These ingredients are defined by law as “adulterated,” and they are illegal in ANY food product, whether for human or animal consumption. 

Yet, they are there, and I’ve read the test results that prove it.  But have you ever seen a pet food label with “adulterated” on it?  That’s because if you did, and if you knew what adulterated ingredients really are, you would probably buy something else, wouldn’t you?  

That’s why we need “Little Man’s Law.” 

My name is Jonathon Scott Payne, and I want to tell you about a member of my family.  His name was Little Man.  He was an incredible creature and the best friend I ever had.  In late 2012, he survived a terrible ordeal even though he probably shouldn’t have.  It was quite miraculous, and I wrote and published a book about it.  I thought his story was complete.  It wasn't.  Later, something else happened, and Little Man survived that, too.  But in so doing, he brought the truth to light. 

The truth is that pet foods contain illegal, adulterated ingredients because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as a matter of policy, allows this to happen. 

Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), a food shall be determined to be adulterated if, among other things, it contains poisonous or insanitary ingredients, it consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substances, or it is the product of a diseased animal or of an animal which has died otherwise than by slaughter.  

However, per the Compliance Policy Guidance (CPG) of the FDA, pet food prepared using parts of a diseased animal or of an animal which has died otherwise than by slaughter, a violation of Section 402(a)5 of the FFDCA, “will not ordinarily be actionable, if it is not otherwise in violation of the law.”  The compliance policy then specifically states that pet food prepared in this way “will be considered fit for animal consumption.” 

In other words, the FDA has made it clear that as long as the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is violated only with regard to pet food, but not human food, that’s ok.  After all, they’re just animals, right? 

What this means is that things like road kill and even the euthanized carcasses of shelter animals can wind up as pet food per the compliance policy of the FDA. 

Unfortunately, it also means something else.

Ever wonder why we’ve heard so many bad things about pet food ingredients and treats imported from China?  There are no animal welfare regulations in China.  None.  That means animals of any type can be treated any way at all without fear of persecution.  And they are treated worse than you ever imagined (WARNING:  GRAPHIC).  Some animals, especially in the Chinese fur trade, are skinned alive.  That includes rabbits, foxes, and yes, even cats and dogs.  It is said this is done because it prevents unnecessary damage to the pelt.  It has also been suggested that many Chinese prefer the taste of “adrenaline-soaked meat.”  Parts left over are supposedly “rendered” and shipped to the United States and elsewhere for use in pet food products.

Even if we ignore the immorality of such activities, there are serious consequences to these killing methods.  I have a report that explains when an animal is treated this way before or while being killed, the levels of muscle glycogen, lactic acid, and pH are all affected.  It means that any meat “harvested” in this manner has a short shelf life and provides "an ideal medium for the growth of contaminating bacteria."  The report also says the meat “is not fit for consumption.”  And since the FFDCA also considers a food to be adulterated even if only it may have become contaminated, that means virtually every pet food product imported from China is adulterated.

This becomes an even bigger problem when we consider that transportation and refrigeration regulations for items intended for pet food are much less restrictive than for items intended for human food.

With all this in consideration, what we have is a perfect storm of circumstances leading to thousands of dead pets.  Adulterated ingredients are the eye of that storm.

This is unacceptable.  We have watched our pets suffer illnesses and die because of these products.  I can point you to a list of over a thousand complaints against one pet food manufacturer alone that horrifically describes the suffering experienced by pets after eating these products.  I’ve read countless heart-wrenching stories of people who lost their entire household of multiple pets due to contaminated pet foods. 

But what can we do about it?

Let’s face facts.  We can’t do anything directly about what happens in other countries.  Apparently, we can’t stop the use of adulterated foods in pet food products; they’re already illegal, it’s just that the FDA knowingly allows this to happen.  And people have been trying for years and years to convince the FDA to change their compliance policy.  But the problem still remains.

I seek a simple solution:  enactment of the Federal Pet Food Labeling and Advertising Act, also known as “Little Man’s Law.”

Little Man’s Law will require a label be included on the packaging and advertising of all pet food products containing adulterated ingredients.  It’s all about disclosure.  If the FDA is going to allow illegal activity, then we have the right to know.

Why do I think this will work?  Because when Fluffy’s mommy goes online, to the grocery store, the pet store, her veterinarians’ clinic, or anywhere else pet foods are sold, she will see a label that says:

WARNING:  This product is adulterated.

And she will buy something else.  Once their sales begin to fall, pet food manufacturers who use these illegal ingredients will either change their ways or give up their businesses so that those who do NOT use these ingredients can take over the industry.

And maybe, just maybe, if we reduce the demand for the stuff coming out of China, then maybe they’ll reduce their brutal and cruel ways.

Little Man and all the pets who have suffered because of these so-called pet foods are most certainly NOT “just animals.”  They are family, and they deserve better.

Please support Little Man’s Law.  Our pets’ lives depend on it.

Sincerely,

Jonathon S. Payne