Contaminants Found in U.S. Cat Foods: Concerns Over Heavy Metals

Popular cat foods in the United States have been found to contain detectable levels of heavy metals and other contaminants, according to a report by the Clean Label Project. The report released findings on Friday, highlighting concerns over possible health risks for cats fed these commercial foods.

Report Findings

The Clean Label Project, a nonprofit organization based in Colorado, tested 100 cat food products from 62 different brands. Results showed lead presence in 99% of samples, cadmium in 96%, and arsenic in 94%. Mercury, glyphosate, and chemicals related to plastics were also detected.

Findings indicated that dry cat food contained approximately three times more lead than wet or air-dried alternatives. Formulas based on fish or seafood had higher mercury and cadmium levels compared to those using other proteins. Only three brands met the organization’s certification criteria: BIXBI, Freshpet, and Smalls.

Industry Response

Industry groups and nutrition experts have scrutinized the report, arguing that it compares contaminant levels across products rather than assessing potential health risks for cats. The study tested a single batch of each product, which the authors recognized as a limitation.

Elise Fennig, CEO of the Pet Food Institute, pointed out that the study relied on the Clean Label Project’s proprietary ‘purity standard’ instead of established scientific and regulatory benchmarks. She emphasized that none of the detected contaminants were shown to pose health problems for cats.

The Pet Food Institute called for more transparency about Clean Label Project’s commercial relationships and questioned the adequacy of testing a single batch of each product.

Expert Opinions

Jennifer Larsen, a professor of clinical nutrition at the University of California-Davis, described the report’s findings as fearmongering due to lack of contextual information on safe exposure levels. Larsen stressed that detecting a substance does not imply that an animal is exposed to a hazardous amount.

Larsen urged that the Clean Label Project’s data undergo peer review, and called for disclosure of author names, affiliations, and greater oversight of pet food manufacturing. Rigor in the research process is essential before drawing conclusions.

U.S. vs. European Cat Food Standards

European regulations on cat food are tighter and more centralized compared to the U.S. EU laws govern ingredients, additives, labeling, and safety rules for pet food. In the United States, the FDA regulates cat food with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) developing nutritional standards enforced by states.

While both regions allow animal by-products, the EU enforces stricter rules on their sourcing, processing, and traceability. Pet foods in Europe might differ from their U.S. counterparts due to variances in regulations. For example, ethoxyquin, used as a preservative in U.S. pet foods, was suspended by the EU in 2017.