Zupreem Worry

FrancisMom

FrancisMom

Member
Nov 4, 2018
76
19
Greensboro, NC
Parrots
U2 - Francis "Francie"
I'm wondering if anyone else has seen problems with Zupreem pellets. I've been giving Francis the Fruit Blend since I got him 2 years ago, and it's been fine. However, in early September I noticed that all of the Zupreem products were on sale for 40% off at the Petco I shopped at, in the Atlanta area. I was all excited and bought a ton of food for Francis.
When I opened it I noticed some kind of fuzz on a lot of the pieces. I threw out those bits but it still worried me. We were right in the middle of moving from Georgia to NC so I was pretty preoccupied.
When we got to the new house in North Carolina I was noticing moths constantly in the house. I finally realized that they were coming FROM THE ZUPREEM!!! The strange fuzz I was seeing when I first got it was webbing put out by moth larvae.
I've thrown out all the Zupreem I bought and switched him to RoudyBush and All Living Things diets. But the PetsMart up here in NC has all the Zupreem on sale as well. Has anyone else seen strange things in their Zupreem pellets?
 
i've not had any issues personally. do you freeze it when you get it home?
The webbing is a dead giveaway that it was already infested, but is it possible this happened after you brought it home? If there was an egg in there and it hatched (along with a few others) and then those multiplied...That's why a lot of ppl freeze it.
 
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all the time when I get any kind of pellets or seeds I have issues with bugs of some type being in the bags often. I've tried 3 different pet stores and they all have isdues....ugh..

The problem I've seen twice with zoo preen only diet is low weight. Pikachu cane to me on zooprem only diet his weight was low. Orbit came to me on zooprem only diet and his weight was low too. So I'm concerned thst calories are off in that pellet. I still offer it as one of my pellets, but they get veggies, seeds and other pellets now, and both their weights went up.
 
To keep the moths out of your bird food, get a jar and poke a few holes in it. Then fill the jar with Bay Leaves (the herb that you can buy from the shops), moth such as Coddling Moth absolutely cant stand the smell.
 
Yeah moths are a pretty common issue. Freeze everything when you first get it home is my advice. They sell pantry moth traps online that are pretty great(use somewhere a bird can't get to), but the best bet is to freeze everything as a first line of defense.
 
I have not served Zupreem in over one year, but never had quality issues. Large markdown may be a clue, if you still have a bag might want to check expiration date. Aside from that, freezing is good solution as others have shared.
 
Somewhat hazy but wasn't there an issue with lots of birds dying some years back that were fed this? Forgive me if I have got my facts muddled but something rings bells.

Have you thought of changing for good to an organic pellet? TOPs or Harrison's. I've used both and have healthy birds on Harrison's, which I keep in the fridge btw. To have anything in an unopened pack that should not be there spells loads of questions IMHO. Just noticed that you have a gorgeous U2 and Harrison's do a chunky power treat which she may like?


These are the ingredients of that product hun and they list the biggest ingredients first:
Ground corn, Soybean meal, Ground wheat, Wheat germ meal, Sugar, Vegetable oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Oranges, Apples, Calcium carbonate, Dicalcium phosphate, Grapes, Bananas, Iodized salt, Natural flavors, DL-Methionine, Choline chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E supplement, Niacin supplement, Biotin, d-Calcium pantothenate, Riboflavin supplement, Pyridoxine hydrochloride, Thiamine mononitrate, Vitamin A acetate, Vitamin D3 supplement, Menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), Vitamin B12 supplement, Folic acid), Citric acid (preservative), Mixed tocopherols (preservative), Yellow 5, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, Red 40, Yellow 6, Minerals (Manganous oxide, Zinc oxide, Copper sulfate, Sodium selenite, Calcium iodate), Color added, Blue 1, Red 3



Please change?
 
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Yes, there was an issue that was attributed to formulation, reportedly. The batch was "voluntarily" recalled (due to presumably improper vitamin levels). I actually think of this whenever I open a new bag...scary...I don't love Zupreem (AT ALL) but snuggle huts kill far more birds than Zupreem's bad batch of food (not advocating either, but at least Zupreem does have some merit in comparison). I think feeding a bird Zupreem is better than no pellets, and certainly safer than a lot of things marketed towards bird owners--even though it is far from perfect, I would consider it to be fairly safe...Heck, remember when Purina killed hundreds of dogs with poison food? It's not okay, but I don't think that Purina is the worst thing ever (given the fact that dogs have relatively short lifespans--even if the ingredients, when nom-contaminated, are not ideal)-- now if you can afford Blue Buffalo or something, do it, but do you know what I mean? The entire pet food industry is not without risk...Heck, my relatives were paying like 20 dollars a pop for this REALLY expensive, raw, refrigerated dog food that ended up giving their dog pancreatitis---top of the line dog food. I mean, if an organic Paris Hilton fed her dog, she would have bought this stuff...and nevertheless...a contaminated batch nearly killed my relative's dog. Zupreem is not top of the line, but...you know what I mean?

