"Plain rice is also a food source."

This is probably what many pet owners think when buying pet food for the first time. After all, pet food packaging looks pretty much the same, the shelves are full of choices, but the prices can differ by as much as double—is there a problem with picking the cheaper option?

The problem is that the safety and quality of pet food are never reflected on the packaging.

Over the past year, the Hong Kong Consumer Council and the media have released a series of investigations revealing potential risks in the pet food market: Salmonella was detected in locally produced snacks, four cats vomited blood after purchasing cat food online, and smuggled pet food may introduce pathogens... These are not isolated incidents, but reflect a reality—in Hong Kong, the regulation of pet food is still in its early stages, and consumers' choices are the last line of defense for their pets' health.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is expected to release its first "Guidelines on Pet Food Safety, Production and Labelling" in the second quarter of 2026. But how can pet owners protect themselves before the regulations officially take effect?

We've compiled the latest local testing data, news reports, and government initiatives from 2024 to 2026 to identify eight key factors for successful purchasing decisions —from packaging and ingredient labeling to after-sales service mechanisms in sales channels—and broken them down one by one. At the same time, we'll also explore the characteristics of a responsible supply chain, enabling you to choose products with peace of mind after identifying risks.

8 Red Flags – A Risk Identification Guide from Packaging to Ingredients

🚩 Hongqi 1: The packaging is entirely in a foreign language, with no clear local responsible unit.

Risk characteristics

  • The packaging only has foreign languages ​​(English/Japanese/Simplified Chinese) on it, without the name, address or contact information of the local importer.
  • It is impossible to determine who imported the product into Hong Kong or who is responsible for after-sales service.

Latest data/case studies

  • In February 2026, Sing Tao Daily reported that many locally made "handmade" pet snacks lack information on their place of origin and expiration date. Some pet owners reported that their pets experienced discomfort after consuming them, but it was difficult to hold them accountable.[1]
  • The Consumer Council’s 2024 report pointed out that some pet snacks (especially online products) have incomplete packaging information, making it difficult for consumers to trace their origin.[2]

Potential impact on pets
In the event of an international recall or suspicion that the product is related to your pet's discomfort, you will have no way to trace that "foreign-language package of unknown origin" in your hand—you can only guess or grit your teeth and continue feeding it.

Reassurance Index
The packaging clearly states:

  • Manufacturer's name and address
  • Name and contact information of Hong Kong importers/agents
  • country of origin

🚩 Hongqi 2: The ingredient list uses vague terminology, and its source is questionable.

Risk characteristics

  • It only lists "meat by-products," "animal protein," and "animal oil," without specifying the exact animal source (such as chicken or salmon).
  • The order of components is disordered, or a large number of difficult-to-understand chemical terms appear.

Latest data/case studies

  • Although in recent years there have been fewer tests that directly target the general issue of ingredients, the Consumer Council found melamine in some samples during its 2014 dry food test —this reflects that when the source of ingredients is unclear, inferior raw materials have the opportunity to slip through the cracks.[3]
  • AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) emphasizes that the more detailed the ingredient list, the greater the brand's confidence in the raw materials.

Potential impact on pets

  • It's difficult to determine if the nutrition is suitable (for example, people with sensitive constitutions need to avoid certain meats).
  • It's possible to consume cheap byproducts over a long period, rather than truly high-quality protein.

Reassurance Index
The ingredient list clearly states the source of the meat, for example:

  • ✅ "Boneless chicken," "salmon," and "lamb" → not "meat"
  • ✅ "Chicken fat" and "salmon oil" → not "animal fat"

🚩 Red Flag 3: Expiry date/batch number is unclear, obscured, or missing.

Risk characteristics

  • The expiration date is printed blurry and the font is extremely faint.
  • Batch numbers are covered by stickers or printed in a peelable area.
  • There is absolutely no batch information on the packaging.

Latest data/case studies

  • Consumer Council report in October 2025 : Some pet snacks have a short shelf life after opening (e.g., 7 days), but the relevant labels are only listed in Japanese, which Hong Kong owners may not understand, increasing the risk of improper storage.[4]
  • The report also pointed out that some samples recommended refrigeration after opening, but lacked Chinese labeling, which may have led to product spoilage.

Potential impact on pets
When a brand announces a recall of certain batches, you can't be sure if your household stock will be affected—you can only "not dare to feed them, but also can't bear to throw them away," living in constant anxiety.

Reassurance Index

  • The expiration date and batch number are printed directly on the packaging, with clear font and fixed position.
  • If there are storage requirements after opening (such as "consume within 7 days after opening" or "refrigerate required"), they should be indicated in Chinese.

