Acrylamide: Cancer-Causing Compound Widely

 Suspected in Most Dry Pet Foods

KosherPets products not affected by current findings 

of cancer-causing substrates

Within the last few months, KosherPets has received numerous questions about acrylamide: a cancer-causing compound found in numerous starchy food products cooked at high temperatures.  The inquiries boiled down to one key question: which pet food is safe.

The startling results of our research are found below.

In April 2002, Swedish scientists set a furor when they announced the discovery of high levels of acrylamide in some common human foods cooked at high temperature.  Scientists around the world followed suit and started researching this serious issue.

Based on preliminary information released by the FDA, it is unknown at this point if acrylamide is a human carcinogen.  However, the FDA stated that it IS an animal carcinogen.

The FDA has tested more then 150 products focusing on starchy foods processed at high temperatures, such as potato chips, French fries, cereal products, and crackers.

Since most dry pet foods (kibbles) - especially dry dog foods - fall into the same category as some of the products under scrutiny by the FDA, veterinarians and animal nutritionists started ringing the alarm bell.  Most domestic dogs and cats in the U.S. and Canada are being served "complete and balanced " dry food potentially laden with acrylamides.  The short and long term effects of acrylamide exposure in animals are alarming. 

Studies have shown that lab animals (rats, cats, and dogs) receiving 5-30 mg/kg of body weight per day in their diet exhibited weakness and ataxia in hind limbs after  2-3 weeks, which progressed to paralysis with continued exposure. 

Other symptoms included testicular atrophy and degeneration of germinal epithelium.

In response to these dreadful findings, KosherPets had its food - along with some other “super-premium” pet food – tested by an independent laboratory. 

The results were shocking.

The “super-premium” samples (8 oz) were evaluated at levels up to 100 times higher than the legal limit.

However, KosherPets Poultry Meal Dinner For Dogs and KosherPets Freeze Dried Beef Patties For Cats and For Dogs tested negative.

The result for KosherPets Freeze-Dried Beef Patties did not come as a surprise, since this diet does not contain any starchy ingredients and is not exposed to heat during the manufacturing process.

KosherPets believes that these findings support the growing concern of many veterinarians and pet nutritionists: that most of the commercially available dry pet food may have negative long-term health effects.  Since these “kibbles” are also being blamed for causing obesity in pets, this should be just another reason to stay away from highly processed pet foods.

How can you avoid acrylamides and provide a truly nutritious diet to your pet?

- Seek out products which are the least processed and high in quality animal protein.

- Look for products which are raw, freeze-dried or pelleted (low heat manufacturing process).

- High quality canned foods make a great food or food supplement.  Make sure the product is made only with high quality ingredients and comes from reputable sources.

- Most dry dog foods available - even though labeled as “holistic” and “all natural” - are processed at high temperatures (extrusion process) and may contain high levels of acrylamide, a cancer-causing compound.

- Stay away from cheap discount food products and glitzy packaged treats with no nutritional value.  More then half of our dog companion population is overweight due to overfeeding and high-carbohydrate diets.

- Rotate between different high quality products and flavors.

Please, share this information with other concerned pet owners you know.

[Acrylamide Q&A]