Pet owners trust brands to provide safe, accurately labeled food for their furry companions. But sometimes, those promises don’t hold up. Over the years, several well-known pet brands have faced lawsuits over ingredient mislabeling—ranging from false advertising to undisclosed harmful additives. In some cases, these lawsuits followed reports of pets getting sick or recalls triggered by contamination. For consumers, knowing which brands have faced legal action can help guide safer purchasing decisions.
1. Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo once marketed itself as a premium pet food brand free from poultry by-products. However, in 2014, the company faced a major lawsuit claiming that some of its products actually contained poultry by-product meal. The case ended with Blue Buffalo admitting that its supplier had used the mislabeled ingredients without the company’s knowledge. They agreed to a $32 million settlement to reimburse customers. This ingredient mislabeling controversy remains one of the most publicized in the pet food industry.
2. Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, known for its prescription diets, was sued in 2019 after a massive recall of canned dog food due to toxic levels of vitamin D. While the company said the issue was caused by a supplier error, lawsuits alleged that the labels did not disclose the excessive levels. The vitamin D overdose led to pet illnesses and, in some cases, death. Plaintiffs claimed this was a clear case of ingredient mislabeling that put animals in danger. Hill’s later issued a public apology and expanded its quality control measures.
3. Champion Petfoods
Champion Petfoods, the maker of Orijen and Acana, faced lawsuits in 2020 over alleged false claims about ingredient quality. The lawsuits claimed that some fish-based formulas contained elevated levels of heavy metals and that “wild-caught” fish were actually farmed. Champion denied wrongdoing but ultimately updated its marketing and product descriptions to be more transparent. The case highlighted how ingredient mislabeling can extend beyond nutrition to sourcing claims. This legal battle raised questions about how “premium” pet food is defined.
4. Purina Beneful
Purina’s Beneful brand faced a high-profile lawsuit in 2015 claiming that certain ingredients—like propylene glycol—were harmful to pets. The suit alleged that these ingredients were not accurately represented in marketing and labeling. While Purina denied the claims and the case was eventually dismissed, the controversy put a spotlight on ingredient mislabeling concerns. Many pet owners reconsidered products containing artificial preservatives and additives. The incident demonstrated how quickly consumer trust can be shaken in the pet food industry.
5. Evanger’s Dog & Cat Food Co.
Evanger’s was sued after its canned dog food tested positive for pentobarbital, a drug used for euthanizing animals. The contamination was traced to beef products in the food, which were allegedly mislabeled as “human-grade.” The lawsuits claimed this was a clear case of dangerous ingredient mislabeling. Multiple recalls were issued, and the company faced both legal and public relations fallout. The incident remains a cautionary tale about the importance of strict supplier oversight.
6. WellPet LLC (Wellness and Holistic Select)
WellPet LLC, maker of Wellness and Holistic Select pet foods, was sued in 2018 over alleged heavy metal contamination. The lawsuit claimed that the company misrepresented its products as “safe” and “natural” despite containing potentially harmful levels of arsenic, lead, and mercury. While WellPet denied intentional wrongdoing, the case centered on whether the lack of disclosure amounted to ingredient mislabeling. This lawsuit underscored how natural branding can still hide safety risks.
7. Freshpet
Freshpet, known for its refrigerated pet food, faced a lawsuit in 2021 over claims of mislabeling ingredients. The suit alleged that some recipes contained undisclosed fillers and were not as “fresh” as advertised. Plaintiffs argued that the packaging created a false impression of higher quality and purity. Freshpet denied these allegations, but the ingredient mislabeling claims gained traction among pet owners concerned about transparency. The case is a reminder that refrigerated pet food is not immune to labeling disputes.
8. Midwestern Pet Foods
In 2021, Midwestern Pet Foods was sued after a massive recall of products linked to aflatoxin contamination. While the company blamed the issue on moldy corn ingredients, lawsuits alleged that the labels did not disclose the potential risks or testing shortcomings. The contamination was connected to multiple pet deaths. Plaintiffs argued that this amounted to ingredient mislabeling because the product’s safety claims were misleading. The company has since faced increased regulatory scrutiny.
Transparency Is the Key to Trust
When it comes to feeding pets, accurate labeling is more than just a marketing requirement—it’s a matter of health and safety. These lawsuits show that ingredient mislabeling can range from misleading marketing language to the inclusion of harmful contaminants. For pet owners, the best defense is to research brands, read labels carefully, and stay informed about recalls and lawsuits. In an industry where pets’ well-being is on the line, transparency is the ultimate sign of a brand’s integrity.
Have you ever switched your pet’s food because of an ingredient mislabeling controversy? Which brands do you trust most? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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