SEASON ISSUE

The 2018 List

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF NUTRITION

Thank you for your purchase of the to high processed food (feed) she
My Fur Family 2018 List. My work with initially refused to eat our
TruthaboutPetFood.com and our human grade food. Gracie
consumer association For several days she
(AssociationforTruthinPetFood.com) is would hesitantly take
100% consumer supported. In other bites of real food with
words, we could not do this work a expression on her
without you. face that clearly said
she didn’t understand
‘We’ is myself and my daughter Liane what she was eating.
Mikey & Dahli
(pronounced Lee-Ann). Liane and I But then suddenly she
together write and publish the content understood - and now she gobbles each
on three websites (manage those three meal.
websites) and investigate whatever pet
food issues that arrise. She is ‘Caped Over the eleven years of operating
Crusader’ junior. TruthaboutPetFood.com I have learned
so much about the pet food industry.
In my household this year, we said Most of what I have learned was from
good-bye to my little best friend Kirby the help of others. Pet owners, pet store
Smidge (the dog the Caped Crusader is holding owners, veterinarians/scientists, and
in drawing above). In Kirby’s passing, I even pet food manufacturing employees
saw first hand the healing power of have all shared information with me.
food. Kirby began having seizures and And they continue to share, we all
we controlled them through a ketogenic continue to learn.
diet. No drugs, only food. For
approximately eight months Kirby was It takes team work to change the future
seizure free. Quality food provided him of pet food. Little can be changed when
(and me) an extended quality of life one is fighting the battle alone. So
that I’m confident I would not have had again, thank you for your support in
through the typical drug treatment plan. purchasing the 2018 List. Please do not
Tarzan share this document. I depend on the
(19 years old) And this year we adopted a terrier mix income it provides to continue the work
from the local Humane Society. We of TruthaboutPetFood.com.
named her Gracie because I was so
grateful for her love and energy - Susan Thixton
helping my heart heal from losing
Kirby.

When Gracie came home with us from

the shelter - she didn’t understand what
Echo real food was. She was so accustomed

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
 The 2018 List

Answers Answers
Caru (in 2018) Caru
Feline Natural Dog’s for the Earth
Honest Kitchen Evermore
Just Food for Cats Farmer’s Dog
Longevity (in 2018) Frenchie’s Kitchen
My Perfect Pet Healthy Barker
Open Farm Honest Kitchen
Primal Just Food for Dogs
Smalls for Smalls K9 Natural
Vital Essentials Longevity
Lucky Dog
Maxota
My Ollie
My Perfect Pet
Open Farm
Primal
Rudy Greens
Vibrant K9
Vital Essentials

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
2
What It Means

Pet food in the USA should abide by the same laws that govern human food -
mainly the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (the Act). The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is tasked with enforcing the regulation of pet food,
however the FDA openly ignores particular segments of law with all animal
feeds (not just pet foods). Although FDA has no authority to pick and choose
which parts of the law it enforces, despite years of requests from consumers and One of the most important team
advocates, the agency continues to ignore some federal laws in pet food. members for caring for your pet is
your local independent pet food
Pet food in the USA is also regulated on a state level. Each state has feed laws store. Many small pet food stores
that pet food falls under (pet food is regulated as feed, not food - see Feed Grade highly scrutinize every brand of pet
below). And each US state is obligated to enforce the same federal laws the FDA food they sell and they monitor
is charged with enforcing. However again, each US state picks and chooses only feedback from all their customers on
small parts of law to enforce. Unfortunately for pet food consumers, most pet each brand. These stores provide a
foods manufactured in/sold in the USA violate federal and state law. valuable service to consumers that
no online or large retail chain can
One of the most concerning issues ignored by all government authorities is the provide.
Freedom of Information rights of pet food consumers. Each and every pet food
ingredient is legally defined by the independent organization AAFCO Plus these businesses are supporting
(Association of American Feed Control Officials) - legal definitions of pet food your local community.
ingredients are very different than their human food counterparts, some have no
human food counterpart. As example beef and beef meal. Beef in human food is Unless you purchase a pet food
required to be sourced from ‘USDA inspected and approved’ slaughtered directly from the manufacturer,
animals. Beef in pet food is not inspected and approved; per the legal definition support locally owned independent
of pet food beef, the ingredient can be sourced from condemned meat. Beef meal pet food stores.
is a rendered pet food ingredient (cooked prior to pet food manufacturing) -
exclusive to animal feeds - that is allowed to be sourced from dead animal
carcasses/non slaughtered animal carcasses (also an example of federal law violation).

All of these legal definitions of pet food ingredients - the only means a consumer has to understand exactly what is in their
pet’s food - are private, copyright protected by AAFCO. Consumers have no public access to pet food ingredient definitions.

Eventhough pet food is termed ‘food’, most are not food. Most cat and dog ‘foods’ are feed - regulated the same as cattle or
chicken feed, they are not required to be sourced from the same quality of ingredients as food and they are not held to food
safety manufacturing standards.

The FDA allows feed ingredients to be sourced from extremely inferior quality ingredients with some being a violation of law
(ignored by FDA and each State Department of Agriculture). One example being meats sourced from dead/non-slaughtered
animal carcasses. Click Here to read one of many FDA Compliance Policies allowing illegal ingredients into pet food (feed).

