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FDA: Pet food might have been spiked

WASHINGTON - Imported ingredients used in recalled pet food may have been intentionally spiked with an industrial chemical to boost their apparent protein content, federal health officials suspect.

That’s one theory being pursued by the Food and Drug Administration as it investigates how the chemical, melamine, contaminated at least two ingredients used to make more than 100 brands of dog and cat foods.

In California, state agriculture officials placed a hog farm under quarantine after melamine was found in pig urine there. Additional testing was under way to determine whether the chemical was present in the meat produced by American Hog Farm in Ceres since April 3, the state Department of Food and Agriculture said.

READ MORE…..

FDA: Pet food might have been spiked - Pet Health - MSNBC.com.

More Pet Food Recalls

From: Royal Canin
The following formulas are affected by the recent Rice Gluten (Rice Protein) NOT Rice Flour.

Sensible Choice Dry Dog Food
Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Senior
Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Puppy
Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Adult
Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Senior
Rice & Catfish Meal Formula Adult

Royal Canin Vet Diet Dry Dog Food
Canine Early Cardiac EC 22™
Canine Skin Support SS21™

Royal Canin Vet Diet Cat Food
Feline Hypoallergenic HP23™

If you have any other questions or concerns, to call Royal Canin USA
products 1-800-592-6687 or visit our web site at www.royalcanin.us.

List of Pet Foods NOT on the recall list - updated 4/18/07

ABOUT THE PET FOOD LIST

This is a list of pet foods NOT on the recall list.

The companies on our list have made statements that their pet food is not affected by the Menu Foods recall.

The list is intended as a starting point for your own research - it is a list we are compiling of pet foods deemed safe by the pet food companies themselves. It is neither an endorsement of any pet foods listed, nor is it a complete list of all pet foods not on the recall list. And, even though a brand is listed, we cannot guarantee the food is safe. The pet food companies are the only ones who can make that statement.

EVEN IF A BRAND YOU FEED IS ON THIS LIST, VERIFY IT WITH THE PET FOOD COMPANY. Links to their websites have been provided when possible.

For those with just the business name listed, we have obtained information from their websites. We will be contacting them for further information and will update the list appropriately as soon as possible.

Pet Food information, manufacturers, products, ingredients, cat, dog food..

 

Sunshine Mills Voluntary Nationwide Recall

As a precautionary measure, Sunshine Mills, Inc. (“Sunshine”), a branded and private-label pet food manufacturer based in Red Bay, Alabama, is voluntarily recalling a portion of its branded dog biscuits made at its Red Bay, Alabama biscuit plant during part of March 2007. These brands include: Nurture Chicken & Rice, Nurture Lamb & Rice, Pet Life Large, Pet Life Extra Large, Pet Life Large Variety, Pet Life Large Peanut Butter, Lassie Lamb and Rice, and Pet Life People Pleasers Dog Treats. Private label biscuits for five of Sunshine’s customers were also affected. A complete list of affected biscuit brands, sizes, and codes is available below or at our website, www.sunshinemills.com. Sunshine’s other biscuit brands and products that include small and medium sized biscuits were not affected. It is also important to note that dry dog and cat food and soft and chewy treats for dogs or cats manufactured by Sunshine are not affected and not included in this recall.

The company is taking this voluntary action of recalling the dog biscuits listed below after learning from the FDA that wheat gluten supplied to Sunshine from a specific manufacturing facility in China contained melamine. Melamine is a substance not approved for use in food. The FDA made this finding as part of its ongoing investigation into the recent pet food recall.

The recalled dog biscuits are marketed nationwide by many pet food retailers including the mass channel, traditional grocery, and pet specialty stores. No dog illnesses or deaths have been reported to date in connection with these dog biscuits. The recalled dog biscuits contain one percent or less by weight of wheat gluten.

Consumers should immediately stop feeding their dog the dog biscuits with the specified date codes and consult with a veterinarian if they have any health concerns with their dog.

