Pet Food Ingredient
Ethoxyquin
Synthetic antioxidant used to prevent fat rancidity. Historically common in fish meal and some pet foods; largely phased out of consumer-facing pet food ingredient lists since the late 2000s but still legal and sometimes present upstream in bulk ingredients.
Regulatory status
FDA allows ethoxyquin in pet food at up to 150 ppm. Can be added to bulk fish meal before it reaches the pet food manufacturer, in which case it may not appear on the finished product's ingredient list.
Key notes
- —FDA reduced the maximum permitted level from 150 ppm to 75 ppm for ethoxyquin added directly to pet food in 1997, following reports of liver-related effects at higher doses in long-term feeding studies.
- —Pet food brands marketing "no ethoxyquin" should also specify their fish meal supplier has not used it upstream — the label alone does not guarantee absence.
Common alternatives
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Scan a label →This entry is factual reference. It is not medical or veterinary advice. Consult a veterinarian for any decisions about your pet's diet.