Pet-food recall: Again, the numbers
By Gina Spadafori
March 25, 2007
The Associated Press continues to report 16 dead pets, without even mentioning the possibility that there are hundreds if not thousands more. So does Newsweek, in this otherwise excellent piece on how to feed pets, featuring the esteemed Dr. Tony Buffington of the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
So far, both the Animal Medical Center (the “Mayo Clinic” of veterinary hospitals) and Banfield The Pet Hospital, with more than 600 locations all connected by a central database, have both gone on the record saying there could be thousands of pets sickened or killed by recalled food.
So what’s up, AP?
This afternoon, we got an e-mail from a person in the news department of a radio station, who pointed out to his boss that other media — such as USA Today and ABC News — have been reporting a potentially much higher death rate, and asked to change the AP’s “rip-and-read” radio copy. He was told he could not, and until the AP decides to do more than parrot the FDA line, the story will remain largely under-reported. That means it will soon die.
From tomorrow’s edition of USA Today, now up on its Web site:
The Food and Drug Administration has received more than 4,400 calls from pet owners about the recalled, contaminated dog and cat food that has reportedly sickened and injured animals across the USA.
But the agency has yet to follow up on the calls, so it doesn’t know how many represent sick animals or simply concerned owners, says Stephen Sundlof, director of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.
Many pet owners are questioning the reported number of animals that have died from consuming contaminated pet food found in some of the more than 60 million recalled cans and pouches.
Menu Foods, which produced the food, has listed 16 deaths: 15 cats and one dog. The FDA is listing only 14 confirmed dead.
[...]
There are still questions about how many animals have died. With no national reporting system for animal injury or death, official numbers are impossible to come by.
However, data from the nation’s largest chain of pet hospitals, Banfield, suggest it is as high as hundreds a week during the three months the food was on the market.
During that time, the more than 600 Banfield hospitals in 43 states saw 200 to 250 cases of kidney failure in cats above the usual number that would have been expected, says Hugh Lewis, president of Data Savant, Banfield’s data collection arm.
During that period, Banfield vets saw 100,000 cats. Extrapolating to the entire cat population of the USA, that could mean “we’re probably talking several hundred cats a week across the country being affected,” Lewis says.
Our self-reported database, by the way, is now reporting 1,716 dead pets as of 9 p.m. PT.
I honestly have to wonder: Would the Associated Press accept only official government information if the deaths were people? Is this because these are “just pets”?
As long as the AP continues to report only 15 dead pets, the story will not be taken seriously. And that means there will be little interest in changes.
Report your pet’s loss to the FDA. Also, ask your veterinarian to report your pet’s loss to the state veterinarian for reporting to the FDA. Additionally, if your pet has eaten one of the recalled foods and become sick, add your pet to our database.
And yes, Menu Foods has now recalled all of its previously recalled labels, regardless of manufacturing date. Here’s a longer explanation of why, from the American Veterinary Medical Association. The AVMA says it’s not because foods beyond the recall range are suspected of being tainted, but because it’s easier to pull entire brands off the shelves instead of checking each can or pouch. In any case: Don’t buy or feed these brands, regardless of manufacture date.
Bottom line: We want your pet to be counted, everywhere. And we want your pet’s death to count for something, in hopes that in realizing the true scope of the problem changes will be made so something like this is less likely to happen again.
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Technorati Tags: pet food recall, dogs, cats,veterinarian, veterinary
Thank You for this post!
Now Go to bed, and get some rest, you glorious people!
I know I speak for all when I say you more than deserve to take a whole day away, if you feel the need, to gather your strength for the challenges ahead in covering this story.
Comment by Nikita, The Bouncer of Sneakeasy's Joint — March 26, 2007 @ 12:00 am
The numbers are haunting to say the least. CBS13 news out of Sacramento, CA has been showing this web site and sending people to it for self reported “counts”. I have asked our two other major local stations to do the same. If they will report a RUMOR regarding a basketball player retiring (which by the way was supposedly a text message to other players), they can direct people to this site. I realize that they cannot quote your numbers as an accurate count, but bringing it to the publics attention would be eye opening. And not to mention, with all of the reports of stores who haven’t pulled recalled food for whatever reason; there are pets, young children and elderly persons still at risk for poisoning. We cannot let this story die out in the media. Keep calling, emailing, faxing, etc. The more they hear our outcry, the more likely they will be to keep the word out there.
