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Natural Flavors
- This topic has 1 reply, 2 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 8 months ago by
Maria K.
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AuthorPosts
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Patrice
MemberI really think ânatural flavorâ (or ânatural chicken flavorâ, ânatural beef flavorâ, etc.) should be listed in red as a controversial ingredient. I know I wonât buy food for myself that has ânatural flavorsâ in the list because MSG is a natural flavor (it is a salt, not a pertro-chemical, so it is not âartificialââbut it is still an excito-toxin/nervous system agitator.)
From http://slimdoggy.com/what-is-natural-flavor-and-is-it-good-for-my-dog/
âFor an idea of what a natural flavor is, the FDA website says:
With respect to flavors, pet foods often contain âdigests,â which are materials treated with heat, enzymes and/or acids to form concentrated natural flavors. Only a small amount of a âchicken digestâ is needed to produce a âChicken Flavored Cat Food,â even though no actual chicken is added to the food. Stocks or broths are also occasionally added. Whey is often used to add a milk flavor. Often labels will bear a claim of âno artificial flavors.â Actually, artificial flavors are rarely used in pet foods.
According to current labeling rules, dog food companies are allowed to consider these natural flavors proprietary, and are not required to disclose exactly what is used to make the flavoring nor how it is actually made (i.e., via a chemical process).â
âââ
Merrick recently changed the ingredient list for âMerrick Classic Real Chicken + Green Peas Recipe with Ancient Grains Adult Dry Dog Foodâ to read ânatural flavorâ instead of ânatural chicken flavorâ, so I called to ask why/what was in their ânatural flavorâ.They said it was just flavor âderived from chicken or beef livers, or whatever the main meat ingredient of the particular food is.â
Derived how?
âWell, it comes from the livers.â
How? <I was put on hold>
âWell, itâs just boiled down livers.â
So why donât you just say âchicken or beef or whatever concentrateâ?
<put on hold>
âWell, itâs derived from the livers. Like when you make a gravy.âSo, itâs just âboiledâ livers?
âProbably.â
So why donât you just say âliver concentrateâ?
âWell, itâs like when you make gravy.â
When I make gravy I add seasonings for more flavor. MSG is considered a ânatural flavorâ â do you add MSG?
âItâs derived from the livers.â
And itâs derived only by boiling?
âWell, itâs from the livers.â
And it is only liverâthatâs the only ingredient?
âWell itâs the liver of whatever the main meat is.â
I told Merrick customer service that I wanted to voice my disbelief that ânatural flavorâ was a simple concentrate, and that I believe it is a smoke-screen for additives and chemical processes they would not want to list separately because people would know how unhealthful it is.
âOK, Iâll pass that along. Have a nice day.â
Maria K
MemberI do think that Merrick can be a tricky brand because some of their formulas are great and some I wouldnât feed. I do like the Classic Chicken, Peas with Ancient Grains formula though.
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Recent Topics
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German shepherd allergies
by
Ivey Evans
5 days, 17 hours ago -
Looking for feedback on my dogs diet & supplements
by
A. Hoff
2 weeks ago -
Need any information on a dog food that has beef, bison, or goat, no potatoesâŠ
by
Colleen Kilbane
3 weeks, 3 days ago -
FREE 1lb Prime100 SPD Fresh Roll
by
Prime 100
1 month, 2 weeks ago -
Acid Reflux
by
Sarah S
1 week, 3 days ago
Recent Replies
-
David Allen on Dog food Ultimate Pet Nutrition
-
Kim Code on Hip and Joint supplements
-
Kim Code on Nitrate content of Farmland Traditions Chicken Jerky treats?
-
Milly Fillow on Poop pills for dogs with IBD??
-
Milly Fillow on Music
-
lis hilton on German shepherd allergies
-
lis hilton on Food Puzzles for Cats
-
Milly Fillow on Didnât know where else to post. Want to recommend an unknown brand.
-
Jordi chan on Yorkie needing chicken free food but urinary formula for 2 types of crystals
-
Truck Diver on Is there high quality kibble with hard and soft bites?
-
willing roots on Acid Reflux
-
Ivey Evans on German shepherd allergies
-
A. Hoff on Looking for feedback on my dogs diet & supplements
-
Paul G on Outlaw Dog Food
-
Pabloo Escabaros on Best Dog Chew toys or bones?