Pet food tasting

[aadenny]

Is there any truth to the rumour I've long heard that cat food and dog food actually has to be taste-tested by humans before it can be put on the market?

[MistyLady]

I find this pretty hard to believe, I am sure the pet feed companies would have used this fact to promote their product if had been true. What most consumers don't know is that the pet food industry is an extension of the human food and agriculture industries. Pet food provides a market for slaughterhouse offal, grains considered "unfit for human consumption," and similar waste products to be turned into profit. This waste includes intestines, udders, esophagi, and possibly diseased and cancerous animal parts.

[aadenny]

MistyLady's answer isn't specific enough. My sister is a food writer, and she's also heard this. Indeed, she said that they have regular tasting sessions with DEFRA (formerly MAFF) people. But it's certainly an urban legend that petfood mfrs have to ensure their canned product is fit for human consumption because of the chance of dim old ladies, etc, opening the cans. I'd be interested to hear it from ... er, the horse's mouth so to speak. i.e. from petfood mfrs themselves!

[MistyLady]

Ok I have spoken to my neighbours at work (a rather large group of DEFRA employees and they have not got a clue where u may have got this infomation from. So to be more specific....No humans (well not DEFRA) eat dog or cat food!!!

[aadenny]

OK, you are probably right. Mind you, I have a love of cheap pies and other processed meats, and acquaintances often look scornfully at my diet and sneer at my 'dog food' pies. But I love them! I would draw the line at dog food, but that's mainly because I'm squeamish, not because I'd dislike the taste!