In more than 80% of dry cat food costing up to 167 rubles per 100 g with chicken flavor, the content of vitamins and minerals did not match the label on the package. And 70% of the feed tested contained traces of pesticides. Such results were shown by the study of Roskachestvo.
The test participants of the department were feed from Russia, Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Czech Republic and Serbia. The study showed that 83% of goods do not meet the requirements of Russian legislation. It turned out that in most cases manufacturers indicate an overestimated content of vitamins A, B3, B2 and E. Information is also unreliable regarding the content of minerals such as selenium and potassium in the feed.
The permissible amount of pesticides in cat food in Russia is not standardized at the legislative level, however, products containing them cannot qualify for the Russian quality mark, emphasized in Roskachestvo. After the study, feed manufacturers, importers, retail chains, where violations were found, announced plans to change the composition or remove the product from the counter, transmits TASS on Thursday, May 4th.
According to the department, Russian cat food turned out to be of no less quality than foreign ones. So, Roskachestvo noted that Blitz, Nature’s table, Whiskas and Kitekat brands, produced in the Moscow region, were among the leaders. At the same time, Blitz food became the only product that meets the requirements of GOST and the department’s standard. So, in Roskachestvo they emphasized that some inexpensive feeds costing from 23 to 46 rubles per 100 g can provide a cat with all the necessary vitamins and minerals, while not containing toxic and dangerous additives.
To date, there is no technical regulation that regulates the pet food market, so GOST R 55453 has become the main document since September 1, 2022. Pet products entering the Russian market must comply with it. Roskachestvo promised to propose introducing into the developed technical regulation the norms for the content and permissible deviations of substances necessary for a pet.
Previously veterinarian advised do not frequently change brands of cat and dog food. According to the expert, this can lead to food allergies as well as gastrointestinal problems.
