Natural Balance Pet Foods
Encyclopedia
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods is an American commercial pet food
manufacturer with its headquarters located in Pacoima, Los Angeles
, California
. Established in 1989 by actor Dick Van Patten
, the company markets itself as "Food For a Lifetime" and promotes itself as having "the finest food you can buy for your pet." The current President is Joey Herrick and Executive Vice President is Frank Koch.
show. Van Patten had lunch with the show's band drummer who rescued dogs and cats. Van Patten told him when he was a kid he had snake
s, alligator
s, and every kind of animal you could imagine. The drummer and Van Patten had an idea of making a health food for dogs. At the time, Van Patten played tennis with a veterinarian
and she said the food had to have no filler, no wheat
, no corn
, no soy and no by-products.
The company lost money at first, as they expanded their markets, things picked up when Petco
opened 625 stores.. Then, more pet specialty stores wanted the products when the "natural" segment started to grow.
product named "Organic Formulas" is certified organic
by independent body Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA), .
and has created zoological products which are specifically for carnivore
s in zoo
s and wild animal parks and not sold to the general public
. These foods were developed by Director of Zoological Product Research and Development Dr. Martin R. Dinnes
, a founding member of the American College of Zoological Medicine
.
Natural Balance's zoological formulas are used by, among others, Big Cat Rescue
, Tippi Hedren's Shambala Preserve
, Toledo Zoo
, San Diego Zoo
, San Diego Wild Animal Park
and SeaWorld
.
Arson Investigation and Explosives Detection Canines.
On April 27, Natural Balance issued its second recall for three canned dog food and one canned cat food. Like the first recall, the contaminants were melamine
in rice protein concentrates. As with the venison based formulas, rice protein concentrate was not on the list of ingredients of the four products. This time, Natural Balance claimed that their canned food manufacturer American Nutrition, Inc (ANI) added the rice protein concentrate without their knowledge or consent, calling it a "manufacturing deviation". In response, ANI issued a press release denying any deliberate or intentionally wrongful conduct, claiming that "customers specifically required rice-based formulations".
outbreak, associated with its producer Castleberry's Food Company
. No illnesses were reported with the pet food.
Both laboratories are cited to use ELISA
testing for Aflatoxin
, DON Vomitoxin, Melamine
, Cyanuric acid
, Zearalone (Mycotoxin)
, Ochratoxin
, Fumonisin, Salmonella
, Ecoli.
notification regarding any pet industry news that could affect their pets. They are also the first known pet food manufacturer to offer data base test results on Aflatoxin, DON Vomitoxin, Zearalone (Mycotoxin), Ochratoxin, Fumonisin, Salmonella, Ecoli, Melamine and Cyanuric Acid to consumers through their website using the best by code on each food container.
Pet food
Pet food is plant or animal material intended for consumption by pets. Typically sold in pet stores and supermarkets, it is usually specific to the type of animal, such as dog food or cat food...
manufacturer with its headquarters located in Pacoima, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Established in 1989 by actor Dick Van Patten
Dick Van Patten
Richard Vincent "Dick" Van Patten is an American actor, best known for his role as patriarch Tom Bradford on the television sitcom Eight is Enough. He began work as a child actor and was successful on the [New York] stage, appearing in more than a dozen plays as a teenager...
, the company markets itself as "Food For a Lifetime" and promotes itself as having "the finest food you can buy for your pet." The current President is Joey Herrick and Executive Vice President is Frank Koch.
History
Natural Balance began in 1989 when Van Patten was a guest on John Davidson'sJohn Davidson (entertainer)
John Hamilton Davidson, Sr. is an American singer, actor and game show host known for hosting That's Incredible!, Time Machine, and Hollywood Squares in the 1980s, and a revival of The $100,000 Pyramid in 1991....
show. Van Patten had lunch with the show's band drummer who rescued dogs and cats. Van Patten told him when he was a kid he had snake
Snake
Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...
s, alligator
Alligator
An alligator is a crocodilian in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae. There are two extant alligator species: the American alligator and the Chinese alligator ....
s, and every kind of animal you could imagine. The drummer and Van Patten had an idea of making a health food for dogs. At the time, Van Patten played tennis with a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
and she said the food had to have no filler, no wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
, no corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
, no soy and no by-products.
