IndexArticles
18th Apr 2006
VIP Petfoods today released a statement following a segment aired on CH7's Today Tonight, Monday 17 April 2006, which asserted that the use of sulphur dioxide in fresh pet food contributed to thiamine deficiency in pets.
Whilst we do not dispute the scientific fact that sulphur dioxide does break down Thiamine levels in food, we believe that the Today Tonight program failed to address the fact that reputable petfood manufacturers like VIP Petfoods make allowances for the depletion of Thiamine by adding additional levels of the nutrient at the time of manufacture to ensure the adequate Thiamine level of the products is maintained.
In response to the content of the Today Tonight program segment we would like to reassure our customers with some answers to questions that have been asked since the airing of the program:
Many foods that are consumed by humans on a daily basis including wine, sausages, fruit juices, dried fruits and gelatine use sulphur dioxide to act as a deterrent to bacteria and mould spore growth and to preserve the goodness of the products.
Like most commercially manufactured Petfoods including dried and canned products manufactured by other reputable suppliers, VIP Petfoods products have additional Thiamine (Vitamin B1) added during the manufacturing process. Thiamine is added in carefully measured quantities to ensure that the residual levels in the food are at or above the internationally recognised standards for petfood. VIP Petfoods products are formulated at a level set by Association of American Feed Control Officials which are recognised by animal nutritionists and veterinarians as the worldwide industry authority.
The inclusion of additional Thiamine ensures that the nutritional value of the petfood and the final Thiamine (Vitamin B1) levels consumed by your pet are not compromised by the use of Sulphur Dioxide.
In summary, all VIP Petfoods products are formulated to be completely safe for your dog or cat and can be fed with absolute confidence.
Sources of Thiamine include brewers yeast, meats, wheat germ, oatmeal, whole grains, meats, pork, fish, poultry, dried beans and peas, avocado, vegetables such as spinach and cauliflower, and thiamine enriched flours and cereals.
Exposure to Sulphur Dioxide can cause Thiamine levels to break down in food products. As a result Sulphur Dioxide levels in food need to be carefully monitored to ensure that it retains its nutritional value in regards to Thiamine (Vitamin B1) levels.
In a similar fashion Thiamine (Vitamin B1) in food can also be easily destroyed by cooking heat, is lost in the water used to cook food and it can be destroyed when food becomes alkaline.
Sulphur Dioxide is a naturally occurring substance. In the food manufacturing industry it is used to inhibit the growth of bacteria and as a vitamin C stabiliser.
Sulphur dioxide is a low dosage preservative for meat products – the only downside being a reaction that results in the depletion of Vitamin B1 and Thiamine in the meat.
VIP Petfoods adds additional Thiamine to its products in the production process to ensure that the overall Thiamine nutritional level is held at or above the level set by Association of American Feed Control Officials. Adding additional Thiamine counteracts the effect of the Sulphur Dioxide being added to products to act as a deterrent to bacteria and mould spore growth. The end result is that your pet is protected from the growth of bacteria in the food and the overall nutritional level of Thiamine is maintained at a high level.
In addition to the fresh VIP Pet mince products that you feed your cat and dog, VIP Petfoods in line with the advice provided by the majority of Veterinarians, animal nutritionists and pet care professionals suggest that the best balanced diet for pets includes a combination of fresh pet food and dry pet foods products such as VIP's Gourmet Cat varieties for cats & VIP Meaty Muesli for Dogs.
Like humans, variety is essential in a pets diet to ensure that they are receiving the full range of nutritional benefits they need for premium health.
For further information on this topic, please do not hesitate to contact VIP Petfoods consumer affairs officer on 0755 47 1700 or via email reception@vippetfoods.com.au
