WASHINGTON, 14 August 2024 /PRNewswire/ — EARTHDAY.ORG (EDO), the world’s leading advocate of Earth Day, which is celebrated on 1 22.Aprilcalls on America’s pet owners to protect the health of their dogs and cats!
To July 15EARTHDAY.ORG published a damning report, Pets vs. Plasticwhich revealed how our beloved pets are fed plastics and other unsafe ingredients. 2 AugustJust two weeks later, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that End the 17-year collaboration with the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which had previously been commissioned by the FDA to set standards for animal feed ingredients the United StatesThis regulation allowed plastics to enter the food chain for pets and animal feed:
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Polyethylene is a common type of plastic typically used to make shopping bags and shampoo bottles, but is listed as a “polyethylene fiber substitute” and therefore an acceptable fiber ingredient in animal feed.
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Restaurant waste is listed as an ingredient and can therefore end up in pet food if it is not specifically removed.
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Plastic identification ear tags when left on the head of carcasses in meat processing plants.
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The AAFCO ingredient list also lists dust as well as pig, cow and chicken manure as possible ingredients in pet food.
Although euthanized pets NOT Although it is an approved ingredient in pet foods, there is evidence that the bodies of euthanized dogs and cats do indeed end up in pet foods. In 2018, the pet food industry website reported that Steven Solomon, DVM, then in his second year as director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the FDA, was “horrified” by the discovery of the euthanasia drug pentobarbital in some pet foods. The most likely source is euthanized animals.
In addition to this barrage of concerning ingredients, the plastic chemicals polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and bisphenol-A (BPA) are also used as coatings for the insides of most pet food cans. All of this is happening under the FDA’s watch, and ultimately it’s their responsibility to fix it. But we have to force them to do it.
“Away October 1AFFCO will at least no longer set standards for pet food, which we see as a victory for pet owners, but the fight is not over yet,” said Kathleen RogersPresident of EARTHDAY.ORG. “The FDA has asked the public for feedback on how best to regulate pet food. We need pet owners to tell them: Stop the poop and stop the plastic!”
Here’s how animal lovers can make their voices heard at the FDA:
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OPTION 1: Leave comments on the FDA online portal here: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FDA-2024-D-2977-0002.
You will be asked to select a comment category. Select “ANIMAL FEED INDUSTRY, C0007”. You can share comments from our LETTER or attach the entire document. Remember to include your name and address. -
OPTION 2: Send written comments by email, you can use them LETTERJust sign and date it and send it to this address:
Records management staff (HFA-305),
Subject: FDA Enforcement Policy for AAFCO-Defined Animal Feed Ingredients
(HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration,
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852
The deadline for ALL public comments is 9 SEPTEMBER 2024
“None of us should ingest plastic, including our pets. It is linked to serious health consequences: from cancer to infertility, Liver and kidney problems and more,” said Tom CosgroveChief Creative and Content Officer, EARTHDAY.ORG. “We need to tell the FDA that we expect them to protect pets, not the pet industry.”
“If we don’t all act now, the pet food manufacturers will just tell the FDA what to do next. The pet food lobby wants less regulation and supports the implementation of the Purr Billto try to make this a reality. This bill ends all government regulation and gives the pet industry the ability to make medical claims that are not supported by the FDA,” said Susan Thixton the truth about pet food.
“For pet food manufacturers, profit is the top priority,” said Kathleen RogersPresident of EARTHDAY.ORG. “Removing regulations saves the industry money and maximizes profits, but could kill our pets in the process. It’s time for pet owners to stand up.”
About EARTHDAY.ORG: Our founders created and organized the first Earth Day. 22 April 1970. Since then, EARTHDAY.ORG has mobilized over a billion people annually to protect the planet. EARTHDAY.ORG’s mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental community worldwide. For more information, visit EARTHDAY.ORG.
For media inquiries/background information/quotes and interviews:
Sarah Davis[email protected], +1 240 463 1341 (Washington, DC)
Terran Field Player, [email protected]+1 661 444 4436 (Washington, DC)
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SOURCE EARTHDAY.ORG
