IMPORTANT
NOTICES REGARDING PET FOOD RECALLS
We
DO NOT carry Dog or Cat food that
contains any of the following ingredients:
wheat, wheat gluten, corn, corn-gluten, rice protein concentrates, by-products or animal digest.
Attention all pet owners seeking an alternative to Medi-Cal/Royal
Canin/Hill's/Prescription diets to resolve urinary tract/kidney/struvite
crystal issues...click here for info
We are making every attempt to keep our
readers up to date on recalls as we become aware of them.
The wonderful team at
www.itchmo.com
is working closely with other groups to stay right
on top of current recalls.
We strongly recommend that you
sign up for
recall alerts for the most up-to-date information.
Sept 21, 2007 PetSmart pulled various Smokehouse brand chicken and duck
dog treats from their shelves as a precautionary measure. The company pulled
these treats in response to American Veterinary Medical Association's warning
about various treat products from China due to complaints from pet owners about
ill dogs.
PetSmart has also pulled Pet n' Shape Chik n' Rings dog treats from their
shelves as a precaution. When we spoke to PetSmart last week, there was no word
about a Pet n' Shape treat being pulled off shelves last week.
Story continues at:
http://www.itchmo.com/petsmart-pulls-pet-n-shape-chik-n-rings-dog-treats-from-shelves-3002
Sept 19, 2007 Bravo! has announced a recall of certain varieties of its
poultry products for pets. Here is the press release dated September 18 that is
on their website:
Bravo! announces a voluntary recall of select tubes of three of its poultry
products for cats and dogs. The pet food is being recalled because two of the
products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria
monocytogenes, while the other product has the potential to be contaminated with
Listeria monocytogenes.
Sept 17, 2007 Expertox, a Texas lab, has found elevated levels of lead,
chromium, and cadmium in two Chinese-made pet toys sold at Wal-Mart. But two
veterinarians said the levels found by the lab are not a health risk to cats and
dogs.
The lab was hired by ConsumerAffairs.com to test two dog toys and two cat toys
for heavy metals and other toxins.
A dog chew toy, a green monster, tested positive for what the lab categorizes as
high levels of lead and chromium. The lab detected lead levels of 907.4
micrograms per kilogram (almost one part per million). Chromium was found at
levels of 334.9 micrograms per kilogram. Levels of cadmium, arsenic and mercury
were also found in the green monster toy.
The lab said with that kind of concentration, if a dog puts the toy in his mouth
and chews or licks it, he is being exposed to a good amount of lead and runs the
risk of metal toxicity that may shorten his life.
Expertox said a cloth catnip toy also tested positive for a "tremendous amount"
of the toxic metal cadmium. The levels of cadmium found were 236 micrograms per
kilogram.
Two other Wal-Mart pet toys were analyzed, a cloth hedgehog for dogs and a
plastic dumbbell toy for cats. Expertox found cadmium in those two pet toys, but
the lab toxicologist said the levels found were similar to the amount in one
cigarette and not considered significant.
Read the rest of the article at:
http://www.itchmo.com/expertox-finds-lead-other-toxins-in-wal-mart-pet-toys-2877
Aug 16, 2007 A Philadelphia woman says her dog died after eating tainted
dog food treats bought from Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has quietly pulled the made in
China dog treat from its stores. There has been no announcement to the public as
of yet. It is also uncertain of how many tainted bags of treats there may still
be out among consumers.
Kate Collins said it is hard to talk about. Bella, her two-year-old Chihuahua,
died suddenly in July after eating Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips.
Collins said that Bella died within a week after eating the treats. The other
dogs did not receive the same treats and are unaffected.
Bella's owner had the animal hospital do an autopsy and they found that Bella
died of an infection caused by toxic bacteria.
July 21, 2007 -
Natural Balance has
announced that it is recalling it's Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs due to a
supplier's recall.
The affected formulas include 15oz cans of: Irish Stew, Hobo Chili, Chinese
Take-Out and Southern Style Dumplin's with Gravy.
The supplier, Castleberry Foods, found one
instance of botulism in improperly sealed cans.
The recall information was only sent to subscribers to their newsletters. This
information is not yet available on the Natural Balance website.
