Consumer Reports tested 58 commercially available dog foods and identified two separate safety concerns: potentially harmful bacteria in some raw formulations and an isolated processed product with vitamin D levels described as nearly five times the recommended maximum. The independent review assessed both nutritional and safety markers across a range of diets, and the findings prompted responses from manufacturers and renewed attention from veterinarians and regulators.

The testing project, carried out by the consumer advocacy organization, evaluated products across multiple categories — including raw and processed diets — and applied laboratory analyses to measure pathogens and nutrient concentrations. The organization made its methodology public, publishing a detailed report that outlines the labs and methods used in evaluating the products.

Consumer Reports said its testing uncovered two broad areas of concern. First, several raw dog foods showed evidence of bacterial contamination. The report framed this as a continuation of long-standing worries among veterinarians and regulators about the safety of raw formulations, which have been criticized in the past for the risk they may pose to pets and to people handling the products. Second, Consumer Reports flagged a single Pedigree product that measured nearly five times the nutritional maximum for vitamin D referenced by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, the body identified in the report as setting nutritional guidelines for dog food.

Kevin Loria, a science writer for Consumer Reports, summarized the overall findings with measured language: “while most brands met basic nutritional standards,” he said, noting that meeting baseline benchmarks did not eliminate safety problems in some samples. The report underscores a distinction between nutrition adequacy and product safety: a product can supply required nutrients yet still raise contamination or dosing concerns.

Manufacturers responded after the report was published. Pedigree issued a statement focused on the specific product batch cited by Consumer Reports: “Following a thorough review of the single 2023 PEDIGREE product batch referenced by Consumer Reports, we can confirm that our products are safe,” the company said. Pedigree characterized its reply as the result of a review of the one batch referenced in the Consumer Reports testing.

The Consumer Reports project drew coverage in local and national outlets, which summarized the findings and relayed company statements. Those stories highlighted both the raw-food contamination results and the isolated excess vitamin D measurement, and they reiterated that Consumer Reports made its laboratory methods and testing details available for review.

Veterinarians and regulatory observers have long debated how best to evaluate and control risks associated with pet foods. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) was cited in the Consumer Reports document as the organization that establishes nutritional standards for dog food; the report compared measured nutrient concentrations against those standards in assessing compliance. Consumer Reports’ work emphasized that compliance with nutritional guidelines does not necessarily preclude other safety issues, such as microbial contamination or nutrient levels that exceed recommended maxima.

In the wake of the report, Consumer Reports and manufacturers indicated that follow-up steps could include additional testing by companies, potential regulatory review tied to nutritional and safety standards, and decisions by retailers about the products they choose to carry. Pet owners were urged to consult with their veterinarians to choose and evaluate diets appropriate for individual animals, according to the reporting and subsequent coverage.

Where the issue moves next will depend on whether manufacturers conduct follow-up testing of the batches and product lines identified, whether regulators initiate reviews tied to the findings, and whether retailers respond to the report’s results. For now, the Consumer Reports review has prompted renewed scrutiny of how pet foods are tested, regulated and communicated to consumers.

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Original reporting: view the original article.