More than half of Poles (52%) have a pet, usually a dog (42%) or a cat (26%).
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Some of them have both a dog and a cat. The Euromonitor International data collected in recent years show that Poles spend over PLN 2 billion on pet food annually.
In the third quarter of 2018, the Trade Inspection inspected pet food. It checked quality (laboratory tests) and labelling. Trade inspectors visited 84 stores, both specialty stores and chain stores.
They uncovered irregularities in as many as 35 of them. The inspectors controlled 478 batches of pet food for dogs, cats, rodents, birds, fish, rabbits and others.
They voiced reservations about 90 batches, i.e. 18.8%. 80 batches of dog and cat food were tested in the laboratory.
Irregularities occurred in 22 of them (27.5%).
In dog food marked as “beef with chicken” there was no poultry, but pork.
There was no chicken or beef in dog food, although the label clearly said: beef 58%, chicken 7%.
The fat content in canned food was higher or lower than declared.
The moisture content in dry dog food was higher than declared, and the moisture content in canned food was lower than declared.
In cat food labelled as “beef” and “beef + lamb” there was no beef, but pork.
As a result of measuring the net content of packaging, the inspectors stated that the amount of dry and wet (canned) food was in line with what the packaging said.
The trade inspectors checked the labelling of products.
The following irregularities were found:
- no labels or information was provided on replacement packages after dry food was repacked in the store into smaller packages,
- no information in the Polish language was provided,
- no instructions on how to serve pet food,
- using the following terms: “best before”, “minimum expiration date”, “expiration date” instead of: “use before” or “best used before the end of…”.
Following the audit, the Trade Inspection sent 11 notices to the veterinary supervision authorities and 12 requests to courts demanding that those responsible for placing pet food on the market be punished.
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