Changes

== Manufactured Pet Food ==

== Manufactured Pet Food ==

There are several different types, or formats, of manufactured pet food including wet (can, pouch, tray), dry (known as biscuits or kibbles) and complementary treats (see section [[How Pet Food is Made - Nutrition|How Pet Food is Made]]). The method of production and the ingredients used vary according to format.  

There are several different types, or formats, of manufactured pet food including wet (can, pouch, tray), dry (known as biscuits or kibbles) and complementary treats (see section [[How Pet Food is Made - Nutrition|How Pet Food is Made]]). The method of production and the ingredients used vary according to format.  

The variety of products on the market is enormous. While each producer will have their own recipes, there are pet food safety standards and regulations that everyone must comply with (link to regulations page and section on Safety in How Pet Food Is Made).  

 

The variety of products on the market is enormous. While each producer will have their own recipes, there are pet food safety standards and regulations that everyone must comply with (See sections [[Regulation of the Pet Food Industry - Nutrition|Regulation of the Pet Food Industry]] and [[How Pet Food is Made - Nutrition|How Pet Food Is Made]]).  

 

Safe cooking methods and strict quality and food safety standards for raw and finished products ensure that manufactured pet-food is free from microbial contaminants such as [[Salmonella]].   

Safe cooking methods and strict quality and food safety standards for raw and finished products ensure that manufactured pet-food is free from microbial contaminants such as [[Salmonella]].   

Manufactured pet-foods always have a [[Feeding Guides - Nutrition|feeding guide]] to help the owner ensure the pet is fed the correct amount of calories for its life-stage and lifestyle. Feeding guides are based on recognised scientific standards that take into account the nutritional profile of the product to estimate energy density and hence the correct amount to feed on a daily basis.

Manufactured pet-foods always have a [[Feeding Guides - Nutrition|feeding guide]] to help the owner ensure the pet is fed the correct amount of calories for its life-stage and lifestyle. Feeding guides are based on recognised scientific standards that take into account the nutritional profile of the product to estimate energy density and hence the correct amount to feed on a daily basis.

==== Free From Gluten ====

==== Free From Gluten ====

Background: Gluten present in various grains such as wheat, rye or spelt may cause coeliac disease in humans, which is an auto-immune disease with a prevalence of less than 1%<ref name="Gujral">Gujral, N., Freeman, H. J. and Thomson, A. B. (2012) '''Celiac disease: prevalence, diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment.''' World J Gastroenterol 18(42):6036-59.</ref>. Nevertheless, some people do increasingly avoid products containing wheat. The increased demand for gluten-free products in human nutrition even led to instances where products naturally free from gluten were marketed at higher price as being gluten-free. This demand and owner expectation has also extended to pet food although gluten-intolerance strictly speaking does not exist in cats and dogs.   

Background: Gluten present in various grains such as wheat, rye or spelt may cause coeliac disease in humans, which is an auto-immune disease with a prevalence of less than 1%<ref name="Gujral">Gujral, N., Freeman, H. J. and Thomson, A. B. (2012) '''Celiac disease: prevalence, diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment.''' World J Gastroenterol 18(42):6036-59.</ref>. Nevertheless, some people do increasingly avoid products containing wheat. The increased demand for gluten-free products in human nutrition even led to instances where products naturally free from gluten were marketed at higher price as being gluten-free. This demand and owner expectation has also extended to pet food although gluten-intolerance strictly speaking does not exist in cats and dogs.   

A special case, known as gluten enteropathy, is found in the Irish setter, where a rare hereditary disease affected certain lines of Irish Setters in the past. Puppies after weaning showed diarrhea, small intestinal pathology, wasting and delayed growth. The symptoms settled and puppies grew normally when wheat gluten was removed from the diet. Many pet owners, therefore, still deem wheat gluten as being unhealthy although the disease is no longer prevalent and is also uncommon in other breeds. For the majority of dogs, it is not clear what benefits a gluten free diet really brings.

A special case, known as gluten enteropathy, is found in the Irish setter, where a rare hereditary disease affected certain lines of Irish Setters in the past. Puppies after weaning showed diarrhea, small intestinal pathology, wasting and delayed growth. The symptoms settled and puppies grew normally when wheat gluten was removed from the diet. Many pet owners, therefore, still deem wheat gluten as being unhealthy although the disease is no longer prevalent and is also uncommon in other breeds. For the majority of dogs, it is not clear what benefits a gluten free diet really brings.