Full details at:
http://itchmo.com/read/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk_20070721
In April, Itchmo posted about a
FDA salmonella contamination alert in American Bullie Dog Chew products.
In a follow-up to their salmonella contamination, a FDA warning letter
dated June 11, 2007 was sent to T.W. Enterprises, the company that makes
American Bullie Dog Chew products. The letter referenced the FDA inspections
that were conducted on January 18 and 23.
During these inspections, the FDA not only found salmonella in the
products, but they noted that the company had other violations. The company
was found to be dipping their products in bleach.
The inspection also revealed that it is a practice of your firm to allow
pizzles to [redacted], then to submerge them in [redacted] of water
containing [redacted] bleach for [redacted] hours. Household bleach is not
approved for use in animal feeds. Firms or individuals who want to use a
substance in feeds for a purpose for which the substance is either not
generally recognized as safe (GRAS) or approved by the FDA as a food
additive are required to first contact the FDA or file a food additive
petition to establish the safety and utility of the substance for its
intended use.
The warning letter gave T.W. Enterprises 15 days to correct their actions
and comply with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
We were completely blown away that a company would dip pet food products in
bleach. We contacted the compliance officer to see if T.W. Enterprises had
corrected their actions and complied with the act. We are still waiting for a
response and will post it as soon as we hear from the officer.
Continue reading: FDA Warning Letter To Company That Makes American Bullie Dog
Chew Products
EXCLUSIVE: Lab Reports Cyanuric Acid In Unrecalled Dry Food
May 24th, 2007
Itchmo has learned that a toxicology test reported the presence of cyanuric acid
in an opened bag of what is alleged to be Iams Large Breed dry dog food.
According to the report obtained by Itchmo, (available on the site) the results
have been certified by a forensic toxicologist. The testing method detects
concentrations in excess of 0.1%. We have obtained a copy of the toxicology
report and you can see for yourself. We have remove personal information for
privacy reasons and a correct lot number was obtained.
We have contacted Iams :In response, Iams says they are “fully confident” that
no cyanuric acid or melamine entered their products. They also defended their
“exceptional response” to handling customer complaints. When asked if they were
testing for melamine and cyanuric acid after the manufacture of their products,
Iams said that they were “constantly improving their quality control processes.”
Iams Large Breed does not list rice protein concentrate or wheat
gluten as ingredients.
We cannot stress this point enough: This test was performed on a sample from an
opened bag. We do not know if this is an isolated case of contamination before
or after the sale, or if it is widespread.This information requires verification
and we are asking for your help.
Itchmo is asking you to find an unopened 20 lb. bag of Iams Large Breed dry dog
food that matches the lot number: 260608 70574173 F4 US30940 with the expiration
date of 6/26/08.If you find an unopened bag, please email us at
tips@itchmo.com and we will provide further
instructions. If it's the right bag, we will pay for the cost of the bag of
food, shipping and testing. There will be no cost to you.
If an unopened bag is found and tested, we will release the results as soon as
they become available regardless of the outcome.
Full Article:
http://www.itchmo.com/read/lab-reports-cyanuric-acid-in-dry-food_20070524
May 23, 2007 Recall Expansion: Menu Foods
Adds Two More to Canadian Recall List
In a press release dated today, Menu Foods has added two more items to their
Canadian recall list:
1) Western Family Canada Chicken Cuts/Gravy canned dog food dated December 11,
2009 to March 7, 2010 (624g)
2) Western Family Canada Chunks of Chicken/Gravy canned cat food dated December
11, 2009 to March 7, 2010 (374g)
Menu Foods said that these two items should have been added to their recall
expansion on May 2 and just recently noticed that they were omitted.
May 22, 2007 Costco brand Nutra Nuggets
dog food tested positive for melamine
NEW RECALL: Nutra Nuggets Lamb Meal and Rice Dry Formula for Dogs
Recalled
We have been able to confirm that Nutra Nuggets (made by Diamond Pet Foods) is
recalling their Lamb Meal and Rice Dry Formula for Dogs with the Best Buy dates
of October 9-10, 2008. We spoke with a vet at the Nutra Nuggets recall line and
he said that so far, they had only heard of 2 cases in which the dogs had renal
diseases (confirming the news report from yesterday).
