STORM2K

PET OWNERS PLEASE READ!!More wet and dry pet food added to recall lists

By ANDREW BRIDGES, Associated Press Writer
22 minutes ago


The recall of wet and dry pet foods contaminated with a chemical found in plastics and pesticides expanded Saturday to include a new brand even as investigators were puzzled why the substance would kill dogs and cats.

Nestle Purina PetCare Co. said it was recalling all sizes and varieties of its Alpo Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food with specific date codes. Purina said a limited amount of the food contained a contaminated wheat gluten from China.

The same U.S. supplier also provided wheat gluten, a protein source, to a Canadian company, Menu Foods, which this month recalled 60 million containers of wet dog and cat food it produces for sale under nearly 100 brand labels.

Menu Foods and the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates the pet food industry, have refused to identify the company that supplied the contaminated wheat gluten.

Hill's Pet Nutrition said late Friday that its Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry cat food included the tainted wheat gluten. The FDA said the source was the same unidentified company. Hill's, a division of Colgate-Palmolive Co., is so far the only company to recall any dry pet food.

Federal testing of some recalled pet foods and the wheat gluten used in their production turned up the chemical melamine. Melamine is used to make kitchenware and other plastics. It is both a contaminant and byproduct of several pesticides, including cyromazine, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Melamine is toxic only in very high doses and has been shown in rats to produce bladder tumors, according to the EPA.

The federal pet food testing failed to confirm the presence of aminopterin, a cancer drug also used as rat poison, the FDA said. Cornell University scientists also found melamine in the urine of sick cats, as well as in the kidney of one cat that died after eating some of the recalled food.

Earlier, the New York State Food Laboratory identified aminopterin as the likely culprit in the pet food. But the FDA said it could not confirm that finding, nor have researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey when they looked at tissue samples taken from dead cats.

Experts at the University of Guelph in Canada detected aminopterin in some samples of the recalled pet food, but only in very small percentages.

"Biologically, that means nothing. It wouldn't do anything," said Grant Maxie, a veterinary pathologist at the university. "This is a puzzle."

The FDA was working to rule out the possibility that the contaminated wheat gluten could have made it into any human food.

Menu Foods announced the recall this month after animals died of kidney failure after eating the company's products.

An FDA official allowed that it was not immediately clear whether the melamine was the culprit. The agency's investigation continues, said Stephen F. Sundlof, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Menu Foods said the only certainty was that imported wheat gluten was the likely source of the deadly contamination, even if the actual contaminant remained in doubt.

"The important point today is that the source of the adulteration has been identified and removed from our system," said Paul Henderson, Menu Foods chief executive officer and president. Henderson suggested his company would pursue legal action against the supplier.

About 70 percent of the wheat gluten used in the United States for human and pet food is imported from the European Union and Asia, according to the Pet Food Institute, an industry group.

One veterinarian suggested the international sourcing of ingredients would force the U.S. "to come to grips with a reality we had not appreciated."

"When you change from getting an ingredient from the supplier down the road to a supplier from around the globe, maybe the methods and practices that were effective in one situation need to be changed," said Tony Buffington, a professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Ohio State University.

Sundlof said the agency may change how it regulates the pet food industry.

"In this case, we're going to have to look at this after the dust settles and determine if there is something from a regulatory standpoint that we could have done differently to prevent this incident from occurring," he said.

___

On the Net:

Nestle Purina PetCare Co.: http://www.purina.com

Alpo® Brand Prime Cuts In Gravy Canned Dog Food Voluntary Nationwide Recall
March 30, 2007

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company today announced it is voluntarily recalling all sizes and varieties of its ALPO® Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food with specific date codes. The Company is taking this voluntary action after learning today that wheat gluten containing melamine, a substance not approved for use in food, was provided to Purina by the same company that also supplied Menu Foods. The contamination occurred in a limited production quantity at only one of Purina's 17 pet food manufacturing facilities.

Consumers should immediately stop feeding their dogs ALPO Prime Cuts products with the date codes listed below and consult with a veterinarian if they have any health concerns with their pet.

The recalled 13.2-ounce and 22-ounce ALPO Prime Cuts cans and 6-, 8-, 12- and 24-can ALPO Prime Cuts Variety Packs have four-digit code dates of 7037 through 7053, followed by the plant code 1159. Those codes follow a "Best Before Feb. 2009" date. This information should be checked on the bottom of the can or the top or side of the multi-pack cartons.

Importantly, no Purina brand dry pet foods are affected by the recall - including ALPO Prime Cuts dry. In addition, no other Purina dog food products, no Purina cat food products, Purina treat products or Purina Veterinary Diet products are included in this recall, nor have been impacted by the contaminated wheat gluten supply.

At Purina, nothing is more important to us than the health and well-being of the pets whose nutrition has been entrusted to us by their owners, and we deeply regret this unfortunate situation. We will continue to take any and all actions necessary to ensure the quality and safety of our products.

