Judge rules against prescription dog food companies
Rewards 12.5 Million judgement
The Potato Story
Nutritionists are encouraging all of us to get back to basics. Eating whole, less processed foods is good for us. Those of you who have read any of my articles know I am constantly saying that ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’. Scientists have not been able to create a pill or a vitamin or mineral supplement that is as complete as the real thing. Often, the body does not even recognize synthetic vitamins and they are not properly absorbed. But unprocessed, whole foods, now that’s a different story. Whole foods or synthetic blends, which would you, rather eat?
Years ago, people ate real foods. Imagine that! Foods that don’t come in a can, jar or tetrapack!
Here’s an example. Recent studies conducted by the US Agricultural Research Service have found some interesting benefits of the lowly white potato. People often categorize potatoes with white pasta or white bread and therefore not nutritious.
Dr.Roy Navarre is a genetist with the ARS in Prosser Washington. His studies showed that potatoes are packed with phenols. Phytochemical profiles revealed an amazing list of flavinoids. These include:
Quercetin – has anticancer and cardio-protective properties
Kekoamines- regulate blood pressure
Carotenoids – protect against cancer
Luteine and Zeaxanthin – also protect against cancer and macular degeneration
Caffeic acid – antioxidant
So, white potatoes have been found to have anticancer and cardioprotective properties. Red skinned potatoes and Norkotah ( a variety of Russet) contain high amounts of polyphenols in the range of those found in broccoli, spinach and brussel sprouts.
Not only are potatoes loaded with great phenols, they also contain:
Vitamin C – a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that also helps fight free radicals and increases resistance to infection
Vitamin B6 – this anti-oxidant can help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease by a process called ‘methylation’. This eliminates toxins and a dangerous molecule called homocysteine from damaging blood vessels in the heart.
Vitamin A, B and Folate- important for brain and nervous system health
Potassium, copper, manganese and niacin – help with cardiovascular, urinary tract and digestive system health.
Fiber – helps protect against colon polyps and cancer. Fiber also slows digestion and aids in maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
All of this was shown in a paper published in Agriculture Research Magazine entitled ‘Phyochemical Profilers Investigate Potato Benefits’, September 2007.
As we develop methods for testing and researching the properties of whole foods, we will continue to find out more about the nature of the foods we eat.
It becomes increasingly clear that we need to trust Mother Nature. When we think we can get our nutrition from a pill, think again. What could be more simple? Loading up on synthetic supplements or eating an apple or in this case, a potato?
The use of Presciption dog food is one of my pet peeves and shows that the
phrase “Marketing over Mother Nature’ holds true.
If you are a dog owner, you may have heard about the class action suit
against prescription dog foods. Hills, Science Diet, Royal Canin and Purina
are some of the brands that are accused of misleading consumers and
veterinarians about the benefits and ingredients of their products. The
lawsuit claims that:
- these companies charge premium prices for prescription dog foods that are not significantly different from regular dog foods. In fact, they are made in the same facilities, using the same suppliers as low-quality grocery store brands like Alpo and Beneful.
- they do not have any scientific evidence to support their claims of treating or preventing various health conditions in dogs. They are not made in facilities that follow traditional drug manufacturing protocols.
- that these companies have violated consumer protection laws and engaged in false advertising.
The class action suit was filed in 2019 by a group of dog owners who purchased prescription dog foods from these brands for their pets. They are seeking refunds, damages and an injunction to stop the companies from selling prescription dog foods without proper authorization and
disclosure. The suit is currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Prescription dog foods are supposed to be specially formulated to address specific health issues in dogs, such as kidney disease, diabetes, allergies, obesity and more. However, according to the lawsuit, these products are not
regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other agency, and they do not require a prescription from a veterinarian to be sold.
The lawsuit claims that these companies have exploited this loophole to market their products as prescription dog foods, even though they are not approved or tested by any authority.
This suit also accuses these companies of using low-quality ingredients and fillers in their prescription dog foods, such as corn, wheat, soy, by-products and artificial colors and flavors. These ingredients may not only be ineffective for treating or preventing health conditions in dogs, but they may also cause adverse reactions and allergies in some dogs. The lawsuit cites several examples of dogs that suffered from health problems after
consuming prescription dog foods from these brands, such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, skin infections, kidney failure and death.
The lawsuit seeks to hold these companies accountable for their deceptive and unlawful practices, and to provide compensation and relief to the dog owners who have been harmed by them. It also aims to protect the public interest and the welfare of dogs by ensuring that prescription dog foods are properly regulated and labeled, and that consumers and veterinarians are informed about their benefits and risks.
Please be aware that the FDA does not review or verify the health claims on any veterinary diet.
Take a close look at the ingredient list and ask your vet for evidence that the foods in the prescription diet are any better than most regular diets. Also please keep in mind that while your vet has the best intentions, they get little or no nutrition training and often what little training they do get comes from the very companies that are named in these lawsuits.
Ultra processed foods made with poor quality ingredients are not what your dog needs if they are suffering from an illness. Give your dog a fighting chance with fresh, quality foods for a long and healthy life.
This lawsuit was settled in July of 2021. Hills Pet Food paid $12.5 million to participants.
Is it any wonder that here at Lucky Dog Cuisine we believe wholeheartedly “Fresh is Better”
The food we send your dog is the exact same food we feed our own beloved pack.
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