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Supreme Petfoods Ltd has published the results of tests on small animal petfood which, according to the company, highlight significant problems with the on-pack declarations and contents of a number of the leading brands.
The tests, which were carried out by Campden BRI on behalf of Supreme Petfoods, discovered:
Issues regarding high sugar levels which are not required to be declared under current rules. The highest average levels of sugar were found in Wagg Optimum (4.57%), Beaphar Care + (5.00%), Burgess Supa Fruiti (5.10%), Beaphar Extra Vital (5.35%) and Burgess Excel (4.04%).
In the company's press release, Chris Childs, Managing Director of Supreme Petfood, commented: "The results greatly concerned us. We were shocked to find food that is marketed for rabbits - ie: herbivores - had traces of mammalian and avian DNA in it. In my opinion, this can only be compared to vegetarian food being contaminated with meat. This was our main concern amongst many other issues revealed."
That strikes me as overstating the case somewhat. Aside from the fact that bunnies don't get quite as het up about their diets as vegans, the report does not define what 'trace DNA contamination is'. Going on the shock expressed by Mr Childs, I'm expecting a pork chop or a drumstick in every bag of Burgess Excel at the very least.
Molly Varga, BVetMed, DZooMed (Mammalian), MRCVS told VetSurgeon.org that she would expect rabbits to be exposed to trace amounts of animal DNA naturally and that the amounts found in the tests were not likely to have any effect whatsoever on the health of rabbits. Nevertheless, she did feel that the report highlighted important issues concerning the fibre and sugar content of various diets.
As a consequence of the report, Supreme Petfoods is calling for an overhaul of the rules and regulations which apply to pet food for small companion animals. The company suggests the introduction of an accredited quality scheme aimed specifically at pet food for small companion animals, containing strict conditions for the production, packaging and marketing of food for herbivores.
In response, Burgess Pet Care issued a statement expressing considerable reservations as to the timing, purpose and potential negative outcome for the welfare of pet rabbits of Supreme's report. Commenting on behalf of Burgess, Sharon Redrobe, Head of Veterinary Services, Bristol Zoo Gardens, and Head of Rabbit Clinic, Bristol, said: "Any research into small animal health should focus on the crucial role of fibre in a balanced feeding plan and how this can be communicated to rabbit owners, so discussions centring around the detailed contents of pellets are irrelevant in my opinion to this central welfare issue."
To read Supreme's report, click here.
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excuse me for being a bit cynical.
As far as I am aware Supreme produce food primarily for herbivores therefore I wouldnt expect they would have too much of a problem with DNA mammalian or avian in their food (unless the odd stray rodent or pigeon has found its way in).
All of the other companies produce food for cats ,dogs, rabbits and others so yes somewhere along the line meat products will be present in the factory. I dont see this as being any different to picking up a product for human consumption in a supermarket and even tho it isnt supposed to contain either ingredient being warned on the pack that it may contain nuts or seeds or was manufactured in a factory that handles nuts or seeds - or maybe its me just being dim?
Is the suggestion for strict control of production , packaging, and marketing of food for herbivores a ploy to increase the expenses for other producers and possibly driving out the competition - well I think so (again call me cynical)or is it that Supreme is going to set up its own accreditted quality scheme so that all other manufacturers have to fall in line with what it dictates? ( like some exclusive club)
I have no experience of Beaphar or Wagg rabbit foods but have used Burgess both in practice and with my own rabbits - have never really noticed any rabbit developing a taste for meat as a result of it! But then this might be the 'secret' ingredient that seems to make it more palatable to rabbits than the Supreme equivalent?
Surely DNA isnt the most important issue - fibre is