Hi-Tek Naturals Grain Free

[LadyMcBeth]

I just sent an email to the company asking them about it.

 

[LadyMcBeth]

I received an email back from Hi-Tek Naturals, who assured me their food does not contain ethoxquin. Here is the response, along with a PDF file about the food quality:



Hi Beth,

Thanks for contacting us. I am attaching our official response regarding Ethoxyquin for you to have. I am pleased to tell you that we only accept fish that has been preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols.



Thanks so much for giving us a try. We believe your Sheltie will be very happy with the switch. If there is anything else I can do, please let me know.



Sincerely,

Carron

And here is the "official response":

The Hi-Tek Rations
Position on Ethoxyquin
Ethoxyquin is a quinoline-based antioxidant used as a food preservative. It
is commonly used as a preservative in pet foods to prevent the rancidification
of fats. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration has found a verifiable
connection between ethoxyquin and buildup of protoporphyrin IX in the liver,
as well as elevations in liver-related enzymes in some animals. There are, to
date, no known health consequences from these effects. In 1997, the Center
for Veterinary Medicine asked pet food manufacturers to voluntarily limit
ethoxyquin levels to 75 ppm until further evidence is reported.
Hi-Tek Rations does not use ethoxyquin in any application of its manufacturing
or ingredient sourcing process and does not accept ingredient products that
have been exposed to or treated with ethoxyquin. Hi-Tek Rations uses only
mixed tocopherols as antioxidants to retard oxidation of fats and to preserve our
finished products. Further, no BHT is used in our manufacturing or sourcing
process due to the compound’s linkage to child hyperactivity and to cancer.

They responded within a few hours. I am liking this company and Daisy likes the food!

 

[mcemily]

That's awesome. What a speedy response... and great that they don't use ethoxyquin, too. We'll be watching our pet supply center for the poultry-free variety that is supposedly coming soon. For now, the pets are enjoying their Acana Pacifica!

 

[frankienme]

meal ingredient

This is confusing to me too because I thought 'meal' as an ingredient - like chicken meal - means it is not the quality stuff and is missing nutrients or is the left overs of the meat - but if you have chicken or salmon etc listed on its own then that is the whole ingredient and not with anything removed - anyone know for sure?????

 

[marymrumfelt]

This is confusing to me too because I thought 'meal' as an ingredient - like chicken meal - means it is not the quality stuff and is missing nutrients or is the left overs of the meat - but if you have chicken or salmon etc listed on its own then that is the whole ingredient and not with anything removed - anyone know for sure?????

When you see meal, such as chicken meal, it means it's just the meat, without the bone and without the water content. The meat vs the meal makes a difference in terms of meat usually being about 70% water therefor very little meat after it's all said and done. That's my understanding on the difference. Meal, IMO, is better because you know you're getting a higher percentage of actual meat. When you see the meat, it's usually listed first because it weighs the most, but after it's cooked it shrinks down to almost nothing and the second ingredient, usually a carb, would be the majority of the food.

Almost all kibble is the leftover stuff. I highly doubt any of them are using breasts and really meaty parts. You could perhaps question the company and ask what kind of cuts go into the food... I think a lot of times it's the leftovers that humans don't consume.


I think you're thinking of by-products which are the leftover things like feathers, beaks, feet and not very valuable.

 

[frankienme]

When you see meal, such as chicken meal, it means it's just the meat, without the bone and without the water content. The meat vs the meal makes a difference in terms of meat usually being about 70% water therefor very little meat after it's all said and done. That's my understanding on the difference. Meal, IMO, is better because you know you're getting a higher percentage of actual meat. When you see the meat, it's usually listed first because it weighs the most, but after it's cooked it shrinks down to almost nothing and the second ingredient, usually a carb, would be the majority of the food.

Almost all kibble is the leftover stuff. I highly doubt any of them are using breasts and really meaty parts. You could perhaps question the company and ask what kind of cuts go into the food... I think a lot of times it's the leftovers that humans don't consume.


I think you're thinking of by-products which are the leftover things like feathers, beaks, feet and not very valuable.

Thank you and particularly frustrating and confusing when companies like Orijen write on their website that 'meal' is lower quality and not as good. ???? CORRECTION - here is what Orijen says about foods containing 'meal' - good info: Their food contains:

LIMITED CALCIUM & PHOSPHORUS | 1.6% / 1.4%
The potential oversupply of calcium and phosphorus in high-protein dog foods is cause for concern. High inclusions of chicken meal, fish meal or turkey meal used to increase protein levels also provide a rich source of minerals and push calcium and phosphorus levels to the upper allowable limits of, respectively, 2.5% and 1.6%