April 12, 2024⚠ Important Rachael Ray Nutrish recall information appears below.
Brand Name: Rachael Ray Nutrish
Product Lines: Rachael Ray Nutrish, Rachael Ray Nutrish SuperMedleys, Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites, Rachael Ray Nutrish Large Breed, Nutrish Dish, Nutrish Dish Stews, Just 6, Zero Grain, PEAK, PEAK Treats, Soup Bones, Smoochies Biscuits, Smoochies Brushes, Purrfect Entrées, Purrfect Broths, Love Bites, Wheelies, Soft Spots
Company: The J.M. Smucker Company
Headquarters: Orrville, Ohio
Website: https://www.nutrish.com/
Phone: 800-323-7738
Contact Form: https://www.nutrish.com/contact-us
Rachael Ray Nutrish Company Overview
Rachael Ray Nutrish got its start in 2008, when Rachael Ray — a beloved Food Network regular, daytime TV host, author and pet lover — partnered with Ainsworth Pet Nutrition to develop a high-end line of dog food and treats containing simple, natural ingredients inspired by her own cooking.
In 2014, Nutrish for Cats was added alongside the brand’s dog food products. To launch the cat food, Nutrish embarked on a 16-city tour as part of a “Shelter Cats Are Beautiful” campaign.
Below, we share much more about the story behind Rachael Ray Nutrish pet food — including up-to-date recall information.
Nutrish Company History
Coming just months after the shocking 2007 melamine/Menu Foods recalls involving a number of well-known brands, the July 2008 rollout of a new line of pet food called Rachael Ray Nutrish was met with widespread enthusiasm.
“The launch of Nutrish is Ainsworth’s first national initiative,” said Doug Lang, a vice president at the pet food’s manufacturer, Ainsworth Pet Nutrition.
“We may not have as deep a pocket as some of the multibillion-dollar corporations we compete with. They’re very good competitors,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t out-think them.”
Some of the brand’s success came courtesy of an age-old marketing tactic: free samples. The “Switch to Nutrish” campaign was incredibly successful, with about “50% of the people who tried a free sample convert[ing] to the brand,” according to marketing agency Engauge Communications.
Of course, the celebrity factor didn’t hurt, either. For a time, Rachael Ray herself handed out free samples of Nutrish from a roving “pup-up food truck for dogs.”
Ray, a daytime host and bestselling author, came to fame with her 30 Minute Meals show on the Food Network.
She first agreed to put her name on the pet food after trusting her own instincts. That decision went against the advice from people in her circle. “People were like, you can’t put your head on dog food. That’s insane,” she told The New York Times in 2018. “I was like, ‘Who cares? It’s not like I have a stellar reputation as one of the world’s great chefs.’”
Charity Work
Proceeds from all sales of Rachael Ray Nutrish go directly to pet charities, organizations and rescue efforts. More than $35 million has been donated so far, as of March 2019. “Animals are very special,” says Ray. “They have the ability to bring happiness to anyone. I can’t imagine a world without them.”
“It’s important to me that I help support these animals and fight for them to have a chance to bring joy to someone else,” she says.
In 2012, Ray and Nutrish partnered with the ASPCA for the group’s $100K Challenge, a months-long competition among shelters all over the country to increase pet adoptions. The partnership would continue for another few years, renamed the ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge. Over its 5-year run, the challenge saved the lives of more than 282,000 pets.
The company produces its products with sustainability and carbon emission reduction initiatives.
Rachael Ray says Nutrish was inspired by recipes she created for her own dog, a rescued pit bull named Isaboo (Issy, for short). The outspoken dog lover says Nutrish is good enough that she herself has tried it.
“Nutrish is made to human standards. There’s nothing in that bag I wouldn’t eat myself, and I literally have tried the kibble myself,” Ray told Petful publisher Dave Baker in a 2012 interview.
The company boasts that there are no byproducts, fillers, artificial flavors or preservatives in the pet food.
Nutrish Joins the Smucker Family
Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, a fifth-generation family-owned and operated company formerly known as DAD’S Pet Care, manufactures Nutrish in Pennsylvania.
The company’s plant underwent millions of dollars in upgrades in 2016. Ainsworth also produces the DAD’S pet food line.
In spring 2018, pet food giant J.M. Smucker Company announced it was buying Ainsworth in a $1.9 billion deal. Around two-thirds of Ainsworth’s sales are generated by Rachael Ray Nutrish.
