Transparency in the Pet Bowl: Susan Thixton Releases the 2026/27 Verified Treat List

In an industry often criticized for its lack of transparency and regulatory loopholes, pet food advocate Susan Thixton has released her much-anticipated "2026/27 Treat List." The document, which identifies 44 pet treat brands that meet rigorous "human-grade" standards, serves as a consumer-focused counter-narrative to the marketing claims made by multi-billion-dollar pet food corporations.

Thixton, the founder of TruthaboutPetFood.com, has spent decades navigating the complex legal landscape of animal feed. Her latest list represents a comprehensive effort to verify the quality of ingredients, the integrity of sourcing, and the safety of manufacturing processes—metrics that, according to Thixton, are frequently ignored by federal and state regulators.

Main Facts: A Consumer-Supported Safety Net

The 2026/27 Treat List is a curated digital guide featuring 44 brands that have passed a stringent verification process. Unlike many "top ten" lists found in mainstream media, no brand pays to be included, and no free products are accepted by the investigators. The list is 100% consumer-supported, funded by the pet owners who purchase the document on a sliding scale from $5.00 to $50.00.

The Core Criteria for Inclusion

To earn a spot on the list, manufacturers must provide documentary evidence for every claim they make. The fundamental requirements include:

• Human-Grade Quality: All ingredients must be fit for human consumption.
• USDA Verification: For animal parts not typically consumed by humans (such as certain organs or connective tissues), the ingredients must be sourced from USDA-inspected and passed animals.
• Evidence of Claims: If a company claims its ingredients are organic or humanely raised, they must provide the legal certifications to prove it.
• Manufacturing Transparency: Companies must disclose their manufacturing locations, whether they own their facilities or use third-party co-packers.

The list covers a variety of treat types, ranging from traditional biscuit-style cookies to single-ingredient dehydrated meats and specialty cheese treats. While primarily focused on the North American market—with all 44 brands available in the United States and 12 in Canada—the list highlights a growing niche of small to mid-sized producers who prioritize ingredient integrity over mass-market scalability.

Chronology: The Evolution of Pet Food Advocacy

The release of the 2026/27 Treat List is the culmination of a process that begins years before the PDF is published. The timeline of this advocacy work is rooted in a decades-long struggle between consumer advocates and the regulatory bodies that oversee the industry.

Phase 1: Brand Identification and Outreach

The process begins with the identification of potential candidates. Thixton sources brands through her own historical research, referrals from pet owners, and direct inquiries from manufacturers who believe they meet her standards.

Phase 2: The Verification Questionnaire

Once a brand is selected for consideration, they are sent an exhaustive questionnaire. This document goes far beyond the standard inquiries found on a label. It asks about the specific origin of proteins, the grade of the grains used, and the frequency of pathogen testing.

Phase 3: Documentary Review

This is the most time-consuming phase. Brands are required to provide "hundreds of documents," according to Thixton. This includes invoices, USDA inspection reports, and organic certifications. If a company fails to provide documentation for even a single ingredient, they are disqualified.

Phase 4: Final Selection and Publication

The 2026/27 list reflects a snapshot of companies that have maintained these standards through the current production cycle. Thixton emphasizes that the list is updated periodically to reflect changes in ownership or manufacturing practices, as corporate acquisitions often lead to a "race to the bottom" regarding ingredient quality.

Supporting Data: The "Feed-Grade" vs. "Human-Grade" Divide

To understand why the Treat List is necessary, one must understand the legal distinction between "pet food" and "human food." In the United States, most pet treats are classified as "feed," a category that allows for significantly lower safety and quality standards than food intended for human consumption.

The Problem with Waste Ingredients

The pet food industry is a primary outlet for the "rendering" industry, which processes animal by-products. While rendering is an efficient way to recycle waste, it often includes ingredients that would be illegal in human food. This includes "4D" meat—animals that were Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Disabled before reaching the slaughterhouse.

Marketing vs. Reality

According to data cited by TruthaboutPetFood.com, there is a massive gap between what is printed on a bag and what is inside it.

• Regulatory Silence: State and federal authorities rarely verify marketing claims such as "humanely raised" or "premium quality" on pet food labels.
• Verification Gap: While a human food label saying "Organic" is strictly regulated by the USDA, the same claim on a pet treat may not face the same level of scrutiny unless a specific complaint is filed.

Thixton’s data suggests that by requiring documentation, the Treat List filters out the "marketing fluff." For example, many companies that claim to use "only the finest ingredients" often refuse to provide proof of the USDA grade of their meats when asked, leading to their exclusion from the list.

Official Responses: The Regulatory Stance on "Diseased Animals"

The impetus for the Treat List is largely a reaction to the official stance of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). The journalistic crux of the issue lies in a specific policy of "enforcement discretion."

The FDA’s Position

The FDA has explicitly stated that it does not always enforce the law regarding the use of diseased animals in animal feed. A pivotal quote from the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine clarifies their position:

“We do not believe that the use of diseased animals or animals that died otherwise than by slaughter to make animal food poses a safety concern and we intend to continue to exercise enforcement discretion.”

This means that while the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act technically prohibits the use of "filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance" in food, the FDA chooses not to penalize pet food manufacturers who use these materials, provided they are heat-processed (rendered).

The Role of AAFCO

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is the body that sets the definitions for pet food ingredients. However, AAFCO is not a government agency; it is a private organization. This creates a "gray area" where definitions are created by industry stakeholders and enforced (or not enforced) by state officials. Thixton’s Association for Truth in Pet Food acts as a stakeholder in these meetings, though she often reports that consumer voices are outnumbered by industry lobbyists.

Implications: The Shift Toward Consumer-Led Transparency

The release of the 2026/27 Treat List signals a broader shift in the pet care industry. As pets are increasingly viewed as family members (the "humanization" of pets), owners are no longer satisfied with the "trust us" approach of legacy brands.

Economic Impact on Small Manufacturers

The list provides a vital platform for small, independent manufacturers who cannot afford the multi-million dollar advertising budgets of conglomerates like Mars, Nestlé Purina, or J.M. Smucker. By connecting these small businesses directly with "picky" consumers, the Treat List helps sustain a market for high-quality, human-grade products.

Consumer Empowerment and Education

Perhaps the most significant implication is the education of the consumer. Thixton’s work forces pet owners to look beyond the colorful pictures of grilled steaks and fresh vegetables on treat packaging. It encourages a "skeptical eye," teaching owners to ask:

1. Is this ingredient "feed-grade" or "human-grade"?
2. Is the meat sourced from USDA-inspected animals?
3. Does the company own its own kitchen, or is it outsourced to a large-scale plant?

The Future of Regulation

While the Treat List is a private endeavor, it puts pressure on regulatory bodies. When a significant portion of the market begins demanding documented proof of quality, regulators may eventually be forced to codify these standards into law. Until then, documents like the 2026/27 Treat List remain the only barrier between pet owners and the "smoke and mirrors" of the industrial feed complex.

For Susan Thixton, the mission is personal. "I ONLY give my own pets food and treats made with human-grade ingredients," she states. For the thousands of pet owners who follow her lead, the List is not just a shopping guide—it is a manifesto for the health and longevity of their animals.