He said that it was due to cross-contamination due to food being produced for
Natural Balance (Natural Balance had recalls in mid-April). At this time, he
said that no other food produced by Nutra Nuggets was being recalled.
A central California vet is reporting that tests on a bag of Nutra Nuggets-brand
dog food purchased from Costco tested positive for melamine.
Veterinarian Dr. Matt Humason says “We began asking questions…we found the dogs
all ate the same food from the same store at the same time… so we sent a sample
to get it tested and it came back positive with melamine.” All four dogs ate
Nutra Nuggets brand food.
A sample was sent to a lab at UC Davis and [the pet owner’s] fears were
confirmed.
NEW RECALLS: More Recalls from
Chenango Valley Pet Foods
May 18th, 2007
Last night, there were recalls of Lick Your Chops and Evolve made by Chenango
Valley Pet Foods, and there's more to add to that list. According to a FDA press
release dated 5/17/07, here is a list of recalls of dry pet food from Chenango
Valley Pet Foods
(this list even includes ferret food now):
* DOCTORS FOSTER & SMITH LAMB & BROWN RICE FORMULA ADULT DOG FOOD, NET
WT. 6 LBS. (UPC 25141 28244), 15 LBS. (25141 30074), and 30 LBS. (UPC 25141
06043); Date Codes: Best By Feb 09 09 and Best By Feb 26 09;
* SHOP RITE REDI-MIXT DOG FOOD FOR DOGS, NET WT. 25 LB. (UPC 41190
00555), Date Code: Code C7107;
* LICK YOUR CHOPS KITTEN & CAT FOOD, NET WEIGHT 4 LBS. (UPC 32976
25915), and 18 LBS. (UPC 32976 25925); Date Code: Best Used By April 29 08; [We
posted this recall last night]
* SHEP chunk style dog food, NET WT. 20 LBS. (UPC 41498 14142); Date
Code: Best By March 14 08;
* 8 in 1 Ferret ULTRA-BLEND ADVANCED NUTRITION DIET, NET WT. 20 LBS, UPC
26851 00413, Code: C7072;
* Bulk Lamb & Brown Rice Formula Dog Food, Date Code: Feb 09, 08, sold
to one consignee SmartPak.
* Health Diet Cat Food Chicken & Rice Dinner NET WT. 1.81 kg/4 LB (UPC
78198 01594), 4 kg/8.8 LB (UPC 78198 01599), and 8 kg/17.6 LB (UPC 78198 01585);
Code C7072;
UPDATED MAY 18, 2007: NEW
RECALL: Evolve Dry Kitten Food Recalled
Evolve is recalling their dry kitten food formula with the Best Used By date of
September 13, 2008.
Their Triumph canned food brand was also a part of a previous recall.
Evolve's announcement says:
Evolve Kitten Food made on March 12, 2007 has now been included in [the
recalled pet food] group.
As of today, 99.4% of the 27,560 lbs. of product made on March 12, 2007
(Best Used By Sep 13 08) has been accounted for and removed from sale. Currently
there is 168 lbs. that has not been accounted for. The above 168 lbs. is a total
of 9 units in 3# and 7# sizes.
NEW RECALL: Lick Your Chops Recalls Dry Cat Food
May 17th, 2007
Lick Your Chops is recalling their Kitten and Cat dry food in the 4 lb. and 18
lb. bags with a Best By date of 4/29/08, due to the possibility this product may
have been cross-contaminated.
The food doesn't contain any wheat gluten, corn gluten or rice protein
concentrate, but "it was produced around the same time there may have been other
products manufactured that contained rice gluten, even though tests on these
products did not indicate any presence of contamination".
Updated May 12, 2007-Royal Canin
is recalling more products: eight Sensible Choice dry dog food
products and seven Kasco dry dog and cat food products. Royal Canin states small
traces of melamine were found in the rice protein concentrate provided by Cereal
ByProducts.
These eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products and seven Kasco dry dog and
cat food products with Best Before date codes between
July 28, 2007 to April 30, 2008 are being voluntarily recalled
SENSIBLE CHOICE® (available in pet specialty stores nationwide)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Adult (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Lamb and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Large Breed Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® NATURAL BLEND Adult (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® NATURAL BLEND Senior (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® NATURAL BLEND Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
KASCO® (available in pet specialty stores nationwide)
- KASCO® Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Hi Energy (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Maintenance (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Mealettes (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Mini Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Cat (Dry Cat Food)
BREAKING
NEWS: Menu Foods Recall Expands Dramatically May 2nd, 2007
This recall expansion covers dozens of new brands and foods.
Menu
Foods has previously recalled wet cat and dog food produced with contaminated
wheat gluten supplied by ChemNutra Inc.
Menu Foods is now expanding
the recall
due to the possibility of cross-contamination. Menu Foods has received a report
from a customer and has received study results, both of which indicate
cross-contamination.
Recall
includes cuts and gravy and select other products which do not include ChemNutra
wheat gluten but which were manufactured at any of Menu Foods’ plants during the
period that ChemNutra wheat gluten was used at that plant, to the extent they
have not already been subject to a recall,
Recalled
Brands List
Due to
several recall expansions, we suggest that you avoid all these brands.
(Updated 5/2 with major Menu Foods recall expansion.)
|
For
Cats |
For
Dogs |
|
1.
Blue
Buffalo Spa Select Kitten
2.
Drs.
Fosters and Smith
3.
Hills
Prescription Diet m/d
4.
Lick Your
Chops
5.
Natural
Balance - Venison
6.
Royal
Canin Veterinary Diet
1.
Pounce
Meaty Morsels
1.
Americas
Choice, Preferred Pets
2.
Authority
(PetSmart brand)
3.
Best
Choice
4.
Blue
Buffalo
5.
Cat's
Choice
6.
Chicken
Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul
7.
Companion
(Stop & Shop, Giant Food Stores)
8.
Compliments
9.
Co-Op
Gold
10.
Demoulas
Market Basket
11.
Despar
12.
Eukanuba
13.
Fame
14.
Feline
Classic
15.
Feline
Cuisine
16.
Fine
Feline Cat
17.
Food Lion
18.
Foodtown
19.
Giant
Companion
20.
Giant
Eagle
21.
Hannaford
22.
Harmony
Farms
23.
Hill
Country Fare
24.
Hy-Vee
25.
Iams
26.
J.E.
Mondou
27.
La Griffe
28.
Laura
Lynn
29.
Li'l Red
30.
Loving
Meals
31.
Masters
Choice
32.
Max Cat
33.
Medi-Cal
34.
Meijer's
Main Choice
35.
Natural
Balance
36.
Natural
Ultramix (Castor and Pollux)
37.
Nutriplan
38.
Nutro Max
Gourmet Classics
39.
Nutro
Natural Choice
40.
Paws
41.
Pet Pride
(Kroger brand)
42.
Performatrin Ultra
43.
Presidents Choice
44.
Price
Chopper
45.
Priority
US
(Safeway brand)
46.
Publix
47.
Roche
Brothers
48.
Royal
Canin Medi-Cal Feline Dissolution Formula
49.
Save-A-Lot Special Blend
50.
Schnucks
51.
Science
Diet Feline Savory Cuts Cans
52.
Sophistacat (PetSmart brand)
53.
Special
Kitty
Canada
54.
Special
Kitty
US
(Wal-Mart brand)
55.
Springfield
Prize
56.
Sprout
57.
Stop &
Shop Companion
58.
Stuzzy
Gold
59.
Tops
Companion
60.
Trader
Joe's
61.
Triumph
62.
Wegmans
63.
Weis
Total Pet
64.
Western
Family
Canada
65.
Western
Family
US
66.
White
Rose
67.
Winn
Dixie
68.
Your Pet
|
1.
Drs.
Fosters and Smith
2.
Natural
Balance - Venison
3.
Royal
Canin Sensible Choice
4.
Royal
Canin Veterinary Diet
5.
SmartPak
1.
Beef
Sticks
2.
Blue
Buffalo
3.
Champion
Breed
4.
Companion's Best
5.
Dollar
General
6.
Gravy
Train
7.
Happy
Tails
8.
Harmony
Farms Health Bar
9.
Jerky
Treats
10.
Lassie
Lamb
11.
