4- Beneful
Beneful is another brand that is part of the Purina group. Launched in 2001, this dog food brand has one particularity: its kibbles are available in a variety of shapes, textures and colors.
Beneful produces a variety of dry, wet foods that promises « real meats » like beef, salmon, and chicken. However, if you just quickly scan the list of ingredients for some of Beneful’s dry dog food, you’ll quickly note that although there are some real meats used, they are largely outweighed by by-products and plant proteins.
For example, Benefuls Originals with Real Beef Dry Food refers to beef as the primary ingredient, yet, it is followed by five fillers /by-products ingredients!
There are also many artificial colors and flavors added in the mix. And Beneful’s wet food product line is no exception: Soy, wheat and corn ingredients as well as artificial additives…
Recall Info: As we mentioned earlier, the Purina family of brands has been hit by many recalls last 10 years. Only one important reminder has touched the Beneful line of dog foods in particular. This recall occurred in 2016 due to inadequate levels of key vitamins and minerals in one Beneful’s wet dog foods.
Problem Ingredients: wheat gluten, poultry and pork digest, soy flour, whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, meat by-products, soybean meal, poultry by-product meal, whole grain wheat, artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives