“This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”
In response to a lawsuit brought against The Blue Buffalo Company by Nestle Purina PetCare on Tuesday, Bill Bishop, the Founder and Chairman of Blue Buffalo issued the following statement to consumers:
Dear Pet Parents,
I’m writing to you about the lawsuit Nestle Purina filed today alleging that Blue Buffalo has lied to you about the ingredients in our pet foods. We categorically deny all of these false allegations and will aggressively defend the integrity of our brand and our products. It is an easy thing to make unsubstantiated claims, put them in a lawsuit and then publish them all over the web to disparage and defame a company. It is quite another thing to prove those allegations.
Please be assured that unlike Nestle Purina:
- Blue Buffalo does not use chicken by-product meal or poultry by-product meal in any of our products
- Blue Buffalo does not use ground corn in any our products
- Blue Buffalo does not use artificial preservatives in any of our products
We will prove these and other matters in the court with good reliable evidence, and we look forward to disproving the voodoo science that Nestle Purina relied on to support their outrageous allegations.
We’re disappointed to see one of the largest food companies in the world with over $100 billion in sales launching such a baseless lawsuit against a family-run company and attempting to prosecute it on the internet. In some ways this attack by Nestle Purina is not too surprising, since pet parents have demonstrated their preference by selecting true natural foods like Blue Buffalo instead of the by-product and corn-based pet foods Nestle Purina has been selling for years. In fact, their inability to compete successfully with natural pet foods is the key motivation for this frivolous lawsuit.
My sons and I founded Blue Buffalo with the mission of bringing transparency to pet foods, and made the True Blue Promise to our pet parents. Clearly, some of our major competitors, who have built their business using lower cost ingredients, are upset. We will always stand behind our promise and our products.
We have a saying at Blue Buffalo: “When we’re right, we fight.” We look forward to seeing Nestle Purina in court.
Yours truly,
Bill Bishop
Founder and Chairman
Blue Buffalo
As always, we’ll keep pet parents informed of any findings and the outcome of the suit against Blue Buffalo.
To hell with Purina. I will now go find and buy blue buffalo dog food for my hounds even though I never heard of it. I’ve always watched the ingredient list and am careful. I bought bil-jack and my dogs loved that, but it’s hard to find here. No corn no beaks no feathers. My dogs are going to help you argue your case.
Just reading this page is reason enough.
Kudos Blue Buffalo.
Kristin
says:Before you buy, compare Blue Buffaloe to Fromm dog food. I buy the grain free and my dogs love it. They make it in small batches and its a family run company.
Bob Schumacher
says:Purina’s Waggin Train brand (since recalled) of chicken jerky killed my dog and countless other dogs. No company is more callous in its regard for the well being of companion animals than Nestle’s Purina. It is horrible to see the Purina dog-killers try to kill a sensational company like Blue Buffalo, that has not harmed a single on of our beloved pets.
mary
says:Those chicken jerky treats were a voluntary recall and are NOW back on the market.
Ruth Mandelbaum
says:If you really want to know what you are feeding your dog, why not check from the small list of companies that have taken “The Pledge” from The Association of Truth in Pet Food. These companies do not have millions of dollars to spend in advertising since they are, for the most part, young companies that have to put
all of their resources into actually manufacturing the food. These companies
offer complete transparency as to their ingredients and sourcing.
associationfortruthinpetfood.com/the-pledge/
Cheryl Fralick
says:I only feed my dogs food from companies who have taken “The Pledge” from The Association of Truth in Pet Food. I feel comfortable knowing exactly what is in the product and where it is sourced!
dawn
says:My ex husband was a truck driver.
One night we went to Perdue farms and picked up their chicken by product meal. (Side note) seeing the conditions at that plant made me not eat chickens for awhile
Anyhow, it smelled horrible. Like a fatty roadkill all ground up.
we asked to guy filling the truck what it was and he said everything. Beaks feathers blood bone. Wow
But then we drove up to Purina and delivered it to their pet food factory.
needless to say, my pets don’t eat Purina.
