From our research, we only found one recall on Alpo Dog food. In March of 2007, Alpo Prime Cuts was recalled due to possible melamine contamination.
The health and wellbeing of our furry friends is always a top priority, as any pet owner knows. Pet owners were understandably concerned when alarming reports that the well-known dog food brand Alpo may be to blame for the deaths of several dogs started to spread. An investigation by the U. S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating whether the deaths and the food are related at this time. Here’s what we know so far about the situation and what you can do to keep your dog safe in the interim.
Several types of dog food are being recalled. Codes for Alpo Prime Cuts Variety Packs range from 739 to 739 as well as from 937-934. In December 2020, Sportmix dog food was recalled after reports of at least 28 dog fatalities. According to the Food and Drug Administration, Sportmix pet food has been linked to more than 70 animal deaths and 80 illnesses in animals. Sportmix has confirmed that this incident resulted in the deaths of 28 of its dogs and the need for hospitalization of eight more. Many dog owners assert that consuming tainted dog food will cause their animals to pass away or get sick.
The business claimed that it was recalling the Alpo cans and pouches because it learned that the same supplier also supplied it with wheat gluten. Nestle claimed in a statement that one of Purina’s 17 pet food manufacturing facilities was where a small amount of contamination took place.
Alpo Chop House Dog Food is rated 2. It receives a score of 5 out of 5 because its main sources of animal protein include a moderate amount of named meat and unnamed meat-by-products. It should not be recommended.
In a lawsuit, Nestle Purina PetCare is charged with producing a fatal product that caused thousands of dogs to perish. The lawsuit claims that eight different types of Beneful dog food have led to internal bleeding, liver failure, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, seizures, bloat, and kidney failure in dogs.
Ground Yellow Corn, Meat and Bone Meal, Soybean Meal, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols, Corn Gluten Meal, Egg and Chicken Flavor, Natural Flavor, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Oxide, and Manganese Oxide]
Have You Had a Problem With Alpo?
Review Summary Our Final Verdict
We give Alpo dog food a rating of 2. 4 out of 5 stars.
Even though it’s currently one of his least popular brands, the Alpo brand is part of the Purina-Nestle family. One of the most well-known names in pet food, the dog food brand has been around for a very long time.
However, its name may not always connote recipes for premium dog food. These days, the variety of their wet and dry food options is pretty limited, but you might still be able to find them at Walmart, Petco, The Dollar Tree, and other local retailers.
The Alpo brand has largely disappeared as more dog food manufacturers have entered the market. Unfortunately, Alpo dog food has excellent price points but has fallen short when it comes to providing high-quality ingredients free of fillers and preservatives. Today, many pet owners seek out wholesome meals at reasonable costs.
Therefore, Alpo will work if you’re looking for a dog food brand that you can buy on the fly if you’re on a tight budget. However, you might want to avoid this brand if you’re looking for premium ingredients made from whole meats, vegetables, and grains.
Additionally, Alpo may not be the best food brand to support your dog’s health issues if they include gastrointestinal issues, allergies, stomach sensitivities, or yeast infections.
Which Alpo Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?
The Advisor gives Alpo Dog Food its lowest possible rating of 1 star.
There are 2 dry dog foods in the Alpo product line, which are listed below.
When available, the AAFCO nutrient profile of each recipe is included. These profiles include Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental, or Unspecified.
| Product | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Alpo Prime Cuts Savory Beef Flavor | 1 | M |
| Alpo Come and Get It Cookout Classics | 1 | M |
For a thorough recipe and nutrient analysis, Alpo Come and Get It Cookout Classics was chosen to represent both products in the line.
Using a dry matter basis, the label and nutrient data below were calculated.
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient ContentProtein =
Ingredients: Ground yellow corn, corn germ meal, beef and bone meal, soybean meal, beef fat preserved with mixed tocopherols, pork and bone meal, egg and chicken flavor, natural flavor, corn gluten meal, salt, potassium chloride, choline chloride, sodium selenite, natural grill flavor, vitamins [vitamin E supplement, niacin (vitamin B-3), vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate]
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 6.8%
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 18% | 9% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 21% | 10% | 62% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 19% | 22% | 58% |
The first ingredient in this dog food is corn. Corn is an inexpensive and controversial cereal grain. Additionally, this grain has only modest nutritional value for a dog, aside from its energy content.
Corn germ meal, which is made from ground corn germ after most of the oil has been removed, is the second component. A protein-rich byproduct of milling corn meal, hominy grits, and other corn products is called corn germ meal.
However, when assessing the meat content of this dog food, the protein present in corn germ meal (about 25% dry matter basis) must be taken into account.
Beef and bone meal, the third component, is a dry rendered product made from (beef) tissues, including bone, but not including blood, hair, hoof, horn, trimmings from hides, manure, stomach, or rumen contents.
