Carrageenan
- What is it: Common food additive, extracted from a red seaweed, used as a thickening agent and preservative
- Dangers/side effects include:
- Digestive issues: inflammation, bloating, glucose intolerance
- Irritable Bowel Disease
- Colon Cancer
- Gut tumors and ulcers
- Which Brands use this Ingredient:
- Freshpet
- Wellness
- Blue Buffalo
- Newman’s Own
- Nutro
- Purina Pro Plan
- Hill's Science Diet
IMPORTANT: Because this ingredient is derived from seaweed, “a natural source”, brands get away with using this toxic additive while still calling their food All Natural
Sources: USDA: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Carrageenan%20TR%202_10_16.pdf (page 2 & 3) Medicalnewstoday.com: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323117#research
Natural Flavors
- What is it: Ingredients derived from a plant, animal or mined source, either unprocessed or treated with heat, enzymes and/or acids to form concentrated natural flavors. Typically used to improve taste and palatability.
IMPORTANT: Given the vague definition and how it doesn’t specify which plants or animals can be used to make this ingredient, it makes this significantly unreliable as brands can build the ingredient from almost anything. More than anything this ingredient can be used as a loophole for brands to hide behind what is actually included.
- Dangers/side effects include:
- Lack of transparency
- Risk of allergic or adverse reaction
- Which Brands use this Ingredient:
- Freshpet
- Nom Nom
- Pedigree
- Blue Buffalo
- Iams
- Rachel Ray Nutrish
- Purina Pro Plan
- Hills Science Diet
Source:
AAFCO:https://www.aafco.org/Portals/0/SiteContent/Publications/OP/Chapter_6_2021_OP_Revision_1_with_copyright_enc.pdf#toolbar=0
*This list is not inclusive of processed, artificial, or synthetic ingredients, chemicals and preservatives as we categorize all artificial ingredients as ingredients to avoid