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Scanned by Lucy Fur · April 10, 2026
Pedigree Pedigree Adult Complete & Balanced Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor
0/100
Grade F — Avoid at All Costs
📦 Product Overview
BrandPedigree
TypeDog Food - Dry/Kibble
Life Stageadult
Size38 lb bag
AAFCO Compliant✅ Yes
Label claims '100% Complete & Balanced Food for Adult Dogs' and states formulated to meet AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance. This means it was formulated (not feeding-trial tested) to meet adult maintenance minimums.
☠ Rendering / 4D Animal Warning

This food contains TWO unspecified rendered ingredients: 'Meat and Bone Meal' and 'Animal Fat.' These can legally be sourced from 4D animals (dead, dying, diseased, disabled), euthanized shelter animals, roadkill, zoo animals, and restaurant grease trap waste. The FDA confirmed pentobarbital (euthanasia drug) residues in pet foods containing these ingredients. The rendering process destroys bacteria but does NOT eliminate drug residues. Pedigree's parent company Mars does not disclose the species or sources for these ingredients. When a manufacturer won't tell you what animal is in the food, that's because the answer would horrify you.

🧪 Ingredient Breakdown
🟡
Ground Whole Corn
Corn as the #1 ingredient in a 'steak' food. This is a cheap carbohydrate filler, not a protein source. Allergen risk, aflatoxin risk, and GMO concern. The fact that this is ingredient #1 tells you everything about this food's priorities.
−1 pts
❌
Meat and Bone Meal
Unspecified 'meat' and bone meal — the lowest tier of rendered protein. This can legally contain 4D animals (dead, dying, diseased, disabled), euthanized shelter animals, roadkill, and zoo animals. FDA has confirmed pentobarbital (euthanasia drug) in foods containing this ingredient.
−3 pts
🟡
Corn Gluten Meal
Cheap plant protein used to inflate the crude protein percentage on the guaranteed analysis. This is not quality animal protein — it's a byproduct of corn processing.
−1 pts
❌
Animal Fat (Preserved with BHA and Citric Acid)
Unspecified 'animal fat' — could come from any rendered animal, including euthanized animals. The rendering tank does not discriminate. Also preserved with BHA, a known carcinogen (scored separately).
−3 pts
☠️
BHA (in Animal Fat)
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is classified as an anticipated carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program. Restricted in EU food. There is zero reason to use this when mixed tocopherols exist as a safe alternative. Mars/Pedigree chooses to use a carcinogen to save money.
−8 pts
🟡
Soybean Meal
Another cheap plant protein to inflate protein numbers. Soy is a common allergen in dogs and is almost always GMO.
−1 pts
🟡
Ground Whole Wheat
Common allergen in dogs. Added as a cheap filler carbohydrate.
−1 pts
🟡
Chicken By-Product Meal
At least it's named (chicken), but this is rendered chicken scraps — heads, feet, intestines, undeveloped eggs. And it's the 7th ingredient, meaning there's very little of it.
−1 pts
🟡
Dried Beet Pulp
A fiber byproduct from sugar beet processing. Moderate fiber source but low-value.
−1 pts
⚠
Natural Flavor
Source never disclosed. 'Natural flavor' in pet food is frequently animal digest by another name. The word 'grilled steak' on the bag is pure theater — this flavor is likely chemically derived.
−2 pts
✅
Salt
Required mineral source. Acceptable in controlled amounts.
✅
Potassium Chloride
Standard potassium supplement.
✅
Brewers Dried Yeast
B-vitamin source and palatability enhancer.
✅
Calcium Carbonate
Calcium supplement.
✅
Choline Chloride
Essential nutrient for liver function.
✅
DL-Methionine
Essential amino acid supplement. Needed when plant proteins dominate and real meat is scarce — which is exactly the case here.
🟡
Dried Peas
Whole legume. Low in the ingredient list so not a DCM concern by volume, but adds to the plant-protein-heavy formula.
−1 pts
✅
Dried Carrots
Minor vegetable addition. Fine.
⚠
Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenite)
Contains Sodium Selenite — an inorganic form of selenium that is toxic in excess. Chelated forms (selenium yeast) are safer and better absorbed. This is a cost-cutting choice.
−2 pts
✅
Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement)
Standard vitamin premix. Adequate.
☠️
Yellow 5
Artificial dye. Zero nutritional purpose. Linked to hyperactivity, allergic reactions, and cancer in animal studies. Banned or restricted in multiple countries. Dogs are colorblind — this is for the human's eyes only.
−8 pts
☠️
Yellow 6
Another artificial dye with cancer links. Banned in some countries. Absolutely no reason for this to be in dog food.
−8 pts
☠️
Red 40
Yet another artificial dye. Linked to cancer, behavioral issues, and allergic reactions. Three artificial colors in one food is disgraceful.
−8 pts
☠️
Blue 2
Fourth artificial dye. Mars/Pedigree put FOUR artificial colors in this food. None serve any purpose except making the kibble look like 'steak and vegetables' to humans. This is marketing over pet health, period.
−8 pts
⚖ What's Good / What's Bad
Good
✅ Claims AAFCO complete and balanced for adult maintenance
✅ Contains standard vitamin and mineral premix
✅ DL-Methionine supplementation compensates partially for plant-heavy formula
✅ Wide availability and affordable price point
Bad
❌ Corn is the #1 ingredient — this is a corn-based food marketed as 'steak'
❌ Meat and Bone Meal — unspecified rendered waste with 4D animal/pentobarbital risk
❌ Animal Fat — unspecified rendered fat from unknown species
❌ BHA — a known carcinogen used as a preservative
❌ FOUR artificial colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Blue 2) — all cancer-linked, all unnecessary
❌ Corn Gluten Meal and Soybean Meal used to artificially inflate protein numbers
❌ No named whole meat anywhere in the entire ingredient list
❌ The first real animal ingredient is Meat and Bone Meal — the lowest possible quality
❌ Sodium Selenite — cheap inorganic selenium
❌ The word 'steak' appears on the bag but there is no steak in this food
🧬 Potential Cancer-Linked Ingredients
☠️
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) −8 pts — Classified as an anticipated human carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program. Restricted in EU. Used here to preserve unnamed 'animal fat.' Safe alternatives like mixed tocopherols exist.
☠️
Yellow 5 −8 pts — Artificial azo dye linked to cancer and hypersensitivity. Banned or restricted in multiple countries. No nutritional purpose.
☠️
Yellow 6 −8 pts — Artificial azo dye with cancer links and allergic reaction risk. No nutritional purpose in pet food.
☠️
Red 40 −8 pts — Most common artificial dye in US foods. Linked to cancer in animal studies, behavioral issues. No nutritional purpose.
☠️
Blue 2 −8 pts — Artificial indigo dye linked to brain tumors in animal studies. No nutritional purpose.
📊 Score Breakdown
Start score100 pts
Ingredient penalties−58 pts
❌ No named whole-meat protein in top 3 ingredients−20 pts
❌ Primary protein source is a by-product, digest, or unspecified (Meat and Bone Meal)−15 pts
❌ Contains 'Meat and Bone Meal' (unspecified rendered ingredient)−10 pts
❌ Artificial colors present (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Blue 2)−8 pts
Final score0/100
💬 The Verdict

