Caution I learned something from the vet today

Chicken beef lamb meals can varie in what s in them ... I found out that the contents can vary if the slaughter house is not at the same location as the processing plant ... I will of course be researching this ///

I worked at a chicken processing plant and I can tell you that I was told by the plant owner that all "Extra" parts of the chicken,even the feathers,go into the making of pet food. Not that it applies to ALL processing plants,but....

AAFCO regulations say that feathers aren't allowed except for what you just can't avoid...which says to me that a few feathers that get in the mix don't have to be picked out, but you're not allowed to PUT feathers in it.

I would imagine that the consistency of the food would depend a lot on the company making the food too. The places making the ultra-cheap foods aren't going to be as picky about meeting the regulations as the higher-end foods.People who feed the higher-end foods keep a pretty close eye on thier pets and would notice any changes that could be brought on by an inconsistent food. So it woudln't make any sense for them to not have a really good policy in place to make sure the food is consistent.

In my understanding, chicken meal, beef meal, lamb meal, etc, just has to be mostly the named meat. I'm not sure if there's a percentage or whatnot.

Taterbug, I believe what you are talking about would have to be labeled as by-products, which are very common in pet foods, but the definition is different than if it says "chicken" or "chicken meal", the stuff you mean is "chicken by-product" or whatever meat it is. If I'm wrong, please tell me, because that makes the pet food industry even worse.

Chicken meal conists of beaks,feet,head,entrails,blood and feathers. The USDA inspectors at the processing plants do not monitor the slaughter portion of the poultry processing plants as closely as they are supposed to. Once the 'extras" are pumped into the "gut trucks" (sorry,but that's what they are called)they go directly to the feed mills to be processed into chicken meal. I'm not saying they ALL do...but at my former place of employment,they did.

taterbug...
Are you talking "chicken meal or "by-products.

What do you feed your kitties?

If that is what went into the product labeled "chicken meal" it was very illegal, and you should report it. That stuff, except the feathers, is allowed in by-products.

It is sooooo interesting to hear from someone with first-hand knowledge of what it is!

Chicken meal.....but let me clarify myself....that what was explained to me 12 years ago by the owner of "that" particular company
My kitties get what they will eat,and the best I can afford,which is Purina Cat Chow,along with Fancy Feast canned. They are all healthy,happy,and have never had any diet related health problems.

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

If that is what went into the product labeled "chicken meal" it was very illegal, and you should report it. That stuff, except the feathers, is allowed in by-products.

It is sooooo interesting to hear from someone with first-hand knowledge of what it is!

Click to expand...

Oh,they were reported,for many,many things. But you know how that goes. I'm happy to say that that particular business sold out to new owners a couple of years after I left. Zissou.....boy,could I tell you some storys!!!! And please forgive me for not stating that this was 12 yrs. ago.....but I sometimes wonder if things have really changed these last few years. By the way...I was not involved in the slaughter OR processing...there was no way I could do that. I was in charge of employee work and safety supplies

and they tell us cat food is healthier than table scraps