If your local police told you that you had permission to take a million dollars from the bank, without penalty, no risk of jail time – would you be tempted? The money wouldn’t be obtained legally, but the police tell you they would ‘look the other way’ just for you. Would you take your risk-free (illegal) million dollars?
There is a segment of the pet food industry that has resisted the temptation, they refused their illegal risk-free money.
US Federal law defines food as: “articles used for food or drink for man or other animals”.
US Federal law defines an adulterated food as (in part): “if it is, in whole or in part, the product of a diseased animal or of an animal which has died otherwise than by slaughter”.
An adulterated food is illegal to be sold.
But…the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine has – for decades – openly told pet food manufacturers they would look the other way. Issued in 1980, the FDA published Compliance Policy 675.400 openly telling pet food manufacturers it is acceptable to use illegal ingredients; “No regulatory action will be considered for animal feed ingredients…including those using animals which have died otherwise than by slaughter…”
This Compliance Policy was withdrawn in 2019. Today the FDA isn’t as transparent as they were in previous years. Today the beliefs of this compliance policy still exist, the FDA still allows pet foods to contain diseased animals and animals that have died other than by slaughter into pet food…it’s just the agency isn’t as public about it.
As well, the FDA doesn’t force the pet food companies to disclose to consumers they are using illegal ingredients; they are allowed to source ingredients from “animals that have died otherwise than by slaughter” without disclosure on the pet food label. Chicken or Beef or Pork (and so on) can be listed on the label even though they are CONDEMNED Chicken, Beef or Pork.
So…pet food manufacturers are told by the FDA – in essence – ‘take your millions of illegal money’. And many of them do just that.
But…some do not.
Even though ALL pet food manufacturers have permission to use illegal waste ingredients, some choose to use legal ‘food’ ingredients instead. These companies have resisted the temptation of risk-free millions, and they have chosen to do the best thing for pets instead.
Those companies have our respect.
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
Become a member of our pet food consumer Association. Association for Truth in Pet Food is a a stakeholder organization representing the voice of pet food consumers at AAFCO and with FDA. Your membership helps representatives attend meetings and voice consumer concerns with regulatory authorities. Click Here to learn more.
What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
Is your dog or cat eating risk ingredients? Chinese imports? Petsumer Report tells the ‘rest of the story’ on over 5,000 cat foods, dog foods, and pet treats. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Click Here to preview Petsumer Report. www.PetsumerReport.com
Find Healthy Pet Foods in Your Area Click Here
The 2025 List
Susan’s List of trusted pet foods. Click Here to learn more.
The 2024/25 Treat List
Susan’s List of trusted pet treat manufacturers. Click Here to learn more.