Frequently Asked Questions
We are eager to answer all of your questions with Nutro Products quality assurance & recall facts. If you have any further questions or comments, feel free to contact us and we will help you in a timely manner.
I heard that there may be plastic in some NUTRO® products. Is this true?
I saw a news report about the NUTRO® and an FDA investigation. What is going on?
Are the claims made on ConsumerAffairs.com about a NUTRO® FDA investigation and dogs eating Nutro and experiencing health issues true?
Do NUTRO® products contain potentially harmful levels of copper and zinc?
Are the examples found on ConsumerAffairs.com of dogs eating Nutro products and experience health issues true?
Are NUTRO® products safe?
Why are NUTRO® quality assurance & recall facts being addressed?
What measures does Nutro Products undertake to ensure the safety of its products?
Why are GREENIES® dental chews now only available at pet specialty retailers or veterinarian offices?
Have you recently received reports from consumers to suggest that your GREENIES® products may have been making pets sick?
Question: I heard that there may be plastic in some NUTRO® products. Is this true?
Answer: Small pieces of melted plastic were recently found in the production line of select varieties of NUTRO® dry dog and cat food products. We immediately retrieved the affected pet food from our distributors, and only three sku’s reached retail stores. These were delivered to a small number of PetSmart and Petco stores. The specific products are listed below.
Upon discovery of the melted plastic, we immediately halted manufacturing and performed a thorough search of all equipment. We identified the source as a worker’s “bump cap,” similar to a hard hat, which inadvertently made its way into our manufacturing process.
Based on our extensive review, it is highly unlikely that any pieces of plastic made it into finished product. However, upon learning of the incident, we voluntarily retrieved all potentially affected products.
We strive to produce pet food of the highest quality and safety standards. Consumers who believe they have purchased potentially affected product should return it to their retailer for a full refund or exchange for another NUTRO® product, or contact the Nutro Products Consumer Care team at 1-800-833-5330.
Thank you for your continued loyalty and support for Nutro Products.
PRODUCT THAT MADE IT TO SELECT PETSMART STORES IN CA, AZ, CO, TX and NM ONLY
Product Name |
UPC |
Size |
Best by Date |
NUTRO® ULTRA™ Puppy food for dogs |
79105 51313 |
4.5 LB |
09/10/10 |
NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® Chicken Meal, Rice and Oatmeal Formula Small Bites Puppy |
79105 23050 |
5 LB |
09/10/10 |
PRODUCT THAT MADE IT TO SELECT PETCO STORES IN CA, NV, HI and UT ONLY
Product Name |
UPC |
Size |
Best by Date |
NUTRO® ULTRA™ Puppy food for dogs |
79105 51315 |
30 LB |
09/10/10 |
Question: I saw a news report about the NUTRO® and an FDA investigation. What is going on?
Answer: On April 20, ConsumerAffairs.com posted a story claiming that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has an ongoing investigation into NUTRO® pet food. This is not true. We have confirmed with officials from the FDA’s division responsible for regulating pet food, the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), that there is no current or ongoing investigation of Nutro Products, Inc.
On April 28, the FDA posted a statement clarifying that Nutro Products is not under investigation. To see the statement, click this link: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/NutroProducts.htm
On April 24, CNN's Morning Express with Robin Meade aired a story about the FDA confirming that there is no current or ongoing investigation of Nutro Products, Inc. that you can watch at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vB02ALa4xU.
Detroit station WXYZ recently published an article titled “FDA: ‘No Investigation into NUTRO Pet Food’” that you can view by clicking here: http://www.wxyz.com/news/local/story/FDA-No-Investigation-into-NUTRO-Pet-Food/hOoE48nKOkORqDNodwN3EQ.cspx
Question: Are the claims made on ConsumerAffairs.com about a NUTRO® FDA investigation and dogs eating Nutro and experiencing health issues true?
Answer: On April 20, ConsumerAffairs.com posted a story claiming that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has an ongoing investigation into NUTRO® pet food. This is not true. We have confirmed with officials from the FDA’s division responsible for regulating pet food, the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), that there is no current or ongoing investigation of Nutro Products, Inc.
On April 28, the FDA posted a statement clarifying that Nutro Products is not under investigation. To see the statement, click this link: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/NutroProducts.htm
On April 24, CNN's Morning Express with Robin Meade aired a story about the FDA confirming that there is no current or ongoing investigation of Nutro Products, Inc. that you can watch at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vB02ALa4xU.
Detroit station WXYZ published an article on April 23, titled “FDA: ‘No Investigation into NUTRO Pet Food’”
that you can view by clicking here: http://www.wxyz.com/news/local/story/FDA-No-Investigation-into-NUTRO-Pet-Food/hOoE48nKOkORqDNodwN3EQ.cspx
We want to assure our consumers, associates, retailers and all those who feed NUTRO® products to their pets that our products are safe and conform to the standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S Department of Agriculture and the Association of American Feed Control Officials. All 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.
For the past year, ConsumerAffairs.com, an “independent Web-based consumer news and resource center,” not affiliated with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission or Consumer Reports, has been selectively posting consumer complaints and authoring its own statements that draw false links between isolated instances of illness and death among pets, and the consumption of NUTRO® pet food products.
In February of 2009, a ConsumerAffairs.com posting alleged that a class action lawsuit against Nutro Products in relation to pet health issues was being researched by a law firm. We have not received notification of a class action lawsuit against Nutro Products.
In June of 2008, ConsumerAffairs.com falsely claimed that NUTRO® pet foods may have been the cause of pet health issues in a number of specific cases. In an August 2008 update to that posting, ConsumerAffairs.com reported that ASPCA veterinary toxicologist, Dr. Steven Hansen, concluded after an in depth review that the complaints appear to be random, non-pet food related health issues.
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.
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.
Question: Do NUTRO® products contain potentially harmful levels of copper and zinc?
Answer: NUTRO® products are safe and conform to the standards set by the FDA, USDA and AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials). The claims regarding the safety of NUTRO® pet food in a recent report posted on the Pet Food Product Safety Alliance website are unfounded.
In order for a food to provide all the essential nutrition for a pet, it must exceed the minimum requirements for all essential nutrients. AAFCO has established Nutrient Profiles, which identify these minimum dietary levels for all essential nutrients in canine pet food products.
Specifically, these guidelines indicate that pet foods formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of dogs contain no less than 120 mg/kg dry matter and no more than 1,000 mg/kg dry matter of zinc in order to ensure that the requirements for zinc in dogs are met. Based on these guidelines, the 260- 400 mg/kg diet levels of Zinc found in NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® Chicken, Meal, Rice and Oatmeal Formula (which converts to approximately 288-444 mg/kg dry matter) are well within AAFCO recommended levels. Like zinc, levels of copper in NUTRO® pet food are necessarily above the minimum AAFCO requirements and do not exceed maximum requirements; they are well within recommended levels.
There is a small minority of dogs that are sensitive to copper — these dogs need to be carefully managed with the assistance of a Veterinarian. Furthermore, copper is a critical factor in a dog's antioxidant defense system and should not be completely restricted.
In addition to meeting a dog's nutritional requirements, many NUTRO® products incorporate the scientific knowledge of the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition. Research found ingredients such as zinc, copper and other nutrients serve as key drivers in maintaining skin and coat health and help to make NUTRO® products nutritionally sound.
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.
Question: Are the examples found on ConsumerAffairs.com of dogs eating NUTRO® products and experience health issues true?
Answer: Thank you for your interest in getting Nutro Products quality assurance & recall facts. 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 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 Products 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 Products 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.
Question: Are NUTRO® products safe?
Answer: 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).
Question: Why are NUTRO® quality assurance & recall facts being addressed?
Answer: 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.
Question: What measures does Nutro® undertake to ensure the safety of its products?
Answer: 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.
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.
Question: Why are GREENIES® dental chews now only available at pet specialty retailers or veterinarian offices?
Answer: Uniquely designed to reduce plaque and tartar build-up, GREENIES® products are marketed exclusively through pet specialty retailers and veterinary clinics where knowledgeable staff is equipped to answer pet owner questions and make the right recommendation. This is particularly important for clinically proven canine GREENIES® dental chews as each of the five sizes is specially formulated to deliver the maximum dental benefit to each weight range.
Question: Have you recently received reports from consumers to suggest that your GREENIES® products may have been making pets sick?
Answer: No we have not. All GREENIES® products are safe for pets. In 2006, Canine GREENIES® dental chews for dogs were reformulated to be more safe, soluble, and easily digestible, as well as effective for daily pet oral care. Reformulated GREENIES® dental chews are 96 percent digestible, which is more digestible than the average dry dog food. Since the product was reformulated in 2006, there have been no reports of blockages or obstructions. GREENIES® dental chews are a nutritionally complete and balanced blend of high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals, fruits and vegetables for adult dogs.
