pam (Mary) wrote in message ...
NOW
WOULD YOU PLEASE PROVIDE SOME DOCUMENTATION AS TO WHO REGULATES THE
INGREDIENTS THAT ARE IN COMMERCIAL FOOD

http://www.fda.gov/cvm/index/consumer/petfoodflier.html

"The Act does require that pet foods, like human foods, be pure and wholesome,
contain no harmful or deleterious substances, and be truthfully labeled."

That's about it.

Mary, I believe that is from Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21,
Food and Drugs, Part 500. I also think if you contact the FDA/CVM they
will advise you that neither they nor any other agency actually
inspects or tests the ingredients used in pet food. A good example of
this is the sodium pentobarbital. Dr. Stephen Sundlof from the
FDA/CVM, replied when I questioned the pentobarbital which was found
in pet food. He stated that this drug was not to be in food for human
or animal consumption "Do not use in animals intended for food" in the
regulation (21 CFR 522.900) for Euthanasia solution applies only to
food destined for human consumption or food for human and animal
consumption." The FDA/CVM has also stated that if any amount was found
in human food it would be pulled from the shelves immediately yet they
do not plan any action to remove it from pet foods. It is a
barbiturate under the Federal Controlled Substance Act (DEA).

What I suggest is that people contact the FDA/CVM and ask them
directly if they, or any other branch of the government or any agency
such as the AAFCO, actually test the materials used in commercial pet
food. I can guarantee that as long as the contents meet the label
requirments, levels of protein, carbohydrate, fats, that is all that
is considered. It does not matter what comprises the protein, carbs
or fats.

Someone also stated that the AAFCO, classifed livestock and pet food
in different catagories. Dr. David Dzanis, formerly a veterinary
medical officer with the CVM, made it clear in a letter that ALL AAFCO
'ingredient definitions' applied to both livestock and pet food.


I think if you have the knowledge of nutrition, desire and money, a homemade
food would be preferable as it won't have additives, colorings, flavorings,
preservatives... My IBD cat couldn't eat store bought food. I had to make it
for him. I used the same ingredients in the can food, chicken and rice with
vitamin/mineral powder, but it didn't make him sick so it must have been
everything else in there.

At least you would know what is going into the food you are feed your
IBD cat which is not the case with commercial pet foods. The pet food
industry states that home prepared diets are not complete and balanced
and that we are basically killing our pets if we don't feed commercial
pet foods. I know hundreds of pets that are now eating a homemade
diet and doing extremely well including my three cats and dog.

Ann