Feed Grade pet foods often include feed grade supplements; supplements that are not allowed to be used for human
consumption.

Feed Grade pet foods are not manufactured according to the same safety/quality standards as food. Food laws require
ingredients to be transported and warehoused under clean and safe conditions, manufacturing equipment to be sterile, and
strict processing standards; Feed Grade pet foods do not have these same safety requirements.

While just about any inferior ingredient is allowed into feed, some feed manufacturers do use human grade/food quality
ingredients and some are manufactured according to food Good Manufacturing Practices. Unfortunately for consumers, there
is no method to know (with confidence) that a feed grade pet food is made with food quality ingredients and according to
food safety standards. Because extremely inferior to quality food ingredients are allowed in feed - and both are termed ‘pet
food’, a consumer has to trust the manufacturers claims.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
3
What It Means

Human Grade is a term used in pet food to disclose to consumers the pet food is
actually ‘food’; the term is only legally allowed to be used in reference to the
pet food as a whole, not individual ingredients. Human Grade pet foods are
made with 100% food ingredients, human edible supplements, and are
manufactured according to food safety standards. Human Grade pet food gives
consumers assurances to quality and safety.
These trusted veterinarians do
Currently, raw pet foods are not provided the opportunity to make a Human phone/email consultations and
Grade claim. A raw pet food that is manufactured under constant USDA understand the power of ‘food’.
inspection meets the requirements of the Human Grade claim (just as meat for Each vet is very skilled and helps
human consumption is processed under constant USDA inspection), but - pet owners for a very reasonable fee.
regulatory authorities do not currently allow the claim for raw pet food.
Dr. Laurie Coger
Some pet food manufacturers will claim on their website that ingredients are www.HealthyDogWorkshop.com
human grade - this is a violation of existing pet food regulations. The term
Human Grade can only be used (per regulation) when referencing the pet food Dr. Judy Morgan
as a whole and only when all requirements of the claim are met (human edible www.DrJudyMorgan.com
ingredients, supplements, manufactured, warehoused and transported per
human food law). Regulations consider the pet food website as an extension of Dr. Cathy Alinovi
the label - thus all label requirements also govern (or should govern) a pet food www.DrCathyVet.com
website. Unfortunately for pet food consumers, authorities do not scrutinize pet
food websites for truthful/legal claims - many pet food websites violate these
label/website regulations.

Meats sourced from humanely raised animals are not a requirement of a quality pet food, however this standard is
significantly important. Factory farmed animals can live a horrible life in deplorable conditions, often never seeing light of
day from birth to day of slaughter. As well, factory farmed animals are commonly fed a waste ingredient diet. Humanely
raised animals are provided life conditions and food that Mother Nature intended.

Multiple organizations verify standards of the ‘Humanely Raised’ claim; two being Certified Humane and Global Animal
Partnership. The standards farms are held to are extensive and cover the complete life of the animal from birth to slaughter.
They ensure the animals are provided a vegetarian, antibiotic and hormone free diet, free of animal byproducts, and that the
animals have proper space and gentle handling.

This 2018 List includes verification to claims of human grade, humanely raised and/or country of origin of ingredients.
Manufacturers were asked to provide TruthaboutPetFood.com with documentation to prove these claims. Mounds of
documents were provided - including invoices, lab results, 3rd party certifications, and so much more - and each document
was inspected. Every pet food manufacturer claim that was personally verified is noted at the bottom of each page. Pet foods
that were verified to contain all food ingredients and supplements (no feed grade) are noted with a special List seal (top right
of each page).

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
4
 The 2018 List

www.AnswersPetFood.com The required ingredients for each

week of production is sent to the
● manufacturing facility where they
● grind and package the raw materials
● into finished pet foods. The raw
materials are processed frozen, never
getting above 30⁰F.
Answers Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade (however raw pet foods
are not allowed by regulation to claim Human Grade). No ingredient or final product The product is blast frozen at -32⁰F
is treated with bacteriophages or HPP. and shipped back to the Answers Pet
Food frozen warehouse.

Pet foods are manufactured in a USDA inspected human food manufacturing

facility, made under constant USDA inspection.

All food ingredients are USDA inspected and approved for human consumption; all
supplements are human grade. All meat ingredients are sourced from grass fed (beef)
and free-range (poultry) animals certified humanely raised by Humane Certified
and/or Global Animal Partnership.

All food and supplement ingredients originate in the USA with the exception of
Sardines from coastal waters of Portugal.

No packaging contains BPA.

Meat proteins batch tested for pathogens according to FSIS and USDA standards for
human consumed meat products. Multiple ingredients are routinely tested by
supplier for PCBs, heavy metals, radioactive contaminants, yeast and mold,
mycotoxins and pathogens. Random testing of finished pet foods performed for
heavy metals. All products are tested for guaranteed analysis when the initial
formula is developed and released and then randomly once per year, unless a
formula modification is made, then it is checked immediately after the formula
modification.