This is one of the worst dry dog foods on the American market. The #1 ingredient is corn. There is no named whole meat anywhere. The protein comes primarily from rendered mystery animals and cheap plant fillers. It contains a known carcinogenic preservative (BHA) and FOUR artificial dyes — all linked to cancer. Mars, one of the largest companies on Earth, chooses to put carcinogens and rendered mystery animals into this food because it maximizes profit. The 'Grilled Steak & Vegetable' name is pure fiction — there is no steak in this bag.

🧨 Final Verdict

Pedigree Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor scores a floor-scraping 0 out of 100 — an F grade. This food is a corn-based vehicle for rendered mystery animals, plant protein fillers, a known carcinogen (BHA), and four artificial dyes that serve no purpose except making kibble look pretty for humans. Mars, Incorporated — a company worth over $45 billion — chooses to use 'Meat and Bone Meal' (which can legally contain euthanized shelter animals and roadkill) and 'Animal Fat' (preserved with a carcinogen) as the primary animal ingredients. There is no steak. There is no real vegetable benefit. The 21% protein is heavily inflated by corn gluten meal and soybean meal. Senior dogs and dogs with existing health concerns are especially vulnerable to the long-term effects of carcinogenic preservatives and artificial dyes. This food is cheap to buy because it is cheap to make — and the animal pays the price with their health. There are far better options at every price point. Feed literally anything else.