Compared to most other meat meals, beef and bone meal might not have as much biological value.
Scientists speculate that the ingredient’s higher ash and lower content of essential amino acids may be to blame for the ingredient’s decreased protein quality.
Fortunately, beef and bone meals, which are meat concentrates, have nearly 300% more protein than fresh meat.
In any case, beef and bone meal is not regarded as a higher-quality ingredient in dog food.
The next component is soybean meal, which is typically found in farm animal feeds as a by-product of the production of soybean oil.
Despite having a protein content of 48 percent, soybean meal is anticipated to have a lower biological value than meat.
Additionally, less expensive plant-based goods like these can significantly increase the total protein stated on the label, which is a factor that must be taken into account when determining the actual meat content of this dog food.
The fifth ingredient is beef fat. Rendering, a process akin to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid, is most likely how beef fat (or tallow) is obtained.
Despite not sounding particularly enticing, beef fat is a high-quality ingredient.
Pork and bone meal, described as a dry product made from “(pork) tissues, including bone, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents,” is the sixth ingredient.
Pork and bone meal might be less digestible than the majority of other meat meals.
Scientists speculate that the ingredient’s higher ash content (about 25–30%) and lower essential amino acid content may be to blame for the ingredient’s decreased protein quality.
Pork and bone meals, which are meat concentrates and have nearly 300% more protein than fresh pork, are a plus.
Following the flavors of the egg, chicken, and natural flavor, we find corn gluten meal. When most of the starchy carbohydrates in corn have been washed out, gluten is what’s left behind.
Despite having 60% protein, corn gluten meal is expected to have a lower biological value than meat and can significantly increase the amount of protein listed on the label.
The list continues with a number of additional items after this.
But realistically, ingredients this low on the list (aside from nutritional supplements) are unlikely to have an impact on how this Alpo product is rated as a whole.
With 6 notable exceptions…
First off, adding artificial coloring to any pet food makes us sad. Because of this, coloring is used to enhance the product’s appeal to humans rather than your dog. Do you really believe that your dog is bothered by the color of his food?
Next, garlic can be a controversial item. Garlic has been connected to Heinz body anemia in dogs, despite the fact that many people prefer the ingredient due to its alleged health benefits.
Therefore, one must balance the potential advantages of feeding garlic with its known propensity to harm an animal’s red blood cells subclinically.
Additionally, there is no mention of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria added to kibble surfaces after processing to aid in digestion.
Next, it doesn’t seem like the minerals listed here have been chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually associated with higher quality dog foods.
Additionally, this recipe includes sodium selenite, a contentious selenium mineral form. In terms of nutrition, selenium yeast appears to be a more natural source of selenium than sodium selenite.
Last but not least, this dog food contains menadione, a contentious vitamin K form associated with liver toxicity, allergies, and the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells.
We question the inclusion of vitamin K in any canine formulation because AAFCO doesn’t specify that it be included in either of its dog food nutrient profiles.
The ingredients of Alpo Dog Food alone suggest that it will be a below-average dry product.
The dashboard shows a reading of 21% for dry matter protein, 10% for fat, and an estimated 62% for carbohydrates.
The brand’s average protein content is 21%, and its average fat content is 10%. Together, these data point to an overall product line carbohydrate content of 62%.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
Which means this Alpo product line contains…
Below-average protein. Below-average fat. Moreover, it contains more carbs than usual compared to a typical dry dog food.
This profile resembles a kibble with a small amount of meat because of the soybean meals, corn gluten, and corn germ’s ability to boost protein levels.
FAQ
Is there a recall on dog food 2022?
The table below lists all 2022 dog food recalls. Dog Food Recall 2022 — Full List. DateBrand NameProductFeb. Feb. 18, 2022, all national brands of pet food and treats at selected Family Dollar stores Dog Gone Dog Treats include chicken chips, beef liver chips, sweet potato chips, and others.
What happened to the dog food Alpo?
In 1995, Nestlé SA acquired Alpo Petfoods, Inc. from Grand Metropolitan. Nestlé SA announced the creation of the Nestlé Purina PetCare Company by merging Nestlé Friskies and Ralston Purina in January 2001.
What are the latest recalls on dog food?
Stormberg Foods’ dog food is the most recent brand to be recalled. Due to a possible Salmonella contamination, these brands’ products, including Beg & Barker Chicken Breast Strips Dog Treat, Billo’s Best Friend Chicken Breast Strips Dog Treat, and Green Coast Pets Chicken Crisps Dog Treat, are being recalled.
Is Purina Alpo safe?
Alpo is a dry dog food that is grain-inclusive and uses a small amount of named meat and bone meal as its primary source of animal protein, earning the company one star. Not recommended.