“We are extremely excited to add Rachael Ray Nutrish, a high-growth premium brand that has been a catalyst in transforming the dog food category in grocery and mass channels,” said Mark T. Smucker, president, CEO and director of the J.M. Smucker Company.
As of 2020, J.M. Smucker was the No. 3 pet food company in the world, with over $2.8 billion in annual revenue, according to data provided by Pet Food Industry.
Has There Ever Been a Rachael Ray Nutrish Recall?
There has been a Rachel Ray Nutrish recall, according to our research.
Rachael Ray Nutrish recalled several wet cat food varieties of Nutrish were announced in June 2015. The cause was high levels of Vitamin D, which can cause serious health complications in cats.
The full list of Rachael Ray Nutrish pet food recalls appears below.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Recall History
June 2015
Cause: Potentially elevated levels of Vitamin D. Announcement: FDA report dated June 4, 2015 (archived here). What was recalled: The following varieties of Rachael Ray Nutrish wet cat food:
- Paw Lickin’ Chicken & Liver, 2.8 oz. single pack, “Best by” date of Aug. 17, 2015
- Ocean Fish & Chicken Catch-iatore, 2.8 oz. single pack, “Best by” date of Dec. 1, 2016
- Ocean Fish-a-licious, 2.8 oz. single pack, “Best by” date of Dec. 1, 2016
- Tuna Purrfection, 2.8 oz. single pack, “Best by” date of Dec. 1, 2016
- Lip Smackin’ Sardine & Mackerel, 2.8 oz. single pack, “Best by” date of Dec. 1, 2016
Two variety packs that contain some of these recalled products also were recalled:
- Chicken Lovers Variety Pack, 12 count pack of 2.8 oz cups, “Best by” date of Dec. 1, 2016
- Ocean Lovers Variety Pack, 12 count pack of 2.8 oz cups, “Best by” date of Dec. 1, 2016
2019 Heart Disease Investigation
We also want to alert readers to the fact that, in late June 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified Rachael Ray Nutrish as one of 16 pet food brands that may be linked to heart disease in dogs and cats. None of those 16 brands have been recalled as part of the agency’s ongoing investigation, though. Most, but not all, of the pet foods are “grain-free” and/or dry (kibble) dog food formulations.
The FDA says this is a “complex scientific issue that may involve multiple factors,” and that it cannot even be certain that diet is a cause of heart problems.
2018 Class-Action Lawsuit (Dismissed)
In August 2018, a consumer filed a $5 million lawsuit against Ainsworth Pet Nutrition.
The lawsuit alleged that Nutrish contains an undisclosed dangerous herbicide called glyphosate, “a potent biocide and endocrine disruptor, with detrimental health effects that are still becoming known.”
The suit stated, “Rachael Ray Nutrish holds itself out to the public as a trusted expert in the sourcing and processing of dog food,” adding that the company “also knew … that [its food] contains glyphosate, an unnatural biocide.”
Nutrish, on Facebook, responded by saying:
“We are in the process of reviewing the details of the claim but strongly stand behind the quality of our products, ingredients and sourcing practices. As animal lovers and humans, it goes without saying that we do not add pesticides to our products as an ingredient. We plan to aggressively fight these claims.”
According to Dogs Naturally magazine, glyphosate (often found in Roundup weed killer) is a common “hidden” pet food ingredient.
In a 2015 study, researchers Anthony Samsel and Stephanie Seneff tested 9 popular brands of dog and cat food — and every single one of them came back with “significant” levels of glyphosate.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium and 9Lives Indoor Complete had the highest levels measured in the test, at 0.14 glyphosate/mg kg–1.
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“We suspect that glyphosate may be a causal agent related to the rise of pet cancers,” the researchers wrote.
So, back to that class-action lawsuit. What happened with the Nutrish lawsuit? It got thrown out — twice.
In April 2019, the suit was dismissed. It was later amended and refiled — and was then dismissed again by the same judge in February 2020.
“The level of glyphosate in the tested products is negligible and significantly lower than the FDA’s limit, which supports a finding that the products’ glyphosate residue is not likely to affect consumer choice, and that labeling them ‘natural’ is not materially misleading to a reasonable consumer,” wrote the New York federal judge overseeing the amended suit, in announcing his decision.
Have You Had a Problem With Nutrish?
- See our reporting page for contact info.
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References
- “Rachael Ray Launches Line of Super Premium Dog Food & Treats: Rachael Ray Nutrish — How Cool Is That?” PR Newswire. July 28, 2008.
- “Rachael Ray: Celebrity Chef to Sell Nutrish Food for Pets.” Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts). July 29, 2008.
