☠️ Ethoxyquin in Pet Food

Grade F-5 ptsCancer Agents

What It Is

"Permitted as an antioxidant preservative in pet food."

Health Impact

Originally developed as a pesticide and rubber stabilizer. Banned for human food use in the US and EU. The FDA received enough adverse event reports (liver damage, immune disorders, cancer) that it asked manufacturers to voluntarily reduce use in 1997. It is still legal in pet food. It does not always appear on labels — if a manufacturer buys fish meal already preserved with ethoxyquin, they are not required to disclose it.

Why This Grade

Our most serious tier: a documented carcinogen finding, an outright ban in at least one country or species, or an unspecified source that can legally include 4D (dead, dying, diseased, disabled) animals. -5 pts deducted.

Sources & Further Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ethoxyquin safe for dogs and cats?

Rated F (-5 pts) by PetPro-tectors™. Originally developed as a pesticide and rubber stabilizer. Banned for human food use in the US and EU. The FDA received enough adverse event reports (liver damage, immune disorders, cancer) that it asked manufacturers to voluntarily reduce use in 1997. It is still legal in pet food. It does not always appear on labels — if a manufacturer buys fish meal already preserved with ethoxyquin, they are not required to disclose it.

What is Ethoxyquin in pet food?

Permitted as an antioxidant preservative in pet food.

Related Cancer Agents Ingredients

Caramel ColorRed 40 / Yellow 5 / Yellow 6 / Blue 2 (Artificial Colors)Propylene GlycolArtificial Smoke Flavor
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Sources: FDA, AAFCO Official Publication, National Toxicology Program,
WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, Journal of Animal Science.

PetPro-tection League™