Our verdict
Is ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck a good dog food?
We score it 64/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with duck, dried duck protein and peas as the main ingredients.
46% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for adult dogs
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, lamb, fish, venison, pork as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists poultry fat
- Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists poultry fat
- Your dog avoids duck: the label lists duck
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Find foods that fit your dog.
Nutrition and feedingProtein 31% · Fat 15%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 31% |
| Fat | 15% |
| Fibre | 5% |
| Ash | 7.50% |
| Moisture | 12% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.80% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 2.20% |
| Calcium | 1.30% |
| Phosphorus | 0.90% |
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
Once opened, you can safely store ACANA food in its packaging by rolling the top of the bag down after each use. If you live in a humid climate, consider using an airtight container and simply put the entire bag of food in the container. Remember to wash your storage bin whenever you change out your bag of food to ensure that food build-up does not occur. Also remember to keep the lot number handy. You can find this information, as well as the Best Before date, on the back of the package near the top. Refrigeration of ACANA is not required. Rather than a garage with large temperature fluctuations, the best storage is in your home in a cool, dry place at room temperature.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
3a370 Taurine: 1500mg; 3a890 Choline chloride (choline): 1050mg; 3b612 (Zinc: 160mg); 3b407 (Copper: 11mg); 3a821 Vitamin B1: 75mg; 3a825i Vitamin B2: 15mg; 3a314 Niacin: 150mg; 3a841 Calcium-D-pantothenate: 45mg; 3a831 Vitamin B6: 26mg; 3a316 Folic Acid: 5.25mg; 3a835 Vitamin B12: 0.15mg; 3a672a Vitamin A: 5625 IU; 3a671 Vitamin D3: 750 IU; 3a700 Vitamin E: 465 IU
Technological additives
1b306(i) Tocopherol extracts from vegetable oils: 110mg; 1a330 citric acid: 40mg
Ingredients (26)46% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 44.0%
- veg 42.9%
- oil 6.0%
- carb 2.5%
- fibre 2.5%
- additive 2.1%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raw duck (18%) | Duck | meat · medium | 18 | 18.0 |
| 2 | duck meal (17%) | Dried Duck Protein | meat · good | 17 | 17.0 |
| 3 | whole green peas | Peas | veg · good | - | 2.9 |
| 4 | whole red lentils | Lentils | veg · medium | - | 2.8 |
| 5 | raw duck liver (9%) | Liver | meat · good | 9 | 9.0 |
| 6 | duck fat (6%) | Poultry Fat | oil · medium | 6 | 6.0 |
| 7 | fresh pears (4%) | Pears | veg · good | 4 | 4.0 |
| 8 | whole chickpeas | Chickpeas | veg · good | - | 2.7 |
| 9 | whole green lentils | Lentils | veg · medium | - | 2.7 |
| 10 | whole yellow peas | Peas | veg · good | - | 2.6 |
| 11 | pea starch | Pea Starch | carb · poor | - | 2.5 |
| 12 | lentil fibre | Lentil Fiber | fibre · medium | - | 2.5 |
| 13 | algae | Seaweed | veg · good | - | 2.4 |
| 14 | fresh whole butternut squash | Butternut Squash | veg · good | - | 2.3 |
| 15 | fresh whole pumpkin | Pumpkin | veg · good | - | 2.3 |
| 16 | dried kelp | Kelp | veg · good | - | 2.2 |
| 17 | salt | Salt | additive · poor | - | 2.1 |
| 18 | dried chicory root | Chicory root | veg · good | - | 2.1 |
| 19 | whole cranberries | Cranberries | veg · good | - | 2.0 |
| 20 | whole blueberries | Blueberries | veg · good | - | 1.9 |
| 21 | turmeric | Turmeric | veg · good | - | 1.8 |
| 22 | milk thistle | Milk Thistle | veg · good | - | 1.8 |
| 23 | burdock root | Burdock Root | veg · good | - | 1.7 |
| 24 | lavender | Lavender | veg · good | - | 1.6 |
| 25 | marshmallow root | Marshmallow Root | veg · good | - | 1.6 |
| 26 | rosehips | Rose Hip | veg · good | - | 1.5 |
- 1. Raw duck (18%)18% declared18.0% estimated
- 2. duck meal (17%)17% declared17.0% estimated
- 3. whole green peas2.9% estimated
- 4. whole red lentils2.8% estimated
- 5. raw duck liver (9%)9% declared9.0% estimated
- 6. duck fat (6%)6% declared6.0% estimated
- 7. fresh pears (4%)4% declared4.0% estimated
- 8. whole chickpeas2.7% estimated
- 9. whole green lentils2.7% estimated
- 10. whole yellow peas2.6% estimated
- 11. pea starch2.5% estimated
- 12. lentil fibre2.5% estimated
- 13. algae2.4% estimated
- 14. fresh whole butternut squash2.3% estimated
- 15. fresh whole pumpkin2.3% estimated
- 16. dried kelp2.2% estimated
- 17. salt2.1% estimated
- 18. dried chicory root2.1% estimated
- 19. whole cranberries2.0% estimated
- 20. whole blueberries1.9% estimated
- 21. turmeric1.8% estimated
- 22. milk thistle1.8% estimated
- 23. burdock root1.7% estimated
- 24. lavender1.6% estimated
- 25. marshmallow root1.6% estimated
- 26. rosehips1.5% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-13
Brand and contact: ACANA
- Phone
- 01737 767679
- Address
- Bern Pet Foods Ltd. Bancroft Place 10 Bancroft Road Reigate, Surrey RH2 7RP UK
- Contact page
- www.acanapetfoods.co.uk
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-13
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.acanapetfoods.co.uk
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Brand and retailer reviews
External platform ratings are not scores for this individual recipe.