Sunshine’s products are 100% guaranteed. Consumers may receive the full replacement value of the recalled dog biscuits by returning them to the place of purchase or consumers may contact Sunshine’s customer service number at (800) 705-2111 for further information about the recall and for other instructions on obtaining a product refund.

The safety and well-being of pets are Sunshine’s utmost concern. We deeply regret this unforeseen situation.

The following products are being recalled:

Branded Product and Variety
Product Size:
UPC Codes
Plant Code / Best By Date
Nurture Chicken & Rice Biscuit
26 oz.
70155-13606
Plant code:RB
Best by:31208

Nurture Lamb & Rice Biscuit
26 oz.
70155-13607
Plant code:RB
Best by:31308


Pet Life Large Peanut Butter Biscuit
4 lb.
41746-00950
Plant code:RB
RB
Best by:30608
31308

Pet Life Large Biscuit 4 lb.
41746-02545
Plant code:RB
RB
Best by:30308
31908

Lassie Lamb and Rice Biscuit 26 oz.
45352-07005
Plant code:RB RB
Best by:30708
31908

Pet Life Large Biscuit 25 lb.
41746-00008
Best By Date – last 5 digits
Best by:30308
31408

Pet Life Extra Large Biscuit 25 lb.
41746-00010
Best by:
30408
30808
31408
31508

Pet Life Large Variety Biscuit
25 lb.
70155-00073

Best by: 30408
Pet Life Peanut Butter Large Biscuit
25 lb.
41746-00078

Best by:
30308
30808
Pet Life People Pleasers Dog Treat
25 lb.
41746-00266
Best by: 31408
31608
32308

Pet Life People Pleasers Dog Treat
50 oz.
70155-11006
Best By Date – 5 digits
Best by:30208
30508
30808
31308
31408

Pet Life People Pleasers Dog Treat
40 oz.
70155-11007
Best by:
30908
31208
31808


Private Label Product and Variety
Product Size:
UPC Codes
Plant Code / Best By Date
Companion's Best Multi Flavor Biscuit
4 lb.
50700-49270

Plant code:RBRBRBRBRB

Best by:30308
30808
31108
31408
31608

Plant code: RB RB
Best by:32308
32708

Stater Brothers Large Biscuit
4 lb.
74175-18801
Plant code:
RB
RB

Best by:
30908
31308


Ol'Roy Peanut Butter Biscuit
5 lb.
78742-34501
Plant code:
RB RB RB RB RB

Best by:30508
31008
31208
31508
31608

Plant code:RB RB

Best by:
32108
32308


Ol'Roy 4 Flavor Large Biscuit 10 lb.
81131-46959
Plant code:
RB
RB
RB
RB
RB

Best by:
30308
30408
30508
30608
30708

Plant code:
RB
RB
RB
RB
RB

Best by:30808
30908
31208
31308
31408

Plant code:
RB
RB
RB
RB
RB

Best by:
31508
31608
31708
31908
32008

Plant code:RB RB

Best by:32108
32408


Ol'Roy Puppy Biscuit 28.8 oz.
81131-92197
Plant code:
RB RB RB RB RB

Best by: 30208
30308
30408
30608
30708

Plant code:
RB RB RB RB RB

Best by:
30908
31008
31408
31508
31608

Plant code: RB RB RB RB RB

Best by:31708
31808
32108
32208
32308

Champion Breed Peanut Butter Biscuit 4 lb.
72000-26063
Plant code: RB RB

Best by: 32108
32308


Champion Breed Large Biscuit 4 lb.
72000-26065
Plant code: RB RB

Best by: 32208
32308



Perfect Pals Large Biscuit 4 lb.
12333-00260
Plant code: RB
Best by: 31808

Stater Brothers Large Biscuit 26 oz.
74175-18802
Best By Date – 5 digits
Best by: 30308
31008

Sunshine Mills Voluntary Nationwide Recall.