Natural
Balance - Venison
12.
Nurture
13.
Ol'Roy
14.
Perfect
Pals
15.
Pet Life
16.
Stater
Brothers
1.
ALPO
Prime Cuts in Gravy
2.
Americas
Choice, Preferred Pet
3.
Authority
(PetSmart brand)
4.
Award (PetSmart
brand)
5.
Best
Choice
6.
Big Bet
7.
Big Red
8.
Bloom
9.
Blue
Buffalo
10.
Wegmans
Bruiser (Wegmans brand)
11.
Cadillac
12.
Canine
Caviar Gourmet Beaver
13.
Canine
Caviar Gourmet
Turkey
14.
Chicken
Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul
15.
Companion
(Stop & Shop, Giant Food Stores)
16.
Compliments
17.
Co-Op
Gold
18.
Demoulas
Market Basket
19.
Diamond
Lamb and Rice
20.
Eukanuba
21.
Food Lion
22.
Giant
Companion (Giant Food stores)
24.
Great
Choice
25.
Hannaford
26.
Harmony
Farms
27.
Health
Diet Gourmet Cusine
28.
Hill
Country Fare
29.
Hy-Vee
30.
Iams
31.
Kirkland
32.
La Griffe
33.
Laura
Lynn
34.
Lick Your
Chops
35.
Loving
Meals
36.
Mana Pro
Uni-Milk/li>
37.
Masters
Choice
38.
Meijers
Main Choice
39.
Mighty
Dog Pouch (Nestle Purina)
40.
Mixables
41.
Mulligan
Stew Chicken
42.
Mulligan
Stew
Turkey
43.
Natural
Balance
44.
Natural
Life
45.
Nu Pet
46.
Nutriplan
47.
Nutro Max
48.
Nutro
Natural Choice
49.
Nutro
Ultra
50.
Nutro
51.
Ol'Roy
Canada
52.
Ol'Roy
US
53.
Paws
54.
Performatrin Ultra
55.
Pet
Essentials (Target brand)
56.
Pet Pride
- Good n Meaty (Kroger brand)
57.
Presidents Choice
58.
Price
Chopper
59.
Priority
Canada
60.
Priority
US
(Safeway brand)
61.
Publix
62.
Roche
Brothers
63.
Save-A-Lot Choice Morsels
64.
Schnucks
65.
Shep Dog
66.
Springsfield Prize
67.
Sprout
68.
Stater
Brothers
69.
Stop &
Shop Companion
70.
Tops
Companion
71.
Trader
Joe's
72.
Triumph
73.
Truly
74.
Weis
Total Pet
75.
Western
Family
Canada
76.
Western
Family
US
77.
White
Rose
78.
Winn
Dixie
79.
Your Pet
|
Recalls added recently:
Nestle' Purina Beneful -click
here to read more about reported illnesses and deaths related to Purina Beneful
pet food
|
UNAPPROVED, UNTESTED, or UNNECESSARY INGREDIENTS
▼ |
|
|
SUSPECTED TOXINS - DOG FOOD |
|
|
SUSPECTED TOXINS - CAT FOOD |
|
|
|
|
March 29, 2007
|
The below Eukanuba prescribed foods were the subject of an
FDA warning letter because they contain a prohibited food
supplement, chromium tripicolinate, the safety of which has
not been studied in dogs or cats.Chromium tripicolinate has been
linked to acute renal failure in humans.
The Iams Co.
has not stated a date by which time the compound - which continues
to be listed as an ingredient on the Iams Web site - would be
removed. |
|
|
Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Optimum Weight Control dry
Restricted-Calorie/Canine dry and canned
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 29, 2007
|
The below Eukanuba prescribed foods were the subject of an
FDA warning letter because they contain a prohibited food
supplement, chromium tripicolinate, the safety of which has
not been studied in dogs or cats.Chromium tripicolinate has been
linked to acute renal failure in humans.
