Dog Community

Removed amaranth from Ocean Blue?

Posted : 3/10/2006 1:59:47 PM

Just looked up Ocean Blue on Timberwolf's site and amaranth is no longer listed:

Low Ash White Fish Meal, Salmon, Potatoes, Sardine/Mackerel/Anchovy/Tuna Oils, Kelp, Alfalfa Leaf, Potassium Chloride, Carrot, Watercress, Spinach, Celery, Parsley, Fennel Seed, Blueberries, Cranberries, Pears, Figs, Thyme, Anise Seed, Ground Cinnamon Bark, Fenugreek, Garlic Pieces, Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Apples, Taurine, Spirulina, Choline Chloride, Lecithin, Probiotics: (Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Lactis, Bacillus Bifidum, Streptococcus Diacetilactis, Bacillus Subtillus), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols (a source of vitamin E), Lysine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine, Methionine, Carnitine, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Iodine Proteinate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine (a source of vitamin B6), Copper Proteinate, Selenium Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Papain, Yucca Schidigera Extract.

sooner

Posted : 3/10/2006 2:02:15 PM

Actually I just looked and where last week amaranth was listed in every formula except Wild & Natural, now it's gone out of all the ingredient lists.

sadiebear

Posted : 3/10/2006 3:53:33 PM

Interesting, I wonder why? Sadie eats the Lamb and Apples formula.

sooner

Posted : 3/10/2006 4:02:32 PM

Did you see the other thread on amaranth? It's actually not approved to be in dog food, lovenewfies had a letter from the FDA and had e-mailed several companies that use it. Timberwolf was one of the ones that didn't respond to his inquiry. But there also seems to be a consensus (on another board) that it's a good alternative grain and very healthy. Who knows? I'm just surprised to see that Timberwolf removed it from the lists, because they didn't change their stock amounts, so I'm assuming they're still selling the food with it included and maybe what's manufactured from now on won't include it?

[linkhttp://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=300]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=300[/link]

sadiebear

Posted : 3/10/2006 4:28:19 PM

Yeah I did see the other thread, also myorganicpets says they do not use the grain but actaully a leafy type of it. From what I know she works with them and can get reliable information.

sooner

Posted : 3/10/2006 4:35:49 PM

That they use the leaf is another reason I'm surprised they removed it, because the controversy seemed to be about the grain.

I just thought it was odd was all. I'd love to know more about why.

And I'm a little wrapped up in it because that first thread made me wonder about the safety of it, so I posted somewhere else where they said it was fine, so I ordered a bag of Ocean Blue, then I come back here and find out they use the leaf so no worries about the grain, but apparently the leaf is high in oxalic acid which inhibits the absorption of calcium (in humans), then when I went to the Timberwolf site I find out that they've removed it, but I'm not sure what the ingredients are in the bag I'm getting. Geez, amaranth has pretty well taken up my morning. Better than working I guess [

] [

]

jennie_c_d

Posted : 3/10/2006 4:48:33 PM

I'm really glad that I tried kelp before I ordered a 15 pound bag of that, but I do wish I could use it (at least for the days when it's inconvenient to serve fresh foods). It looks soooo good!

myorganicpets

Posted : 3/10/2006 7:51:27 PM

Hi folks, I'm not sure WHAT is going on but even yesterday Amaranth was listed in ALL of the formulas and I'm as shocked as you that now it's not because I have 1850 lbs of dog and cat food WITH Amaranth sitting in my house. I find it very odd that
it's gone from the ingredient list and now that it is that raises suspicion.
What I don't understand is.... in order for any food to be AAFCO approved and put through feeding trials they HAVE to approve the ingredients. Obviously amaranth , in whatever form it's being used has been approved by the AAFCO in every dogfood that's using it. It could NOT get approval and pass feeding trials if it wasn't an approved ingredient. Don't you think ??
I'd like to say that I've also been in contact with someone from the USDA who gave me this info:

The Center for New Crops and Plant Products at Purdue University has a lot of information on amaranth. Check out their summary page at: [linkhttp://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/nexus/Amaranthus_spp_nex.html[/link]>http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/nexus/Amaranthus_spp_nex.html][size=2]http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/nexus/Amaranthus_spp_nex.html[/link]

The Center also offers a directory of experts: [linkhttp://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/experts/experts.html]http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/experts/experts.html[/link] I found names and contact information under Leafy Vegetables and under Cereals & Pseudocereals. Most of these experts deal with production and marketing issues; however, someone may be able to point you in the right direction. I particularly recommend contacting Rob Myers at the Jefferson Institute (Columbia MO): phone 573-449-3518; email: [email=info@jeffersoninstitute.org]info@jeffersoninstitute.org[/email] URL: [linkhttp://www.jeffersoninstitute.org/]http://www.jeffersoninstitute.org/[/link]

I'd like to add that I have written Timberwolf and asked why they have all of a sudden removed amaranth from the list of ingredients for all of their foods. I'll let you know when and if I get an answer.

sooner

Posted : 3/10/2006 10:34:47 PM

ORIGINAL: myorganicpets

I find it very odd that it's gone from the ingredient list and now that it is that raises suspicion.

I'd like to add that I have written Timberwolf and asked why they have all of a sudden removed amaranth from the list of ingredients for all of their foods. I'll let you know when and if I get an answer.

I find it very odd too.

I'm curious what kind of suspicion it raises with you??

Please, please, please keep us updated. This is strange. [&:]

myorganicpets

Posted : 3/10/2006 11:04:23 PM

I'm curious what kind of suspicion it raises with you??

Well for one thing.... they haven't put up any new stock yet. They are obviously still selling food from the last production run and whatever has been sitting in the warehouse. How can they just remove it from the ingredient list when it is still in the food being sold ?

sooner

Posted : 3/10/2006 11:28:16 PM

Exactly.

And you have a bag of Ocean Blue with amaranth that says grain free, and someone else on another board has a bag of Ocean Blue with amaranth that says "thoughtful attention is paid to the specially chosen grains added for their nutrient properties and not just as an inexpensive source of fillers."

Seems like a lot of their bags are mis-marked. Or do they really change formulas constantly? How do you ever know exactly what you're getting?

myorganicpets

Posted : 3/10/2006 11:42:53 PM

And you have a bag of Ocean Blue with amaranth that says grain free, and someone else on another board has a bag of Ocean Blue with amaranth that says "thoughtful attention is paid to the specially chosen grains added for their nutrient properties and not just as an inexpensive source of fillers."

Ok... the Ocean Blue actually IS Grain Free. And the Amaranth used is obviously the leafy veggie kind. The statement about the "specially chosen grains " is a general statement that is on the side of ALL the bags, no matter what formula it is. It is talking about all the things that make Timberwolf different from other brands. It has nothing to do with the Ocean Blue in particular.

Oh.. I will note though that only the 33lb bags have the circular seal on the front that says GRAIN FREE in it. The 4lb bags do not and I haven't seen a 16.5 lb bag so I couldn't tell you.

jessies_mom

Posted : 3/10/2006 11:54:05 PM

Sharon, I'll be very interested to know what you learn about amaranth being removed from T.O's site. I changed Jessie to Ocean Blue about two weeks ago but now I'm concerned about the quality control of the company.

myorganicpets

Posted : 3/11/2006 12:06:50 AM

I'll post as soon as I hear something. It could be tomorrow, it could be next week. Who knows ? [sm=banghead002.gif]

jessies_mom

Posted : 3/11/2006 12:13:33 AM

Are they still busy with their changes, ( I think they moved to a new production facility) , or have they settled in yet?