Beef is a very high quality protein source, and also adds considerably to the palatability of the food. All beef used by Horizon is from muscle cuts from animals less than 30 months of age so there is no risk of BSE. We use the exact same precautionary principle as that established for human food manufacturing and consumption. Most other pet food manufacturers who use beef as an ingredient will source meat from cows or bulls which will have a higher risk. Horizon uses only fresh muscle cuts from animals under 30 months of age, never any beef meal or from any animal that does not meet the criteria as safe for export to even the most discriminating importer.

One concern with beef in pet food is the issue of BSE. Beef meal is usually called meat and bone meal due to the amount of beef that is processed on an annual basis, and the fact that it typically is a lower quality and cheaper protein source. Meat and bone meal will be banned from entering Canada as of July 12, 2007 due to it being a possible vector for BSE.