Finally, the test results.  Samples of both the retained samples of the actual production run for Donna’s food (the retain sample is a composite of the entire production run and does include a representative sample of Donna’s food, including a sample taken directly in the middle of the two samples that she sent us - i.e. Donna’s samples were stamped 2019 and 2022; our retain is time stamped 2021) and the premix used in that production was sent to two different laboratories for testing.  As expected, both tests have come back negative for acetaminophen contamination.  Please follow this link for scans of the results including the test for cyanuric acid and melamine: 

http://www.naturapet.com/about-natura/labresults.asp

It is important that I apologize to all of our loyal customers, employees, retailers and, yes, even Donna for not handling this situation better.  Until I spoke with Donna on June 13th, Natura did not have knowledge of her Expertox test results.  After speaking with her, I directed that the samples that she sent us be tested at another lab for melamine, cyanuric acid and acetaminophen (note the date on the Midwest Laboratories test result link and you can see that immediate action was taken).  However, it was more difficult to find laboratories that could test for acetaminophen; and once we settled on the UC Davis and Expertox labs, we learned that they were backed-up and our test requests could take several weeks to complete.  During that time I was traveling on business and neglected to make the effort needed to make sure that Donna was kept in the loop and informed of these testing delays.

Natura is, always has been, and will continue to be committed to making the healthiest pet foods in the world.  I hope that these independent laboratory analyses will address your concerns and validate that our foods are in no way harmful to your pets. 

As President of Natura Pet Products, I want to alleviate any concerns that might have been raised by a recent report that traces of cyanuric acid and acetaminophen were found in any Innova products.  Upon receiving a report of such a claim from a woman named Donna, we investigated and found no evidence of this to be the case.  Here are the details.

Donna notified us that she had test results indicating black and beige chunks of unknown substance embedded in the kibble in two 33-lb. bags of Innova adult dry dog food had traces of cyanuric acid and acetaminophen.  We requested that she send samples to us so that Midwest Laboratories could test for these contaminates.  We also asked Midwest Laboratories to test the vitamin premix that was used in its production.  The test results came back negative.

Donna had no veterinarian collaboration of the pet’s illness so we asked her to send us a copy of her test results, as well as the details of the testing protocols that were used.  She has not responded to our calls. We eagerly await her response so that we can completely put this issue to rest.  Donna’s complaint is the only report that we have had related to pet illness on the product date code she gave us, or any other date code.

Innova extruded pet products are produced at a plant that is owned and operated by Natura.  Although Natura has not been implicated in any of the recent recalls, the company is committed to producing the healthiest pet food in the world and has pledged to test all of their products to ensure 100% safety. As part of its 121-point quality control program, Natura tests all of its products for melamine cyanuric acid contamination.

Nothing is more important to us than being able to tell our distributors, retailers and customers with absolute certainty that we are providing them with pet food that is healthy and safe. 

Peter Atkins