Comment by Amy Boda — March 26, 2007 @ 12:06 am
My dog died from the poison that they are serving.
Comment by johngreer — March 26, 2007 @ 1:47 am
You guys deserve a medal for Excellence in Blog.
I too hope new federal laws come out of this. Calling your congressperson is a good place to start. You’d be surprised how these constituent issues often have an impact.
Comment by KathyF — March 26, 2007 @ 5:27 am
Does anyone know how quickly thi illness comes on a pet? I had fed my dogs and cats the Nutro pouches for about a year - through all the recalled period and I am terrified. Needless to say they are not eating it now, but I am wondering would they be sick now if they were going to be affected or how long do I have to worry and wonder about every little abnormality? So far all seem to be fine, but I am scared to death that I have poisoned them when I thought I was giving them one of the best. Thanks for any advice & so sorry for those who all ready lost their furry kids.
Comment by Sirah — March 26, 2007 @ 6:30 am
According to the Associated Press FAQ, the address to contact them is:
info@ap.org
Everone here should send them an email and ask why they are reporting Menufood’s company line on the number of pet deaths instead of a “real” number.
Comment by John Pierce — March 26, 2007 @ 7:14 am
I was feeding my cat Iams, it was on the list. I took her in to be tested on Saturday and thank goodness she is fine. I would suggest that anyone who is concerned about their pet, and what their pets ate over this period to do the same. Her blood work showed no trace of poison.
Comment by Mary — March 26, 2007 @ 7:27 am
My supermarket REFUSES to pull off the recalled products from their shelves. :(
Comment by Greg — March 26, 2007 @ 7:31 am
All I have to say to the Pet Food Industry is,
Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
Ill be watching you
Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
Ill be watching you
But thats not not going to be enough. It is time to demand accountability.
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 7:40 am
Big business and all their affiliates and politicians are trying to keep it as quiet as possible just exactly how much of our food supply come from the third world country of China where there are no inspections or food regulations.
People had better wake up without FDA inspections with some serious teeth in them this problem is not going to go away. Look at last summer it was the spinach problem now pet food and possibly other foods how many people are going to show up later on down the road with health problems from consuming foods produced by unscrupulous producers, vendors, and suppliers.
This administration has made sure there is no oversite of any industry the past six years by removing regulations to suit Corporate profits before safety.
That is the hard cold truth.
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 7:56 am
ALL WET FOOD? What is this supposed to mean?
Does this mean Wellness and other products and companies associated with Menu?
Menu Foods expands pet food recall to all wet food.
TORONTO (Mar 26, 2007)
A pet food recall has been expanded to include all varieties of its wet dog and cat food, amid concerns that tainted products are still being sold.
The Mississauga-based Menu Foods is asking retailers to remove all wet food items as a safety precaution, regardless of the date code.
In a weekend release, Menu Foods said that even brands not on the official recall list should be taken off the shelves. The safety precaution comes days after it was discovered that some of the pet food products Menu Foods manufactured were tainted with rat poison.
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 8:22 am
Okay enough games. What is the bottom line here. Is the pet food chain completely contaminated?
http://www.solanconews.com/Fea.....recall.htm
http://news.google.com/news?lr.....earch+News
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 8:31 am
Whats the bottom line here. Is the commercial food chain completely contaminated? Someone needs to start answering peoples questions. There needs to be ACCOUNTABILITY.
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 8:33 am
An article about the poisoning below.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/n.....E_ID=54865
Comment by Gary — March 26, 2007 @ 8:45 am
“Don’t hold your breath. The lobbyists are out in full force.”
That about sums it up.
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 8:58 am
Look at this. What are people supposed to think?
Mar 26, 2007 9:13 AM
Monday Update: Stop Serving Wet Pet Food!
http://www.wcpo.com/content/ne.....1d5dfdffa3
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 9:02 am
Here’s my email to the AP, in case you want to email but can’t think of what to say. It’s not great, but it’s Done!