Answers provided documentation to validate human grade quality of ingredients,

USDA inspected facility, humanely raised and country of origin claims.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
5
 The 2018 List

www.CaruPetFood.com
All the ingredients in the stews are
● stirred together in a large kettle and
● warmed. The packages are sterilized
● and kept in a sterile environment.
The ingredients are pumped from the
kettle into each pack/stew box. The
Caru Pet Foods are human grade meeting every requirement of the claim. No packages are then sealed while kept
ingredient or final product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP. in the sterile environment. The
packages are cooked at a
temperature of approx. 245° F in the
Manufactured in a certified human food facility. box in large retort ovens for about 1
hour, the heat is turned off and they
are left in oven for another hour.
All ingredients and all supplements are human edible.

The bone broth extract is made by

All meat and vegetable ingredients are sourced from the USA with the exception of
steam heating bones and the other
Tapioca Starch- raw ingredient originates from Thailand, processed in Germany or
ingredients in bone broths for about
USA. Vitamin and minerals are sourced from USA, Italy, Germany, Switzerland,
24 hours. The bone broth extract is
UK, Mexico, France, and Canada.
then mixed with water in a kettle and
warmed. The packages are sterilized
and kept in a sterile environment.
No packaging contains BPA.
The bone broth ingredients are
pumped from the kettle into each
pack/box.The packages are then
Each ingredient supplier has their own HACCP and QA programs to ensure that the
sealed while kept in the sterile
ingredients they supply to our plant are safe for human consumption. Each and every
environment. The packages are
pack (box) of finished product is:
cooked at a temperature of approx.
● X-rayed for any potential foreign particles
245° F in the box in large retort
● At a set time on a frequent basis during each batch of stews produced, stews are
ovens for about 1 hour, heat is
tested for drain weights to ensure that the proper amount of ingredients is in each
turned off and they are left in oven
box of stew.
for another hour.
● After each batch of stew is made, the finished stew is tested for bacteria and
stews are not allowed to be released from the plant until a negative test is
obtained.

Caru Pet Foods provided documentation to validate human grade quality of

ingredients and human food manufacturing.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
6
 The 2018 List

www.DogsfortheEarth.com Meats are slightly and slowly

cooked to safe handling
● temperatures. Fruits and vegetables
● are raw and grinded.
●
Pet foods are air dried at low temps
to retain enzymatic and nutritional
The Dogs for the Earth Pet Foods are human grade meeting every requirement of the values.
claim. No ingredient or final product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP.

Manufactured in an Florida Health Department inspected human food commercial

kitchen.

All ingredients are human edible organic. All supplements are human edible and
organic.

All ingredients are from the USA with the exception of Certified Organic bananas
that originate in Ecuador.

No packaging contains BPA.

Dogs for the Earth quality checks products on a weekly basis to ensure they
rehydrate properly. Ingredient providers are required to test for pathogens.

Dogs for the Earth provided documentation to validate human grade quality of
ingredients and human food manufacturing.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
7
 The 2018 List

www.EvermorePetFood.com ● All ingredient vendors go

through a strict vetting process
● by company owners.
● ● Company owners regularly
● attend production runs (and
often work the line).
● Raw ingredients are directly
Evermore Pet Food meet all requirements of human grade. No ingredient or final purchased by Evermore, not
product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP. kitchen.
● Raw ingredients are weighed
and individually batched.
Pet foods are manufactured in a human food licensed/inspected manufacturing ● Raw ingredients are then well-
facility in Southern California. combined in a large
chopper/mixer to ensure proper
integration.
All food ingredients and supplements are human grade. Beef is 100% grass-fed and ● Mixture is pushed through a fine
humanely raised; supplier is a member of the American Grassfed Association grind plate into 1 lb. pouches.
(AGA), which exceeds Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Step 4 standards. Lamb is ● Pouches are vacuum-sealed,
GAP Step 4, 100% grass-fed from New Zealand (where there is only grass-fed flattened, and laid on large
lamb). Antibiotic-free (ABF) chicken and turkey are GAP Step 3 and are fed a racks.
GMO-free diet. Eggs are sourced from pasture-raised hens, Certified Humane. All ● Pouches are cooked in large
produce is Certified Organic, except wild blueberries from Maine. steam ovens to temperatures of
159° for beef and lamb and
165°for chicken and turkey, then
All ingredients and supplements originate in the USA with the exception of Lamb cooled and frozen according to
from New Zealand, Organic Kelp from Canada. USDA guidelines.
● Cooked, frozen units are placed
in retail boxes, then into master
No packaging contains BPA; verification of BPA free provided by supplier. cases.
● Units of each batch type are sent
to the lab to confirm food safety
Every batch of pet food is tested for Guaranteed Analysis (protein, fat, fiber, and nutritional integrity before
moisture) and mineral content (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, food is released for sale to the
manganese, magnesium, sodium, sulfur). Also each batch tested for E. coli, public.
salmonella, listeria, staph, mold, yeast, total coliforms, aerobic plate count. Spot Video link to watch Evermore Pet
testing performed for other minerals, vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, and pH. Food being made:
Spot testing also performed to confirm packaging is BPA free. https://youtu.be/VNqnyB1rxTk

Evermore Pet Food provided documentation to validate human grade quality of

ingredients, product testing, humanely raised and country of origin claims.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
8
 The 2018 List

www.TheFarmersDog.com An online questionnaire helps

determine the meal plan for each
● dog. Fresh, human-grade ingredients
● are ordered from farms and human
● food distributors. Ingredients are
first inspected, cleaned, and lightly
cooked (just enough to kill
The Farmer’s Dog Pet Foods are human grade meeting every requirement of the dangerous pathogens). Finished
claim. No ingredient or final product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP. ingredients are then chopped (if
needed), blended, and mixed with a
vet-developed blend of vitamins and
Manufactured in a certified human food facility. minerals.