Sue
says:I think we need to let the ‘evidence’ decide. I concluded long ago that Purina was not the choice for my beagle. I switched her, few years back, from Hills Science Diet (with all its by-products) to Blue Buffalo Senior formula. She loves the food! I feel better believing, at least until the evidence may say otherwise, that I am giving her one of the best dog foods available. It may be a bit more expensive but the wholesome ingredients are well wroth a few extra dollars for my faithful companion. She had her spleen removed last year and several well-intended friends also suggested that I avoid any types of corn products. Blue has no corn. For a 12 year old with an occasional back issue (pain!!) she is doing incredibly well and is generally full of energy and a zest for living and snooping with her hound dog nose! I’m willing to continue with blue! I hope the facts come out in their favor. Go, Blue!
Chris
says:Nestlé engages in some shady business practice, when they get caught they act appalled and start a campaign against it.
Barbara
says:Simple as reading the book called…..Food Pets Die for, and you’ll see what the big brand foods put in their so called healthy foods. You’ll be shocked and sickened.
Linda
says:I know nothing about BB but I have fed Purina to my great danes and my other dogs for over 30 years….worked as a vet tech for several years…Doc said it was a good food and over the years it has been..
Moira
says:Two things I wish vets and vet techs would refer people to professionals for because they are not qualified to discuss unless they are specifically trained to do so – behavior and nutrition. If a vet tells you to feed Purina, simply ask them “Why, how does it compare to a food like Blue Buffalo. Explain each of the ingredients to me. What are the daily requirements for a dog my size in terms of fat, protein, etc.?” and see how deep their answer goes.
It is very easy to do your own research to see what you are feeding when you give these low quality kibble foods to your pets. The price is great, and if it is the best you can afford – absolutely, it is better than a dog going hungry.
Laura
says:Unfortunately, a relative by the Blue Joint Sticks (Regular) and after just a couple of treats given, our 10.5 year old corgi mix had runny, bloody, mucous-y stool for over 5 days. Nothing else in his diet changed, just the treats given him. Of course, we discontinued used immediately and vowed to not ever give him Blue Buffalo products again and he (fortunately) regained his health. I use Wellness products, solely. Both my dogs have thrived incredibly with that brand and I love the way it has brought their ‘puppy-likeness’ back to them at 10.5 years, each. Their coats are amazing and they actually devour each meal when it is put out their for them, something that had not happened, up to the point we started using that brand. Good luck to you all that continue use of this food, it is something I have learned I can not trust.
Research informs situations like this. It may be an allergy. But ingredient lists speak for themselves.
KR
says:One of our dogs gets sick from Blue. The other doesn’t. We have swift he’d food for the one.
Sharon Moore
says:We just switched from another high end brand of dog food to Blue Buffalo Life Protection. After reading and researching dog food ingredients we chose BBC life protection because the ingredient list was so good. After one week on this new food, my cockapoos puppies have no stomach cramps, have great energy and for the first time we have no diarrhea. We feel that this is surely a slander campaign by a big company that uses all the bad ingredients most of us would not feed our pets. They must be feeling the bottom line pinch from healthy competition. We aren’t going back.
barbara short
says:my 2 westie been on blue there entire life 11 and 8 !no problems !I will not switch until we know more !it will break my heart if there is any truth to the claim,i don’t care how much I have to pay for dogfood I just want the best for my girls and if its true I let my dogs down I pray!!go get them blue!!!winn!!
Jackie Connelly
says:My dogs were on purina for a short time. Too many fillers and BB was better for them. They have more energy and do shed less especially or large dog. After I read BB response I am staying with them. I feel like crap when I eat junk. Feeding a dog food with too much fillers can have a similar effect on them. I think Purina is threatened and until they physically prove that BB is crap, I will continue to use blue.
robin
says:I have a 7 yr. old beagle named jake who i have had on purina one since he was 6 weeks old , by advise from his vet as my vet also feeds his own dogs .. purina one.jake now is on purina one healthy weight. i have never! ever! had one problem with him eating purina one in his life. he whoofs it down when i feed him. i will never change his food. he is so very healthy at last checkup. thank you, robin
Alexis
says:Check the ingredients in that stuff!!
