Here is the company's reply.........
Thank you for your interest and your concerns. We are aware of the Menadione concerns, and are in the process of re-evaluation of using the material in our food.
We have not received a final report yet from the examinations, and would not want to quote any position until that report. We would not want to make a judgment without all the facts, as I’m sure you can understand. It is in our formula for a reason, and should we conclude it must be replaced, the replacement needs to be identified and the formula adjusted. Not a lengthy process, but a needed one.
We do share the concerns as is evidenced by our commitment to opening the matter.
We would hope that the study is concluded as quickly as we have asked, and are confident that it will be in our hands soon.
As you have no doubt noticed from its placement in the list of ingredients, the material is added in very, very small amounts, small enough not to cause severe problems of an immediate nature. Since the formula is a proprietary item, I’m not at liberty to quote the exact amount absent a legal opinion, but it is very small.
Regarding your question about “fishmeal”, that’s an almost generic name used for “fish” “meal” in the industry. Our supplier normally provides the also generic, “white fish”, describing an oceanic firm fleshed fish. Sometimes more than one species, but of the same description. Usually a fish used for human consumption, but parts not esthetically pleasing, or damaged in the fishing process.
Again, thanks for your concerns. We do feel we have an extremely good dog food, but always welcome the interests of dog owners everywhere, and look for ways to make it better.
Tom Baetz
For American Natural Premium