- “Engauge Launches Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dog Food.” Business Wire. Aug. 22, 2008.
- “Rachael Ray Announces Launch of Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Crunchy Dog Treats.” PR Newswire. March 25, 2010.
- “Ainsworth Pet Nutrition Donates 200,000 Meals of Rachael Ray Nutrish to Cats in Need.” Business Wire. Oct. 7, 2016.
- “Melamine Pet Food Recall of 2007.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/recalls-withdrawals/melamine-pet-food-recall-2007.
- Olson, Elizabeth. “A Rachael Ray Food Truck for the Dogs.” The New York Times. Oct. 17, 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/18/business/media/rachael-ray-promotes-nutrish-dog-food-with-a-truck.html.
- “Nutrish & Delish: Rachael Ray’s Nutrish for Cats Line of Dry and Wet Recipes Should Help Improve the Lives of More Animals.” Retail Merchandiser 55, no. 1 (January 2015): 8.
- “Rachael Ray’s Nutrish Goes Ahead of the Curve With Dog Food.” SBWire. Nov. 16, 2012.
- Severson, Kim. “Beyond TV and EVOO: Rachael Ray Looks for Her Next Act.” The New York Times. May 8, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/dining/rachael-ray-cooking.html.
- “Rachael Ray Foundation.” Nutrish.com. https://www.nutrish.com/rachael-ray-foundation.
- “Five Years of Record-Breaking Adoptions in ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge.” ASPCA Pro. https://www.aspcapro.org/about-partnerships/five-years-record-breaking-adoptions-aspca-rachael-ray-100k-challenge.
- Interview with Rachael Ray, conducted by Petful publisher Dave Baker. May 18, 2012. Originally published by Pets Adviser.
- “Rachael Ray Nutrish — Founder Interview.” Your World With Neil Cavuto. Transcript. Oct. 12, 2009.
- Ritenbaugh, Stephanie. “More Food for 4-Legged Friends.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Nov. 13, 2016. G1.
- “Q4 2018 J.M. Smucker Co. Earnings Call.” FD (Fair Disclosure) Wire. June 7, 2018.
- “Top Pet Food Companies Current Data.” Pet Food Industry. 2020. https://www.petfoodindustry.com/directories/211-top-pet-food-companies.
- “Questions & Answers: FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine’s Investigation Into a Possible Connection Between Diet and Canine Heart Disease.” FDA. June 27, 2019. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/questions-answers-fda-center-veterinary-medicines-investigation-possible-connection-between-diet-and.
- Reints, Renae. “A $5 Million Lawsuit Claims Rachael Ray’s Dog Food Brand Contains a Potentially Harmful Ingredient.” Forbes. Aug. 7, 2018. https://fortune.com/2018/08/07/rachael-ray-dog-food-lawsuit/.
- Hogan, Kate. “‘We Stand Behind the Quality of Our Products’: Rep for Rachael Ray’s Dog Food Company Speaks Out Following Lawsuit.” People. Aug. 7, 2018. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/apos-stand-behind-quality-products-183815989.html.
- Samsel, Anthony, PhD, and Stephanie Seneff, PhD. “Glyphosate, Pathways to Modern Diseases IV: Cancer and Related Pathologies.” Journal of Biological Physics and Chemistry 15, no. 3 (January 2015): 121–159. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283490944_Glyphosate_pathways_to_modern_diseases_IV_cancer_and_related_pathologies.
- Burton, Melinda K. “Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food/Glyphosate Class Action Lawsuit: Complaint Dismissed, Amended Complaint Filed, and Another Motion to Dismiss Pending.” Lexology. Oct. 17, 2019. https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=e0b1c0b1-d3fe-4fcc-a991-810ec4d37d6e.
- “Federal Judge Dismisses Amended Complaint Over Dog Food Labeled as ‘Natural’ Containing Trace Levels of Glyphosate Weed Killer.” National Law Review. Feb. 24, 2020. https://www.natlawreview.com/article/federal-judge-dismisses-amended-complaint-over-dog-food-labeled-natural-containing.
- Cohen, Steven. “Rachael Ray Dog Food Class Action Tossed Again.” Top Class Actions. Feb. 25, 2020. https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/pet/rachael-ray-dog-food-class-action-tossed-again/.
- “Ainsworth Pet Nutrition Voluntarily Recalls Five Nutrish Wet Cat Food Varieties for Potentially Elevated Vitamin D Levels.” FDA. June 4, 2015. Archived at https://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ucm449841.pdf.