Del Monte Withdraws Pet Treats and Wet Dog Food Products

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As a precautionary measure, Del Monte Pet Products is voluntarily recalling select product codes of its pet treat products sold under the Jerky Treats®, Gravy Train® Beef Sticks and Pounce Meaty Morsels® brands as well as select dog snack and wet dog food products sold under private label brands. A complete list of affected brands and products is below.

The Company took this voluntary recall action immediately after learning this morning from the FDA that wheat gluten supplied to Del Monte Pet Products from a specific manufacturing facility in China contained melamine. Melamine is a substance not approved for use in food. The FDA made this finding as part of its ongoing investigation into the recent pet food recall.

The adulteration occurred in a limited production quantity on select product codes of the brands below. This recall removes all Del Monte pet products with wheat gluten procured from this manufacturing facility from retail shelves.

No other Del Monte Pet Products treats, biscuits or wet dog food products are impacted by this recall, and no Del Monte dry cat food, dry dog food, wet cat food or pouched pet foods are subject to this voluntary recall. The affected products comprise less than one-tenth of one percent of Del Monte Pet Products’ annual pet food and pet treat production.

Del Monte Pet Products has proactively engaged and fully cooperated with the FDA since the start of its investigation. The adulterated ingredients were used in limited production over the last three months for those items identified by specific product codes. Del Monte Pet Products has not used wheat gluten from this manufacturing facility in China in any other pet products except those described below.

Consumers should discontinue feeding the products with the Product Codes detailed below to their pets.

Del Monte Pet Products are 100% guaranteed and all returned product will be refunded.

Del Monte Pet Products customers can visit our website (www.delmonte.com) or contact our Consumer Hotline at (800) 949-3799 for further information about the recall and for instructions on obtaining a product refund.

Following is a list of the Products and Best Buy Dates that have been voluntarily recalled:


Production Code/Best By Date

BRANDED


Jerky Treats Beef Flavor
Code: TP7C05 TP7B07 TP7B08 TP7B09 TP6B10

Dog Snacks
Best By: Aug 05 08 Aug 07 08 Aug 08 08 Aug 09 08 Aug 10 08

Code: TP7B15 TP7C05 TP7C06
Best By: Aug 15 08 Sep 02 08 Sep 03 08


Gravy Train Beef Sticks
Code: TP7B19 TP7B20 TP7B21

Dog Snacks
Best By: Aug 19 08 Aug 20 08 Aug 21 08


Pounce Meaty Morsels Moist
Code: TP7C07 TP7C12

Chicken Flavor Cat Treats
Best By: Sep 04 08 Sep 09 08



PRIVATE LABEL


Ol' Roy Beef Flavor Jerky Strips
Code: TP7B06 TP7B07 TP7C05 TP7C06 TP7C07

Dog Treats
Best By: Aug 06 08 Aug 07 08 Sep 02 08 Sep 03 08 Sep 04 08

Code: TP7C08
Best By: Sep 05 08


Ol' Roy Beef Flavor Snack
Code: TP7B19 TP7B20 TP7B21 TP7C08 TP7C09

Sticks Dog Treats
Best By: Aug 19 08 Aug 20 08 Aug 21 08 Sep 05 08 Sep 06 08


Ol' Roy Bark'n Bac'n Beef &
Code: TP7C14

Bacon Flavor Dog Treats
Best By: Sep 11 08


Ol' Roy with Beef Hearty Cuts
Code: BC6M21

in Gravy Dog Food
Best By: Dec 21 09


Ol' Roy with Beef Hearty Strips
Code: BC7A19

in Gravy Dog Food
Best By: Jan 19 10


Ol' Roy Country Stew Hearty
Code: BC6M15

Cuts in Gravy Dog Food
Best By: Dec 15 09


Dollar General Beef Flavored
Code: TP7C06

Jerky Strips Dog Treats
Best By: Sep 03 08


Dollar General Beef Flavored
Code: TP7B20 TP7B21

Beef Sticks Dog Treats
Best By: Aug 20 08 Aug 21 08


Happy Tails Beef Flavor
Code: TPY7B08 TP7B09

Jerky Strips
Best By: Aug 08 08 Aug 09 08


Happy Tails Meaty Cuts with Beef
Code: BC7A29

in Gravy Dog Food
Best By: Jan 29 10

As part of the pet community, we value the health and well-being of pets, 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.
Contacts

Del Monte Foods
Mary Sestric, 412-222-8091
Or
Melissa Murphy-Brown, 412-222-8713

Del Monte Pet Products Voluntarily Withdraws Specific Product Codes of Pet Treats and Wet Dog Food Products.

