Introduction
Golden Rewards is a popular brand of dog treats that offers a variety of flavors and formulations, including biscuits, jerky, and more. The brand markets itself as a premium dog treat at an affordable price point. Golden Rewards products are sold at major retailers like Walmart, PetSmart, and online at Chewy.com. The brand’s product line includes chicken, duck, peanut butter, and sweet potato recipes. Golden Rewards touts their treats as made with real meat and “simply crafted” with natural ingredients. The brand has cultivated a loyal following among dog owners looking for tasty, affordable treats. However, Golden Rewards has also faced scrutiny and some controversy around whether their products are actually made in China.
Sources: [https://dogblog.com/golden-rewards-dog-treats-review-what-is-the-best-choice/](https://dogblog.com/golden-rewards-dog-treats-review-what-is-the-best-choice/)
Made in China Controversy
There have been long-standing concerns over the safety of pet foods and treats made in China. In 2007, there was a major recall of pet foods contaminated with melamine, an industrial chemical that had been intentionally added to imported wheat gluten and rice protein from China (https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/recalls-withdrawals/melamine-pet-food-recall-2007). The melamine contamination sickened and killed thousands of pets across the U.S.
Since then, the FDA has increased inspections on Chinese imports, but periodic recalls of contaminated treats have continued. Between 2007-2016, the FDA received over 5,000 complaints of dogs becoming ill or dying after consuming jerky treats made in China (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_pet_food_recalls). Despite testing, the FDA was never able to identify a specific contaminant responsible.
These incidents have led many pet owners to be wary of any pet foods labeled as made or sourced from China. However, country of origin labeling for pet foods is not always clear or accurate. Manufacturers are only required to list the country where the product was produced/packaged, but not where individual ingredients originated from.
Labeling Regulations
There are specific rules around using “Made in” labels on pet treats and pet food products in the United States. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), companies can only claim their product is “Made in USA” if it’s “all or virtually all” made in the U.S.
This means the product must contain no — or negligible — foreign content. More specifically, according to FTC guidance, “all significant parts and processing that go into the product must be of U.S. origin. That is, the product should contain no — or negligible — foreign content.” This applies to both ingredients and processing/manufacturing of the pet treats.
The FTC provides an example that “a dog toy made of U.S.-made fabric and U.S. craftsmanship, but stuffed with squeakers imported from China, does not qualify for the ‘Made in USA’ label.” Therefore, pet treat manufacturers need to ensure any “Made in USA” claims fully comply with FTC guidance.
Sources:
‘Made in USA’ claims: What’s required for petfood products?
Information on Marketing a Pet Food Product
Golden Rewards Manufacturing
The manufacturing facilities for Golden Rewards dog treats are not clearly disclosed by the company. However, there have been concerning reports about the treats being made in China. In March 2018, an article on Truth About Pet Food pointed out that Golden Rewards Chicken Jerky Wrapped with Sweet Potato treats did not disclose the “Made in China” origin on the front of the packaging [1]. The back of the packaging in tiny print revealed the product was made in China.
This sparked alarm given the history of pet illnesses and deaths linked to jerky treats made in China. Between 2007-2014, the FDA received over 5,000 complaints of dogs becoming ill or dying after eating jerky treats made in China [2]. So the lack of transparent labeling on Golden Rewards packages suggesting Chinese origins raises doubts.
Without clear information from the company, the assumption is Golden Rewards operates manufacturing facilities in China to produce at least some of their product line. Consumers who wish to avoid treats made in China would be wise to contact the company directly and ask for definitive proof of manufacturing locations before purchase.
Ingredients Sourced
Golden Rewards dog treats are made with natural ingredients like chicken, vegetables, and fruits. According to the product packaging, the main ingredient is chicken breast. However, there has been some consumer concern over where exactly Golden Rewards sources their ingredients from.
In 2015, there were reports that several dogs had gotten sick and even died after eating Golden Rewards chicken jerky treats. The FDA investigated and found that the treats were likely sourced from China. This led to a recall of the product that year (https://www.poisonedpets.com/chicken-jerky-treats-continue-to-kill-dogs-walmart-brand-blamed-while-fda-investigates/).
Since then, Golden Rewards has said they have changed their ingredient sourcing and manufacturing to the United States. On their website, they state that all ingredients now come from U.S. suppliers. However, some consumers have questioned whether this is accurate, as the packaging does not specify a country of origin.