Individual meals are pre-portioned

All ingredients and all supplements are human edible. for a dog’s caloric needs and quickly
frozen for safe transport and to avoid
the need for HPP or preservatives.
All food ingredients are sourced from the US, some supplements sourced from
Canada and Europe. Meals are then shipped directly to
each customer in refrigerated boxes
insulated with bio-degradable
No packaging contains BPA. materials and dry ice.

The pet food is manufactured under continuous Food Safety Inspections Service
(FSIS) inspections as part of USDA requirements. The pet foods are tested once a
quarter or when an ingredient supplier changes for nutrient analysis. Pathogen
sample tests are conducted on each lot of pet food production.

The Farmer’s Dog Pet Food provided documentation to validate human grade
quality of ingredients, and human grade manufacturing claims.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
9
 The 2018 List

www.FrenchiesKitchen.com Meats are slowly cooked in small

batches to USDA minimum
● temperatures - 145 degrees for meat
● and 165 degrees for poultry.
● Vegetables are blanched.

Ingredients are combined per

The Frenchie’s Kitchen Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade. No individual recipe requirements and
ingredient or final product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP. hand packed.

Pet foods are manufactured in a USDA and FDA inspected human food
manufacturing facility.

All food ingredients are USDA inspected and approved for human consumption; all
supplements are human grade. Meat ingredients are sourced from grass fed (beef)
and free-range (poultry) animals however they are not certified humanely raised.
Frenchie’s Kitchen pet foods are formulated on ‘Whole Food Nutrition’. All
necessary vitamins and minerals come from food ingredients - this includes eggshell
calcium.

All food and supplement ingredients originate in the USA.

No packaging contains BPA.

Frenchie’s Kitchen implements a "test and hold" program. Each batch of pet food is
tested for pathogenic bacteria including E.coli and salmonella and is not released
unto the market until cleared.

Frenchie’s Kitchen provided documentation to validate human grade quality of

ingredients, human food manufacturing and country of origin claims.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
10
 The 2018 List

Cooked Foods
www.TheHealthyBarker.ca Vegetables are placed in a slow
● cooker at a low temperature until
● slightly cooked. Meats are slow
● roasted separately in a confection
oven at 300 degrees F. Quinoa, and
liver are cooked stove top on
The Healthy Barker Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade with the slight minimum temperature. Beans are
exception of manufacturing; pet foods are manufactured in a Canadian commercial soaked overnight, except lentils, and
kitchen - not accepted by authorities in USA to meet the full requirement of human cooked stove top at a low
grade pet food. No ingredient or final product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP. temperature. After cooking meat is
ground and all ingredients are
combined per recipe and placed
Pet foods are manufactured in commercial kitchens in Canada; raw and cooked under refrigeration. After chilled,
recipes are prepared in separate kitchens. vitamins, minerals and oils are
measured, added, mixed into each
batch. Final product is weighed and
All food ingredients and supplements are human grade. placed into individual containers and
frozen.

Ingredients are sourced from Canada, whole food supplements originate in the USA. Raw Foods
All raw meals are prepared in a
separate area of kitchen with
No packaging contains BPA. separate kitchen tools and
equipment. Sweet potatoes, green
beans, carrots, and squash are slow
Full nutritional analysis performed on each recipe. cooked at minimum temperature for
ease of digestion. For food safety,
company cooks liver ingredient
The Healthy Barker provided documentation to validate human grade quality of stove top. Cooked ingredients stored
ingredients. under refrigeration until chilled.
Raw meat, offal’s, ground bones,
eggs, other veggies, are combined
per each recipe. Once cooled,
vegetable mixture is added along
with vitamins, minerals, oil and
apple cider vinegar. Final product is
weighed and placed into individual
containers and frozen.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
11
 The 2018 List

www.TheHonestKitchen.com The Honest Kitchen’s raw

ingredients are washed and trimmed
● to size specification before being
● dehydrated. Raw produce is dried at
● about 104F to maintain the
maximum possible amount of
natural nutrition including vital
The Honest Kitchen Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade, they were the phytonutrients and antioxidants,
first pet food company to achieve ‘human grade’ status, changing the future of pet while reducing the moisture
food. No ingredient or final product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP. sufficient to naturally preserve the
ingredients without the need for any
artificial chemical preservatives or
Pet foods are manufactured in a licensed/inspected human food manufacturing sulfates. Meats, eggs and fish are
facility in Illinois. gently steamed prior to dehydration,
at a minimum temperature of 165F
to eliminate any pathogens that may
All meats and poultry are USDA inspected and approved for human consumption. be present.
Poultry ingredients are sourced from Global Animal Partnership certified farms, fish
is wild/line caught. The dehydration process itself is a
slow gentle method that uses warm
air to evaporate the moisture, leaving
Most ingredients originate in USA, other country of origin: Organic Barley – behind a compact, nutrient dense
Canada, Organic Oats – Canada and Europe, Organic Flax Seed – Canada, Pumpkin finished product. Following
Seed – Canada, Organic Coconut Flakes – Vietnam and Philippines, Organic Quinoa dehydration, the ingredients are
– Bolivia, Goat Milk – Netherlands, Fish – Iceland and UK, Mussels – New Zealand, loaded into a blender via a screen
Carrots, Celery, Cabbage, Green Beans, Parsnip – Poland, Spinach – Germany and sifter, and gently blended according
Hungary. to each recipe. From there, recipes
pass through metal detection and
rare earth magnets, prior to being
No packaging contains BPA. packed.

