CVSC Feed Monitoring Results: Products Found Exceeding Calcium and Phosphorus Standards

It has been confirmed that there are significant discrepancies between the nutritional ingredient values labeled on pet food packaging and the actual detected nutritional components. According to the results of a pet food quality screening conducted by CVSC, a pet food quality evaluation agency, 8 out of 10 tested products were judged to have failed evaluation.

Discrepancy Between Labeled Values and Actual Detected Amounts, Caution Advised for Calcium and Phosphorus Levels

According to a video from the CarePet YouTube channel, CVSC's monitoring results showed that in some pet foods, the registered ingredient amounts listed on the packaging differed greatly from the actual test values. In particular, there were cases where calcium and phosphorus contents were detected at excessively high levels, requiring caution from guardians.

The first food mentioned is a product that previously received high scores in terms of cost-effectiveness and nutritional ingredients in CarePet content. The packaging stated crude ash 11.9% or less, calcium 1.8% or more, and phosphorus 1.4% or more, but the actual CVSC test results detected crude ash 12.35%, calcium 3.23%, and phosphorus 2.2%. These figures exceed both the upper limits for calcium (2.5%) and phosphorus (1.6%) recommended by AAFCO. The video explained that if calcium or phosphorus content is excessively high, it can cause kidney dysfunction or stones in pets, so caution is needed during long-term consumption.

The second food is a cost-effective product frequently chosen by cat guardians; while the registered ingredient amounts were labeled as calcium 0.8% or more and phosphorus 0.6% or more, the actual test values were calcium 2.44% and phosphorus 1.56%. These figures are more than three times higher than the labeled values. The video pointed out that long-term feeding of this product could place a burden on the kidneys.

In the case of the third and fourth foods, the contents of protein, fat, and crude ash, etc., were found to fall below the labeled standard values. The third food was labeled as crude protein 22% or more, crude fat 14% or more, and crude ash 7.1% or less, but was actually measured at 19.34%, 12.07%, and 9.11%, respectively. The fourth food also had a fat content labeled as 13% or more, but the actual test value was only 8.51%, showing a difference that could affect calorie calculations. The video mentioned that such cases of falling short could infringe upon the consumer's right to know, and efforts are needed to revise ingredient registration tables or reduce deviations between samples.

Changes in Pet Policy and Administrative Departments

Changes have also occurred in the administrative system related to pets. Previously, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs had been in charge of pet-related administration, but recently, the Companion Animal Policy Committee was newly established under the Prime Minister's Office. This is a measure to discuss matters requiring consultation between departments that are difficult for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to decide alone. The committee discussed topics such as entry to pet-friendly restaurants, promoting the welfare of national service animals, and care plans when entering welfare facilities. The video emphasized that when supply issues for essential medical supplies like syringes or IV fluids occur in medical settings, consultation between the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is important, and expressed expectations for the role of the Policy Committee.

Additionally, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety launched the 'Emergency Response Team for Unfair Food Practices' to respond to unfair food advertisements and fake information. However, the video specified that since pet food is subject to the Feed Control Act rather than the Food Sanitation Act and falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, pet food is not included in the scope of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's response team. Accordingly, opinions were presented that active responses are also needed in the pet food field.

Policies regarding pet food nutrition standards have also become more specific. The pet food nutrition standards created by the independent National Institute of Animal Science in 2024 are scheduled to be implemented from September 3, 2028. Once this system is implemented, only products that satisfy the nutrition standards can be labeled as 'complete food,' and standards for exaggerated or false advertising will be strengthened, such as requiring the disclosure of specific ingredient contents when emphasizing them. The video conveyed the opinion that this system should be made in a direction that provides practical help to consumers.

Disease Alerts and Other Pet Issues

With the recent rise in temperature, caution is required regarding SFTS, a tick-borne disease. A confirmed case of SFTS in a dog occurred at an animal hospital in the Suwon area. SFTS is a fatal disease that can also be transmitted to humans, spreading through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected animal. The video advised that if a pet shows a high fever of over 40 degrees Celsius, loss of appetite, or lethargy after a walk, they should immediately visit an animal hospital for a diagnosis.

Meanwhile, an emergency suspension order was issued for a feed additive in which ASF virus genes were detected, but it was explained that this is a product intended to increase immunity in pigs and is not added to dog and cat food, so it does not transmit to pets. Additionally, news was included that the life-extension drug (LOY-002) being developed by the U.S. biotechnology company Loyal has passed the safety evaluation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with a warning to be careful of supplement advertisements using similar names. The video added that supplements claiming life extension are being sold using names similar to Royal, so extra caution is needed when selecting products.