I am a beef jerky junkie. I can plow my way through an entire bag of the stuff on a single road trip. Can’t resist. But I’ve always wondered about those little white plastic packets labeled DO NOT EAT found floating around in the bottom.
Those little white packets must look awfully appetizing to my dogs, who drool at the mere sight of a bag filled with dried meat.
Oxygen Absorbers
As it turns out those little white packets are either iron granules or activated charcoal and they are designed to keep food products as fresh as possible. And, not just meats, but all types of foods.
These shouldn’t be confused with the little white packets of Silica found inside electronics, or new tennis shoes. Silica is used as a moisture remover. It is often non-toxic to dogs if ingested in small amounts.
But what about those other white packets in dried food products? You probably already know, but those little white packets are likely iron, or charcoal granules. It depends on who you ask, but iron can be toxic to dogs, especially small dogs. Experts say that the little bit of iron that is in the packets likely will become inert the moment that dog eats it. Others argue against science. Charcoal granules are basically non-toxic. Both types of oxygen absorbers still shouldn’t be eaten, hence the warning label. What’s possibly worse than the substance is the plastic packet itself. It can become entangled in the dog’s intestines.
So how do you know which type of element is in the packet? You don’t. Unless you break it open before the dog ingests it and examine it yourself. Iron looks like rust. Charcoal is made of blackish granules.
Again, charcoal is non-toxic and iron can be toxic. The best advice is to call a Vet immediately, and if you have another white plastic packet give it to the Vet for analysis.