All ingredients are tested for pathogens prior to shipping to manufacturing facility,
every shipment includes a certificate of analysis for verification. Finished products
are routinely tested for pathogens, yeast and mold, water activity and heavy metals
(lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium) and other contaminants like ethoxyquin and
melamine.

The Honest Kitchen provided documentation to validate human grade quality of

ingredients, product testing, humanely raised and country of origin claims.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
12
 The 2018 List

www.JustFoodforDogs.com Ingredients are chopped and lightly

cooked. Batches are cooled, then
● hand package in vacuum sealed bags
● and most is frozen.
●
Some retail locations sell fresh
batches prior to freezing direct to
The Just Food for Dogs Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade with partial consumers.
exception of manufacturing (explanation below). No ingredient or final product is
treated with bacteriophages or HPP.

Pet foods are manufactured in company owned facilities all which (except one) are
open to the public - these facilities also operate as retail stores. The one facility that
is not open to the public is a certified human food manufacturing facility. The human
food manufacturing facility manufactures all online and veterinary prescription diets.
Good Manufacturing Practices are identical in all facilities.

All food ingredients are USDA inspected and approved for human consumption; all
supplements are human grade.

All ingredients are sourced from the USA with the exception of Venison from New
Zealand. All vitamins and minerals originate in the USA or Europe.

No packaging contains BPA.

Just Food for Dogs performs comprehensive batch testing every 3-6 months; testing
for Guaranteed Analysis, Ca, Phos, Lysine, Zinc, Thiamin, Full Amino Acids, and
Taurine.

Just Food for Dogs provided documentation to validate human grade quality of
ingredients and human food manufacturing.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
13
 The 2018 List

www.k9natural.co.nz/ ● Food ingredients and

supplements are first blended
● together, before being extruded
● into a free flow, frozen pellet.
●
● The product is then finished in
one of three formats; packed as
K9 Natural/Feline Natural Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade frozen, or freeze-dried food
ingredients, some supplements are feed grade. No ingredient or final product is (where the moisture is removed
treated with bacteriophages or HPP. for a shelf stable format), or
canned.

All K9 Natural products are manufactured in the Hawkes Bay region of New
Zealand. Canned foods are canned (but not formulated) at co-packers in Gisborne,
NZ. Manufacturing for pet foods (excluding freeze dried) is certified for pet food
however human food manufacturing standards are followed. Freeze-dried facility is
certified as a human food production facility.

All food ingredients are human edible, GMO-free and non-Chinese sourced. Meat is
New Zealand grass-fed and grass-finished, free-range beef and lamb. Vitamin and
mineral supplements are a combination of both human grade and feed grade.

All food ingredients sourced from New Zealand; supplements originate from New
Zealand, United States, Canadian, Indonesian, Argentinian, Australian or European
origin.

No packaging contains BPA.

K9/Feline Natural tests raw material before use for Salmonella and, E.Coli.
Every batch of finished blend product is then tested for Salmonella, E.Coli. 0157
H:7 and Listeria Monocytogenes before being released for sale.

K9 Natural/Feline Natural provided documentation to validate human grade quality

of food ingredients.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
14
 The 2018 List

www.drbslongevity.com/ Ingredients per batch requirements

are mixed in small batches and
● minimally processed. Local
● vegetables and fruit are ground raw
● with meat, organs, and bone. The
mixed recipe goes through a patty
machine or is then packaged in
Longevity Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade with the exception of BPA-free bags and is immediately
manufacturing (raw pet foods are not allowed by regulation to claim Human Grade) frozen.
and the ingredient Green Tripe (green tripe is not a human edible ingredient,
ingredient is sourced from USDA inspected and approved animals). No ingredient or All the machinery used is stainless
final product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP. steel and everything is steam cleaned
each night after production.

Pet foods are manufactured in a raw pet food manufacturing facility in New York
inspected by USDA and NY Department of Agriculture.

All food ingredients are USDA inspected and approved for human consumption.

All food and supplement ingredients originate in the USA with the exception of bone
meal powder sourced from New Zealand.

No packaging contains BPA.

Longevity provided documentation to validate human grade quality of ingredients.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
15
 The 2018 List

www.LuckyDogCuisine.com Meals are cooked in small batches

by trained cooks. Protein
www.LuckyDogCuisine.ca ingredients are slow cooked at low
● temperatures to ensure the integrity
● of nutrients. Vegetables and fruits
● are steamed in filtered water. After
steaming, ingredients are pureed
The Lucky Dog Cuisine Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade excluding before mixing.
the manufacturing; manufacturing facility is a commercial kitchen (one in USA, one
in Canada) but is not inspected as a human food commercial kitchen. No ingredient Each batch is cooled, cheeses and or
or final product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP. yogurt then added. It is packaged in
one pound bricks and sealed by hand
in BPA free plastic bags and then
USA pet foods are manufactured in a company owned commercial kitchen located in frozen.
South Carolina. Canadian pet foods are manufactured in a commercial kitchen
located in Ontario. Both manufacturing locations comply with human food Good All food is cooked fresh the week
Manufacturing Practices. before shipping on Monday.

