New Zealand Petfoods Ltd Smart Balance Grass-Fed New Zealand Beef

Dry Extruded complete

Smart Balance Grass-Fed New Zealand Beef
Average
our rating

Is New Zealand Petfoods Ltd Smart Balance Grass-Fed New Zealand Beef a good dog food?

We score it 45/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.

How we score

Why this score?

This recipe achieves an overall rating of 45 out of 100 based on several key factors. The overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +6.1 points to the total. However, ingredients without printed percentages reduced the score by -10.6, the processing format subtracted -6.7, and the additive load contributed -1.8 points.

100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.

The Recipe score measures how attractive and transparent the declared ingredient list is. It is not, by itself, proof that the food is nutritionally appropriate for long-term feeding. The Nutritional and Evidence scores measure what we can verify towards that stronger claim.

Why you might choose it

  • Doesn't list grain ingredients.
  • Declares energy content, which most labels omit.
  • Nutritionally complete: formulated to be fed as the whole diet.

Why you might not

  • 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.

View the source page

Estimated composition

supplement43.8%
meat14.9%
veg10.4%
unknown7.9%
additive6.7%
carb5.2%
oil5.0%
mineral3.6%
fibre2.4%

Typical analysis (as fed)

Protein
30%
Fat
13%
Fibre
5%
Ash
10%
Moisture
12%
Calcium
1.20%
Phosphorus
1%

Energy: 320.5 kcal/100g

Dry matter basis

Protein
34.10%
Fat
14.80%
Fibre
5.70%
Ash
11.40%

Additives & feeding info

No additives recorded yet.

Who is this food for?

Suits

  • Labelled by the manufacturer for all lifestages
  • Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
  • Doesn't list lamb, venison, pork as ingredients

Consider something else if:

  • Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists dried chicken protein
  • Your dog avoids beef: the label lists beef
  • Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists dehydrated turkey protein
  • Your dog avoids fish: the label lists green-lipped mussel
  • Your dog avoids duck: the label lists dried duck protein
  • 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. Use the homepage filter to find foods that fit your dog.

Ingredients (49)

#As declaredMatchedCategoryTierDeclared %Est. %
1Beef MeatBeefmeatmedium-2.7
2Chicken MealDried chicken proteinmeatgood-2.7
3Faba Beansunmatched---2.6
4Tapioca StarchTapiocacarbmedium-2.6
5Pea ProteinPea proteincarbmedium-2.6
6PeasPeasvegmedium-2.6
7Canola MealRapeseedvegmedium-2.5
8Poultry FatPoultry Fatoilmedium-2.5
9Fish OilFish Oiloilgood-2.5
10Beef DigestDigestmeatpoor-2.5
11Sugar Beet PulpBeet Pulpfibremedium-2.4
12Monocalcium PhosphateMonocalcium phosphatesupplementgood-2.4
13Sodium ChlorideSaltadditivemedium-2.4
14Duck MealDried Duck Proteinmeatgood-2.3
15Calcium CarbonateCalcium Carbonatesupplementmedium-2.3
16Green Lipped MusselGreen-Lipped Musselsupplementgood-2.3
17Choline ChlorideCholinesupplementgood-2.3
18Citric AcidCitric Acidadditivemedium-2.2
19Potassium ChloridePotassium Chloridesupplementmedium-2.2
20Turkey MealDehydrated turkey proteinmeatgood-2.2
21Chicory RootChicory rootveggood-2.2
22Acetic AcidAcetic acidadditivemedium-2.1
23DL-MethionineMethioninesupplementgood-2.1
24TaurineTaurinesupplementgood-2.1
25Yeast ExtractYeastsupplementgood-2.0
26Ground ParsleyParsleyveggood-2.0
27BlueberriesBlueberriesveggood-2.0
28Kiwifruit Pulpunmatched---2.0
29DL-Alpha-Tocopherol AcetateVitamin Esupplementgood-1.9
30L-Ascorbyl-2-PhosphatePhosphorussupplementgood-1.9
31Zinc Amino Acid ComplexZinc Oxidesupplementgood-1.9
32Mixed TocopherolsTocopherolsadditivegood-1.8
33Copper Amino Acid ComplexCoppermineralgood-1.8
34NiacinamideNiacinamidesupplementmedium-1.8
35Iron Amino Acid ComplexIronmineralgood-1.8
36Manganese ProteinateManganese proteinatesupplementgood-1.7
37Rosemary ExtractRosemaryveggood-1.7
38Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)Vitamin B12supplementgood-1.7
39D-Calcium PantothenateCalcium pantothenatesupplementgood-1.7
40Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1)Thiamine mononitratesupplementgood-1.6
41Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)Riboflavinsupplementgood-1.6
42Vitamin AVitamin Asupplementgood-1.6
43Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)Pyridoxine hydrochloridesupplementgood-1.5
44D-BiotinBiotinsupplementgood-1.5
45Vitamin D-3Vitamin Dsupplementgood-1.5
46Calcium IodateCalcium iodatesupplementmedium-1.5
47Menadione Nicotinamide Bisulphateunmatched---1.4
48Folic AcidFolic acidsupplementgood-1.4
49Sodium SeleniteSodium selenitesupplementpoor-1.4

Brand

New Zealand Petfoods Ltd

Phone
03 683 1084
Address
32 Redruth St, Timaru NZ
Contact page
nzpetfoods.co.nz

Trust and provenance

Recall history
No recalls recorded in our database
Label data last checked
2026-09-19
Scored with
Model v3 (methodology)
Product page
nzpetfoods.co.nz

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.

Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated

Scored with model v3 on 2026-09-26. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.

ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.79.191+6.08
Carb share of dry matter3.9%-0.115-0.45
Oil share of dry matter6.5%-0.092-0.60
Vegetable share of dry matter2.1%-0.005-0.01
Additive share of dry matter8.0%0.163+1.30
Supplement share of dry matter53.2%-0.012-0.65
Unrecognised share of dry matter5.2%-0.027-0.14
Recipe graded poor3.8%-0.065-0.25
Poor-quality meat in recipe2.5%-0.179-0.44
Number of poor ingredients2-0.876-1.75
Largest single poor ingredient2.5%0.060+0.15
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
Additive penalty-8.120.222-1.80
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Show all 40 components
ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.79.191+6.08
Meat share of dry matter0.0%0.096+0.00
Carb share of dry matter3.9%-0.115-0.45
Oil share of dry matter6.5%-0.092-0.60
Vegetable share of dry matter2.1%-0.005-0.01
Additive share of dry matter8.0%0.163+1.30
Supplement share of dry matter53.2%-0.012-0.65
Other share of dry matter0.0%-0.375+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter5.2%-0.027-0.14
Recipe graded poor3.8%-0.065-0.25
Poor-quality meat in recipe2.5%-0.179-0.44
Number of poor ingredients2-0.876-1.75
Largest single poor ingredient2.5%0.060+0.15
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Prints ingredient percentagesno0.000+0.00
Complete dietno2.294+0.00
Frozen or chilled freshno0.000+0.00
High meat (30%+ of dry matter)no0.707+0.00
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
High carb and low meatno-1.180+0.00
Meat share × printed percentages0.00.000+0.00
Meat share × fresh0.00.000+0.00
Fresh × high meat0.011.084+0.00
Additive penalty-8.120.222-1.80
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Rawno-0.054+0.00
Processing: Fresh Chilledno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Frozenno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Refrigeratedno0.000+0.00
Processing: Fresh Shelfno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Dry Freeze Driedno6.629+0.00
Processing: Dry Air Driedno6.331+0.00
Processing: Dry Cold Pressedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Bakedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Processing: Dry Semi Moistno-6.174+0.00
Processing: Dry Mueslino-10.146+0.00
Processing: Wet Pateno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Wet Chunksno-0.672+0.00
Processing-type offset
+0.02
Subtotal
45.0
Final score
45/100

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.

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.

Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.

NutrientAs fed (label)Dry matter (scored)Score
Protein3033.1 (band 18 to 40%)100
Fat1314.4 (band 5.5 to 20%)100
Fibre55.5 (band 0.5 to 5%)100
Calcium1.21.3 (band 0.5 to 2.5%)94.8
Phosphorus11.1 (band 0.4 to 1.6%)100
Calcium:phosphorus ratio1.21.2 (band 1 to 2%)82
Energy (kcal/100g)320.5354.1100

Scored over 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.

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.

ItemPoints
✓ Ingredient list on the label (mandatory)10/10
✗ Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file0/20
✓ Analytical constituents declared (mandatory)15/15
✗ Additives declared (mandatory) - not on file0/10
✓ Energy value declared (voluntary)5/5
✓ Complete/complementary designation (mandatory)5/5
✗ Feeding guidance given (mandatory) - not on file0/10
✓ Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory)10/10
✓ Country of manufacture stated (voluntary)10/10
✗ Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file0/5

Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Additives declared, Feeding guidance given, Batch and date labelling).

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.

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.

Claims on file; none we can check against the label

ClaimTypeCheckSubstantiation
complete and balanced nutrition for everyday health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
high-quality protein to support lean muscle maintenance (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
natural prebiotics help promote digestive health (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids support healthy skin and a glossy coat (on page)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Made with real beef (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
premium grain-free dry dog food featuring New Zealand grass-fed beef as the first ingredient (on page)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Filler Free (on pack)Free-fromnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Artificial Colours No (on pack)Free-fromnot checkableManufacturer assertion
No artificial colours or preservatives (on page)Free-fromnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages, excluding the growth of large-sized dogs (32kg or more as an adult) (on page)Nutrientnot checkableManufacturer 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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