The Nestle Purina pet food company is being sued over ingredients contained in its Beneful product line.
The two ingredients are propylene glycol and mycotoxins.
Propylene glycol is a synthetic liquid compound that absorbs water. It's also used as a base for deicing solutions - anti-freeze components.
According to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry: "Propylene glycol is used by the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries as an antifreeze when leakage might lead to contact with food. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as an additive that is 'generally recognized as safe' for use in food."
Mycotoxins are naturally occurring fungi.
Some pet owners allege their dogs got sick after eating Beneful.
Angela Witzel, assistant clinical nutrition professor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, told 10News that Nestle Purina has a good track record of monitoring the levels of those ingredients. She said she sees little risk to pets in eating the food.
"In general, I feel like this lawsuit doesn't have much basis to it. I personally wouldn't have any problem with going ahead and feeding my pets the Beneful product," Witzel said.
Nestle Purina issued a statement that says in part, "First and foremost, there are no quality issues with Beneful."
It goes on to say, "We believe the lawsuit is baseless, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves and our brand."
The company has faced two similar class action lawsuits in recent years. Both have been dismissed by the courts.