==== Free From Lactose ====

==== Free From Lactose ====

Background: Mammals in the wild typically have no or little access to breast milk after weaning. The activity of lactase in consequence declines over time.  Humans often continue to consume milk, typically cow’s milk with a high lactose load that keeps lactase activity high.  However, 15-20% of the world population is lactose intolerant, due to low or no lactase production. Undigested lactose subsequently leads to various digestive problems. Eliminating milk products from the diet is the therapy of choice.  

Background: Mammals in the wild typically have no or little access to breast milk after weaning. The activity of lactase in consequence declines over time.  Humans often continue to consume milk, typically cow’s milk with a high lactose load that keeps lactase activity high.  However, 15-20% of the world population is lactose intolerant, due to low or no lactase production. Undigested lactose subsequently leads to various digestive problems. Eliminating milk products from the diet is the therapy of choice.  

Milk is a source of high quality protein, but dogs and cats after weaning, like other mammals, have a low lactase activity. Therefore, other protein sources should be used to satisfy demands.  Lactose-free cat milk is a good alternative for cat owners wanting to offer milk to their cats.   

Milk is a source of high quality protein, but dogs and cats after weaning, like other mammals, have a low lactase activity. Therefore, other protein sources should be used to satisfy demands.  Lactose-free cat milk is a good alternative for cat owners wanting to offer milk to their cats.   

The risk of allergies associated with grains is, in contrast to the perception of many pet owners, rather low. Grains rank below animal proteins as a primary cause despite being used much more often in pet food<ref name="Fiora">Fiora, P., Carlotti, D. and Viaud, S. '''A retrospective study on the prevalence and causative allergens of food-induced atopic dermatitis in France'''. In: ESVD congress, Valencia 2013.</ref><ref name="Verlinden">Verlinden, A., Hesta, M., Millet, S., et al. (2006) '''Food allergy in dogs and cats: a review.''' Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr ( 46):259-73.</ref><ref name="Roudebush">Roudebush, P. (2013) '''Ingredients and foods associated with adverse reactions in dogs and cats.''' Vet Dermatol 24(2):293-4.</ref><ref name="Roudebush 1">Roudebush, P. (2010) '''Adverse reactions to foods'''. In Small animal clinical nutrition, 5th, [M. S. Hand, R. L. Remillard, P. Roudebush and B. J. Novotny, eds.]. Topeka:  Mark Morris Institute.</ref>.  

The risk of allergies associated with grains is, in contrast to the perception of many pet owners, rather low. Grains rank below animal proteins as a primary cause despite being used much more often in pet food<ref name="Fiora">Fiora, P., Carlotti, D. and Viaud, S. '''A retrospective study on the prevalence and causative allergens of food-induced atopic dermatitis in France'''. In: ESVD congress, Valencia 2013.</ref><ref name="Verlinden">Verlinden, A., Hesta, M., Millet, S., et al. (2006) '''Food allergy in dogs and cats: a review.''' Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr ( 46):259-73.</ref><ref name="Roudebush">Roudebush, P. (2013) '''Ingredients and foods associated with adverse reactions in dogs and cats.''' Vet Dermatol 24(2):293-4.</ref><ref name="Roudebush 1">Roudebush, P. (2010) '''Adverse reactions to foods'''. In Small animal clinical nutrition, 5th, [M. S. Hand, R. L. Remillard, P. Roudebush and B. J. Novotny, eds.]. Topeka:  Mark Morris Institute.</ref>.  

   

   

In summary, there is nothing known currently about potential health-benefits of grain-free diets or their preventative usage to reduce the risk of allergy development

In summary, there is nothing known currently about potential health-benefits of grain-free diets or their preventative usage to reduce the risk of allergy development.

==== Free from Additives (LINK to ingredients?). ====

==== Free from Additives ====

Free from additives is a trend from human nutrition. The use of additives is increasingly criticized by owners because some believe them to be a primary cause of diarrhea, allergies, cancer or pseudo-allergies.  

Free from additives is a trend from human nutrition. The use of additives is increasingly criticized by owners because some believe them to be a primary cause of diarrhea, allergies, cancer or pseudo-allergies.  

Important: Additives are not toxic or harmful based on levels approved for their use in either pet foods or human foods. All additives have to be assessed on safety and registered prior to use. Expert panels at EFSA (European Food Safety Authority; http://www.efsa.europa.eu) for example are carefully evaluating the safety and efficacy of additives as part of the authorization process. ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) levels are derived from animal testing, which provides safe levels for daily long-term consumption.  

 

''Important'': Additives are not toxic or harmful based on levels approved for their use in either pet foods or human foods. All additives have to be assessed on safety and registered prior to use. Expert panels at EFSA ([http://www.efsa.europa.eu European Food Safety Authority]) for example, are carefully evaluating the safety and efficacy of additives as part of the authorization process. ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) levels are derived from animal testing, which provides safe levels for daily long-term consumption.  

