Consumer Reports recently conducted some laboratory tests that were not directly related to pet food, but indirectly raise concerns about many brands of pet food. From Food Safety News: “The nonprofit analyzed 23 protein powders and shakes and found that more than two-thirds contained more lead in a single serving than what experts say is safe to consume in a day – some more than ten times.“
The affected ingredient linked to high levels of lead that are common in protein powders and protein shakes that are also common in many pet foods: pea protein.
Consumer Reports says: “Lead can get into pea protein at the manufacturing plant, when the dried peas are shelled and ground into flour, depending on the type of machinery and metals used,” says Goldman. It could also be introduced during the process where the flour is mixed with water to separate the protein from the starch and fiber, if the water was not tested for contamination. The final step in the cograded food is the neutralized acid process. and spray-dried into the powder found in many foods and supplements, also offer opportunities for contamination, depending on the materials used.”
The pea protein used in human food (protein powders and protein shakes) is human grade. But the pea protein used in pet food is not held to any of the same safety standards for human food, the pea protein ingredients used in (most) pet food are feed grade.
Worrying – if human grade pea protein products tested 10x the daily safe level of lead… what lead would be in pet food containing feed grade pea protein?
Back in 2019, a lawsuit was filed against Taste of the Wild pet food, partly due to high levels of lead. Quoting the lawsuit: “one of the contaminated dog foods that tested higher than most homes in Flint Michigan.” Test results of Taste of the Wild Grain Free Southwest Canyon Canine Recipe with Wild Hog Dry Food Found “12,200 mcg/kg” of lead in the dog food, a brand that included the ingredient pea protein.
Unfortunately:
- The FDA has not established maximum levels of lead in animal feed.
- To our knowledge, no regulatory agency monitors heavy metal levels (by lab analysis) in any animal feed.
If your pet food contains the ingredients pea protein, pea starch or pea fiber – email or call the manufacturer and ask if each batch of pet food is tested for heavy metals, ask for a copy of the laboratory analysis for the batch of pet food you provide your pet.
Thanks to the pet owner who shared the Consumer Reports testing with me.
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, co-author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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