ASA ruling upheldSainsbury's: ASA ruling, October 2024
Sainsbury's Complete Nutrition with Chicken & Vegetables 1 - 7 Years Worker Dog Food
Dry Extruded · complete
Our verdict
Is Sainsbury's Complete Nutrition with Chicken & Vegetables 1 - 7 Years Worker Dog Food a good dog food?
We score it 28/100 (Poor). The main reasons are set out in "Why you might not" below, and every step of the calculation is shown under "How we calculated this score".
Complete extruded dry food for adult dogs, with cereals, meat and animal derivatives and oils and fats as the main ingredients.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
100% 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
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, fish, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: it is listed as an ingredient
- Your dog avoids grain: the label lists cereals
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 21% · Fat 11%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 21% |
| Fat | 11% |
| Fibre | 3% |
| Ash | 7.50% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.30% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 2.50% |
| Calcium | 2.30% |
Energy: 339 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Fold bag once opened.
Feeding guide
Daily feeding guide: dogs up to 5kg: 35-115g; 5-10kg: 115-195g; 10-30kg: 195-445g; 30-50kg: 445-655g. Allow a transition period when switching to a new diet. Adjust amount as necessary to keep your dog in lean, active condition. Fresh drinking water should always be available.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 17000 IU; Vitamin D3 1500 IU; Vitamin E 70mg; Iodine (Calcium Iodate Anhydrous) 2.5mg; Selenium (Sodium Selenite) 0.1mg; Copper (Copper (II) Sulphate Pentahydrate) 8mg; Iron (Iron (II) Sulphate Monohydrate) 60mg; Manganese (Manganese (II)Oxide) 50mg; Zinc (Zinc Oxide) 100mg
Technological additives
Antioxidants
Ingredients (5)100% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- carb 25.0%
- meat 22.5%
- oil 20.0%
- veg 17.5%
- supplement 15.0%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cereals | Cereals | carb · poor | - | 25.0 |
| 2 | Meat and Animal Derivatives 4% Chicken) | Meat and Animal Derivatives | meat · poor | - | 22.5 |
| 3 | Oils and Fats | Oils and Fats | oil · poor | - | 20.0 |
| 4 | Vegetables (0.5% Dried Peas equivalent to 4% Peas) | Vegetables | veg · medium | - | 17.5 |
| 5 | Minerals | Vitamins and minerals | supplement · medium | - | 15.0 |
- 1. Cereals25.0% estimated
- 2. Meat and Animal Derivatives 4% Chicken)22.5% estimated
- 3. Oils and Fats20.0% estimated
- 4. Vegetables (0.5% Dried Peas equivalent to 4% Peas)17.5% estimated
- 5. Minerals15.0% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-12
Brand and contact: Sainsbury's
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-12
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.sainsburys.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.
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?
The overall score is 28 out of 100. Ingredients without printed percentages pulled the score down by -10.6, and the processing format reduced it by a further -6.7. Lower-quality ingredients contributed -4.4, while lower-quality meat ingredients accounted for -4.
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 | -0.4 | 9.191 | -3.94 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 28.3% | -0.115 | -3.26 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 25.5% | -0.092 | -2.35 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 20.3% | -0.005 | -0.10 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 17.8% | -0.012 | -0.22 |
| Recipe graded poor | 67.5% | -0.065 | -4.39 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 22.5% | -0.179 | -4.02 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.876 | -2.63 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 25.0% | 0.060 | +1.50 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -1.80 | 0.222 | -0.40 |
| 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 | -0.4 | 9.191 | -3.94 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 28.3% | -0.115 | -3.26 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 25.5% | -0.092 | -2.35 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 20.3% | -0.005 | -0.10 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 17.8% | -0.012 | -0.22 |
| 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 | 67.5% | -0.065 | -4.39 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 22.5% | -0.179 | -4.02 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 3 | -0.876 | -2.63 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 25.0% | 0.060 | +1.50 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| 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) | no | 0.707 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| 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 | -1.80 | 0.222 | -0.40 |
| 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
- 28.1
- Final score
- 28/100
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 | 21 | 23.2 (band 18 to 40%) | 84.2 |
| Fat | 11 | 12.2 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 97.5 |
| Fibre | 3 | 3.3 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Calcium | 2.3 | 2.5 (band 0.5 to 2.5%) | 98.3 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 339 | 374.6 | 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 6 declared nutrients (combined weight 80); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.
Declared fortification: 9 nutritional additives on the label
- Vitamin A 17000 IU
- Vitamin D3 1500 IU
- Vitamin E 70mg
- Iodine (Calcium Iodate Anhydrous) 2.5mg
- Selenium (Sodium Selenite) 0.1mg
- Copper (Copper (II) Sulphate Pentahydrate) 8mg
- Iron (Iron (II) Sulphate Monohydrate) 60mg
- Manganese (Manganese (II)Oxide) 50mg
- Zinc (Zinc Oxide) 100mg
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 (voluntary) - not on file | 0/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) | 5/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) | 5/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared).
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.
50/100 · limited — 1 checkable claim: 1 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "A complete pet food for adult dogs" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
3 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Capped by an upheld ASA ruling from the last 3 years: view ruling
Limited: at least one claim contradicts the declared label, or a recent upheld ASA ruling applies.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| all the vitamins and minerals needed for optimal nutritious goodness (on page) | Nutrient | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| A complete pet food for adult dogs (on page) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Formulated without artificial colours and flavours (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| With chicken and vegetables (on page) | Content | not checkable | 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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