All ingredients and supplements are human edible; beef and pork is sourced from
grass-fed/pasture raised/humanely raised animals, all vegetables and fruits are non-
GMO. Supplements are a custom blend including organic and non-GMO
ingredients.

All ingredients originate in the USA or Canada with the exception of Oregano from
Greece, Organic Lentils from Turkey, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Italy.

No packaging contains BPA.

Lucky Dog Cuisine is tested twice a year by an independent lab to ensure the
guaranteed analysis (protein, fat, fiber, moisture and ash) and mineral levels. Testing
for yeast, molds, E.coli, salmonella is done monthly by an independent lab.

Lucky Dog Cuisine provided documentation to validate human grade quality of

ingredients, humanely raised, product testing, and country of origin claims.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
16
 The 2018 List

www.Maxotaraw.com All ingredients go through minimal

processing. Larger meats like bison
● and venison are broken down on a
● meat bandsaw and meat grinder.
● Smaller meats go directly to a
grinder. Produce, micro and
macronutrients get pureed and
The Maxota Raw Pet Foods are human grade meeting every requirement of the blended with the ground meat in a
claim (however raw pet foods are not allowed per regulation to make the Human 30qt. orbital mixer, and are
Grade claim). No ingredient or final product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP. immediately portioned and packaged
and frozen. No batch exceeds 30
quarts.
Manufactured in an open on-site USDA inspected kitchen facility. Consumers can
view the pet food manufacturing from the front of the store.

All ingredients are human edible and in most cases organic. All supplements are
human edible.

All ingredients originate in USA with the exception of Venison from New Zealand
and Alfalfa Leaf Powder from Egypt.

No packaging contains BPA.

Maxota Raw states “We currently do not test our products due to the high level of
quality of our ingredients and safe handling practices. Our facility is small-scale,
with few handlers per batch, which reduces the risk of cross-contamination. We
batch-code and record every batch and its ingredients' origins.”

Maxota Raw provided documentation to validate human grade quality of ingredients

and human food manufacturing.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
17
 The 2018 List

www.MyOllie.com All pet food is gently cooked in

small batches. After cooking, the
● food is cooled, packed and flash
● frozen to preserve freshness. The
● company has a full traceability
system established, with the ability
to track where each ingredient came
The My Ollie Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade. No ingredient or from, which ingredients went into
final product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP. each batch, and which customer
received which batch.

My Ollie pet foods are manufactured in a USDA and FDA inspected/registered

human food manufacturing facility.

Lamb and chicken are sourced from certified humanely raised farms; lamb is pasture
raised, poultry is cage free. Cod is line caught, Marine Stewardship certified
sustainable fishing. Wild Salmon is sourced from Yukon River, sustainably caught.

All meat and vegetable ingredients originate in the US; supplements are sourced
from US, Germany, India and Taiwan.

No packaging contains BPA.

My Ollie requires ‘Certificate of Analysis’ for all incoming ingredients, and

performs regular testing on raw ingredients and tests every single batch of cooked
food before sending it to the customers.

My Ollie provided documentation to validate human grade quality of ingredients,

human food manufacturing and testing claims.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
18
 The 2018 List

www.MyPerfectPetFood.com Every step of the manufacturing

process is done inside company
● owned climate controlled facility.
● Fresh boneless skinless meats are
● baked to the minimum temperatures
recommended by FDA. Fresh
vegetables and fruit are cleaned and
The My Perfect Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade excluding the trimmed. Potatoes, yams and rice
manufacturing; manufacturing plant is licensed as a pet food manufacturing facility. are baked and immediately cooled.
No ingredient or final product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP.
All ingredients are ground and
blended with supplements as needed
Manufactured in a company owned California pet food plant, however all to be nutritionally complete, formed
manufacturing processes comply with human food Good Manufacturing Practices. into portion controlled food bars,
and immediately frozen.

All ingredients and supplements are human edible. Meats are USDA Grade A or Food bars are then individually
Prime. wrapped and packaged in retail bags.

All ingredients originate in the USA with the exception of lamb from New Zealand
or Australia.

No packaging contains BPA.

My Perfect Pet performs audit tests of nutritional adequacy on finished products.

My Perfect Pet provided documentation to validate human grade quality of

ingredients.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
19
 The 2018 List

www.OpenFarmPet.com
● All ingredients (Fresh Meats,
● Fruits/Vegetables, Supplements) are
● mixed together to form the base.
This base mix is cooked in an
extruder at 200 degrees fahrenheit
The Open Farm Pet Foods manufactures two styles of pet food - dehydrated foods until there is 30% moisture
meet requirements of human grade, kibble foods meet ingredient quality remaining in the mixture. The
requirements of human grade excluding supplements and one food ingredient, but mixture is cut into kibble-shaped
not manufacturing requirement. bites where it goes through a dryer
to dehydrate the remaining moisture
from 30% to approx. 8%. The food
Kibble pet foods manufactured in a pet food licensed facility. Freeze dried pet foods is then coated in coconut oil and
manufactured in a USDA inspected facility under constant USDA inspection. cooled prior to testing/packaging.

