Toxic element levels in ingredients and commercial pet foods. 2021

Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon, and Raquel Silveira Pedreira, and Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini, and Mariana Fragoso Rentas, and Vivian Pedrinelli, and Roberta Bueno Aires Rodrigues, and Larissa Wunsche Risolia, and Mariana Pamplona Perini, and Andressa Rodrigues Amaral, and Júlio Cesar de Carvalho Balieiro, and Cristiana Fonseca Ferreira Pontieri, and Marcio Antonio Brunetto
School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, 225, Duque de Caxias Norte Avenue, Pirassununga, São Paulo, 13635 900, Brazil.

Nowadays, there is a growing concern about contamination of toxic metals (TM) in pet food due to the great potential for health risks of these elements. TM concentrations in commercial pet foods (n = 100) as well as in ingredients used in their composition (n = 100) were analyzed and compared to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maximum tolerable level (MTL), and the TM concentrations found in the different sources of carbohydrate, protein, and fat were compared. The TM concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma with optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Concentrations above the MTL for aluminum, mercury, lead, uranium, and vanadium were observed in both dog and cat foods, and the percentage of dog foods that exceeded the MTL of these TM were: 31.9%; 100%; 80.55%; 95.83%; and 75%, respectively, and in cat foods: 10.71%; 100%; 32.14%; 85.71%; 28.57%, respectively. The MTL values of these TMs and the mean values in dog foods (mg/kg dry matter basis) (MTL [mean ± standard deviation]) were: aluminum: 200 (269.17 ± 393.74); mercury: 0.27 (2.51 ± 1.31); lead: 10 (12.55 ± 4.30); uranium: 10 (76.82 ± 28.09); vanadium: 1 (1.35 ± 0.69), while in cat foods were: aluminum: 200 (135.51 ± 143.95); mercury: 0.27 (3.47 ± 4.31); lead: 10 (9.13 ± 5.42); uranium: 10 (49.83 ± 29.18); vanadium: 1 (0.81 ± 0.77). Dry foods presented higher concentrations of most TM (P < 0.05) than wet foods (P < 0.05). Among the carbohydrate sources, there were the highest levels of all TM except cobalt, mercury, and nickel in wheat bran (P < 0.05), while among the protein sources, in general, animal by-products had higher TM concentrations than plant-based ingredients. Pork fat had higher concentrations of arsenic, mercury, and antimony than fish oil and poultry fat. It was concluded that the pet foods evaluated in this study presented high concentrations of the following TM: aluminum, mercury, lead, uranium, and vanadium.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002415 Cats The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801) Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D004285 Dogs The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065) Canis familiaris,Dog
D005504 Food Analysis Measurement and evaluation of the components of substances to be taken as FOOD. Analysis, Food,Analyses, Food,Food Analyses
D000074385 Food Ingredients Substances included in prepared foods and beverages. Food Ingredient,Ingredient, Food,Ingredients, Food
D000075322 Heavy Metal Poisoning Poisoning that results from chronic or acute ingestion, injection, inhalation, or skin absorption of HEAVY METALS. Acute and chronic exposures can cause ANEMIA; KIDNEY and LIVER damage; PULMONARY EDEMA; MEMORY LOSS and behavioral changes; bone deformities in children; and MISCARRIAGE or PREMATURE LABOR in pregnant women. Heavy Metal Poisonings,Metal Poisoning, Heavy,Metal Poisonings, Heavy,Poisoning, Heavy Metal,Poisonings, Heavy Metal
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000821 Animal Feed Foodstuff used especially for domestic and laboratory animals, or livestock. Fodder,Animal Feeds,Feed, Animal,Feeds, Animal,Fodders
D019216 Metals, Heavy Metals with high specific gravity, typically larger than 5. They have complex spectra, form colored salts and double salts, have a low electrode potential, are mainly amphoteric, yield weak bases and weak acids, and are oxidizing or reducing agents (From Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed) Heavy Metal,Heavy Metals,Metal, Heavy

