That premium bag from Absolute Pets might be 60% mielies. Here is the legal loophole they use to fool you.
Under South African law (Act 36 of 1947), ingredients must be listed by weight. It sounds fair, but there is a sneaky catch before the cooking begins.
"Fresh Chicken" is mostly water. Once cooked into kibble, it shrinks. You are paying for water weight on the label, not actual protein in your pet's bowl.
Manufacturers split one filler into three small names. Individually, they weigh less than meat. Together, they dominate the entire bag of food.
See Maize Flour, Maize Meal, and Maize Bran? It is all just mielies. Split up, they allow "Chicken" to stay at the number one spot on the list.
In South Africa, look for Maize, Peas, and Rice. If you see multiple versions of these in the top ten, your pet is eating mostly starch, not protein.
Do the math. If Chicken is 14% but three types of Maize add up to 24%, you have bought a maize-based biscuit, not a meat-heavy dinner for your pet.
The first five ingredients make up 80% of the bag. If three of them are different names for grains, the "Meat First" claim is just clever marketing fluff.
Unlike "Fresh Chicken," "Chicken Meal" has the water already removed. It is often a more honest protein count for dry kibble in the South African market.
If the label is vague about which animal is used, put it back on the shelf. You want specific names like Lamb or Salmon, not mystery leftovers.
Dull coat or excessive flatulence? Your pet is struggling to digest those split fillers. Their body does not lie, even if the packaging does.
This isn't just about the first ingredient; it is about the total sum of the splits. Real quality comes from named proteins and fewer grain loopholes. Look closer.
Get our full checklist to decode South African pet food labels and find the best nutrition for your budget.