The Iams Co.
has not stated a date by which time the compound - which continues
to be listed as an ingredient on the Iams Web site - would be
removed. |
Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Optimum Weight Control dry
Restricted-Calorie/Feline dry and canned |
|
|
|
Natural Balance recalls more products - this time canned. Same ingredient
(rice protein concentrate) different manufacturer (American Nutrition).
natural-balance-expands-recall-to-canned-foods_20070426 Products recalled
are:
* Chicken Formula Canned Dog Food 13 oz
* Lamb Formula Canned Dog Food 13 oz
* Beef Formula Canned Dog Food 13 oz
* Ocean Fish Formula Canned Cat Food 3 oz & 6 oz
BREAKING NEWS: Blue Buffalo Recalls All Canned Dog and Cat Food, As Well As
Treats
Blue Buffalo just announced another expansion of the recall covering:
* All Blue brand can dog foods
* All Spa Select brand can cat foods
* All Blue Health Bar treats.
The release indicates that rice protein was added without their knowledge to
these products. Blue Buffalo attributes this to "tampering" by their contract
manufacturer American Nutrition, who was connected to several other recalls on
Thursday.
April 26th, 2007
American
Nutrition is finally recalling their foods containing rice protein
concentrate. The recall covers
Kirkland Signature Super Premium
Canned Food, item # 38436, best buy dates of Aug. 21 08 to April 15 of 09.
It is not yet clear if that is the extent of all American Nutrition’s
recalls.
Chenango Valley is
adding one
more product to the list in addition to SmartPak and Drs. Fosters &
Smith products.
- Lick Your Chops Lamb Meal, Rice & Egg Cat
Food in packages with a net weight of 4 lbs. and a code date best used by
April 29, 2008.
For all recent recalls, check
Recall Update: Thursday.
(Thanks to PetSitUSA
and
PetConnection)
April 26th, 2007
Wilbur-Ellis Rice Protein Concentrate Recalls:
UPDATE: AP identifies another (fifth) pet food maker that received
tainted rice protein concentrate:
American Nutrition in Utah. Their products are
listed here.
Five pet food makers were said to have received the tainted rice protein
concentrate. Four are listed above. More than a week after
Wilbur-Ellis issued a recall for all their RPC,
American
Nutrition has yet to follow through. The FDA is still mum on a complete
list of companies.
Drs. Fosters & Smith Products Recalled Due to Rice
Protein
April 25th, 2007
Another pet food maker - Drs. Fosters & Smith - is issuing a recall due to the
use of Wilbur-Ellis rice protein.
Rice protein concentrate has been indicated as a source of melamine recently
found in pet food products. As a precautionary measure Wilbur-Ellis company, the
supplier of rice protein concentrate, is voluntarily recalling all lots of rice
protein concentrate. Full details:http://www.itchmo.com/read/drs-fosters-smith-products-recalled_20070425
The recalled products are:
- Drs. Foster & Smith Adult Dry Lite Dog
Food
- Drs. Foster & Smith Adult Dry Lite Cat
Food
ROYAL CANIN RECALL EXPANDED TO MULTIPLE FORMULAS
Updated April 21
Royal Canin Canada adds specialty diet pet foods to recall list...READ DETAILS
HERE
BREAKING NEWS: Melamine in Corn Gluten Linked to South African Pet Illnesses
April 19th, 2007 For the full details, go to:http://www.itchmo.com
The 29 cases of renal failure in South Africa has been linked to melamine in
corn gluten used in pet food. Corn gluten is used extensively in the US.
Tests have confirmed that Vets Choice and Royal Canin dog and cat dry pet-food
products contained corn gluten contaminated with melamine, says the
manufacturer. The contaminated corn gluten was delivered to Royal Canin by a
South African third-party supplier and appears to have originated from China.
We were tracking cases of the South African pet deaths before and have heard
rumors of corn gluten contamination.
At this point, we believe that all corn gluten should be considered at risk
for contamination and should be tested by every pet food manufacturer and the
FDA.
|
NATURAL BALANCE "VENISON & RICE" PET FOOD RECALL
Due to contaminated Rice Protein Concentrate
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Pacoima, CA -- April 17, 2007--
Natural Balance, Pacoima, CA, is issuing a voluntary nationwide
recall for all of its Venison dog products and the dry Venison cat
food only, regardless of date codes. The recalled products include
Venison and Brown Rice canned and bagged dog foods, Venison and
Brown Rice dog treats, and Venison and Green Pea dry cat food.
