Millions of families across the United States trust pet food companies to provide safe, healthy food for their animals. But a new investigation by the Clean Label Project found toxic contaminants in nearly ALL major cat food brands — including lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, pesticides, and even plastic chemicals.

These contaminants are known to damage the kidneys, bones, nervous system, and overall health of animals. Yet pet food in the U.S. has no strict federal limits for heavy metals, pesticides, or plastic chemicals. Companies are not required to test for these toxins or publicly report their results. This is a dangerous failure in the pet food supply chain, and families deserve better.

Pet owners buy food believing it is safe. We trust companies with our money and our pets’ lives. But these findings show that we are unknowingly feeding our animals contaminated products that can slowly harm them. And for many of us, our pets are not “just pets” — they are family members.

If these contaminants were found in human food at a grocery store, it would be a national emergency. The plant would be shut down, recalls would be issued immediately, and federal agencies would take action. Yet when the same toxins are found in pet food, the industry shrugs and continues selling it.

This is unacceptable.

We are calling on the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Congress, and AAFCO to take immediate action:

Establish enforceable contaminant limits for heavy metals, pesticides, and plastic chemicals in pet food
Require routine testing and public reporting from all pet food manufacturers
Strengthen oversight of ingredient suppliers, especially fish meal and plant-based sources
Increase funding for the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine
Require clear labeling so consumers can make informed choices
Hold companies accountable when contamination exceeds safe thresholds
Pets rely on us to protect them. We rely on regulators to ensure the food sold in stores is safe. This investigation proves that current standards are not enough.

We demand stronger regulations, mandatory testing, and transparency in the pet food industry. Our pets deserve safe food — and families deserve the truth.