ConsumerAffairs.com is a self-described “independent Web-based consumer news and resource center,” not affiliated with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission or Consumer Reports.
           
ConsumerAffairs.com has posted an August 6 update to their June 23 posting regarding NUTRO™ pet foods. The most notable information in the posting, and the subject of its title, "Expert Finds Unexplained Pet Deaths 'Not Consistent,'" are the findings of Dr. Steven Hansen, a veterinary toxicologist at the ASPCA. Dr. Hansen conducted an in-depth review of the complaints against Nutro and concluded that the complaints appear to be random, non-pet food related health issues.

Every NUTRO™ product that was analyzed in relation to the June 23 posting on ConsumerAffairs.com has been shown to be safe. It should be noted that in some of these cases outside sources have provided clear verification that NUTRO™ products were NOT the cause of any pet health issues. In others, NUTRO™ has taken active steps to address pet owners' concerns and determine the cause of pet health issues. We've either spoken with or left multiple messages for all of the consumers cited in the June 23 posting. Our findings agree with Dr. Hansen’s; there is nothing that indicates that these pet health issues were caused by NUTRO™ pet foods.

There are other elements to the August 6, 2008 Consumer Affairs post which, as with previous postings on the site, attempt to raise doubt concerning the safety of NUTRO™ products. While consumer concerns about Nutro™ product quality are rare, we take every complaint seriously.   When we learn of an issue we work with consumers to obtain information and request that samples of any product in question be submitted for testing at an independent facility. An in-depth review is performed to determine if an issue does exist. Consumers with questions or concerns about Nutro™ products are encouraged to contact our Consumer Services Department at 1-800-833-5330.
 
All of our products are safe and conform to the standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Nutro™ products undergo rigorous quality assurance testing beginning with raw ingredients and ending with testing finished products. This includes testing to confirm that no melamine, mold toxins, or pathogenic bacteria are detected in any Nutro™ pet foods.

Yes. All Nutro™ products are safe and conform to the standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).  

We have received recent isolated reports of inaccurate information posted online regarding the quality and safety of Nutro™ pet foods products. Many blogs and internet sites can be a repository for misinformation and hearsay regarding many topics. 

Why are some NUTRO™ products unavailable?

Our ongoing commitment to high standards for product quality has created some temporary difficulty regarding availability of key ingredients. However, we feel that it is critical that we maintain our standards for product quality and performance.  The temporary availability issues that Nutro™ has experienced with certain products are operational in nature, not-quality related.

We are continuing to work with suppliers in New Zealand and in the U.S. to increase availability of key ingredients to Nutro™. We have already secured additional, high-quality supply sources of most raw materials, and are currently working with suppliers in New Zealand and in the U.S. to establish an additional supply of lamb meal.

We are manufacturing and shipping Natural Choice® Lamb Meal and Rice for adult dogs and Natural Choice® Small Bites Lamb Meal and Rice for adult dogs, which meet the nutritional requirements for dogs of all sizes and all ages. Natural Choice® Lite Lamb Meal and Rice is available for adult dogs as well. Natural Choice® Venison Meal and Brown Rice, and Natural Choice® Herring Meal, Rice and Potato are also available and are great alternatives for dogs that may be sensitive to certain ingredients in their diet. We also recommend our Natural Choice® Large Breed Adult and Natural Choice® Large Breed Puppy made with Chicken Meal for pet owners who want the best in Large Breed specific nutrition that were previously feeding their pets our Lamb and Rice large breed products.

Consumers can feed Nutro™ products to their pets with full confidence. We thank our customers and consumers for their patience as we work through these issues and offer our apologies for any inconvenience to you and your pet. 

No. Our ongoing commitment to high standards for product quality has created some temporary difficulty regarding availability of key ingredients. However, we feel that it is critical that we maintain our standards for product quality and performance.  The temporary availability issues that Nutro™ has experienced with certain products are operational in nature, not-quality related. Consumers can feed Nutro™ products to their pets with full confidence.

No. Our plants have not closed.  The temporary availability issues are due to the issues outlined above, which we are in the process of resolving.

MAX® Dog and MAX® Cat foods have been improved with the addition of more chicken and/or salmon. MAX® Cat’s new smaller kibble greatly increases the palatability in comparison to the previous larger kibble. Nutro™ always strives to produce the best pet foods for your pets. We have found that dogs and cats prefer the enhanced products, and Nutro™ has maintained the performance characteristics that MAX® pet owners are accustomed to. As always, MAX® products do not utilize chicken heads, feet, or intestines which may be found in products that use chicken by-product meal.

MAX® Large Breed Puppy and MAX® Large Breed Adult are now being made with chicken meal rather than beef meal because preference testing has shown that dogs prefer the taste of the chicken product.
 
However, we have heard from many loyal Nutro™ consumers that their dogs loved the beef meal based products. As such, by popular demand, we will be re-introducing MAX® Large Breed Puppy and MAX® Large Breed Adult in their former beef meal based formulations in late June 2008. 

The safety and quality of our products is our top priority. While consumer concerns about Nutro™ product quality are rare, we take every complaint seriously.   When we learn of an issue, we work with consumers to obtain information and request that samples of any product in question be submitted for testing at an independent facility. An in-depth review is performed to determine if an issue does exist.

Nutro™ products undergo rigorous quality assurance testing beginning with raw ingredients and ending with testing finished products. This includes testing to confirm that no melamine, mold toxins, or pathogenic bacteria are detected in any Nutro™ pet foods.

Consumers with questions or concerns about Nutro™ products are encouraged to contact our Consumer Services Department at 1-800-833-5330.
 
Nutro™ Products, Inc. remains committed to the quality, safety and performance of all our pet food brands. As we have for over 80 years, we strive to deliver the finest natural products to our customers and their pets.
For more information on our quality assurance process follow this link Quality. Safety. Performance.