The Dog Food Advisor finds Rachael Ray to be an above-average, grain-inclusive kibble. The recipe uses a notable amount of fresh meat and named meat meal as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand 4 stars. Nutrish Peak and Nutrish Dish each get 4.5 stars.
Recalls of Rachael Ray Nutrish.
The Nutrish line itself hasn’t suffered many recalls, but there have been some contamination and nutrition issues. Both Smucker and Ainsworth have had multiple recalls since both companies have been around for decades, both voluntary and FDA-issued.
2015 – Several cans of Rachael Ray Nutrish wet cat food were recalled for high levels of Vitamin D, which can be toxic to cats and dogs.
2019 – The FDA recalled multiple brands of grain-free dog foods, including several varieties from the Nutrish line.
Ainsworth was also sued for the Nutrish line’s advertisement of “all-natural” ingredients, but the company has not had any legal issues since.
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“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.
“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.
List of Rachael Ray Nutrish Recalls
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
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FAQ
Is Rachael Ray food safe for dogs?
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.
Is Rachael Ray peak dog food good?
Recalls of Rachael Ray Nutrish.
2015 – Several cans of Rachael Ray Nutrish wet cat food were recalled for high levels of Vitamin D, which can be toxic to cats and dogs. 2019 – The FDA recalled multiple brands of grain-free dog foods, including several varieties from the Nutrish line.
Is Rachael Ray wet food bad for dogs?
Rachael Ray Nutrish Peak Dog Food receives the Advisor’s second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.