Moira
says:Two things I wish vets and vet techs would refer people to professionals for because they are not qualified to discuss unless they are specifically trained to do so – behavior and nutrition. If a vet tells you to feed Purina, simply ask them “Why, how does it compare to a food like Blue Buffalo. Explain each of the ingredients to me. What are the daily requirements for a dog my size in terms of fat, protein, etc.?” and see how deep their answer goes.
It is very easy to do your own research to see what you are feeding when you give these low quality kibble foods to your pets. The price is great, and if it is the best you can afford – absolutely, it is better than a dog going hungry.
OMG read the ingredient list! Purina is CRAP. I wouldn’t feed it to anything.
Kris Pejsa
says:by product is what you are feeding your poor sweet 7 yr old beagle. look up by product. it is sooooo bad. never feed anything to your animal family that you wouldn’t eat yourself.
disgusting and your dog willll have problems down the line on that crap. poor Jake
Dee
says:Robin, I had two dogs that ended up with bladder stones after eating a diet of Purina ONE.
Evelyn
says:My Buford is a very picky eater. I tried just about every product out there and the only thing he will eat is Blue Wilderness. He ate Eukenuba when he was a puppy but by the time he turned 2 he no longer would eat it. He wouldn’t eat any Purina products at all. He is 10 now and I try to feed him the best for him. If they stop selling Blue I will have to start all over again.
Pat
says:I feed my dogs Orijen which is expensive . You can go to dog food analysis or dog food advisor and see the ingredients in many dog food brands. You will never believe the crap in them. Purine Beneful is one of the worst.
Sandra Snyder DVM
says:As a veterinarian, I am a results driven person. I hold judgement until time and experience prove the facts. that being said. I have seen and treated pets for several things from calcium and other electrolyte imbalances to Inflammatory Bowel disease after they were switched to the Blue line of foods. I have never seen these problems with dogs fed Purina foods.
Most pet food companies make ALL their data available to veterinarians (Iams, Purina, Hills (Science Diet) Royal Canin etc. But “Blue” does not.
I have personally visited the Purina research facility outside St. Louis, Missouri. It is a beautiful place where dogs run in several acre fenced grassy fields, and cats live in large luxurious apartments. They are exercised, played with and seem truly happy. they do get weighed, and have blood tests done (just like your pet) but I can assure you there is no torture.
Other pet food companies also employ teams of veterinarians, Nutritionists, and biochemists whose job it is to ensure that the ingredients are assimilated properly in balanced proportions. “Blue” has not demonstrated that diligence to me.
What would you do, if, in your profession, a local yahoo decided to make an inferior product, then advertise the dickens out of it with claims that were either misleading or just not true? It would make you angry. Well I can’t blame Purina for being angry. they really care about pets and to do nothing would be allowing a pet to potentially be hurt by wither simple ignorance, by a new and naive company, or by malice from a company making false claims.
Ilusindarim
says:Are you a veternarian employeed by Nestlé Purina? Most pet owners I know refuse to feed their pets most of the highly advertised brands we see. The reason why is because they haven’t become the largest and richest company by spending large amounts of money on high quality products and selling at their low low prices. Purina brand is hardly quality, using mostly by product and corn meal to create their product. A company like Blue uses some really good ingredients that are almost unheard of in animal foods. Another company, Zukes, makes some of the finest cat and dog treats on the market. These are companies that work hard to give our pets healthy food and for it they are accused of falsehoods from a much larger beast. One that feels threatened that their customers are moving to Zukes, Blue and similar companies because of the increased and consistently better quality than they find in Purina. You have my dogs support Blue! He says if you go down he may never eat again lol
lft100
says:Zukes partnered with Nestle in January.
zukes.com/meet-zukes/for-media/press-releases/zukes-partners-with-nestle-purina-petcare
Stephanie
says:What does happy pets frolicking in the grass have to do with the quality of their food? I don’t know if BB is or is not a good food, but I know Purina isn’t. How can it be if the first or second ingredient is corn? Dogs may be omnivores, but they are not meant to eat mostly grains. And despite the fact that cats are obligate carnivores (surely you learned that in vet school?), most commercial cat foods still contain corn.
