부산대학교 도서관

Commercial pet foods should be safe for long-term feeding. However, recent recalls and lawsuits have eroded public trust in pet food companies and products. Recent studies have identified high concentrations of mercury, a potent neurotoxin, in pet food products. Here we posit that pet food products require independent testing to verify safety and compliance with developed Food and Drug Administration and Association of American Feed Control Officials standards, and initiate a discussion as to why including quantification of mercury and methylmercury, as well as the identification of adulteration, are important to such testing protocols. The outcomes of these discussions will be multi-faceted: initiating the impetus to investigate the quality and label accuracy of pet foods; ensuring product safety; promoting transparency within the pet food industry; informing veterinary practices regarding pet food recommendations; providing data for evidence-based policy and regulatory enforcement; and working toward fulfilling the National Research Council's call for research that identifies levels of contaminants in animal feeds and residues in human foods. • High concentrations of mercury exist in some pet food products. • Repeated independent testing of pet food products can help ensure product safety. • Quantification of methylmercury in fish-based foods is needed, especially for cat foods. • Adulteration can be identified using DNA-based techniques. • Results are relevant to consumers, veterinarians, researchers, policymakers, and industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]