Mixed Tocopherols

Tocopherols are the family of compounds that vitamin E belongs to, usually extracted from vegetable oils. In pet food, mixed tocopherols are a preservative: they slow the rancidity of fats, in place of synthetic antioxidants such as BHA and BHT.

They don’t count much toward vitamin E needs, and they protect fat for less time than the synthetic options, so foods preserved this way depend more on packaging and dates. AAFCO lists them among the preservatives on labels. Check the date on the bag.