In Court Fight Over Dog Food, Poultry Byproduct Plays the Role of Smoking Gun
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When it comes to drama, nothing in the $20 billion-a-year pet food industry rivals the bitter courtroom battle between big dog Purina and upstart Blue Buffalo. The fight took a surprising turn last week as a federal judge in St. Louis unsealed e-mails that Purina claims will support the larger company’s allegation that Blue Buffalo misleads customers intent on feeding their beloved animals the healthiest-possible chow.
Let’s stipulate upfront that we’re not talking here about potentially lethal car ignition switches or devastating pharmaceutical side effects. No lives are at stake—not even canine or feline, let alone human.