ASPCA Advises Caution As Pet Food Recall Crisis Grows: Other

Other Contaminants May Be Involved in the Menu Foods Recall

NEW YORK—Since Menu Foods announced its massive pet food recall on March 16, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) has been flooded with calls from concerned pet parents and animal welfare professionals alike. Call volume at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), which is based in its Midwest Office in Urbana, Ill., has increased significantly over the past 10 days—approximately 14 percent—and the ASPCA’s veterinary toxicologists have been carefully analyzing data from these calls.


Today the ASPCA reports that, based on these data, clinical signs reported in cats affected by the contaminated foods are not fully consistent with the ingestion of rat poison containing aminopterin that, according to Menu Foods, is at the “root” of the contamination issue.


“We’ve seen reports coming in from all around the country that animals that were eating the contaminated foods are definitely suffering from renal failure,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president with the ASPCA, who manages the ASPCA’s Midwest Office, including the APCC. “But the data that we’ve been collecting do not conclusively prove this connection, which is why we strongly recommend that those involved in the investigation continue to search for additional contaminants.”


Dr. Hansen continued, “Aminopterin has been used to treat cancer in people, since it is able to disrupt rapidly-growing cells. In animals, it should result in effects that mimic this function, and these include bloody diarrhea, bone marrow suppression, abortion and birth defects. Further, renal damage—which has been seen in the affected animals—can occur at high doses.


“However, to be consistent with the effects of aminopterin, we should also be seeing a significant number of affected pets showing the accompanying signs of severe intestinal damage, as well as bone marrow suppression, including ‘leukopenia,’ which is a serious reduction in white blood cells.


“This is the missing connection that we want to alert veterinarians around the country to. We are asking all veterinarians treating cats affected by these products, to report their findings to the U. S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).”


Although Menu Foods announced last week that aminopterin was at the “root” of the contamination issue, the FDA, the agency leading this investigation, has not corroborated this finding.


“There are so many inconsistencies in the purported link between aminopterin and the animals affected, that we urge veterinary toxicologists and veterinary pathologists at diagnostic laboratories to continue looking for additional contaminants,” said Dr. Hansen. “Only continued rigorous testing will uncover the real reason or reasons for this crisis among our pet population.”


The ASPCA strongly recommends that pet parents should have their pet examined by their veterinarian if any signs of illness occur following consumption of the recalled foods, including loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in water consumption or changes in urination. Adverse effects or deaths of pets conclusively linked to eating the contaminated foods should be reported to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html . Additionally, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has a wealth of resources at http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/default.asp .

Dogster- Menu Pet Downplaying Recall Threat

Spotted this on Dogster Blog -
Food for thought...(no pun intended)

I come again bearing bad news. It looks like the amount of tainted food is worse that the companies are saying. No definite facts or numbers but a whole lot of pets who ate the affected brands killed by or suffering from organ failure.

Menu is trying to downplay the threat and saying they don’t know what happened. They say they don’t know where the poisoned wheat gluten came from (which I don’t buy). Let’s compare this to the Diamond recall last year where Diamond immediately jumped into action, recalled everything and almost immediately reported where their problem came from and what they were doing to keep it from happening again. Menu is doing nothing like that.

1– they keep saying it is only a few (10 or 12) pets that are affected. I seriously doubt that as I hear from pet parents all over the US. Current unofficial estimate could range as high as 1000 pets affected.