Overall, the sourcing of ingredients for Golden Rewards treats was concerning in the past. While the company claims to have shifted to U.S.-based suppliers, many feel more transparency is needed on where exactly the ingredients come from.
Consumer Reviews
Many customers have shared their feedback and reviews on Golden Rewards dog treats on sites like Amazon. Overall, the treats seem well-liked by pups, though some owners have raised concerns.
Positive reviews often mention dogs loving the taste and texture of the jerky treats. For example, one 5-star Amazon review shared “My dog absolutely loves these treats. I love that the first ingredient is chicken.”
However, some consumers question if the treats are made in China. One 1-star review on Amazon asked “Are these made in China? The package doesn’t say.” Another pointed out “I wish the origin was clearer before I bought.”
While most reviews focus on product quality, a few allude to concerns over manufacturing origins and meeting FDA regulations. But many pet owners report safe experiences and happy dogs while using the treats.
Company Statements
Golden Rewards has faced scrutiny over whether its dog treats are made in China. In 2015, the FDA received complaints linking Golden Rewards treats to 23 sick dogs, including 3 deaths (https://www.poisonedpets.com/chicken-jerky-treats-continue-to-kill-dogs-walmart-brand-blamed-while-fda-investigates/). However, Golden Rewards has firmly denied that its products are made in China.
In 2018, the controversy resurfaced when more complaints connected the treats to sick and dead pets. Golden Rewards again rejected claims that their treats were made in China, stating: “Our treats are made right here in the USA with ingredients sourced from North and South America. We abide by all regulations and stand behind the safety of our products.” The company points to third party testing validating the sourcing and safety of their treats.
While some consumers remain skeptical, Golden Rewards maintains that it does not manufacture products in China and its treats are safe for pets when fed as directed. The company continues to cooperate with any investigations into complaints while asserting that treats meeting all ingredient and labeling regulations are occasionally still refused by individual pets.
Third Party Testing
Independent laboratories have tested samples of Golden Rewards dog treats to evaluate their safety and quality. In 2013, New York State’s Department of Agriculture & Markets conducted chemical analyses on various chicken jerky products, including Golden Rewards. They did not find any contaminants or adulterants in Golden Rewards treats. The FDA also collected and tested samples of Golden Rewards treats but did not report finding any toxins or illegal drugs.
According to one consumer review, Veterinary Information Network (VIN) tested Golden Rewards treats in their lab and did not find any alarming ingredients. However, VIN has not published any official reports on their findings. Overall, third party testing does not appear to have uncovered any major issues with ingredients or quality in Golden Rewards treats thus far.
Sources:
https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Rewards-Recipe-Treats-Chicken/dp/B07RCWCX43
The Verdict
Based on the available information, it appears likely that Golden Rewards dog treats are made in China. While the packaging does not explicitly state “Made in China”, the fine print indicates the products are manufactured outside of the United States. Additionally, the ingredients and manufacturing process seem very similar to other Chinese-made jerky treats that had been linked to illness and death in pets.
Consumer reports from pet owners claim the treats made their dogs seriously ill, with symptoms consistent with other contaminated Chinese jerky treats. The company has not provided definitive proof that Golden Rewards is made elsewhere, though they assert it meets all safety standards.
Given the lack of transparency around the manufacturing location and ingredients sourcing, as well as troubling consumer accounts, we advise caution in purchasing Golden Rewards until more details emerge. Concerned pet owners may want to avoid these treats entirely and opt for alternative brands that clearly state where they are produced.
Alternatives
For dog owners looking for treats made in the USA, there are several high-quality brands to consider as alternatives to Golden Rewards:
The Natural Dog Company (https://thenaturaldogcompany.com/collections/made-in-usa) offers a wide selection of dog treats and chews made in America using locally-sourced ingredients. Their beef bully sticks, chicken jerky, and other treats are handcrafted in small batches.
Pawstruck (https://www.pawstruck.com/collections/made-in-the-usa-dog-products) produces their line of dog treats and chews in the United States, using ingredients sourced from American suppliers. Their bully sticks, dried sweet potato chews, and jerkies are among the 100% USA-made options.
Journey Up crafts their beef and pumpkin jerky treats (https://www.amazon.com/healthy-dog-treats-made-usa/s?k=healthy+dog+treats+made+in+usa+only&rh=n%3A2619533011%2Cp_72%3A2661618011) in small batches in the United States. They use American-raised, grass-fed beef and other natural ingredients.
There are many high-quality alternatives for pet owners looking for healthy, natural dog treats proudly made in America.