There is no definitive definition of nutraceuticals in pet food. In general, nutraceutical ingredients in pet food go beyond providing basic nutrition and have some value for the health and well-being of pets. Turmeric, Green Tea Extracts, yucca schidigera And collagen appears in the petfood industry’s collection of ingredient issues as nutraceuticals. Formulations that use these pet food ingredients may fall under federal oversight as dog, cat and other pet supplements, especially if certain labeling claims are made.
Dosage regulation of dogs, cats and other pets
The regulation of pet supplements has a complicated history, explains David Dezanis, PhD, DVM, in his Petfood Industry column. The passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 fundamentally changed how the FDA could regulate dietary supplements for human consumption, as the new law provided for the use of both those ingredients. which would not normally be allowed in traditional form of food. As well as for label claims that otherwise represent a food product as a “drug”. Not surprisingly, the supplement industry flourished as a result, and that category grew significantly, despite the FDA’s formal notice in 1996 that DSHEA does not apply to animal products. This posed a major conundrum for both industry and regulators, as many supplement products for animals simply could not fit within the AAFCO rubric.
Eventually, a solution, albeit a difficult one, was reached through the efforts of the National Animal Supplementation Council (NASC). Animal supplements that supply only AAFCO-acceptable ingredients (eg, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids) remain fully within the purview of AAFCO. For those that contain ingredients that are not approved for use in feed (e.g., herbs, metabolites), NASC has developed a new scheme for labeling “dose-form animal health products” that DSHEA more closely mimics the labeling required by Regulatory concerns regarding the safe use of products containing non-approved ingredients were quelled by NASC’s commitment to self-regulation through mandatory audits of its members and the implementation of an adverse effect reporting system.
Manufacturers of these products must comply with conditions set forth by the FDA and stated “animal treatment” laws as “unapproved drugs of low regulatory priority.” However, for the most part these products escape the scrutiny of state feed control authorities, because they are no longer “feed” according to the label. Actually, As observed by the typical buyer of animal supplements, however, the distinction between products subject to feed regulations and those that are not may not be readily apparent.
Examples of pet food nutraceuticals
From the Petfood Industry’s Ingredient Issues column by Greg Aldrich, PhD, Professor and Pet Food Program Coordinator at Kansas State University
Green Tea Extract: Is This Herb Safe in Dog, Cat Diets?
While green tea extract is not technically permitted in American pet foods, there are many dog and cat diets that include this ingredient on their labels. It is being promoted for a myriad of effects, from animal health and well-being to a key component of modern, natural antioxidant preservative systems. A lot of human-centered production, consumption, medical and analytical research has been published on this topic. Green tea has been shown to contribute to cancer prevention; and claimed to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, possess bactericidal and anti-viral activity, prevent halitosis, and regulate blood sugar. Along with many other benefits.
Yucca schidigera: Latin for odor-reducing petfood ingredient
From time to time one finds an ingredient called yucca schidigera Remove on pet food labels—not just on dog and cat food labels. You can also find it on ferret and rabbit food labels; And for those of you who keep your horse as a pet, you can see it in horse feed. This ingredient only goes by its Latin Linnaean name, which is strange. Plus, it’s not something you’d typically find on a grocery store shelf. So, in our ingredient-name-obsessed industry, why is this weird-sounding item in some of our pet foods? In the most delicate way possible – it’s meant to help reduce fecal odor.
Turmeric: Ancient Spice May Relieve Osteoarthritis in Dogs, Cats
Turmeric has been finding its way into pet foods with increasing frequency over the past few years. There are dozens of websites and online news outlets describing the many positive properties of turmeric for pets. It is believed to have many health benefits. There are a fair number of studies published in alternative and mainstream medical journals in humans and laboratory animals that validate some of these effects. There are some short-term studies with dogs showing limited effect or small improvement in markers of osteoarthritis. However, long-term and larger studies are lacking. There is little information available about efficacy, safety, or proper preparation and dosage for dogs and cats.
Collagen: a complex protein that may benefit joint health in pets
Many new pet treats and supplements are promoting the word “collagen” on names or callouts. Product claims run the gamut from skin and coat support to flexibility and joint care. Bone broth products also enhance their affinity for collagen. In the human packaged goods category, collagen has become very popular in wrinkle and aging supplements, hair care products, and osteoarthritis supplements – partly due to the demand for pet treats and supplement products by pet parents. is giving.