2– They say they aren’t able to find the problem then they blame it on wheat gluten that seems to have appeared from nowhere with no source. Huh? Aren’t they supposed, to by regulation or law, keep track of every ingredient in every lot? Diamond had no problem pinpointing their toxic ingredient in a few days.

3– Menu is still producing pet food and shows no sign of concern that they may be poisoning thousands of dogs and cats. If they really don’t know what caused the problem, shouldn’t they shut down until the source is identified. This lack of apparent common sense suggests two possibilities to me– either Menu management DOES know where the taint came from and just does not want to say OR Menu doesn’t care where the taint came from and hopes we’ll all get too distracted by something else to forget to lean on the companies for which Menu makes all that tainted food.

4 –The stores carrying Menu products however are showing much more responsibility. Many of them are pulling Menu products off the shelves as fast as possible. Some are even pulling lots that have not been definitely identified as tainted. Do they know something we don’t? Like maybe they and we cannot trust ANY Menu foods? Just a thought.

So why write this? To urge you to show extreme caution in feeding ANYTHING coming out of a Menu factory. Menu has shown no signs that they really care about the poisoned products and have shown definite disregard for canine and feline health. I for one will have nothing to do with ANY brand that can be tracked back to Menu. Their sin is not in having a recall (though that’s obviously NOT a good thing). Their sin is in not acting fast enough when there was any hint or whiff of a problem. I’m afraid that may prove to be much earlier than January and much after way too many dogs and cats have suffered painful, needless deaths.
7 Woofs

Dogster For The Love of Dog Blog » Archive » Menu Pet Downplaying Recall Threat.

CONSUMER ALERT!! FDA - Dog Food Recall

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/pg03_07.html
Here is part of the release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Dayton, OH -- March 16, 2007 -- In response
to the recent Menu Foods, Inc. nationwide recall of wet pet foods,
P&G Pet Care has announced a voluntary recall in the United States
and Canada on specific 3 oz., 5.5 oz., 6 oz. and 13.2 oz. canned and
3 oz. and 5.3 oz. foil pouch "wet" cat and dog food products
manufactured by Menu Foods Inc. Emporia, Kansas plant with the code
dates of 6339 through 7073 followed by the plant code 4197. This
voluntary recall is part of a larger product recall by Menu Foods
Inc., a contract manufacturer that makes a small portion of canned
and foil pouch 'wet' cat foods for Iams and Eukanuba as well as other
non-P&G brands. There have been a small number of reported cases of
cats from the US (none in Canada) becoming sick and developing signs
of kidney failure. The signs of kidney failure include loss of
appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. P&G Pet Care has received no case
reports involving dogs.

This voluntary product recall involves discontinuation of all retail
sales and product retrieval from consumers. Consumers should stop
using the affected products immediately, and consult with a
veterinarian if any symptoms are present in their pet. All Iams and
Eukanuba products carry a 100 percent guarantee, and consumers can
receive a refund for recalled products. For more information,
consumers can contact the company at 1-800-882-1591 or visit

www.Iams.com and

www.Eukanuba.com for details.

3/17/07 update:

http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html

Recalled Dog Product Information
Recall Information 1-866-895-2708

1. Americas Choice, Preferred Pets
2. Authority
3. Award
4. Best Choice
5. Big Bet
6. Big Red
7. Bloom
8. Bruiser
9. Cadillac
10. Companion
11. Demoulas Market Basket
12. Fine Feline Cat, Shep Dog
13. Food Lion
14. Giant Companion
15. Great Choice
16. Hannaford
17. Hill Country Fare
18. Hy-Vee
19. Key Food
20. Laura Lynn
21. Loving Meals
22. Main Choice
23. Mixables
24. Nutriplan
25. Nutro Max
26. Nutro Natural Choice
27. Nutro
28. Ol'Roy
29. Paws
30. Pet Essentials
31. Pet Pride
32. Presidents Choice
33. Price Chopper
34. Priority
35. Publix
36. Roche Bros
37. Save-A-Lot
38. Schnucks
39. Springsfield Pride
40. Sprout
41. Stater Bros
42. Total Pet, My True Friend
43. Western Family
44. White Rose
45. Winn Dixie
46. Your Pet

P&G Pet Care Announces Voluntary Participation in Menu Foods' Nationwide U.S. and Canadian Recall of Specific Canned and Small Foil Pouch 'Wet' Cat and Dog Foods.

