I just thought I'd make a thread to discuss the potential dangers of carrageenan and guar gum in our pet foods. I've read a few articles on the Internet which have convinced me to go carrageenan/guar gum free.
Can these food additives cause cancer in our pets? Why are these chemicals allowed to be added to pet foods (and human foods) if they are possible carcinogens?
Carrageenan is a common food addivitve both in pet food and human food. It is extracted from seaweed through the use of a chemical solvent. It is used as thickener and binder in canned pet food, as well as in many human foods such as ice cream, yogurt, and soy milk.
Quote SourceAccording to the Cornucopia Institute, the International Agency for Research on Cancer recognizes degraded carrageenan as a “possible human carcinogen,” based on research showing that it leads to higher rates of colon cancer in lab animals. Carrageenan processors claim that food-grade carrageenan falls entirely in the undegraded category; however, one study showed that not a single sample of food-grade carrageenan could confidently claim to be entirely free of the potential cancer-causing material.
Can these food additives cause cancer in our pets? Why are these chemicals allowed to be added to pet foods (and human foods) if they are possible carcinogens?
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