Why purchase ingredients from countries who don't follow the same regulations as North America?

Question

This fatal problem with cat and dog food is only because we set up regulations here but turn around and purchase ingredients from countries who do not follow the same guidelines. What's the point and the same applies to human food too.

Answer 1

Good Question, we should have someone to inspect goods before they are shipped into this country as we would if it were in this country already especially with bird flu and so many other issues being dealt with.

Answer 2

Because despite the regulations in North America, that's where the problems are caused. I mean, if the American factory checked what was being put in the foods, the animals would still be alive. So don't count so much on the quality and efficiency of American guidelines and companies. The reason why McDonalds is so bad quality unhealthy food is not the import of ingredients, but the choice and process of foods. And I see Americans go and eat at McDonald's around the world, like it is the only safe food possible. While local food is often famous for being healthy, like in the Mediterranean.

Answer 3

The thing is, most people don't care or don't educate themselves.

They assume because Eukanuba says they are a good food, that they are.

They assume because Purina Commericals say their food is good for dogs, that it is.

No one is willing to take the time to learn about anything.

Take a quick look on here. The menu foods lists and website was posted over and over and over on the first day of the scare, yet there was question after question after question asked about it. No one is willing to learn on their own. They'd rather have an answer researched and handed to them, even if its wrong (deniability), rather than do the work themselves. They won't use the search function. They won't scroll to page two. They won't go to petsmart's website.

And then look at the answerers on here. There is one person who continues to talk about how great Iams is and another who's answer to questions asking about holistic food, is always "Purina". She then says how she gets put through the ringer for saying it, but rather than figure out *why* she's getting reemed for it, she just keeps giving a wrong answer. Over and Over. NO personal responsibility.

My point is that ignorant members of society allow breaches like this. We've become so complacent that we refuse to believe any research of information that threatens our way of life. The information on low quality pet foods has been out there for a long while, yet this came as a shock to SO many people. Why wasn't something done *before*? Why were people still buying foods like Ol Roy and Iams? Why do people still thinks it's ok?

Deniability and blinders.

Answer 4

that's a topic that has been a pet peeve of mine for years. i'm constantly telling people to buy American. and it goes way beyond food products. i don't understand how our government can mandate all of the requirements that they put on American companies, then allow foreign companies, who are not playing on an even field, to import their crap over here. the American manufacturing companies have strict environmental rules that must be followed, minimum wage requirements, labor laws that prevent over working, strict osha laws to ensure worker's safety, child labor laws, and the list goes on. then you have the junk from overseas that is made by a twelve year old who works seven days a week, fourteen hours a day, for thirty-one cents an hour, with no breaks, no workers comp, no health insurance, no retirement and no recourse. all the while the company (which is probably owned by an american interest) is dumping toxic waste into the local water supply, so when that poor little kid gets home and takes a drink of water, the company is still abusing him, and now he isn't even getting paid for it. and all of this is so they can produce a plastic toy for fifty cents and sell it at wal-mart for fifteen dollars. i could go on, but it makes me so angry that i'm afraid that i might break the buttons on my keyboard. so until the next time, buy American! the job you save might be your own. the life you save could be a twelve year old from malaysia, or your family pet.

Answer 5

That's a great question... Obviously tho they are getting inferior ingredients from other countries that don't follow the guidelines because it is cheaper for the manufacture, and that translates to more PROFIT for them.. They don't care about the pets, they care about Profit only... :(

Answer 6

Politics, as well as, greedy manufacturers and retailers. The same reasons apply to imports as they do to immigrants. They are not held to the same laws and regulations that we as Americans are. SAD!!

Answer 7

And the anwer is......... MONEY!!!
Most likely cheaper to buy from other countries