What's New?? Rabies Vaccine Challenge

Important news for companion animal owners about a concurrent 5 and 7 year canine rabies vaccine challenge study fund and a national pet vaccine class action lawsuit (see below and read Aaron Miller's Lincoln County Weekly story Rabies Challenge Kicks Off Fundraiser http://www.courierpub.com/articles/2005/10/12/lincolncountyweekly/local_news/4news.txt Kay Liss's story Nationwide Campaign Launched to Fund Rabies Vaccine Study in the Lincoln County News at http://www.mainelincolncountynews.com/index.cfm?ID=14204;  Denise Flaim's 9/19/05 story Challenging the Rabies Vaccine in Newsday http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-lspets4432971sep19,0,1274963.column and Nancy Freedman Smith's Story in Maine Today, News, The Rabies Challenge Fund  http://blogs.mainetoday.com/dogslife/002976.html) The Rabies Challenge Fund & Master Dog Training at the Womens Podcasting Expo - Show #42
Tue, 18 Jul 2006 12:00:00 GMT (52.2 Mb) http://www.replay-video.com/guide/index.php?start_page=http://applian.com/guide/view_podcast_details.php?show_id=2156 -- permission is granted to post and cross-post this message.  Please help to spread the word so we can get these studies underway as soon as possible.
    Fort Dodge issued a recall of its RabVac 3 TF serial number 873113A rabies vaccine on May 25, 2006 after a vaccinated dog contracted rabies (see The Charlotte Observer article at http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/business/14786163.htm also see Dogs Adverse Reactions webpage:  http://www.dogsadversereactions.com/RabvacRecall.html).  According to Fort Dodge's recall letter, this batch of vaccine "was released into the veterinary market in November 2004 and expires June 29, 2006."  Concerned pet owners or veterinarians can call  Fort Dodge about the recalled vaccine is 800-533-8536.  This link http://wyovet.uwyo.edu/Diseases_2006.asp will take you to the Wyoming State Vet Lab website which has posted the recall letter.  Just click on the appropriate icon.

    Anyone wishing to have a copy of either the 1992 French challenge study data from a research team led by Michel Aubert in which dogs were demonstrated to be immune to a rabies challenge 5 years after vaccination, or Vascellari's study which documented cancerous tumors in dogs at presumed injection sites of rabies vaccine, please e-mail me.

    As of August 29, 2006, the following breed clubs, along with many pet owners, trainers, breeders, and kennel owners have contributed to The Rabies Challenge Fund:

Akita Club of America
American Shih Tzu Club
Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Nashoba Valley
Bernese Mountain Club of SE Wisconsin
Capital City Cocker Club
Chesapeake, Virginia Dog Fanciers Association
Collie Club of Georgia
Dog Agility Racing Team of Chino
Great River Stockdog Club
Heart of Minnesota Great Dane Club
Kennel Club of Buffalo
Kerry Blue Terrier Foundation
Kishwaukee Kennel Club
Kuvasz Fanciers of America
Lehigh Valley Kennel Club
Miniature Schnauzer Club of Southern California
Northern Illinois Schutzhund Club
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of Canada
Pacific NW Jack Russell Terrier Rescue Network
Soft-Coated Wheaton Terrier Club
Staffordshire Terrier Club of America
Standard Schnauzer Club of Southern California
Wachusett Kennel Club

Regards,  Kris L. Christine
Co-Founder, Co-Trustee
The Rabies Challenge Fund
http://www.zbirdbrain.com/PetAdvocatesTownHallCisSupportStudy.htm