All meat ingredients are human edible and are sourced from certified Humanely
Raised animals. Fish meal is sourced from 100% ocean caught fish, sustainable
Seafood Watch approved fisheries. Fish meal is certified free from Ethoxyquin. All
vegetable ingredients are human edible excluding tomato pomace. All ingredients (Fresh Meats,
Fruits/Vegetables, Supplements) are
mixed together to form a base blend.
All meat, vegetable, and supplements are human edible. The base blend then goes through
the HPP process. The blend is then
(both pet food styles) formed into little nuggets and placed
Open Farm provides country of origin information for each ingredient in every batch in a freeze drier where a
of pet food on their website. Briefly - all ingredients originate in the US with the combination of pressure and
exception of Coconut oil processed in US - sourced from Malaysia, Philippines and temperature extracts the majority of
Indonesia, Chicory Root sourced from Belgium, Turmeric and Fenugreek Seeds the moisture from the formed
sourced from India, Cinnamon sourced from Indonesia, Beef sourced from USA and nuggets. The final freeze dried
Australia, Lamb sourced from New Zealand, Vitamins and Minerals – sourced from product is tested, packaged and
USA, Mexico, Europe and South Korea. shipped.

No packaging contains BPA.

Open Farm tests each batch of pet food for nutritional content and pathogens (E.
Coli, Salmonella and Listeria).

Open Farm provided documentation to validate human grade quality of ingredients

and humanely raised. © 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
20
 The 2018 List

www.PrimalPetFoods.com Primal produces all products in

temperature controlled processing
● facilities under the inspection of
● USDA (USDA plant only).
● Ingredients are ground, formed,
frozen and packaged to FDA and
USDA standards.
Primal Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade excluding some
manufacturing (however raw pet foods are not allowed by regulation to claim Freeze dried products follow the
Human Grade). HPP is used on frozen and freeze dried poultry products only. same protocol as our Frozen
Formulas and are then freeze dried
to ensure nutrient and shelf stability.
Pet foods are manufactured in two manufacturing facilities. One plant is a USDA
edible food grade facility. Second plant is Pet Food Certified under the FDA and CA
State Department of Agriculture.

All food ingredients are USDA inspected and approved for human consumption; all
supplements are human grade. Meats are sourced from animals raised humanely
according to FSIS/USDA standards that require animals to be cage free, pen free,
free to roam, constant access to the outdoors, constant access to fresh water.

All food and supplement ingredients originate in the USA, Europe, New Zealand and
Australia.

No packaging contains BPA.

Primal implements a "test and hold" program. Each batch of pet food is tested for
pathogenic bacteria including E.coli and salmonella and is not released unto the
market until cleared. Testing is performed during the course of production as well as
on finished pet foods; all batches.

Primal Pet Food provided documentation to validate human grade quality of

ingredients.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
21
 The 2018 List

www.RudyGreens.com Ingredients are chopped, heated to

USDA/FDA minimum required
● temperatures in a steam kettle. Batch
● is transferred to a form-fill machine
● hermetically sealing individual
packages.

The Rudy Greens Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade. No ingredient or Packages are chilled in water, then
final product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP. packed into retail and shipping cases
in a refrigerated environment.

Pet foods are manufactured in a licensed/inspected human food manufacturing Products are frozen before shipping.
facility in Kentucky.

All meats and poultry are USDA inspected and approved for human consumption.

All ingredients are sourced from the USA with the exception of Quonia sourced
from Peru.

No packaging contains BPA.

Finished pet foods are tested for yeast, mold, coliforms, and bacteria.

Rudy Greens provided documentation to validate human grade quality of ingredients

and human food manufacturing.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
22
 The 2018 List

www.SmallsforSmalls.com Pet food ingredients are gently

cooked using equipment similar to
● that found in the average kitchen,
● just slightly larger. Meats are roasted
● or sauteed and vegetables are
boiled.

Smalls Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade with slight exclusion of Ingredients are mixed, then ground.
manufacturing. No ingredient or final product is treated with bateriophages or HPP.
Mixtures are placed into vacuum
sealed bags and frozen.
Smalls Pet Foods are manufactured in a certified/inspected human food
manufacturing facility in Brooklyn, New York. Facility is inspected by New York
Department of Health as a human food manufacturing facility (similar to a
restaurant), but is not under constant USDA inspection.

All ingredients and supplements are human grade. Beef is Grade Choice.

All food ingredients are sourced from the USA. Some supplements originate in
China, all supplements are human grade which are held to more stringent quality
control and standards than feed grade. Each supplement provider requires quality
control tests of both raw ingredients and finished product.

No packaging contains BPA.

