FAQ's - Safety and Quality

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Is your food human grade?

All of the materials used in our raw diets and raw frozen bones are obtained from USDA-inspected facilities (or meet USDA requirements in the case of imports) and from animals that have passed ante- and post-mortem inspection. However, while we follow Good Manufacturing Practices and have a HACCP plan and other procedures in place, our manufacturing facilities are not human grade plants by the USDA definition and therefore, we do not report our pet products as being human grade.

What tests and protocols do you have to insure the safety of your food?

We have a HACCP-based quality program within our facility to maintain the integrity of our ingredients, processes and finished goods. Any facility performing co-packing services for Nature's Variety is audited by members of our team to ensure quality of ingredient sourcing, processes and finished goods. All plants involved in manufacturing Nature's Variety products are also approved for shipments into the European Union, which is a strict protocol set forth by the USDA-APHIS. In addition, our plant that produces all raw diets and slow roasted bones and treats is certified as an Organic Producer of Organic Diets and other products.

What is HPP?

HPP (High Pressure Processing) is a process that uses high-pressure, water-based technology to kill pathogenic bacteria without losing any of the taste of the meat or adding any artificial flavors, colors or chemical preservatives. High pressure processing provides an alternative means of killing bacteria that can cause spoilage or food-borne disease without a loss of sensory quality or nutrients.

Do any Nature’s Variety foods use HPP?

Yes, some Nature’s Variety products use the HPP process in order to comply with our co-packer requirements. Products that use the HPP process are: all freeze dried medallions, all freeze dried turkey liver treats, and all kibble (because it is coated with our freeze dried Bio-Coating®).

Raw Frozen Diets are not included in the HPP process.

Where are your products made?

All Nature's Variety foods and treats are manufactured in the United States – including our Raw Frozen Diets, Instinct kibble and cans, Prairie kibble and cans, and all treats.

Where do your meat and poultry come from?

Nature's Variety is committed to using high quality, safe ingredients from government-inspected slaughterhouses. Our natural ingredients are continuously inspected for quality and tested for analytical compliance before being accepted at our facilities.

Do your fish products contain mercury?

No, we test our fish products and they are consistently mercury-free.

Do you source from China?

We are currently sourcing rabbit meat and liver from a supplier in China. In order to insure the quality of these suppliers, members of our management team have personally visited and audited the facilities. Nature's Variety also has a full-time PhD food scientist on staff in China, who visits the facility regularly and monitors meat quality. In addition, samples from shipments received from this supplier are submitted to an independent lab in the United States for testing. All results of testing and auditing have matching our specifications for quality and nutrition.

What is your animal testing policy?

We are a cruelty-free company. All animals are treated humanely from birth to death. They are cared for in accordance with established animal welfare rules and sanitation standards.