02/14/2026
Some brands passed and some brands failed: a new investigation by the Clean Label Project tested 79 of the most popular pet foods and found that dry kibble consistently had the highest levels of heavy metals, plastic-related chemicals, and acrylamide, a compound formed during high-heat processing.
Compared to fresh and frozen foods, kibble contained:
• ~21× more lead and mercury
• 13× more arsenic
• 6× more cadmium
• 24× more acrylamide, with one product testing at 780 ppb
Plastic-associated chemicals like BPA, BPS, and DEHP were also highest in dry food and lowest in fresh and frozen products.
Researchers note that because many dogs eat the same dry food every day for years, long-term exposure and accumulation of contaminants in organs like the liver and kidneys may contribute to chronic disease and potentially increase cancer risk.
Link in comments to read more about which brands passed and failed:
