Dog food companies face intense scrutiny, and reports of unsafe products can understandably cause anxiety for pet owners. Knowing where your dog’s food comes from, including the sourcing and manufacturing locations, is essential for peace of mind. This article delves into IAMS, a well-known pet food company, to uncover the details of its production and ingredient origins.
IAMS was established in the 1940s by animal nutritionist Paul Iams. The brand pioneered the development of dry dog food, replacing the common practice of feeding dogs table scraps. Over the years, IAMS has changed ownership and is now part of Mars, Incorporated. Along with IAMS, Mars’ pet care portfolio includes other prominent brands like Pedigree, Royal Canin, Nutro, and Greenies. Mars also owns a diverse range of global brands spanning various sectors, including Altoids, Dove, Juicy Fruit, and M&Ms.
With a significant global presence and a leading position in pet food production, IAMS has a firm foothold in the pet nutrition industry. But where exactly is IAMS dog food manufactured?
Decoding the Label: Manufacturing Location of IAMS Pet Food
The Verdict: IAMS pet food is manufactured in the USA, but some ingredients are sourced globally.
While the product pages don’t explicitly state ingredient origins, they provide a basic list. To investigate further, we explored IAMS company policies, specifically the Supply Chain Transparency section on the Mars website. This section broadly covers ingredients that may be used across various Mars brands. For instance, Mars obtains its beef ingredients from Latin America.
Mars sources beef and soy from Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. It also sources wild-caught fish from waters surrounding the Asia Pacific and Europe.
To get specific information about IAMS pet foods, we contacted customer service. The response confirmed that IAMS pet foods are manufactured in Mars’ US facilities. While the company strives to source ingredients near these facilities, they do utilize global materials. The customer service representative also clarified that meat-based ingredients are not sourced from China.
The back of IAMS pet food cans usually features a “Distributed By…” section. In the image below, the IAMS can indicates distribution by Mars Petcare US, located in Franklin, TN. But does this imply that the food is manufactured in the US? Regulations for human food require country-of-origin labeling if the product isn’t made in the US. Does a similar rule apply to pet food?
To confirm the manufacturing location, we engaged in a chat with the IAMS team.
All American: Hi. I would like to know if IAMS pet food is made in the USA?
IAMS: Okay, bare with me please. I would like to inform you that Iams is made in US!
AA: That’s good to know, thank you. Are all of the ingredients also from the US?
IAMS: Yes, the majority of the ingredients!
AA: Ok thanks. Even though the back of some cans says “if distributed in Australia” it’s still made in the USA?
IAMS: Bare with me please! Yes, no it is!
Popular IAMS Dog Food Made in the USA
Here are some popular IAMS dog food recipes manufactured in the USA:
- IAMS Minichunks Lamb & Rice
- IAMS Proactive Health Urinary Tract Health With Chicken
- IAMS Puppy with Chicken and Rice Pate
Note: All recipes use some internationally sourced ingredients.
IAMS Dog Food: No International Cooking Found
We found no evidence of IAMS pet food being cooked internationally. However, it’s important to remember that IAMS utilizes several globally sourced ingredients in its recipes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, IAMS pet food is made in the USA, although some ingredients are sourced from around the world. By understanding the manufacturing location and being aware of the global sourcing of certain ingredients, pet owners can make informed decisions about their dog’s nutrition.