Please see our March 30 press release for more information and click here for an updated list of Frequently Asked Questions. If you have more questions or concerns, please contact our Office of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-218-5898, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT.

Hill's Pet Nutrition: http://www.hillspet.com/

Hills Pet Nutrition, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Single Product, Prescription Diet™ m/d™ Feline Dry Food, Only Product Containing Wheat Gluten
Topeka, KS (March 30, 2007) - In accordance with its over-riding commitment to pet health and well-being, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food from the market. Hill's is taking this precautionary action because during a two-month period in early 2007, wheat gluten for this product was provided by a company that also supplied wheat gluten to Menu Foods. U.S. Food and Drug Administration tests of wheat gluten samples from this period show the presence of a small amount of melamine. Prescription Diet m/d Feline Dry represents less than one half of one percent of all Hill's products.

This is the only product Hill's currently sells in the United States and Canada that contains wheat gluten from any supplier. No other Hill's Prescription Diet® or Science Diet® products are affected by this voluntary recall. Hill's Science Diet Savory Cuts Feline canned cat foods, manufactured by Menu Foods, were previously withdrawn from the market as a precaution. Together with this earlier withdrawal, less than 1% of all Hill's products have been affected.

The voluntary recall of Hill's Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food involves discontinuation of all retail sales and product retrieval from sellers. This recall does not include Prescription Diet m/d Feline canned food which contains no wheat gluten.

Consumers should stop using this product and return it for a refund. All Hill's products carry a 100 percent guarantee, and consumers can receive a refund for recalled product.

Hill's expects to resume shipment shortly of a reformulated version of this highly beneficial product that will not contain wheat gluten. Please check with your veterinarian for an alternative Prescription Diet until m/d Feline dry is reformulated and made available again.

Following is a list of Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry products included in this recall:

Recalled product U.S. & Canada UPC* Size
Prescription Diet™ m/d™ Feline dry food 52742 42770
(all lot numbers) 4 lb. bag
Prescription Diet™ m/d™ Feline dry food 52742 42790
(all lot numbers) 10 lb. bag

Menu Foods: http://menufoods.com/recall/

Recall Information
1-866-895-2708

Press Release
Menu Foods Clears Non-Recalled Food for Pet Consumption
March 30, 2007
Menu Foods Press Conference Opening Statement
March 30, 2007
Clarification From Menu Foods: No Expanded Recall
March 26, 2007
Menu Foods Initiates Market Withdrawal of All Varieties of Recalled Wet Pet Food to Ensure Consumer Protection
March 24, 2007
Menu Foods Income Fund: Progress in Search for Cause of Pet Illnesses
March 24, 2007
Menu Foods Press Conference Opening Statement
March 23, 2007
Enhanced Website and Call Center for Precautionary Recall of Dog and Cat Food by Menu Foods Income Fund
March 19, 2007
Menu Foods Income Fund Announces Precautionary Dog and Cat Food Recall
March 16, 2007
Product Information
Variety or Multi-Packs:

If you are in possession of a variety or multi-pack, please be sure to check the individual can or pouch rather than relying solely on the date coding on the side of the carton.

Recalled Cat Product Information
Last Updated: March 30, 2007
Recalled Dog Product Information
Last Updated: March 30, 2007
Frequently Asked Questions For Consumers
Last Updated: March 28, 2007

I saw that. I've just been looking at the recall codes.

The four cans of Alpo chicken with gravy that I possess don't match the recall numbers.
After those cans are used, I'll guess it will be dry food with some buillion poured over it to make
it tasty. Of course, I supplement Alex with table scraps, too. Of course, it makes you wonder when
the dry food that you use will go on recall, too! I don't cook enough to keep up a steady diet of
table food!


~Annette~

Luckily I have not given my dogs any wet food in over a year now and it looks like I probably never will again.

I just got home from PetSmart and was greeted by radicals advising me not to buy any cat or dog food. I said "Oh, not any?" I asked them what planet they are from because last time I checked the food I buy my cats and dogs are not on the recall list. I told them to stop causing panic. Then they got mad at me for challenging them. This in turn brought PetSmart employees to see what the commotion was about. I told them they have radical PETA folks telling people not to buy any pet food causing panic in the store. Cops escorted them out. There was about 15 customers standing there and I told them I would call IAMS, Hills, Purina and Masterfood. I put it on speakerphone (my cell) and they all heard the recall recording. They went about their business buying their pet food. Not only that, PetSmart has red dots on everything that is safe to buy in the store. I did not see any product on the shelf that was a part of the recall.

The radicals even said there is rat poison in the food. I said "No, they found out that it is not rat poison but melamine" I said "Anything else?" Then they said "All wet foods that are in plastic or pouches" I am like "WHAT??" I said "Um no, the word plastic comes into play because melamine is what is found in plastic" I said "you are right about the Mighty Dog pouches though, but tell me, do you see any on the shelves?"

A MAJORITY of Hill's Science Diet dry food IS NOT, I repeat NOT manufactured by MenuFoods. The only reason they recalled that particular prescription dry food is because it in fact has wheat gluten in it. They pulled it as a precaution.