Smalls provided documentation to validate human grade quality of ingredients and

human food manufacturing.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
23
 The 2018 List

www.VibrantK9.com Ingredients are washed, sorted,

weighed for each specific formula.
● Animal products are processed
● frozen to minimize any pathogen
● growth. Ingredients are chipped,
ground, mixed and proportioned into
each specific packaging style.
The Vibrant K9 Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade, with the exception
of manufacturing. No ingredient or final product is treated with bacteriophages or The food is frozen overnight to
HPP. maintain integrity of the product and
then packaged into bags the next day
and prepared for pickup.
Pet foods are manufactured in a California Food and Agriculture inspected raw pet
food manufacturing facility.

All meats and poultry are graded either Prime Select or Select Choice. Meat and
poultry are certified with a Global Animal Partnership certification of 4 and higher.
Poultry is sourced from farms where animals are pasture raised. Beef is sourced from
grass-fed, non-GMO grain finished beef.

All ingredients and supplements originate in the USA.

No packaging contains BPA.

All ingredients are tested for purity and pathogens, such as Salmonella, E.Coli, and
Listeria. Vibrant K9 will randomly pull finished product (2-3 times per year) and
send to a 3rd party food testing facility for ongoing quality control. Intermittent
testing for guaranteed analysis, macro and micro nutrients and pathogens on finished
products.

Vibrant K9 Pet Food provided verification to human grade quality of ingredients and
humanely raised claims.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
24
 The 2018 List

www.VitalEssentialsRaw.com Frozen Patties (and mini-Patties)

● Frozen raw ingredients are
● ground through a block grinder.
● ● Ground raw materials are
● conveyed in to a mixer.
● Mixer blends raw materials.
● Supplemental ingredients are
Vital Essentials Pet Foods meet all requirements of human grade with the exception added to the raw materials in the
of manufacturing (raw pet foods are not allowed by regulation to claim Human mixer.
Grade). No ingredient or final product is treated with bacteriophages or HPP. ● Mixer blends raw materials and
supplemental ingredients.
● Ground material is conveyed to
Pet foods are manufactured in a USDA certified pet food manufacturing facility. a patty maker.
● Patty maker forms patties.
● Patties are conveyed to a freeze
All food ingredients are USDA inspected and approved for human consumption; all tunnel.
supplements are human grade. Though not certified through a 3rd party organization, ● Frozen patties are packed into
Vital Essentials requires all meat suppliers to provide a letter of confirmation of heat sealed pouches for retail
humane and ethical raising, transportation and harvest procedures for meat sale.
producing animals.
Freeze-dried Nibblets/Mini Nibs
● Frozen raw ingredients are
All food and supplement ingredients originate in the USA with the exception of ground through a block grinder.
some rabbit sourced from France. ● Mixer blends raw materials.
● Supplemental ingredients are
added to the raw materials in the
No packaging contains BPA. mixer.
● Mixer blends raw materials and
supplemental ingredients.
● Ground mixture is conveyed to
Each batch of pet food is tested for moisture, residual oxygen, composition, and
extruder.
microflora.
● Extruder forms bite-sized
nibblets.
● Nibblets are conveyed to trays.
Vital Essentials provided documentation to validate human grade quality of
● Trays of nibblets are frozen.
ingredients and USDA certified pet food manufacturing facility.
● Frozen nibblets are freeze-dried
for 40 hours.
● Freeze-dried nibblets are
removed from trays.
● Freeze-dried nibblets are
packaged into heat sealed
pouches for retail sale.

© 2018 TruthaboutPetFood.com
25
Tight Budget?
The most economical way to provide your pet with a 100% human grade diet is
to prepare the food yourself. Home prepared pet foods is simple to make - as
long as you are following good recipes that provide all required nutrients -
however it is an investiment of time. On average, home prepared pet food will
cost you the same (or less) than a minimally priced feed grade pet food. The
links on the right each have recipes on their websites.

Consumers can also feed part commercial human grade with part feed grade. In
whatever portion you can afford; 1/4 human grade to 3/4 feed grade, 1/2 to 1/2, Each name is a link - click to open
and so on. page or website

Another good method to save money while trying to improve your pet’s diet is Dr. Judy Morgan
to daily add some real food to a feed grade pet food. Remember to remove an
equal portion of the commercial food for the amount of real food added. Dr. Lisa Freeman (cats)
TruthaboutPetFood.com published a booklet on how to add human food to a
commercial pet food diet several years ago - here is that link: Rodney Habib/Dr. Karen Becker
http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/PetFoodieHandbook.pdf
Dinner Pawsible (cookbook from
Not all feed grade pet foods are the same - some use waste ingredients, some do myself and Dr. Cathy Alinovi)
not. Remember, the FDA openly allows feed grade pet food to violate federal
law - allows feed grade pet food to include ingredients sourced from
diseased/non-slaughtered animals. The following pet foods - though feed grade
- are pet foods that I would trust to give my own pets should the need arise. It is
my opinion that none of the following pet foods would ever use
condemned/risky/inferior ingredients. I have had years of consistent
communication with each of these companies, they have always responded to
questions promptly and directly (most don’t).

Bixbi Pet Food

Freeze Dried
www.BixbiPet.com

Bravo Pet Food

Raw and Canned
www.BravoPetFoods.com

Carna4 Pet Food

Kibble
www.Carna4.com

Hound and Gatos Pet Food

Canned
www.HoundGatos.com

Newman’s Own Pet Food

Kibble and Canned
www.NewmansOwn.com

26