The company lost money at first, as they expanded their markets, things picked up when Petco
PETCO
PETCO is a chain of retail stores that offers pet supplies and services such as grooming and dog training. Founded in 1965 and incorporated in Delaware, it is headquartered in San Diego, California...
opened 625 stores.. Then, more pet specialty stores wanted the products when the "natural" segment started to grow.
Products
According to Van Patten, Natural Balance products are made from high quality ingredients and carefully selected. The product line includes L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets, Original Ultra, and specializes in zoological formulas as referenced below.Pet food formulas
Natural Balance has a large variety of both dog and cat formulas in dry, treats or canned form. The product range includes reduced calorie, grain-free, limited ingredient diets, low allergy, and vegetarian (for dogs) formulations. Other products include dog food rolls, and HEALTHY BONES for dogs. A chicken-based organicOrganic food
Organic foods are foods that are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.For the...
product named "Organic Formulas" is certified organic
Organic certification
Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, [food] processors, retailers and restaurants.Requirements vary...
by independent body Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA), .
Zoological formulas
Natural Balance is a member of Association of Zoos and AquariumsAssociation of Zoos and Aquariums
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums was founded in 1924 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.The AZA headquarters is located in Silver...
and has created zoological products which are specifically for carnivore
Carnivore
A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging...
s in zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
s and wild animal parks and not sold to the general public
General Public
General Public were a band formed by The Beat vocalists, Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger, and which included former members of Dexy's Midnight Runners, The Specials and The Clash...
. These foods were developed by Director of Zoological Product Research and Development Dr. Martin R. Dinnes
Martin R. Dinnes
Martin R. Dinnes is a renowned veterinarian from Agua Dulce, California recognized for his accomplishments in the profession of veterinary medicine....
, a founding member of the American College of Zoological Medicine
American College of Zoological Medicine
American College of Zoological Medicine was established in 1983 as an international specialty organization of veterinarians with special expertise in zoological medicine.The ACZM was established to encourage medical research that benefits wild animals...
.
Natural Balance's zoological formulas are used by, among others, Big Cat Rescue
Big Cat Rescue
Big Cat Rescue is an animal sanctuary in Tampa, Florida devoted to rescuing wild cats, as well as sheltering animals unfit to return to the wild. It is home to more than 100 wild cats....
, Tippi Hedren's Shambala Preserve
Shambala Preserve
Shambala Preserve is a wild animal preserve established in 1972 and located in Acton, California, a desert community 10 miles southwest of Palmdale, off of State Route 14 and Sierra Highway.-About:...
, Toledo Zoo
Toledo Zoo
Toledo Zoo is a zoo located in Toledo, Ohio. The zoo began in 1900 as Toledo Zoological Gardens and operated by the City of Toledo's Parks Board. In 1982 ownership was transferred from the city to Toledo Zoological Society, a private non-profit organization, and professionalized the zoo's management...
, San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, is one of the most progressive zoos in the world, with over 4,000 animals of more than 800 species...
, San Diego Wild Animal Park
San Diego Wild Animal Park
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, formerly known as the San Diego Wild Animal Park, is a zoo in the San Pasqual Valley area of San Diego, California, near Escondido. It is one of the largest tourist attractions in San Diego County. The Park houses a large array of wild and endangered animals including...
and SeaWorld
SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a United States chain of marine mammal parks, oceanariums, and animal theme parks owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. The parks feature captive orca, sea lion, and dolphin shows and zoological displays featuring various other marine animals. There are operations in Orlando,...
.
