Good for Pets? Consumer Agency Disappointed by Supplement Investigation Results

One Product Contains Three Times the Selenium Limit
Excess Intake May Cause Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Hair Loss

Citizens are taking a walk with their pets at Namsangol Hanok Village in Jung-gu, Seoul (not directly related to the article). Photo by Moon Honam

Many pet supplements sold both online and offline were found to contain less functional ingredients than indicated on the label. Some products also contained selenium, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea if overdosed, in amounts exceeding the standard limit.

On the 15th, the Korea Consumer Agency announced that after investigating 20 pet supplements sold online and offline, numerous products were found to have violations related to labeling and advertising.

First, the joint supplement 'Bite Me Support Chew Hip & Joint' did not contain glucosamine, a functional ingredient for joint health, contrary to its label. Additionally, seven products including '38.5 Choyuhan Spoon for Cat', 'Dr. Canin Organic Roganic Vita', 'Respet LAB Red Ginseng Probiotics', 'Bareun Nutri Pet Kang Chew Joint', 'Bon Appetit Breath Caps', 'Percent Percent Mega Astamin Eyes', and 'Proizen Powder Type' contained only 1 to 38% of the indicated amount of functional ingredients.

'Velvet My View Dog' contained 6ppm of selenium, which is limited to 2ppm. Selenium, a type of mineral, can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and hair loss when consumed excessively.

Furthermore, among the products investigated, 17 listed vitamin A and vitamin D as ingredients used, but vitamin D was not detected in 7 products, and both vitamins A and D were not detected in 4 products.

The Korea Consumer Agency recommended that manufacturers producing products lacking functional ingredients improve their quality and urged advertisers who posted false advertisements to correct or delete them.

They also plan to request the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to establish management measures for functional ingredients in pet supplements and to conduct inspections on labeling and advertising.

The Korea Consumer Agency emphasized, "The treatment and prevention of pet diseases should be done through veterinary care, and care should be taken to prevent children and others from consuming pet food by mistaking it for human health supplements."