Is TLC Pet Food Tested for Heavy Metals and Other Contaminants?

Learn how TLC tests for lead, arsenic, acrylamide, and other contaminants—and how safety limits protect our pets long-term.

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At TLC Pet Food, the health and safety of the pets we feed is our highest priority. We understand that recent media reports about heavy metals, acrylamide, and environmental contaminants in pet food have raised concerns and questions. We welcome this discussion, and are happy to discuss how TLC Pet Food is tested for heavy metals and other contaminants, and how we ensure our Whole Life Pet Food is safe to feed long-term.

Are Heavy Metals Found in Pet Food?

Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury are naturally occurring elements found in soil, water, and plants.

Because all food ingredients originate from the earth, trace amounts of heavy metals are found in virtually all human and animal food.

The presence of heavy metals does not equal danger. Safety is determined by concentration and exposure levels relative to established scientific thresholds.

How TLC Tests for Heavy Metals

TLC formulas are tested by ISO-accredited third-party laboratories using standardized methods recognized by:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Health Canada
Association of American Feed Control Officials
AOAC International

Independent analyses confirm that detectable elements in TLC Pet Food are well below established safety thresholds.

Regulatory safety limits are intentionally conservative and include significant margins to protect animals consuming a complete diet daily over a lifetime.

What About Long-Term Exposure?

Dogs often eat the same food consistently. For this reason, safety standards for animal feed are designed with lifetime feeding in mind.

Maximum tolerable levels are established using wide safety margins and are based on protecting the most sensitive species.

Current scientific evidence finds no risk of harmful accumulation when feeding TLC Pet Food long term as directed.

Acrylamide & Cooking Temperatures

TLC Pet Food’s cooking process is carefully controlled from start to finish to maintain the nutritional integrity of each ingredient and prioritize the health and safety of the pets we feed.

Every ingredient used in our Whole Life™ Pet Food formulas is carefully mixed, steamed, and formed using controlled cooking temperatures, helping to limit the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and potentially harmful compounds like acrylamide, heterocyclic amines (HCAs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Temperatures during the extrusion process range between 194°F – 356°F (90–180°C), and time is measured in seconds (unlike prolonged frying or baking). Our kibble undergoes extrusion only once during its formation.

Our food is produced in a plant inspected and certified by the CFIA, FDA, USDA, and EU.

Packaging & Plastic Contaminants (BPA, BPS, Phthalates)

Recent discussions have also referenced compounds such as BPA, BPS, and certain phthalates that can be associated with plastics.

TLC uses food-grade packaging materials that comply with regulatory requirements for food contact safety. Suppliers must meet strict manufacturing and material standards.

As with ingredients, packaging materials are sourced from trusted partners who adhere to safety regulations and quality assurance protocols.

Ingredient Sourcing & Manufacturing Standards

Ingredient Verification: We work with reputable suppliers who maintain rigorous quality control systems.
Third-Party Testing: Routine laboratory testing verifies safety and compliance.
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP): Our production adheres to strict quality assurance and sanitation standards.
Nutritional Precision: Our formulas are carefully designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition across life stages.

Fresh vs. Dry Food Comparisons

Some reports compare contaminant levels between dry and fresh foods. It is important to note that:

Dry food is nutrient-dense and contains significantly less moisture than fresh or frozen diets.
Comparisons must account for calorie equivalency, pets typically consume multiple cups of fresh food to equal the calories in one cup of dry kibble.
Safety evaluations are based on actual dietary exposure, not just concentration per gram.

Responsible assessment considers total intake, regulatory thresholds, and toxicology data, not isolated numerical comparisons.

Why Are You Not Clean-Label Certified

The Clean Label project is a third-party certification program that brands may choose to participate in for a fee. The Clean Label project is not a regulatory authority, and participation is voluntary.

TLC Pet Food complies with all applicable regulatory requirements in the U.S. and Canada, and conducts routine third-party laboratory testing to verify safety and quality.

Our Commitment to Transparency

As pet owners ourselves, TLC has always supported informed decision-making when it comes to making decisions about your pet’s health and nutrition. We strive to be as open and transparent with our customers as possible and are happy to answer questions about our testing protocols, ingredient sourcing, and safety standards. Feel free to Contact Our Pet Service Team for more information.

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