OK so what`s the issue with carrageenan?

zoneout

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As if this stuff isn`t problematic on its own, now we have this...

Environmental advocate Dr. Helen Caldicott  has drawn attention to the effect of radiation effects from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster  on ocean life, arguing that seaweeds coming from the Pacific Ocean must be looked at carefully.[53]  Concerns include the potential presence of carcinogenic radionuclides and the degradation of carrageenan by radiation; radiation degrades carrageenan,[54]  and degraded carrageenan has been more closely associated with adverse health outcomes than undegraded carrageenan in animal studies.[3]  No studies have yet been conducted to determine whether radiation-exposed Pacific seaweeds pose a danger to human health.
 

mphscat

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The stuff is EVIL and my cat is doing SOOOO much better since I got him off his vet prescribed canned food (GREAT) with the carrageenan in it. When I asked my vet, he had no idea what carrageenan is and it's effects.
 
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zoneout

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Vets have little to no training in nutrition.   What they do get is subsidized directed `training` indoctrination from the petfood companies like Purina and Hills.  Hardly an environment of enlightened learning.    I would lend little or no credence to nutritional advice from most vets with a few obvious exceptions like Dr. Pierson.  Some schools do have specific programs for Certified Animal Nutritionists.  This program is thoroughly about food requirements for animals.  UC Berkeley Davis has one that I know is very good.

My 5 year old otherwise healthy cat has started puking out of the blue after eating exclusively Wellness  pate.   My other cat eats it very reluctantly.   Obviously I cannot pinpoint carrageenan as the problem but I think it is a good place to start.   So with that I am switching to a food Holistic Select that avoids carrageenan and guar gum for that matter.
 
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zoneout

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It is interesting to note that carrageenan is banned in the EU.   The European system is better and safer than what we have here in the US.    There, an ingredient is considered unsafe until proven otherwise.   While in the US, you can put almost anything into food until it is proven to be harmful.    Different approaches, but they are light years ahead of us as to food safety and they enforce the laws strictly while things here are quite lax.
 

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Just a clarification: In the EU carregeenan is only banned in infant formula as a precaution. It is other wise allowed.
 
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zoneout

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Right, but here is all you need to know about carrageenan from the people that have studied it and understand it best....

Wellpet makes 2 brands of canned cat food.    The popular mid-priced Wellness brand which includes carrageenan and the specialty premium brand Holistic Select in which carrageenan is nowhere to be found.   

Their reason for using carrageenan in Wellness is that it `may` promote respiratory health and fend off colds.   The tests that support those claims have the subjects rubbing carrageenan on their nostrils - not adding it in their food.    And if they really believed this benefit then why not include it in their top of the line brand that is marketed to promote health?!

So there you have it.   Pretty much confirming @mphscat  sentiment that the stuff is indeed evil.   It is clearly used because it acts as a binder of liquid to protein and the masses of uniformed consumers will migrate toward products that look uniform - not with congealed liquid separated out from a firm protein mass.

Can they try to remove it and come clean about informing their customers?   Yes but at the risk of killing off their most popular brands the chances of that happening are slim and none.
 
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