If your birds will eat something better, go for it. If not, I wouldn't fret too much as long as the batches aren't all moth laden. I buy food off Amazon and I have never had moths within the past 10 years (although it was an issue at times prior).

IMO, feeding Zupreem fruit blend is like giving your child Lucky Charms vs Grape Nuts for breakfast (only, not quite was bad).
Very few people have actually lost birds due to Zupreem's issues when compared to issues within the dog food community etc.

Many pellets/seeds can come with moth issues (although, again, it has been years since I have had this problem, and I don't freeze mine). Dry goods in general that contain grains (even those intended for humans) can be the source of a moth infestation). Always be on the lookout for the webs.
 
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noodles123 said:
Yes, there was an issue that was attributed to formulation, reportedly. The batch was voluntarily recalled (due to presumably improper vitamin levels). I don't love Zupreem (AT ALL) but snuggle huts kill far more birds than Zupreems bad batch of food (not advocating either, but at least Zupreem doe shave some merit in comparison). I think feeding a bird Zupreem is better than no pellets, and certainly safer than a lot of things marketed towards bird owners--even though it is far from perfect, I would consider it to be fairly safe...Heck, remember when Purina killed hundreds of dogs with poison food? It's not okay, but I don't think that Purina is the worst thing ever--- now if you can afford Blue Buffalo or something, do it, but do you know what I mean? The entire pet food industry is not without risk...Heck, my relatives were paying like 20 dollars a pop for this REALLY expensive, raw dog food that ended up giving their dog pancreatitis---top of the line dog food.

If your birds will eat something better, go for it. If not, I wouldn't fret too much as long as the batches aren't all moth laden. I buy food off Amazon and I have never had moths within the past 10 years (although it was an issue at times prior).
Click to expand...


I disagree respectfully hun and know good, knowledgeable people who won't touch pellets. Pellets are out there cause some people think feeding their parrot a jam sandwich is good cause they like it :confused: Vets are able to have some assurity that the bird is receiving half decent nutrition by recommending them. Please go read Sally Blanchard's page on parrot nutrition on FB she is completely scathing.
 
If someone is able to provide a really balanced diet without pellets, I agree with you. I just don't think most people do this. Even if a bird gets fresh fruit/veg daily, it is difficult to perfect the macronutrients, fats, vitamins etc (and it varies significantly across species). I know they wouldn't eat them in the wild, but in captivity, I think they are better than nothing (unless you are basically a species-specific nutritionist)--- eclectus parrots should never get pellets, btw (just wanted to add that).

Many birds have starved to death, having been cut-off from what they know cold-turkey. They are one of the few animals (other than humans) that will sometimes refuse to eat edible food due to prior habits.

I don't think Zupreem is ideal, but I think maintaining weight, blood sugar and vitamin-levels/fats= very important and if pellets help someone do that, I am in favor (although it may not be ideal).

My bird HATES pellets-- I offer them, but I spend 99.9% of my time trying to compensate with other foods. If pellets work for some (in place if worse junk, like an all-seed diet or even more sugary diet, I think they are okay, although imperfect and not a substitute for green/raw food). When she laid an egg recently (which hasn't ever happened in 14 years), she started eating them, which makes me think there is some merit.

Pellets should never be a parrot's only food, but they are preferable to an all-seed or all fruit diet. Now, fruit and seed are okay in moderation (better for some parrot types than others) BUT, pellets can help fill a gap for many. Even Harrison's etc are still pellets, and if you look at the ingredients, they aren't that impressive. My thing is, vitamin supplements are SUPER dangerous in comparison, but vitamin A deficiencies etc can also kill birds...so pellets seem to be the middle-ground between super concentrated supplements, and winging it nutritionally. If someone knows exactly what they are doing and has access to a huge variety of produce etc (and a very open-minded bird) then pellets may not be needed...but if a picky bird only wants seeds or Zupreem and they will lose weight/ be malnourished without, I say, feed the pellets.
 
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noodles123 said:
If someone is able to provide a really balanced diet without pellets, I agree with you. I just don't think most people do this. Even if a bird gets fresh fruit/veg daily, it is difficult to perfect the macronutrients, fats, vitamins etc (and it varies significantly across species). I know they wouldn't eat them in the wild, but in captivity, I think they are better than nothing (unless you are basically a species-specific nutritionist)--- eclectus parrots should never get pellets, btw (just wanted to add that).

Many birds have starved to death, having been cut-off from what they know cold-turkey. They are one of the few animals (other than humans) that will sometimes refuse to eat edible food due to prior habits.

I don't think Zupreem is ideal, but I think maintaining weight, blood sugar and vitamin-levels/fats= very important and if pellets help someone do that, I am in favor (although it may not be ideal).

My bird HATES pellets-- I offer them, but I spend 99.9% of my time trying to compensate with other foods. If pellets work for some (in place if worse junk, like an all-seed diet or even more sugary diet, I think they are okay, although imperfect and not a substitute for green/raw food). When she laid an egg recently (which hasn't ever happened in 14 years), she started eating them, which makes me think there is some merit.

