The Difference Between Hot Dogs and Pet Food – Truth about Pet Food

Originally posted on the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) website in 2013, and reposted on Food Safety News in 2022, is an informational article from USDA about hot dogs; what’s in them, and how they are regulated.

The USDA gives hot dog consumers some very detailed information, an explanation of this food – such as:

Searching multiple FDA webpages about pet food, we found…

With USDA’s explanation of hot dogs, the agency takes a common sense approach to food safety stating:

The FDA takes a common sense approach to food safety with kibble and canned pet foods, but takes a panic-stricken approach to raw pet food telling pet owners:

The USDA has never told consumers not to eat any particular style of food.

The USDA provides hot dog consumers a detailed explanation of the Sell by, Use by, Best if used by dates required on hotdog labels.

But the FDA…

The USDA gives hot dog consumers details about byproduct use in hot dogs:

It’s significant to note, the USDA requires hot dogs to contain a minimum percentage of meat when byproducts are included, and requires hot dog labels to disclose the exact byproduct used (“heart, kidney, or liver, for example“).

But the FDA with pet food…

And, all in this one post from USDA, this federal agency provides hot dog consumers an explanation of meat derived by Advanced Meat Bone Separation, Mechanically Separated Meat, and Mechanically Separated Poultry. Further, the USDA requires hot dog labels to disclose to consumers if meats sourced from these processes are used in the product.

But…the FDA with pet food…

Note: The information or lack of information provided by FDA on pet food was obtained (or not obtained) by searching a minimum of 10 different webpages on the FDA website. The information provided by USDA on hot dogs was obtained in one webpage.

Pet food consumers deserve the same transparency and explanations from their regulatory agency as hot dog consumers are provided. Not that FDA will listen (but it’s always good for them to hear your pet food concerns), pet owners can email the FDA at: AskCVM@fda.hhs.gov.

Wishing you and your pet the best –

Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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