Related Publications

Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon, and Raquel Silveira Pedreira, and Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini, and Mariana Fragoso Rentas, and Vivian Pedrinelli, and Roberta Bueno Aires Rodrigues, and Larissa Wunsche Risolia, and Mariana Pamplona Perini, and Andressa Rodrigues Amaral, and Júlio Cesar de Carvalho Balieiro, and Cristiana Fonseca Ferreira Pontieri, and Marcio Antonio Brunetto
July 2014, The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice,
Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon, and Raquel Silveira Pedreira, and Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini, and Mariana Fragoso Rentas, and Vivian Pedrinelli, and Roberta Bueno Aires Rodrigues, and Larissa Wunsche Risolia, and Mariana Pamplona Perini, and Andressa Rodrigues Amaral, and Júlio Cesar de Carvalho Balieiro, and Cristiana Fonseca Ferreira Pontieri, and Marcio Antonio Brunetto
October 1976, The Cornell veterinarian,
Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon, and Raquel Silveira Pedreira, and Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini, and Mariana Fragoso Rentas, and Vivian Pedrinelli, and Roberta Bueno Aires Rodrigues, and Larissa Wunsche Risolia, and Mariana Pamplona Perini, and Andressa Rodrigues Amaral, and Júlio Cesar de Carvalho Balieiro, and Cristiana Fonseca Ferreira Pontieri, and Marcio Antonio Brunetto
November 1979, Veterinary medicine, small animal clinician : VM, SAC,
Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon, and Raquel Silveira Pedreira, and Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini, and Mariana Fragoso Rentas, and Vivian Pedrinelli, and Roberta Bueno Aires Rodrigues, and Larissa Wunsche Risolia, and Mariana Pamplona Perini, and Andressa Rodrigues Amaral, and Júlio Cesar de Carvalho Balieiro, and Cristiana Fonseca Ferreira Pontieri, and Marcio Antonio Brunetto
April 1978, The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne,
Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon, and Raquel Silveira Pedreira, and Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini, and Mariana Fragoso Rentas, and Vivian Pedrinelli, and Roberta Bueno Aires Rodrigues, and Larissa Wunsche Risolia, and Mariana Pamplona Perini, and Andressa Rodrigues Amaral, and Júlio Cesar de Carvalho Balieiro, and Cristiana Fonseca Ferreira Pontieri, and Marcio Antonio Brunetto
May 2001, Journal of food protection,
Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon, and Raquel Silveira Pedreira, and Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini, and Mariana Fragoso Rentas, and Vivian Pedrinelli, and Roberta Bueno Aires Rodrigues, and Larissa Wunsche Risolia, and Mariana Pamplona Perini, and Andressa Rodrigues Amaral, and Júlio Cesar de Carvalho Balieiro, and Cristiana Fonseca Ferreira Pontieri, and Marcio Antonio Brunetto
April 1991, Tijdschrift voor diergeneeskunde,
Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon, and Raquel Silveira Pedreira, and Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini, and Mariana Fragoso Rentas, and Vivian Pedrinelli, and Roberta Bueno Aires Rodrigues, and Larissa Wunsche Risolia, and Mariana Pamplona Perini, and Andressa Rodrigues Amaral, and Júlio Cesar de Carvalho Balieiro, and Cristiana Fonseca Ferreira Pontieri, and Marcio Antonio Brunetto
May 2021, The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice,
Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon, and Raquel Silveira Pedreira, and Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini, and Mariana Fragoso Rentas, and Vivian Pedrinelli, and Roberta Bueno Aires Rodrigues, and Larissa Wunsche Risolia, and Mariana Pamplona Perini, and Andressa Rodrigues Amaral, and Júlio Cesar de Carvalho Balieiro, and Cristiana Fonseca Ferreira Pontieri, and Marcio Antonio Brunetto
July 1986, American journal of veterinary research,
Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon, and Raquel Silveira Pedreira, and Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini, and Mariana Fragoso Rentas, and Vivian Pedrinelli, and Roberta Bueno Aires Rodrigues, and Larissa Wunsche Risolia, and Mariana Pamplona Perini, and Andressa Rodrigues Amaral, and Júlio Cesar de Carvalho Balieiro, and Cristiana Fonseca Ferreira Pontieri, and Marcio Antonio Brunetto
August 1979, Veterinary and human toxicology,
Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon, and Raquel Silveira Pedreira, and Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini, and Mariana Fragoso Rentas, and Vivian Pedrinelli, and Roberta Bueno Aires Rodrigues, and Larissa Wunsche Risolia, and Mariana Pamplona Perini, and Andressa Rodrigues Amaral, and Júlio Cesar de Carvalho Balieiro, and Cristiana Fonseca Ferreira Pontieri, and Marcio Antonio Brunetto
December 1994, New Zealand veterinary journal,
Copied contents to your clipboard!