Denaturing, what its all about

If you feed your pet commercial pet food, here's something to consider. When you look at the ingredients, you'll generally see either byproducts or hopefully named meat meals listed on the bag. Out of the 2, I favor named meat meals (chicken meal, lamb meal) over byproducts, both of those are technically leftovers from human food manufacturing and therefore unfit for human consumption. Prior to the meals being rendered, as per USDA regulations they must be denatured, or basically doused with various chemicals so they dont end up back into human food chain.

All meat products must be denatured by law, no exceptions.

Carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products (other than rendered animal fats) that have been treated in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph shall be considered denatured for the purposes of the regulations in this part, except as otherwise provided in part 314 of this subchapter for articles condemned at official establishments.

(1) The following agents are prescribed for denaturing carcasses, parts thereof, meat or meat food products which are affected with any condition that would result in their condemnation and disposal under part 314 of this subchapter if they were at an official establishment: Crude carbolic acid; cresylic disinfectant; a formula consisting of 1 part FD&C green No. 3 coloring, 40 parts water, 40 parts liquid detergent, and 40 parts oil of citronella, or other proprietary substance approved by the Administrator in specific cases.3

"In my time as a veterinary meat inspector, we denatured with carbolic acid (phenol, a potentially corrosive disinfectant) and/or creosote (used to preserve wood or as a disinfectant). Phenol is derived from the distillation of coal tar, creosote from the distillation of wood. Both substances are very toxic. Creosote was used for many years as a preservative for wood power poles. Its effect on the environment proved to be so negative that it is no longer used for that purpose. According to federal meat inspection regulations, fuel oil, kerosene, crude carbolic acid, and citronella (an insect repellent made from lemon grass) are the approved denaturing materials""

http://www.belfield.com/pet_health_art3.php

So unless the food is produced at a human manufacturing facility, it cannot be deemed human grade and therefore chances are the meals used to make it, are denatured.

You'd think this practice would be illegal, but very few people know about this practice so little is done to address the problem. On the positive note, not all companies used harsh chemicals like the ones mentioned. I know that Champion pet foods does not denature their meals.

Better holistic oriented companies still denature, but they use human grade edible charcoal to do so.

If you feed your pet commercial pet food, I would urge you to contact the manufacturer and ask exactly what they use to denature their meals, if they tell you that they dont, then its most likely they are lying, its its required by law.

Another way to ensure that pet food is safe to consume is to make sure thats its APHIS EU certified. Basically its a strict regulation process that a food has to go through in order to be exported to Europe. Since Europeans have much stricter pet food regulations and cannot contain any diseased animals or even byproducts. It must be certified fit for human consumption. Also, it can not contain any GMO ingredients.

Again, contact your pet food company and ask them if they are certified, legally, you can also request a copy of this certificate.

Please be conscious of what you feed your pet and remember that you are their guardian and care taker, its up to you to be their health advocate as well.