Programs
Natural Balance is the official dog food of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice...
Arson Investigation and Explosives Detection Canines.
Recalls
On April 16, 2007 the FDA was informed by Natural Balance that they had received complaints from consumers regarding Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Food. Animals were reported to have vomited and experienced kidney failures. On April 17 Natural Balance issued a voluntary recall for all its Venison dog products and its dry Venison cat food after lab results showed that the products contained melamine. The source of melamine was believed to be from rice protein concentrate. Natural Balance claims that rice protein concentrate was a recent addition to the Venison formula. Many customers were furious that a product (Venison and Peas), marketed as a grain free allergy formula with a single source protein and single source carbohydrate, could have a significant formula change not reflected in the product labeling or website. The Natural Balance website's FAQ page no longer addresses the rice protein concentrate issue.On April 27, Natural Balance issued its second recall for three canned dog food and one canned cat food. Like the first recall, the contaminants were melamine
Melamine
Melamine is an organic base and a trimer of cyanamide, with a 1,3,5-triazine skeleton. Like cyanamide, it contains 66% nitrogen by mass and, if mixed with resins, has fire retardant properties due to its release of nitrogen gas when burned or charred, and has several other industrial uses....
in rice protein concentrates. As with the venison based formulas, rice protein concentrate was not on the list of ingredients of the four products. This time, Natural Balance claimed that their canned food manufacturer American Nutrition, Inc (ANI) added the rice protein concentrate without their knowledge or consent, calling it a "manufacturing deviation". In response, ANI issued a press release denying any deliberate or intentionally wrongful conduct, claiming that "customers specifically required rice-based formulations".
Botulism
Additionally, in July 2007, certain Natural Balance canned pet foods were recalled after it was determined that they were involved in a large-scale BotulismBotulism
Botulism also known as botulinus intoxication is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by botulinum toxin which is metabolic waste produced under anaerobic conditions by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and affecting a wide range of mammals, birds and fish...
outbreak, associated with its producer Castleberry's Food Company
Castleberry's Food Company
Castleberry's Food Company was an Augusta, Georgia-based canned food company founded in the 1920s by Clement Stewart Castleberry with the help of his father Clement Lamar Castleberry and closed permanently in March 2008 by the United States Food and Drug Administration.The company grew from a...
. No illnesses were reported with the pet food.
Laboratories
- Natural Balance bases its food safety claims on owning a fully equipped laboratoryLaboratoryA laboratory is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. The title of laboratory is also used for certain other facilities where the processes or equipment used are similar to those in scientific laboratories...
utilizing liquid chromatography, mass spectrometryMass spectrometryMass spectrometry is an analytical technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio of charged particles.It is used for determining masses of particles, for determining the elemental composition of a sample or molecule, and for elucidating the chemical structures of molecules, such as peptides and...
, using a Nitrogen Phosphorus DetectorNitrogen Phosphorus DetectorThe nitrogen phosphorus detector is a form of gas chromatography in which thermal energy is used to ionize an analyte. With this method, nitrogen and phosphorus can be selectively detected with a sensitivity that is 104 times greater than that for carbon....
, and spectrophotometric testing. - Natural Balance also states that it has employed a third party testing laboratory called Midwest Laboratories of Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, NebraskaOmaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. Midwest tests agricultural analysis of soilSoilSoil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics...
, plantPlantPlants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Precise definitions of the kingdom vary, but as the term is used here, plants include familiar organisms such as trees, flowers, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses, and green algae. The group is also called green plants or...
tissue, feedsFodderFodder or animal feed is any agricultural foodstuff used specifically to feed domesticated livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, horses, chickens and pigs. Most animal feed is from plants but some is of animal origin...
, pesticidePesticidePesticides are substances or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.A pesticide may be a chemical unicycle, biological agent , antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against any pest...
analysis, waterWaterWater is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
analysis and microbiological analysis for food, pet foodPet foodPet food is plant or animal material intended for consumption by pets. Typically sold in pet stores and supermarkets, it is usually specific to the type of animal, such as dog food or cat food...
, fertilizerFertilizerFertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. A recent assessment found that about 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to commercial fertilizer use...
, nematodeNematodeThe nematodes or roundworms are the most diverse phylum of pseudocoelomates, and one of the most diverse of all animals. Nematode species are very difficult to distinguish; over 28,000 have been described, of which over 16,000 are parasitic. It has been estimated that the total number of nematode...
s, biosolids, petroleumPetroleumPetroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
, and hazardous wasteHazardous wasteA hazardous waste is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. According to the U.S. environmental laws hazardous wastes fall into two major categories: characteristic wastes and listed wastes.Characteristic hazardous wastes are materials that are known...
.
Both laboratories are cited to use ELISA
ELISA
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay , is a popular format of a "wet-lab" type analytic biochemistry assay that uses one sub-type of heterogeneous, solid-phase enzyme immunoassay to detect the presence of a substance in a liquid sample."Wet lab" analytic biochemistry assays involves detection of an...
testing for Aflatoxin
Aflatoxin
Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins that are produced by many species of Aspergillus, a fungus, the most notable ones being Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxins are toxic and among the most carcinogenic substances known...
, DON Vomitoxin, Melamine
Melamine
Melamine is an organic base and a trimer of cyanamide, with a 1,3,5-triazine skeleton. Like cyanamide, it contains 66% nitrogen by mass and, if mixed with resins, has fire retardant properties due to its release of nitrogen gas when burned or charred, and has several other industrial uses....
, Cyanuric acid
Cyanuric acid
Cyanuric acid or 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triol is a chemical compound with the formula 3. Like many industrially useful chemicals, this triazine has many synonyms. This white, odorless solid finds use as a precursor or a component of bleaches, disinfectants, and herbicides...
, Zearalone (Mycotoxin)
Mycotoxin
A mycotoxin is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by organisms of the fungus kingdom, commonly known as molds. The term ‘mycotoxin’ is usually reserved for the toxic chemical products produced by fungi that readily colonize crops...
, Ochratoxin
Ochratoxin
Ochratoxins are a group of mycotoxins produced by some Aspergillus species and Penicillium species including Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium viridicatum...
, Fumonisin, Salmonella
Salmonella
Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, predominantly motile enterobacteria with diameters around 0.7 to 1.5 µm, lengths from 2 to 5 µm, and flagella which grade in all directions . They are chemoorganotrophs, obtaining their energy from oxidation and reduction...
, Ecoli.
Testing protocol
According to Natural Balance, the accuracy and reproducibility of the tests have earned official approvals and third party validations, including:- AOAC InternationalAOAC InternationalAOAC International is a non-profit scientific association with headquarters in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA. It publishes standardised, chemical analysis methods designed to increase confidence in results of chemical and microbiologic analyses...
- International Union of Pure and Applied ChemistryInternational Union of Pure and Applied ChemistryThe International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry is an international federation of National Adhering Organizations that represents chemists in individual countries. It is a member of the International Council for Science . The international headquarters of IUPAC is located in Zürich,...
- Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards AdministrationGrain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards AdministrationThe Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that facilitates the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and related agricultural products, and promotes fair and competitive trading practices for the...
- Food Safety and Inspection ServiceFood Safety and Inspection ServiceThe Food Safety and Inspection Service , an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture , is the public health agency responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged...
Consumer reassurance
Natural Balance states that it is the first known pet food company to offer emailEmail
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
notification regarding any pet industry news that could affect their pets. They are also the first known pet food manufacturer to offer data base test results on Aflatoxin, DON Vomitoxin, Zearalone (Mycotoxin), Ochratoxin, Fumonisin, Salmonella, Ecoli, Melamine and Cyanuric Acid to consumers through their website using the best by code on each food container.