Trustpilot: - · 1 reviews
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Why this score?
This recipe achieves an overall score of 64 out of 100 based on several key factors. The meat content contributed +4.6 points, while the overall quality of the ingredient list added +5.6 points. However, the processing format reduced the score by -6.7 points, and ingredients without printed percentages resulted in a deduction of -4.9 points.
Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.6 | 9.191 | +5.61 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 48.1% | 0.096 | +4.62 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 4.6% | -0.115 | -0.53 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 12.3% | -0.092 | -1.13 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 26.4% | -0.005 | -0.14 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 4.0% | 0.163 | +0.64 |
| Recipe graded poor | 4.7% | -0.065 | -0.30 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 2.5% | 0.060 | +0.15 |
| Undeclared quantities | 46.0% | -0.106 | -4.86 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Additive penalty | -2.59 | 0.222 | -0.57 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.6 | 9.191 | +5.61 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 48.1% | 0.096 | +4.62 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 4.6% | -0.115 | -0.53 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 12.3% | -0.092 | -1.13 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 26.4% | -0.005 | -0.14 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 4.0% | 0.163 | +0.64 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.012 | +0.00 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 4.7% | -0.065 | -0.30 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 2.5% | 0.060 | +0.15 |
| Undeclared quantities | 46.0% | -0.106 | -4.86 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | no | -3.158 | +0.00 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | -2.59 | 0.222 | -0.57 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 64.1
- Final score
- 64/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Score history across model versions
The score shown above is always computed with the latest published model. Earlier scores are kept for the record and are never edited or deleted; a scoring change ships as a new model version with a public write-up on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 31 | 35.2 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 15 | 17 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 5 | 5.7 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.3 | 1.5 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 99.3 |
| Phosphorus | 0.9 | 1 (band 0.4 to 1.6%) | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.4 | 1.4 (band 1 to 2%) | 96.7 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score.
Declared fortification: 14 nutritional additives on the label
- 3a370 Taurine: 1500mg
- 3a890 Choline chloride (choline): 1050mg
- 3b612 (Zinc: 160mg)
- 3b407 (Copper: 11mg)
- 3a821 Vitamin B1: 75mg
- 3a825i Vitamin B2: 15mg
- 3a314 Niacin: 150mg
- 3a841 Calcium-D-pantothenate: 45mg
- 3a831 Vitamin B6: 26mg
- 3a316 Folic Acid: 5.25mg
- 3a835 Vitamin B12: 0.15mg
- 3a672a Vitamin A: 5625 IU
- 3a671 Vitamin D3: 750 IU
- 3a700 Vitamin E: 465 IU
Medium confidence: the full five-part analysis is on file; where moisture was not declared it was estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (54% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 10.8/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) | 15/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) | 5/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Feeding guidance given).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
See all current recalls we track.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
25/100 · limited — 4 checkable claims: 1 consistent, 3 contradicted.
Contradicted by the label
- "ACANA Singles Limited Ingredient Diet Recipes are thoughtfully crafted with protein from a single animal source" — the declared label says otherwise on single protein.
- "Crafted with protein-rich ingredients from a single animal source – duck." — the declared label says otherwise on single protein.
- "Our Free-Run Duck Recipe includes 50% protein-rich duck ingredients balanced with 50% vegetables, fruit and nutrients" — the declared label says otherwise on single protein.
Consistent with the label
- "no grain ingredients" — supported by the declared grain-free data.
5 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Limited: at least one claim contradicts the declared label, or a recent upheld ASA ruling applies.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| no grain ingredients (on page) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| No artificial preservatives, flavours or colours added in our kitchen. (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| This recipe helps support 3 key health benefits for your dog, including healthy skin & coat, healthy digestion and ideal body condition. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids help support healthy skin and a shiny coat. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Fibre-rich fruits and vegetables help support healthy digestion. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Protein-rich duck is balanced with pears and vegetables to help support ideal body condition. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| ACANA Singles Limited Ingredient Diet Recipes are thoughtfully crafted with protein from a single animal source (on page) | Content | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
| Crafted with protein-rich ingredients from a single animal source – duck. (on page) | Content | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
| Our Free-Run Duck Recipe includes 50% protein-rich duck ingredients balanced with 50% vegetables, fruit and nutrients (on page) | Content | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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