🚩 Hongqi 4: Packaging abnormalities - bulging, oil seepage, rust, odor

Risk characteristics

  • The food bag was abnormally bulging and its surface was oily.
  • The can is dented, rusted, or bulging (bulging).
  • After opening the bag, there is a distinct sour smell, musty smell, or rancid oil smell (odor of stale oil).

Latest data/case studies

  • Veterinarians pointed out that Hong Kong lacks regulation over the transportation and storage of pet food, and even "official" products may spoil due to exposure to high temperatures in containers.[5]
  • Consumer Council reminds consumers that damp or contaminated pet food may breed bacteria or mold, posing a risk to both animals and humans.[4]

Potential impact on pets

  • Bacterial/mold growth → Acute gastroenteritis, vomiting, bloody stools
  • Many poisoning cases stem from owners thinking it's a waste and believing the smell is okay, forcing them to eat the food and requiring emergency hospitalization, with veterinary fees ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.

Reassurance Index

  • The packaging was intact, dry, and undamaged.
  • The smell is normal after opening, with no strange odor.
  • The canned food is free from dents, rust, and bulges.

🚩 Hongqi 5: Priced far below market value, but its origin is unclear.

Risk characteristics

  • Claiming to be "genuine and authentic," but priced significantly lower than officially authorized channels.
  • The seller was vague about the origin of the goods and whether they were authorized.
  • The packaging looks familiar, but upon closer inspection there are subtle differences (such as color and font).

Latest data/case studies

  • January 2026 Pet Guide : Smuggled pet food is high-risk, may introduce pathogens such as rabies, and its source is unknown and cannot be traced.[6]
  • Past cases : Some owners bought "parallel import" cat food from the US online, and their cats vomited and had bloody stools; the manufacturer later confirmed that the packaging had typos and abnormal colors, and that it was a counterfeit product.[7]

Potential impact on pets

  • You may have purchased counterfeit goods, expired or refurbished goods, or smuggled goods.
  • You might think you're saving a few dozen yuan, but you could end up with a veterinary bill of tens of thousands of yuan.

Reassurance Index

  • Prices are similar to those of officially authorized channels.
  • The seller can clearly explain the source of supply and the background of authorization.
  • If you have any doubts, you can check with the brand's official website to see if the channel is authorized.

    🔍 Summary of Real Cases

    Case 1: 2024 | A merchant at HKXXmall sold "American version" Orijen cat food; cats experienced vomiting and diarrhea, confirming it was counterfeit.

    Event Summary :
    In April 2024, a cat owner purchased a 5.4kg bag of Orijen cat food, advertised as "American version" and "parallel import," from the merchant "御宠屋" on the HKXXmall platform for approximately 480 yuan (the original price through officially authorized channels was approximately 635 yuan). After feeding the cat, the cat exhibited severe symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea .

    The victim inspected the packaging and found:

    • The color and shape of the cat food are significantly different from the regular products I've bought before.
    • There are several typos on the packaging , such as "vegetbbles" (should be "vegetables") and "beeeds" (should be "breeds").

    The victim subsequently contacted the US manufacturer, who officially confirmed that the bag of cat food was counterfeit . When the victim contacted HKXXmall to demand a refund, the merchant proactively contacted them and stated that "the company will arrange a refund after the bag of food is destroyed," raising suspicions that the company intended to destroy evidence.

    Online records show that this is not an isolated incident—many cat owners who purchased Orijen cat food from different merchants in HKXXmall have reported similar health problems in their pets , including diarrhea, loss of appetite, and even bloody stools . These merchants also advertised their products as "parallel imports." Following the incident, the same cat food was still being sold on the secondhand auction platform "Rotating Auction," raising suspicions that it may be from the same batch of counterfeit goods.

    Key lessons learned :
    • The "parallel import" label is often used to disguise counterfeit goods; the "discount" below market price may come at the cost of your pet's health.
    • Merchants demanding the destruction of evidence before issuing refunds reflect the difficulties consumers face in protecting their rights, highlighting the importance of choosing reliable channels.

    Article link :
    https://www.facebook.com/boomheadhk/posts/pfbid02m3kk7aFi25Wu1fdT9NVj1rwnuquGWydUAB9S5hPC7nMcXLBUechjDmUhHfP5snj7l

    Case 2: 2025 | Four cats suffered from bloody stools after purchasing "parallel import" cat food from the US online.

