Post by sherik on Jul 7, 2011 20:00:24 GMT -5
Here is the email
Dear Sherri,
Thank you for contacting Natura Pet Products. Natura uses vitamin K3 or menadione in the form of menadione sodium bisulfate complex (MSBC) in the EVO 95% Salmon & Herring canned food (currently the only formula this is used in). It is used to meet the requirement for vitamin K as established in the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. According to AAFCO, vitamin K needs to be added if the “…diet contains greater than 25% fish on a dry matter basis.” Although Natura hoped to use vitamin K1 or phylloquinone to meet this requirement since natural sources like green leafy vegetables are not concentrated enough to do so, neither the FDA nor AAFCO currently recognize this natural source of vitamin K. Oral menadione supplementation in the form of MSBC is a safe and effective way to deliver vitamin K activity to cats.
MSBC is an “officially recognized vitamin” by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) that provides a source of vitamin K activity. Vitamin K activity is needed to prevent a coagulopathy or bleeding disorder. Typically, the gut flora or naturally occurring bacteria of the intestinal tract make adequate levels of vitamin K for their host dog or cat. However, when high fish containing diets are fed to cats, a state of vitamin K deficiency can occur leading to spontaneous bleeding that can be life threatening. Therefore, supplementation with a source of vitamin K activity is needed in high fish-containing cat foods.
The FDA (and consequently AAFCO) “grandfathered in” many ingredients as being “GRAS” or “generally recognized as safe” before this natural source of vitamin K was readily available for use in animal feeds. Subsequently, the FDA has not yet reviewed support for this naturally occurring vitamin so it remains “unrecognized” from a regulatory perspective for pet foods.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact us at your convenience.
Sincerely,
April
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Natura Product Advisor
Dear Sherri,
Thank you for contacting Natura Pet Products. Natura uses vitamin K3 or menadione in the form of menadione sodium bisulfate complex (MSBC) in the EVO 95% Salmon & Herring canned food (currently the only formula this is used in). It is used to meet the requirement for vitamin K as established in the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. According to AAFCO, vitamin K needs to be added if the “…diet contains greater than 25% fish on a dry matter basis.” Although Natura hoped to use vitamin K1 or phylloquinone to meet this requirement since natural sources like green leafy vegetables are not concentrated enough to do so, neither the FDA nor AAFCO currently recognize this natural source of vitamin K. Oral menadione supplementation in the form of MSBC is a safe and effective way to deliver vitamin K activity to cats.
MSBC is an “officially recognized vitamin” by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) that provides a source of vitamin K activity. Vitamin K activity is needed to prevent a coagulopathy or bleeding disorder. Typically, the gut flora or naturally occurring bacteria of the intestinal tract make adequate levels of vitamin K for their host dog or cat. However, when high fish containing diets are fed to cats, a state of vitamin K deficiency can occur leading to spontaneous bleeding that can be life threatening. Therefore, supplementation with a source of vitamin K activity is needed in high fish-containing cat foods.
The FDA (and consequently AAFCO) “grandfathered in” many ingredients as being “GRAS” or “generally recognized as safe” before this natural source of vitamin K was readily available for use in animal feeds. Subsequently, the FDA has not yet reviewed support for this naturally occurring vitamin so it remains “unrecognized” from a regulatory perspective for pet foods.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact us at your convenience.
Sincerely,
April
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Natura Product Advisor