethoxyquin.html

[cascabel]

"Fish meal" as the generic ingredient is the one that implies ethoxyquin use. The individual named fish meal (like salmon meal or menhaden fish meal) *may* not contain ethoxyquin. This is where you have to research the company producing the food you are using.

For example, Wellness does not use ethoxyquin in their food and they have fish based formulas. Orijen is another one which has a popular fish based food that does not contain ethoxyquin.

[skunkstripe]

Sorry I should have completed my thought process before I posted.
The Wellness Core has fishmeal.
http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog_w...ain_ocean.html
Between posting and contacting them about the CORE I forgot to revise my post to describe the CORE as opposed to the Super 5 mix.

[rosemaryninja]

NB's Salmon & Sweet Potato lists Salmon Meal, but I haven't been able to find anything about ethoxyquin yet.

[BoxMeIn21]

You just need to make sure that the company guarantees that they use ethoxyquin free protein sources. Wellness does.

[skunkstripe]

Originally Posted by BoxMeIn21

You just need to make sure that the company guarantees that they use ethoxyquin free protein sources. Wellness does.

I'm not doubting you, but I would have thought they would say that here:
http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/aboutus_philosophy.html
I see statements like "Wellness uses Ethoxyquin-free protein sources" on retailer sites that sell Wellness, but not on their own site.

Here is a little more BTW.
http://www.aspca.org/aspcablog/2007/...thoxyquin.html

[rosemaryninja]

I've seen claims by Natural Balance stating that their rolls are ethoxyquin-free, but nothing about their kibble. This is a little worrying.

Here's something you might want to consider:

Some people claim there is no scientific proof that Ethoxyquin is bad or will harm your dog. Others claim it will kill your dog. You need read up on it, then make your decision regarding it in your dog's food.

From the FDA site:

Some consumers try to avoid pet foods with synthetic preservatives, such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin, in particular, has been hotly debated. Current scientific data suggest that ethoxyquin is safe, but some pet owners avoid this additive because of a suspected link to liver damage and other health problems in dogs. CVM has asked pet food producers to voluntarily lower their maximum level of ethoxyquin in dog food while more studies are being conducted on this preservative, and the industry is cooperating.

From the FDA site:

Another pet food additive of some controversy is ethoxyquin, which was approved as a food additive over thirty-five years ago for use as an antioxidant chemical preservative in animal feeds. Approximately ten years ago, CVM began receiving reports from dog owners attributing the presence of ethoxyquin in the dog food with a myriad of adverse effects, such as allergic reactions, skin problems, major organ failure, behavior problems, and cancer. However, there was a paucity of available scientific data to support these contentions, or to show other adverse effects in dogs at levels approved for use in dog foods. More recent studies by the manufacturer of ethoxyquin showed a dose-dependent accumulation of a hemoglobin-related pigment in the liver, as well as increases in the levels of liver-related enzymes in the blood. Although these changes are due to ethoxyquin in the diet, the pigment is not made from ethoxyquin itself, and the health significance of these findings is unknown. More information on the utility of ethoxyquin is still needed in order for CVM to amend the maximum allowable level to below that which would cause these effects, but which still would be useful in preserving the food. While studies are being conducted to ascertain a more accurate minimum effective level of ethoxyquin in dog foods, CVM has asked the pet food industry to voluntarily lower the maximum level of use of ethoxyquin in dog foods from 150 ppm (0.015%) to 75 ppm. Regardless, most pet foods that contained ethoxyquin never exceeded the lower amount, even before this recommended change.

I will be honest here. I think every dog food has traces of ethoxyquin in it. One way or another it is my belief that its there and you just pray its at trace amounts.

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/dogfoods.html

[BoxMeIn21]

Originally Posted by skunkstripe

I'm not doubting you, but I would have thought they would say that here:
http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/aboutus_philosophy.html
I see statements like "Wellness uses Ethoxyquin-free protein sources" on retailer sites that sell Wellness, but not on their own site.

Here is a little more BTW.
http://www.aspca.org/aspcablog/2007/...thoxyquin.html

Actually, it's on their bags and cans. That's where I found it.

[skunkstripe]

I got it from the source - they answered my email within a day.

Dear ****:

Thank you for taking the time to write about Wellness® Dry Dog Food.

All of our protein sources are ethoxyquin free including our fish meal. We have the necesary permit for our fish meal and it is specifically preserved with mixed tocopherols.

Thanks again for contacting us.
**** ****
Representative
Consumer Affairs

[sillylilykitty]

Wow, this is crazy. Im glad I dont feed anything with fish as the main protein. But I do feed wet food with fish in it, Lily loves salmon and tuna. I have a bunch of different flavored wet foods that I feed Lily every night. I just checked and the Wellness is the only one that says it doesnt have ethoxyquin in it. So now Im going to email Nutro, Organix and California Natural about this.

[sillylilykitty]

Here is the email I got from natura who sells California Natural and others too:

"Dear pet lover,

Thank you for contacting us about our products. We routinely utilize laboratory testing to ensure our raw ingredients suppliers are not using preservatives like BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin.

Natura products are naturally preserved with vitamin E and vitamin C.

I hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to contact me if you need any additional information or if you have any questions."

And I was actually surprised about this one, I thought Nutro wouldnt cut it.

"Thank you for your recent email to Nutro Products.

Nutro products are naturally preserved. There are no artificial
preservatives like BHA, BHT or ethoxyquin.

If there is anything else we can do for you, please let us know.

Sincerely,

Amy P
Consumer Services Representative
Nutro Products, Inc."

And Im still waiting for an email back from Castor and Pollux (Organix) about their food.

Just so you guys know!

[Willowy]

Originally Posted by sillylilykitty

"Thank you for your recent email to Nutro Products.

Nutro products are naturally preserved. There are no artificial
preservatives like BHA, BHT or ethoxyquin.

The reply from Natura was reassuring, but the reply from Nutro is too generic. They say that THEY don't use ethoxyquin, but they don't mention whether their suppliers use it or not. I'd send another e-mail, asking for clarification on that point.

[sillylilykitty]

Organix can be crossed off the list as well. They even offered me some coupons, I cant wait to get them

"Thank you so much for your message. Pollux the Cat asked me to reply as her paws are a little clumsy on the keyboard!



Yes, we are ethoxyquin free.



Thank you for being such a concerned pet parent. If you’d like any Organix coupons, please provide me with your address information and we’ll mail them out.



Waggingly,

Shelley Gunton

Co-Owner/”Top Dog”

Castor & Pollux Pet Works"

[MyRescueCrew]

Glad to hear Natura is not involved, I was curious about them when I first opened this thread up! I'm switching my shih tzu "Jake" over to their Cal. Natural Herring and Sweet Potato tomorrow and was a bit concerned. What a relief!