Judy
says:I would never buy my dog food from a vet. They are sold on their products by slick salemen, but i doubt the vets have ever had to food that they sell analyzed. The prices are jacked up so high to ridiculous prices. My dogs were very picky when I got them as puppies, I had to get samples from pet stores to try all different kinds of food. They wouldn’t even touch Purina, Iams, Eukanuba or any other top brand foods that the vets sell. I can’t even imagine what the price for Blue Buffalo would be at the vets. Blue Buffalo was the only food my dogs would eat and still do to this day. Their bowel movements are smaller, because the nutrition they need is staying in their bodies to help their immune sytems. Purina in my opinion is afraid of the competition. I lost count on all the recalls for Purina and now claims of it killing dogs. How many recalls has their been with Blue Buffalo. DO the math. Go get em B.B.
Moira
says:Care to give your name? Please, doc, explain the source and benefit of the list of ingredients on a bag of purina, would you?
Two things I wish vets and vet techs would refer people to professionals for because they are not qualified to discuss unless they are specifically trained to do so – behavior and nutrition. If a vet tells you to feed Purina, simply ask them “Why, how does it compare to a food like Blue Buffalo. Explain each of the ingredients to me. What are the daily requirements for a dog my size in terms of fat, protein, etc.?” and see how deep their answer goes.
It is very easy to do your own research to see what you are feeding when you give these low quality kibble foods to your pets. The price is great, and if it is the best you can afford – absolutely, it is better than a dog going hungry.
Moira
says:Sorry, I see you did leave your name. And I see that you list the foods you sell as :
• Pet food: Pro Plan, Hill’s and Purina Veterinary diets, Harrison’s bird food
So, how much money in kickbacks do you get from Purina by pushing this crap on your clients? Shameful.
lft100
says:Can you back up your claim that vets receive kick-backs with factual data?
SLAS
says:I do not use these 2 dog foods and Im glad I do not!! The dog food I use has never had a recall…
Jamie
says:If you don’t mind meg asking, what do you feed your dog? I’ve had mine on blue but have recently switched back to wellness. That’s the only one I’ve come across that seems like a good one but I am always researching new brands
Linda Tough
says:My almost 20 year old Shaggy Dog (poodle/bishon) and myself Thank-you for all the care you put into your product. We switched his food 6 months ago to BB due to joint and bladder problems. We were very close to having to make that final decision in regards to quality of life for him. Your product gave him a new lease. He now is able to do his full walks again, and his bladder issues are now back under control. I’m not surprised Purina would pull something like this. All purina products are garbage and loving pet owners should think twice about feeding this to their pets.
Pike doggy mom
says:Congrats on you dog living such a long life. I have a 13 year old lab cross and an almost 2 year old Aussie. If it wasn`t for our breeder introducing us to raw food, we would not still have our older boy. We feed kibble once in a while when the raw food is still frozen. This kibble is grain free and it`s Pet Valu`s store brand-Performatrin. Our cats are also on grain free Performatrin. Just like how we feed our children, we need to read labels for our pets too. Have you read the ingredients in Kool-Aid? We shouldn`t eat corn=the plants take in every toxin from the soil which gets into us. We don`t want that for our pets.
Martha
says:GREAT answer!!!! I love Blue and that’s all I feed my four legged babies! I am behind your product!
