☠️ Fish Meal (Preserved with Ethoxyquin) in Pet Food

Grade F-5 ptsPotential Cancer Link

What It Is

"Rendered fish meal — species unspecified — stabilized with ethoxyquin."

Health Impact

Stacks the same species-accountability gap as any unspecified fish meal with a preservative the FDA pressured manufacturers to voluntarily reduce use of in 1997 after adverse event reports including liver damage and cancer. Ethoxyquin-preserved fish meal is also notorious for not always appearing on a finished food's own label — if a manufacturer buys fish meal already treated with it, disclosure isn't required.

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 Fish Meal (Preserved with Ethoxyquin) safe for dogs and cats?

Rated F (-5 pts) by PetPro-tectors™. Stacks the same species-accountability gap as any unspecified fish meal with a preservative the FDA pressured manufacturers to voluntarily reduce use of in 1997 after adverse event reports including liver damage and cancer. Ethoxyquin-preserved fish meal is also notorious for not always appearing on a finished food's own label — if a manufacturer buys fish meal already treated with it, disclosure isn't required.

What is Fish Meal (Preserved with Ethoxyquin) in pet food?

Rendered fish meal — species unspecified — stabilized with ethoxyquin.

Related Potential Cancer Link Ingredients

Animal Fat (Preserved with BHA)Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable OilCaramel ColorRed 40 / Yellow 5 / Yellow 6 / Blue 2 (Artificial Colors)
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Sources: FDA, AAFCO Official Publication, National Toxicology Program,
WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, Journal of Animal Science.

PetPro-tection League™