SmarterX & Pet Store Data: Unveiling PFAS and RSL Violations in Pet Products

As pet owners become increasingly conscious of the safety and quality of the products they buy for their furry friends, pet retailers are under more pressure than ever to ensure their products are free from harmful substances. In July 2024, SmarterX took a closer look at the presence of PFAS in pet products and how well these products adhere to Restricted Substance Lists (RSLs). The findings highlight some critical areas where pet retailers need to improve to maintain consumer trust.

PFAS in Pet Products: A Closer Look

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemicals commonly found in products that are water, stain, and heat resistant. However, these chemicals have raised significant health concerns, leading to increased scrutiny in consumer goods, including pet products. SmarterX analyzed 932 products across major pet retailers like Petco, PetSmart, and Chewy to assess the likelihood of PFAS presence.

Here’s what we discovered:

3% of the total products were likely to contain PFAS. While this might seem like a small percentage, the breakdown by category and retailer reveals a more nuanced story.

• 8.14% of cleaning products and 5.26% of dog leashes and harnesses were likely to contain PFAS, making these categories particularly concerning for pet owners.
• Retailer Breakdown: PetSmart products topped the list, with 4.05% of their total products likely containing PFAS, followed by Petco at 2.88% and Chewy at 1.89%.

These findings underscore the need for pet retailers to closely monitor and address the presence of PFAS in their products, particularly in categories that consumers might not traditionally associate with chemical risks.

RSLs and Pet Products: Are Retailers Compliant?

In addition to PFAS, SmarterX also examined how well pet products adhere to Restricted Substance Lists (RSLs). Petco is currently the only major pet retailer with a publicly available RSL, making it a benchmark for this analysis. We looked at 1,114 pet products across various retailers and found that 5.57% violated Petco’s RSL. The largest violators were dog treats (7.6% of which violated RSLs) and dog food (5.2% of which violated RSLs), respectively.

Common Violations:

• Potassium Sorbate (used as a preservative) was the most frequent violator, appearing in 14.5% of products.
• BHA, a preservative linked to potential health risks, was found in 6.9% of products.
• Added Colors, which are often linked to allergies and other adverse reactions, also appeared in 4.1% of products.

Retailers Selling RSL Violating Products

Interestingly, even Petco, the creator of the RSL, was found to be selling items that violate its own standards. This highlights a critical gap in enforcement and compliance, which can lead to consumer mistrust.

For instance, SmarterX analyzed a sample of dog food products sold by the retailer and found they had products violating their own RSL. Some of the main culprits included:

• BHA
• Caramel Color
• Propylene Glycol
• Red 40
• Sodium Nitrite
• Potassium Sorbate

The Importance of Compliance and Transparency

The data from July 2024 highlights the ongoing challenges pet retailers face in ensuring their products are safe and compliant. As consumer awareness grows, so does the expectation for retailers to provide transparent, safe, and trustworthy products. Pet retailers like PetSmart and Chewy, which currently lack their own RSLs, may be missing out on a critical opportunity to build consumer trust.

For retailers already implementing RSLs, the key takeaway is the importance of consistent enforcement and regular audits to ensure compliance across all product lines. SmarterX can play a vital role in helping retailers navigate these challenges, providing the tools needed to monitor, assess, and improve product safety and compliance.

Ready to ensure your products meet the highest standards? Contact one of our experts today to learn how SmarterX can help you protect your brand and your customers.

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