 

Functional groups (based on European legislation<ref name="Commission Regulation 1831/2003">'''Commission Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003''' of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition OJ L 268/29</ref>) of additives comprise:  

Functional groups (based on European legislation<ref name="Commission Regulation 1831/2003">'''Commission Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003''' of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition OJ L 268/29</ref>) of additives comprise:  

*Technological additives, e.g. antioxidants, preservatives, emulsifiers etc.  

*Technological additives, e.g. antioxidants, preservatives, emulsifiers etc.  

==== Free from Preservatives ====

==== Free from Preservatives ====

Preservatives like potassium sorbate help protect feed against deterioration caused  

Preservatives like potassium sorbate help protect feed against deterioration caused  

by microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, mould or their metabolites.  

by microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, mould or their metabolites.

Note: Antioxidants (e.g. vitamin E, BHA/BHT) prevent oxidation of dietary fat and have to be distinguished from preservatives. Therefore, products claiming free from preservatives may still contain natural or synthetic antioxidants.  

In wet pet food, the addition of preservatives is not needed as the packed and sealed product (pouch, can, trays) undergoes sterilization. A free from preservatives claim on such a product therefore is not adequate because of two aspects, i.e. firstly preservatives are not needed due to the nature of the manufacturing process and secondly it is not a unique feature of the product as it applies to all other products in the same category in the market.  

''Note'': Antioxidants (e.g. vitamin E, BHA/BHT) prevent oxidation of dietary fat and have to be distinguished from preservatives. Therefore, products claiming free from preservatives may still contain natural or synthetic antioxidants.  

 

In wet pet food, the addition of preservatives is not needed as the packed and sealed product (pouch, can, trays) undergoes sterilization. A free from preservatives claim on such a product therefore is not adequate because of two aspects, i.e. firstly preservatives are not needed due to the nature of the manufacturing process and secondly it is not a unique feature of the product as it applies to all other products in the same category in the market.

Dry pet foods with controlled levels of available water (aW value) do not need preservatives either as there is not enough water for microorganisms to grow.   

Dry pet foods with controlled levels of available water (aW value) do not need preservatives either as there is not enough water for microorganisms to grow.   

==== Free from GMO ====

==== Free from GMO ====

"Genetically Modified Organism" carry a novel DNA that has been assembled artificially from DNA of different organisms.   

"Genetically Modified Organism" carry a novel DNA that has been assembled artificially from DNA of different organisms.  

Humans have been genetically modifying food through selective breeding processes for thousands of years. The “GMO” label identifies organisms that have undergone Genetic Engineering (GE) techniques in order to obtain desirable characteristics. However, it has to be noted that organisms that have been developed through other techniques such as chemical or radiation mutagenesis are not considered GMO.   

   

There is no scientific evidence to support any issues with consuming GMOs or consuming animals that have eaten GMOs. Nevertheless, many consumers are concerned about GMOs in their food and, given the choice, would select a GMO-free food.    

Humans have been genetically modifying food through selective breeding processes for thousands of years. The “GMO” label identifies organisms that have undergone Genetic Engineering (GE) techniques in order to obtain desirable characteristics. However, it has to be noted that organisms that have been developed through other techniques such as chemical or radiation mutagenesis are not considered GMO.   

In Europe, pet food  manufactured with GMO materials has  to be labelled “contains GMO” or “produced from GMO”; if not labeled, a GMO contamination of up to 0.9% is tolerated<ref name="Regulation 1829/2003">'''Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003''' of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed OJ L 268/1</ref><ref name="Regulation 1830/2003">'''Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003''' of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC OJ L268/24</ref>. This is regarded as being unavoidable due to global handling and shipping of raw materials. However, when claiming ‘free from GMO’ the 0.9% tolerance is replaced by zero tolerance.

 

There is no scientific evidence to support any issues with consuming GMOs or consuming animals that have eaten GMOs. Nevertheless, many consumers are concerned about GMOs in their food and, given the choice, would select a GMO-free food.  

In Europe, pet food  manufactured with GMO materials has  to be labelled “contains GMO” or “produced from GMO”; if not labeled, a GMO contamination of up to 0.9% is tolerated<ref name="Regulation 1829/2003">'''Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003''' of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed OJ L 268/1</ref><ref name="Regulation 1830/2003">'''Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003''' of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC OJ L268/24</ref>. This is regarded as being unavoidable due to global handling and shipping of raw materials. However, when claiming ‘free from GMO’ the 0.9% tolerance is replaced by zero tolerance.

== B.A.R.F. ==

== B.A.R.F. ==