Marlene
says:We feed our dogs blue buffalo and they like it very much. We chose it because of its ingredients (lack of ingredients). I hope purina is proven wrong.
colleen
says:I started using BB years ago when my Lhasa had allergies so bad he’d claw himself bloody. A few weeks on BB and the itching was GONE!
I love BB and I didnt believe this lawsuit the second I saw PURINA was the complainant. Sour grapes that BB is taking away their customers. Too bad Purina…your product is garbage. BB isnt much more expensive and 1000 tomes better.
Gerry
says:Its great dog food. You can eat it as human, so no nasty crap in it, no allergies, the one with the Wolf is a great treat too!
Wendy
says:Blue Buffalo is a quality product . Nestlé Purine is just crap. However, I have stopped buying Blue because I recently found out that just like Iams and Nestlé, they conduct cruel animal testing in labs. These experiments include cutting muscle tissue from dogs and making them perform physical activity afterward. These dogs are also killed and dissected after being tortured during lab tests. I cannot in good conscience give my money to any company that does this to animals.
Kaye
says:What??? This is very disturbing, if true.
Can you provide backup information (websites, articles, etc.)to verify your claim that these companies are not cruelty-free as far as conducting this type of animal testing?
Sallie
says:This is a Facebook response from Blue Buffalo about animal testing. You will see this was November of 2011. I see no reason for them to have started any other testing since then:
Blue Buffalo – All-Natural Pet Food Dogs and cats are only used for palatability testing. This of course is necessary because we have to make sure that dogs and cats will like the taste of the food we make. We use independent testing facilities that have runs for dogs to go outside several times a day in an open play area, and tests generally are no more than two days long. Cats have an indoor common room where they can socialize. The animals are shelter animals who do not have homes.
Blue Buffalo does not do any invasive animal testing. Non-invasive means that we don’t do anything to dogs or cats that intrudes on the body cavity in any way. We feed and then check their stool.Blue Buffalo was founded on the basis of providing the best possible care for animals. We do not, nor will we ever, conduct any tests on animals that will harm them, exploit them, or make them uncomfortable in any way.
November 30, 2011 at 9:40pm
Robert
says:Ummm… I don’t know one way or another, but some sources please? Real nice to post what could be a scandalous accusation or libel with no sources to back the claim.
Frances Cassinino
says:Is this really true? Lexie, my toy poodle, loves Blue Buffalo. How can we find out the truth regarding this statement?
Pike doggy mom
says:LÒreal and Gillette still test their products on animals, just wanted to share. Disgusting that a pet food company does that to the animals they make their food for.
Check sources : blue buffalo insists they don’t do invasive testing.
Mindy Rabinowitz
says:A big… Thank You…. to The Bishop Family! !!
Becky
says:Unfortunately my dog couldn’t handle Blue (Sensitive system and all) but I still have faith in your company! I may not be able to feed my dog blue, but I specifically went out of my way to AVOID PURINA. AAFCO ratings on many of their products are listed as mere CRAP…
I shall back Blue until REAL EVIDENCE refutes your name.
Good luck in COURT. I hope you kick their ass. lol
Barbara
says:I started using Blue Buffalo about 7 years ago when my big dog (a lovely mutt) started having hip issues. She has degenerative joint disease. The vet didn’t think she would be able to walk for more than another 2 yrs. She was put on an anti inflammatory that upset her stomach. She couldn’t keep any food down. That is when I started researching dog foods. I switched to Blue Buffalo and she did wonderful. No more upset stomach when she ate. That was 7 yrs ago and she is still with me. She is now about 15 yrs old and is still walking around. She is still on medication and joint supplements but I know part of her health I owe to BB dog food. Her vet agrees she is able to keep going because her over all health is so good. Now if I could only watch my own diet the way I do hers!!
Becky
says:No worries Barbara.
The dog can’t drive.. or they’d be at Burger King more than we are. haha
Kristin Bradford
says:I have been feeding my dog Blue Buffalo and he loves it. No complaints from me. It is great dog food, keeps my dog healthy and he has a very shiny coat and healthy teeth. Thanks Blue Buffalo for all that you do. 🙂
Fight and win this battle.
