Auckland based pet food company Butch has defended the use of garlic in one of its products for dogs, saying the level used presents no risk.
The News reader Emile Valkenborg raised the issue before Christmas, saying questions she had put to Countdown and the company had gone answered.
“Garlic is toxic to both cats and dogs as it contains the compound thiosulphate,” he said.
Butch company representative Jeff Roby told The News garlic was a beneficial addition and the company had used it for decades.
“Common sense seems to be lacking here, salt is also dangerous to health if consumed in large quantities,” he said.
“A dog or cat could not possibly consume enough Wag Garlic and Rice at once for the garlic addition to be harmful. The percentage of garlic powder added is well below harmful levels and as our type of food is not a concentrate, such as dry food, there is zero chance of accidently overdosing.
Jeff Roby says he is certain the dog food with garlic is safe for dogs like Bailey.
“Our garlic powder is dissolved in water before adding to the mix, there is no chance of dry clumps, the result, a well dispersed tiny percentage of garlic in the final product which is fully metabolized within a day of consumption.
“I’m certain that it is safe,” he said.
Another pet food company, Purina, on its website talks of the potential health issues garlic presents, but acknowledges “some people think the nutrients can be beneficial”.
New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said it received a complaint about garlic as an ingredient in the petfood product in question in mid-December “which is currently being investigated”.
MPI had received no notifications of related illness related to the product.
Countdown told The News it understood the percentage of garlic powder added is below harmful levels and there is a very low chance of overdose.
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