Recent laboratory results show that the products contain melamine.
We believe the source of the melamine is a rice protein concentrate.
Natural Balance has confirmed this morning that some production
batches of these products may contain melamine.
The recall was prompted by consumer complaints received by Natural
Balance involving a small number of cats and dogs that developed
kidney failure after eating the affected product.
Dogs or cats who have consumed the suspect food and show signs of
kidney failure (such as loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting)
should be seen by a veterinarian. We recommend our customers
immediately stop feeding our recalled venison products regardless of
date code and return unused product to their retailer for a full
refund.
The products are packaged in bags, cans and zip lock treat bags and
sold in pet specialty stores and PetCo nationally.
No other Natural Balance products are involved in this voluntary
recall as none of our other formulas include the rice protein
concentrate.
Although the problems seem to be focused on a particular production
period of the venison products, over the last four days we have
notified our distributors and retailers by phone and e-mail to
immediately stop selling and return all recalled Venison dog foods
and treats and the Venison dry cat food. Venison canned cat food is
not involved.
The source of the melamine appears to be a rice protein concentrate,
which was recently added to the dry venison formulas. Natural
Balance does not use wheat gluten, which was associated with the
previous melamine contamination.
None of Natural Balance’s other dry formulas, none of our other
canned or roll products and none of our other treats are involved
with this voluntary recall.
We continue to work closely with the FDA in their ongoing
investigation.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-829-4493
or email
info@naturalblanceinc.com.
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Latest recall involves MediCal canned Dissolution
formula.
We recommend checking labels of everything you have on hand and prior
to making new purchases, and not feed ANY products containing wheat gluten
. If you know for a fact that you've fed some of these foods, the pet
should be taken to the vet's for immediate bloodwork, which Menu Foods
will pay for.
Another brand of cat food is being
recalled after Royal Canin Canada discovered from Menu Foods that its
product contained contaminated wheat gluten.
$50M lawsuit filed against pet food company Royal Canin
Another big pet-food manufacturer is accused of selling tainted
food in Canada that has allegedly killed some animals and made others
sick..
.Read more about
Royal Canin here
The affected product
is Medi-Cal Feline Dissolution Formula canned food.
One production lot with the best before date of Jan. 8, 2009 contains
the tainted ingredient. But Royal Canin is taking the precautionary step
of recalling all date codes. The food is prescribed only through
veterinary clinics and is not available through retail outlets.
"After being repeatedly reassured by Menu Foods, as reinforced by FDA
public statements, that none of the contaminated wheat gluten had made its
way to Canada, we were completely shocked to learn yesterday that this was
not the case, and that this wheat gluten had been used in the Feline
Dissolution Formula canned product," said Xavier Unkovic, CEO of Royal
Canin Canada.
"As animal health professionals and pet owners ourselves, we know this
recall will cause concern for our customers as it has for our entire Medi-Cal/Royal
Canin team," said Dr. Brent Matthew, Veterinary Division Director. "We
deeply regret that this has occurred."
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month announced that it had
found melamine, a chemical used in plastics and some fertilizer, in
samples of recalled pet food. Pet owners who are feeding the recalled
product to their cats and have questions are asked to call Royal Canin at
1-866-494-6844.
Prompted by reports from the US Food and Drug Administration as to the
presence of melamine in cans of cuts and gravy pet food produced in Menu
Foods' Canadian production facility, Menu Foods undertook an accounting of
all recalled wheat gluten supplied by ChemNutra Inc. to Menu Foods in the
United States.
As the result of that review, Menu Foods has identified a single
interplant transfer of the ChemNutra supplied wheat gluten, shipped from
Menu Foods' plant in Emporia, Kansas, to its plant in Streetsville,
Ontario. This wheat gluten was subsequently used in the production of
pet food in December, 2006 and January, 2007, which is being recalled by
Menu Foods.
The new varieties in the United States and Canada
have been added to the recall list. The latest recall group is listed
below, and a complete list of recalled products, including the new items
can be reviewed at
www.menufoods.com
What Pet Foods Have Been Withdrawn from the Market?
Menu Foods
Del Monte Pet Products
Hills Pet Nutrition
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company
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