Flint River Ranch Ingredient and Product Testing and Evaluation

Because of the recent international boycott of IAMS and its subsidiary Eukanuba for cruel and inhumane testing of its foods on captive dogs and cats AllOurPets contacted Flint River Ranch regarding its philosophy and policies. What follows was received from corporate headquarters, and is unedited. For the reasons outlined below, we feel very confident in distributing these products.
Dika Golovatchoff, PhD, editor: All Our Pets Magazine, AllOurPets.com

"We primarily evaluate our product ingredients based upon formulation, industry history, computer analysis, certification, industry profiles and nutritional documentation of ingredients. Our feeding tests are concerned with palatability and proper feeding structure; however we make visual observations on skin, coat and activity levels.

Ingredients:

1. Written certification and documentation required from ingredient suppliers,

2. Upon delivery of ingredients, in-house testing and evaluation.

3. Before production, ingredients tested for product mix.

4. During production, product evaluated about every 10 minutes.

5. Product samples saved for 6-9 months.

Formula evaluation

1. Evaluation of market, need and in-house capabilities

2. Determination of the ingredient mix

3. Evaluation of ingredients by nutritionists

4. Adjustments to meet or exceed AAFCO and industry profiles

5. Evaluation of standard run, production and costs

6. Small production, mix run

7. In-house lab evaluation of completed formula for ingredient mix and nutrition.

8. Independent lab testing and evaluation of production run product – including ingredient mix, industry profiles, computer analysis of protein, fat, moisture, carbs “cook value” for value for digestion and other necessary nutritional information.

Animal Feeding and Testing

1. Short term testing by feeding the company’s staff pets and other in-house pets or palatability and to determine if it feeds well and the animals enjoy the product.

2. Feedback evaluation and adjustments.

3. We do not use contract laboratories for feeding tests. A term feeding of animal control group of various ages and breeds is provided in exchange for free food by an individual with a number of pets. We do visually monitor palatability, weight gain/loss, activity level, stool and urine, allergy sensitivities, hair and skin evaluation, adjustment of feeding amounts related to weight and other related evaluation for long term feeding- all in comparison with our formula and computer analysis documentation. This test and evaluation can run up to 5-6 months. Animals are fully monitored.

4. Results reviewed by in-house nutritionists and veterinarians.

5. Feeding test and evaluation by outside group of breeders for palatability, for free food.

6. Feeding test and evaluation by small group of consumer pet owners for palatability, for free food.

7. Ingredients and label reviewed by regulatory agriculture agencies.

No animals are destroyed or are involved in any type of medical surgery or physical invasion during the palatability testing and evaluation procedures. We depend upon the computerized analysis of the formula and ingredients, the quality of ingredients, the ingredients mix, evaluation by certified nutritionists and veterinarians, industry profiles, control group results and outside industry testing and evaluation standards. Animals are carefully monitored for any indication of health concerns or challenges.

The testing and evaluation process requires about 18 months. At this time, we are confident of the formula’s nutritional quality and our production controls. The final production is brought to the consumer market with continued monitoring of any challenges. We utilize standard formulas that are not changed regardless of ingredients pricing. For example, our oven-baked dog food has a 10 year history of customer satisfaction and demonstrated results in health and lifestyle.

Our Email: healthyfood@allourpets.com