Pet Food: Recalls, Fresh Brands, Prices and Nutrition — 2026-10-19
A major recall of fresh dog food in the UK due to vision loss reports highlights safety concerns in fresh diets, while a new investigation reveals heavy metals in 99% of cat foods tested. Meanwhile, Freshpet announced its upcoming Q3 earnings, and recent data shows pet food prices outpacing general grocery inflation.
Pet Food: Recalls, Fresh Brands, Prices and Nutrition — 2026-10-19
Top developments
UK Pet Food Company Recalls All Fresh Dog Meals Over Vision Loss Reports
A UK-based subscription pet food brand has recalled all its fresh dog meals as a precautionary measure following reports of dogs experiencing sudden bilateral dry eye and vision loss. The company is investigating its buckwheat ingredient as a potential cause of these adverse reactions. This recall underscores the safety scrutiny facing fresh and raw food brands, particularly those using novel or less common ingredients like buckwheat.
Investigation Finds Heavy Metals in 99% of Cat Foods Tested
A recent investigation by the Clean Label Project tested 100 cat food products from 62 brands and found lead in 99% of the samples, along with cadmium, arsenic, and plastic contaminants in nearly half of the tested foods. The Pet Food Institute (PFI) disputes the study's findings, arguing they lack the necessary scientific and regulatory context for interpretation. This report intensifies the ongoing debate over the safety and nutritional quality of commercial pet foods, particularly regarding heavy metal contamination.
Freshpet to Report Q3 2026 Results in November
Freshpet, Inc. announced that it will report its third-quarter 2026 financial results on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The quarter ended on September 30, and the company will host a live call at 8 a.m. ET, with a telephonic playback available until November 18. As a leading player in the fresh pet food market, Freshpet's earnings are closely watched for insights into consumer demand for premium, refrigerated pet diets.
Pet Food Prices Continue to Outpace General Grocery Inflation
Recent data indicates that pet food prices are rising faster than general grocery prices. In July, pet food inflation jumped to 2.6%, outpacing the 2.2% year-over-year growth in overall grocery inflation. Industry analyst John Gibbons reported a 0.5% month-over-month increase in pet food prices during this period. This trend, often referred to as "petflation," continues to pressure pet owners' budgets and influences purchasing decisions toward value-oriented products.
Local view
In Germany, a recall has been issued by Fressnapf Tiernahrungs GmbH for specific batches of cat food. Local media outlet sol.de reported on the recall, advising consumers to check for affected products. Additionally, recent test results from Stiftung Warentest highlighted that discount store cat food often outperforms more expensive branded alternatives in terms of quality and value, challenging the perception that higher price equates to better nutrition.
Context & numbers
- Heavy Metals in Cat Food: Lead was detected in 99% of 100 cat food products tested from 62 brands. Plastic contaminants were found in nearly 50% of the tested foods.
- Pet Food Inflation: Pet food prices rose 0.5% month-over-month in July, with year-over-year inflation at 2.6%, compared to 2.2% for general grocery items.
- Recall Frequency: According to RecallBench, there have been 20 pet food recalls in the last 12 months as of October 13, 2026.
On the radar
- Freshpet Q3 Earnings: Investors and industry analysts will be watching Freshpet's Q3 2026 earnings report scheduled for November 4, 2026, for insights into the fresh pet food market's performance.
- Continued Scrutiny on Fresh Diets: Following the UK recall involving vision loss and buckwheat, expect increased scrutiny on ingredient sourcing and safety testing for fresh and raw pet food brands.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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