George Chase
says:I would expect to see a counter suit!
Jacquline Broyles
says:Perfect defense to defamation is truth, so Purina will have to prove it. What I do know is my dog loves this food, has shiny fur and never gets ill, so whatever is in it, it is working for her. Hope you have a great legal team.
Julie
says:It is a sad time in the world today, when everyone lies, cheats with no concern for the moral cost it inflicts on lives. Who are we suppose to believe as consumers. Do we believe the owners of the companies? Do we believe the lawyers? Do we believe the companies that do the testing? All are out for their own personal gain. Just Sad.
Julie
Cemorr
says:Way to Go Bill! One would have to question this whole thing since Purina is behind it and some of those tainted treats from China! Shame on your Purina!!
M.L. Bay
says:Very disappointed, would you now trust this company with your furkids health. I think not.
Everyone always categorically deny at the beginning. We are very angry and disappointed .
Helen Carter
says:Purina needs to sweep their own front porch before they start criticizing Blue Buffalo – Put some money into improving the quality of their products and not so much into advertising and lawsuits against other companies – we’d all be better off.
Karen Seabrook
says:One of my German Shepherds had horrible allergies. She licked herself constantly, lost hair in clumps and her ears were a mess. The vet felt that it might be a food allergy and wanted to test her and put her on shots. I switched both my dogs to grain free Blue Buffalo and in 3 weeks we had no more licking, no more hair loss and her ears are better than ever. Yes, it costs more than Purina but its a lot less than allergy tests and shots every week to ten days. Based on how well my dog is doing now, i know there are no chicken by products or grain in theyre food!
Amy
says:It’s a shame their product is SO expensive, I’d like to try it again.(A friend gave me some to try once. Big dog ate, little dog wouldn’t touch) Not all of America can afford 50-75 every couple weeks on dog food as much as I’d like to. For that price I could feed my dogs a RAW diet which im sure they’d love anyhow.
Michele
says:You’d be surprised how much cheaper a raw diet is than even kibble. I priced chicken leg quarters from my Butcher. For a 40#box, $25. I can’t find a better alternative that is cheaper than that. My point is that feeding raw may not be as out mi of your budget as you think it is! 🙂
Pike doggy mom
says:Thank you for mentioning raw! IT IS CHEAPER than kibble. We feed our two dogs raw and it`s made a huge difference for our older guy. It`s easy. There are several places within Ontario that sell it. Look it up on line. We also give our boys assorted body parts-chicken hearts and liver, beef liver, etc. Ground beef or chicken is also easy to find. Seriously, find out more. It may be right for you and your dogs.
I will wait to make a decision to stop feeding BB to my Lab until after lawsuit outcome.
My Lab was on Blue when I adopted her “because of allergies and chronic ear infections”. She still had chronic ear infections with Blue. I really do not feel that her food had anything to do with the ears. I took other actions to fix that problem.
I have, however, stopped feeding Blue to my Chihuahuas. I decided to switch the little ones from Flint River Ranch to Blue so I could get their food at same place. BTW, my smallest one never would eat the Lifesource Bits. Well, no matter which Blue I tried my smallest Chi had horrible rashes and itching all spring and summer last year. She couldn’t go outside at all. Last fall I switched back to Flint River Ranch and waited for spring. It has been spring for a while here in Florida and no skin or itching issues. I will never switch my little ones from Flint River again.
And, I caught that Blue Buffalo says they don’t use “ground” corn which implies to me that they do use some form of corn.
Barbara
says:Hi Debbi,
I had the same problem with my dachshund. When I adopted her she had horrible skin allergies. When I switched her to Blue Buffalo small breed (lamb) she did great. As she got older I switched her to the BB for seniors which is chicken. Once again she had skin allergies. Switched her back to the lamb and she did great. Which is how I found out she has skin allergies to not only the corn but to chicken as well. She continues to do great on the lamb.