mixed tocopherols
Mixed tocopherols are vitamin E compounds used as a natural preservative — the system premium brands use instead of BHA or BHT.
Also appears on labels as: tocopherols · mixed tocopherols (a preservative) · mixed tocopherols (a natural preservative) · natural mixed tocopherols · tocopherol-rich extracts of natural origin
What it is
Mixed tocopherols are a family of vitamin E compounds used as a natural antioxidant system. On labels they appear as mixed tocopherols, tocopherols, or "preserved with mixed tocopherols" after a fat or oil.
Why it's in pet food
They are the standard natural answer to fat rancidity — the same job BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin do, without the safety questions. The honest tradeoff: natural systems give a somewhat shorter shelf life, which is why bag dates matter more on naturally preserved food.
How Bowlmark scores it
Scores are deterministic math over the printed label — the rules below apply to every product identically, and nothing estimates or fills in a blank.
Natural preservation earns a small bonus: the additive pillar adds 5 points when mixed tocopherols or rosemary extract appear on the label — one bonus for the class, shown as an informational flag.
Common questions
Answers come from this entry and the scoring rules above — reviewed before publish, like everything else on this page. For anything about your own pet, your vet knows best.
What are mixed tocopherols in pet food?
A family of vitamin E compounds used as a natural antioxidant system — the standard natural answer to fat rancidity, doing the same job BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin do without the safety questions. On labels: mixed tocopherols, tocopherols, or "preserved with mixed tocopherols" after a fat or oil.
Do naturally preserved foods expire faster?
Somewhat — natural systems give a shorter shelf life than synthetic preservatives, which is why bag dates matter more on naturally preserved food. That is the honest tradeoff for the cleaner ingredient story.
Does Bowlmark reward mixed tocopherols?
Yes — natural preservation earns a small bonus: the additive pillar adds 5 points when mixed tocopherols or rosemary extract appear on the label — one bonus for the class, shown as an informational flag.
Foods that list mixed tocopherols
Ranked by score where scores exist. Placement here is never sold.
- Copperfield Cats Kitten Heritage Chicken & Oat Recipe93
- Open Farm Harvest Chicken & Ancient Grains Recipe93
- Open Farm Small Breed Chicken & Turkey Recipe93
- Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon Dry Cat Food93
- Frostpeak Provisions Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Recipe Nibs92
- Open Farm Wild Caught Salmon Recipe92
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Puppy Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Whole Health Blend92
- Silverbirch Feline Science Metabolic Trim High-Fiber Formula92
Compare foods that list mixed tocopherols
Same species, same form, both scored — closest scores first, so the comparison is a real one.
- Open Farm Harvest Chicken & Ancient Grains Recipe vs Open Farm Small Breed Chicken & Turkey Recipe
- Open Farm Wild Caught Salmon Recipe vs Rachael Ray Nutrish Puppy Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Whole Health Blend
- Open Farm Harvest Chicken & Ancient Grains Recipe vs Open Farm Wild Caught Salmon Recipe
- Open Farm Harvest Chicken & Ancient Grains Recipe vs Rachael Ray Nutrish Puppy Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Whole Health Blend
Sources
Related ingredients
Further reading
Cite this page
Bowlmark. "Mixed tocopherols in pet food — what it is and how it scores." https://www.bowlmark.com/ingredient/mixed-tocopherols
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