Who Owns Iams?

Iams operates under Mars, Incorporated's sustainability framework. Mars has committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its full value chain by 2050, with interim targets for 2030. The company reports progress annually in its Principles in Action report.

Mars Petcare has established specific sustainability initiatives for its pet food brands, including sustainable sourcing of fish (through Marine Stewardship Council certification), responsible meat sourcing, and packaging reduction targets. Iams packaging has been redesigned to reduce plastic content, and Mars has committed to 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging by 2025.

Iams ingredients are sourced from suppliers who must meet Mars' supplier code of conduct, which covers environmental standards, labor practices, and animal welfare. Mars conducts supplier audits and publishes compliance data in its annual report. The company sources chicken, turkey, and lamb from suppliers in the United States and Europe.

Animal welfare is a core concern for Mars Petcare. The company has established animal welfare standards for its ingredient suppliers and conducts welfare audits at supplier facilities. Mars has also committed to eliminating cage housing for laying hens in its supply chain by 2025.

Iams supports pet adoption programs and animal shelter partnerships through Mars Petcare's corporate giving initiatives. The brand has partnered with organizations including the American Humane Society and local animal shelters to promote pet adoption and responsible pet ownership.

Iams is recognized as one of the few pet food brands that meets World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines for pet nutrition. This recognition places Iams alongside Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, and Eukanuba as brands that meet the highest standards for pet food formulation, nutritional adequacy, and manufacturing quality control.

The brand has received veterinary endorsements and recommendations from veterinary professionals for its science-based nutrition approach. Iams employs veterinary nutritionists and conducts feeding trials to support its nutritional claims.

Consumer publications including Consumer Reports and pet food review sites have generally rated Iams favorably for nutritional quality and value. The brand's Proactive Health line has been recognized for providing balanced nutrition at accessible price points.

Iams' most significant recall occurred in August 2013 when the company voluntarily recalled several dry dog food and cat food products due to potential Salmonella contamination. The recall affected specific production lots and was initiated after routine testing identified possible contamination. Iams worked with the FDA to remove affected products and implemented enhanced quality control measures. No illnesses were reported in connection with the recall.

Iams has faced criticism from some pet owners and pet nutrition advocates regarding the use of corn, soy, and meat by-products in its formulations. Critics argue these ingredients are lower quality than whole meat ingredients. Iams maintains that all ingredients meet nutritional standards and are included based on scientific research supporting their nutritional value. The brand's compliance with WSAVA guidelines supports this position.

The brand's ownership changes have prompted consumer concerns about potential changes in ingredient quality. The transition from independent ownership to P&G (1999) and then to Mars (2014) led some customers to question whether product quality remained consistent. Iams maintains that its nutritional standards and quality control have been maintained through both ownership transitions, and the brand's continued WSAVA compliance supports this claim.

Iams has been involved in broader industry debates about grain-free diets and their potential link to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The FDA investigated a potential connection between grain-free diets and DCM between 2018 and 2021. Iams, which includes grains in most of its formulations, was not named in the investigation. The brand has used the DCM concern to differentiate its grain-inclusive formulas from grain-free competitors.