Pellets should never be a parrot's only food, but they are preferable to an all-seed or all fruit diet. Now, fruit and seed are okay in moderation (better for some parrot types than others) BUT, pellets can help fill a gap for many. Even Harrison's etc are still pellets, and if you look at the ingredients, they aren't that impressive. My thing is, vitamin supplements are SUPER dangerous in comparison, but vitamin A deficiencies etc can also kill birds...so pellets seem to be the middle-ground between super concentrated supplements, and winging it nutritionally. If someone knows exactly what they are doing and has access to a huge variety of produce etc (and a very open-minded bird) then pellets may not be needed...but if a picky bird only wants seeds or Zupreem and they will lose weight/ be malnourished without, I say, feed the pellets.
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I am sorry hun I cannot agree with some of your points but rather than take over the OP's thread will leave it there for her to decide.
 
Well, we are answering OP's thread. Why do you dislike pellets so much?
 
Sorry, I am not a pellet person! Yes, my JoJo has TOPS, two different kinds of Zupreem as a diversion, and, Higgins!
The main, ‘holy grail’ of pellets is recommended by vets for two reasons! For many, it’s a revenue stream, and it is a safe recommendation!
Soybean and corn are, at best, fillers!
 
Anyone that has read my Posts over the years or have visited the I Love Amazons -... Thread in the Amazon Forum can easily determine that I'm not a big believer in Pellets. That said, we provide some pellets as part of our Amazon(s) dry diet more as a supplement than a dominate part of the dry diet. At this moment, we are using TOPS.

Why: Most Pellets provide far more vitamins and minerals than most Parrots need to begin with. In addition, some provide far too much sugar and salt. Then you have those that add colorings that has no need what-so-ever.

Diet is a Hot button topic and I will go no further than my above statement....

Regarding Zupreem and the general reality that moths are common place in 'all' dry foods! Specific to Zupreem, check their Use By Date. It is very likely that the product is or has reached that time line. NOTE: Freezing Dry Foods for a minimum of two weeks is needed to kill any and all bugs that naturally exists in dry foods! We freeze until we use, pulling out only enough for a weeks use.

Regarding Zupreem and the issue with a Parrot Rescue located in Western Michigan, USA and that whole crazy mess. In short, Zupreem was targeted by a Rescue as the source of the death of their Parrot(s). Testing at the State and National Level found no confirmable connection. This topic had been covered in a Thread within Parrotforum, if anyone is interested.
 
Regarding the OPs original pellets. At this point I've tried various pellets in the attempt to do a successful switch-over.

--Well, switch-over has not happened. Instead, we've reached a compromise: pellets offered in a separate dish will be eaten as... a side-dish ONLY ...by all my birdies. Pellets offered as part of regular food will be ignored, left in the dish, and/or emphatically removed from the dish... but NOT eaten as the main food. I was recently lectured that this is a crying shame; that since my birdies will ingest pellets, I should have done a complete switch-over. So, I'm attempting again. But, again meeting strong resistance.---

Anyway, back to the topic at-hand. I personally (knock-wood, cross-fingers, etc!) have not had moth-problems with the various pellets I've tried. BUT. After bringing home a bag of Zupreem with a very odd smell, I checked the expiration date and it was Far Expired.

Since then I normally check the exp dates before purchasing, and so far at Three of my Four local petstores (chains and indys) I have found Significantly Expired pellets on the shelves for sale!

But, they were All different brands. I'm gonna guess that any of these could have easily had moth-problems IF bought and opened? So therefore, it probably wasn't a brand problem with yours, either, but rather a (PRE-purchase) storage issue of some kind?

And regardless -- always check those Expiration dates before buying, because the stores aren't doing it for us!
 
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Not possible that is happened after I brought it home. We were out of food so I opened it right away and many of the pieces were already covered. Honestly I thought it was lint.
 
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Not possible that it happened after I brought it home. We were out of food so I opened it right away, to find many pieces covered in what I thought was lint.
 
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Not sure I can get this reply to work (still can't work this site). I opened the bag immediately when I got home, so the bag was infested to begin with. I'm getting the idea that moths in bird food is not a new thing or anything to panic about. I've NEVER had this in my cats' food, so it was a disgusting surprise with the bird food.
I have switched him to RoudyBush pellets and All Living Things. He's a good bird who takes to new food pretty well. He was originally on a seed diet with his previous owner. I put him on the pellets when I got him, and he took to them really well.
 
FancysMom said:
Not sure I can get this reply to work (still can't work this site). I opened the bag immediately when I got home, so the bag was infested to begin with. I'm getting the idea that moths in bird food is not a new thing or anything to panic about. I've NEVER had this in my cats' food, so it was a disgusting surprise with the bird food.
I have switched him to RoudyBush pellets and All Living Things. He's a good bird who takes to new food pretty well. He was originally on a seed diet with his previous owner. I put him on the pellets when I got him, and he took to them really well.
Click to expand...

Please remember that 'ALL' dry foods contain a certain percentage of bugs, etc... That is why it is so very important to always Freeze prior to use! Dry foods that are beyond their expiration date should not be purchased!
 
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