There is no scientific evidence to support the often repeated claim that
preservatives cause cancer. In fact, just the opposite may be true, as
preservatives added to pet foods can help prevent the formation of
cancer-causing compounds.
Pet foods contain fat and fat-soluble vitamins that readily oxidize
when exposed to air. Fat oxidation produces toxic compounds called
peroxides that can disrupt cell membranes—and loss of cell membrane
integrity has been linked to some types of cancer. Preservatives protect
the fat and vitamins from oxidizing in the presence of air.
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