When one of them was being escorted out she said "Well, we did stop the slaughtering of horses here in the United States, it is ILLEGAL now" I said "Well, I am with you on that"

A pet food recall is one thing, but having a radical PETA causing widespread panic is overkill.

What are we suppose to feed our pets, chopped up lunch meat...or will they be on the recall list as well?

Lunchmeat is not considered suitable as a steady diet for pets because of the preservatives and sodium it contains.

Steve

We're supposed to go out and lead them, like their wolf ancestors, to KILL THE PREY.

I ain't got time for that, folks.

I'm checking codes like a Mad Woman.

~Annette~

Aslkahuna wrote:Lunchmeat is not considered suitable as a steady diet for pets because of the preservatives and sodium it contains.

Steve

BINGO!! Dogs cannot digest "people" food the way we can. I read in an article that this lady feeds her dog table food and now the dog's arthritis is better. I mean come on. lol. Arthritis is arthritis. I would like some of that food please.

Good Job Linda! What a bunch of ignorant punks..

I was food shopping yesterday and picked up my usual Purina can cat food Turkey & Giblets. I couldn't help but feel nervous and thought the same thing - what are we supposed to feed our animals?

Those radicals were targeting the wrong people to protest - PetSmart, plus didn't have their facts straight. Idiots!

We SHOULD BE targeting the FDA to now make sure that they change the way that they regulate the animal and human food supply. I also still want to know why the wheat gluten had to be purchased outside of the US and Canada when we already grow it right here???

Stephanie wrote:I was food shopping yesterday and picked up my usual Purina can cat food Turkey & Giblets. I couldn't help but feel nervous and thought the same thing - what are we supposed to feed our animals?

Those radicals were targeting the wrong people to protest - PetSmart, plus didn't have their facts straight. Idiots!

We SHOULD BE targeting the FDA to now make sure that they change the way that they regulate the animal and human food supply. I also still want to know why the wheat gluten had to be purchased outside of the US and Canada when we already grow it right here???

I brought that up to the radicals too. They looked at me like I was crazy. I said "Uh huh that is what I thought!"

Lindaloo wrote:

Stephanie wrote:I was food shopping yesterday and picked up my usual Purina can cat food Turkey & Giblets. I couldn't help but feel nervous and thought the same thing - what are we supposed to feed our animals?

Those radicals were targeting the wrong people to protest - PetSmart, plus didn't have their facts straight. Idiots!

We SHOULD BE targeting the FDA to now make sure that they change the way that they regulate the animal and human food supply. I also still want to know why the wheat gluten had to be purchased outside of the US and Canada when we already grow it right here???

I brought that up to the radicals too. They looked at me like I was crazy. I said "Uh huh that is what I thought!"

It's always easier to complain about something than offer solutions.

I sent this comment to the FDA through their website;

I'm writing regarding the recent pet food recalls. While I'm glad that the FDA is going to reevaluate the way that they are going to regulate their evaluation of the food supply for animals and humans, what I don't understand is why we are purchasing wheat from foreign countries instead of using what we grow right here in our own country.

This may not be a question that can be answered by you other than the fact that it's purely for economical reasons for the manufacturer. I would assume, however, that what we grow in our country is safer for all animals and humans to consume than something that is grown outside of our country due to the regulations that you already have in place.

In this day and age of heightened awareness of different types of terroristic acts and threats, I think that this is another area that we need to increase our oversight of.

Thank you.

Stephanie wrote:I sent this comment to the FDA through their website;

I'm writing regarding the recent pet food recalls. While I'm glad that the FDA is going to reevaluate the way that they are going to regulate their evaluation of the food supply for animals and humans, what I don't understand is why we are purchasing wheat from foreign countries instead of using what we grow right here in our own country.

This may not be a question that can be answered by you other than the fact that it's purely for economical reasons for the manufacturer. I would assume, however, that what we grow in our country is safer for all animals and humans to consume than something that is grown outside of our country due to the regulations that you already have in place.

In this day and age of heightened awareness of different types of terroristic acts and threats, I think that this is another area that we need to increase our oversight of.

Thank you.

Let us know if they reply, Steph.

I most certainly will!

VERY good, Steph! Whatever happened to OUR "amber waves of grain", anyway?



~Annette~

breeze wrote:VERY good, Steph! Whatever happened to OUR "amber waves of grain", anyway?



~Annette~

They ain't being used at Menu Foods...

As I found out this morning, the Kroger food stores here in Irving has removed the FMV and Pet Pride brand Cat and Dog foods as a precaution.

breeze wrote:VERY good, Steph! Whatever happened to OUR "amber waves of grain", anyway?



~Annette~

I'm sure if we call a toll-free 800 number for customer service, we'll reach them. Oh, wait...nevermind.

The simple answer for this current problem is to just read the ingredients list. I'm buying pet foods that contain corn gluten (made here in th US) rather than wheat gluten. That may exclude some perfectly safe foods, but it guarantees safety from this particular threat.