    Event Summary :
    The owner purchased cat food labeled "parallel import from the US" through an e-commerce platform. After feeding it, the cat experienced vomiting and bloody stools. The owner contacted the brand and confirmed that the packaging had typos and unusual colors, indicating it was counterfeit. Veterinary treatment costs exceeded ten thousand yuan, and the seller has become unreachable.

    Source :
    Vetopia Veterinary Online Store. <【Fake Cat Food Scandal】How to Distinguish Between Genuine and Fake Cat/Dog Food and Ensure Your Pet's Health?> Vetopia Blog, May 28, 2025.

    Article link :
    https://www.vetopia.com.hk/zh/blogs/guides/how-to-spot-fake-cat-dog-food

🚩 Hongqi 6: Labels such as "handmade," "natural," and "local brand" have no verification.

Risk characteristics

  • They advertise themselves as "handmade," "homemade," and "100% natural," but lack third-party testing certification.
  • The sales platforms are mainly social media and online stores, with no physical address or contact information.

Latest data/case studies

  • In August 2024, the Consumer Council reported that 40% of the 30 samples were locally produced, and two of the pre-packaged samples tested positive for Salmonella —including one local brand duck heart product.[2]
  • The Consumer Council pointed out that the number of local pet food manufacturers has increased significantly in recent years, and sales platforms are no longer limited to physical stores, but hygiene supervision may not keep up.[2]

Potential impact on pets
"Handmade" and "natural" are subjective terms and do not necessarily indicate hygiene and safety. Without independent testing and verification, these labels are merely promotional claims.

Reassurance Index

  • The brand is willing to disclose third-party testing reports (such as tests for pathogens and heavy metals).
  • Clear company registration information and contact details

🚩 Red Flag 7: Lack of Handling Guidelines for Freeze-Dried/Air-Dried Products

Risk characteristics

  • The packaging does not indicate whether the product needs to be cooked or how to handle it safely.
  • The owner mistakenly believed that "freeze-drying = sterilization" and ignored the hygiene risks.

Latest data/case studies

  • The Consumer Council quoted the US CDC : Freeze-drying and dehydration can only reduce the number of pathogens, but cannot kill all pathogens that may exist in food.[2]
  • The US FDA adopts a "zero tolerance" policy for salmonella in pet food, but Hong Kong does not currently have similar regulations.[2]

Potential impact on pets

  • Owners who do not wash their hands thoroughly after handling freeze-dried snacks or leave the snacks out of reach of children increase the risk of cross-contamination.
  • Pets with weakened immune systems (young, old, or sick) are more susceptible to serious infections after consuming this product.

Reassurance Index

  • The packaging has clear safety handling instructions (such as "wash hands thoroughly after handling" and "keep out of reach of children").
  • The brand specifies whether the product has undergone a sterilization process (such as HPP high-pressure sterilization).

🚩 Hongqi 8: No after-sales follow-up mechanism in sales channels

Risk characteristics

  • If there are any problems after purchase and you cannot find a real person to help you, please contact us.
  • The seller only provides "read but no reply" customer service, or has no contact information at all.
  • The platform declares a disclaimer: "This store only acts as a purchasing agent and is not responsible for product quality."

Latest data/case studies

  • Multiple cases of online purchase of counterfeit cat food : The owner purchased "parallel import" cat food through an e-commerce platform, and the cat developed bloody stools; the seller then disappeared, the brand confirmed that the product was counterfeit, and the owner had to pay the veterinary fees alone.[7]
  • The Consumer Council reminds consumers to choose reputable stores, such as familiar pet shops or veterinary clinics, when purchasing pet food.[2]

    📋 Consumer Council Report at a Glance | Cat and Dog Snack Testing (August 2024)

    project content
    Test samples Of 30 cat and dog treats, 40% (12 types) were locally produced.
    Key findings Salmonella was detected in two pre-packaged samples (#16 duck heart, #30 pig ear).
    High-risk category Raw meat products, dried meat, pig ears, bull penis, etc.
    Freeze-drying/air-drying risks It can only reduce the number of pathogens, not completely kill them.
    International Standards Comparison United States, European Union, Mainland China, Taiwan, and Japan: Salmonella not detectable.
    Hong Kong: No specific regulations yet
    Storage issues after opening Some samples require refrigeration but the labeling is unclear, or the shelf life after opening is short (e.g., 7 days).
    Manufacturer's response The supplier has arranged for the two products found to contain Salmonella to be discontinued or for enhanced labeling.

    🔍Want to view the full report? 👉Click here to download the original article (PDF) of Consumer Council's "Choice" monthly magazine, issue 574.

📚 References

To view the complete official test report, please download the following file:

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