To AP info@ap.org
Every day I watch the news and wait for the AP to issue a report that has something other than the carefully manipulated numbers presented by Menu Foods.
Why are you not reporting these numbers? I am losing more faith in your service every day, as are thousands of pet owners who ARE aware of the magnitude of this story.
And because the AP is not reporting the correct numbers, the following is happening, as reported on petconnection.com
“This afternoon, we got an e-mail from a person in the news
department of a radio station, who pointed out to his boss that
other media — such as USA Today and ABC NewsClick to view image —
have been reporting a potentially much higher death rate, and asked
to change the AP’s “rip-and-read” radio copy. He was told he could
not, and until the AP decides to do more than parrot the FDA line,
the story will remain largely under-reported. That means it will
soon die.”
If you love a cat or a dog, please read the following, go to the petconnection.com blog and then report the real story!
From http://www.petconnection.com/blog/
(I cut and pasted the full text of this entry)
Comment by Kim — March 26, 2007 @ 9:20 am
Pardon me while I vent
Probe On Pet Food Necessary.
“But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is supposed to be investigating. Stephen Sundlof, the FDA’s top veterinarian, said the agency hasn’t ruled out sabotage, but doesn’t have any leads or theories.”
http://www.svherald.com/articl.....pinion.txt
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 9:21 am
As the consumer - the buyer - why do you expect the Seller or Producer to have higher standards than you do. In all commerce the buyer must not be complacent but alert and aware, and must be responsible for testing what they buy from places with lower quality standards.
It is up to the ports and the manufacturers to do quality testing on the products they purchase, no matter where it comes from. Even if we imported food products from a third world country that promised to test to our standards, I would still check their product at the door.
Nobody cares about you and yours like you do yourself, nobody. It’s not up to them to improve their quality, it is up to us. If we don’t let their product in then they have to improve, or change products. Don’t take their word for anything. In many cultures, not just boardrooms and newsrooms, the lie is a natural defense mechanism, a way of life, and a way of doing business.
As for business, start with the store and the boardroom. Action there will be much faster than waiting for the government to do your bidding. This is how commerce works. The more complacent you are, the more they will try to get away with.
Comment by steve — March 26, 2007 @ 9:22 am
urgent,on cbs mon. debbie turner a vet said any dog or cat who ate any food on recall list must take them to the vet for a blood and urine test. go to cbs web site. i had my dogs on nutro i swore by it ,i refuse to deal with any pet food co who dealt with menu foods ,too many pets have died !!!!!!
Comment by gigi — March 26, 2007 @ 9:31 am
After you email the AP, Forward that email (entire text) to your local news media.
Here’s what I said:
Forward to Local Media:
Subject: FW Please Report Real numbers of Pet Deaths
On the Pet Food Recall…
I’ve been staying on top of this story since the beginning, and would really like to see more complete coverage in the (insert name of your local media here). The scope of this is much larger than the AP or any agency has reported. See my email to the AP below. The numbers of deaths is already in the thousands.
Probably the best site for you to get the real information is http://www.petconnection.com/blog Their most recent entry is pasted below in the email to the AP.
****
If you just want to copy and paste the whole thing, it’s on my blog http://playingbig.blogspot.com.....-real.html
Comment by Kim — March 26, 2007 @ 9:39 am
I tried calling my vet on Saturday morning after making the connection between my cat’s death in February to Iams pouches. The vet wasn’t available and the receptionist said they aren’t tracking deaths because their patients haven’t been affected. The vet has not returned my call.
I called the Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian this morning. The woman who answered the phone didn’t take a report and told me to call my county Public Health office. The woman who answered the phone didn’t know who to direct my call to, so she passed me along to the city/county switchboard. The switchboard operator didn’t know who to connect me to, but she took my name and phone number because she was concerned that I was getting the runaround and has promised to call back.
I called the FDA and left a message.
In my state, official channels are completely lame.
Comment by stefanie — March 26, 2007 @ 9:49 am
In addition to writing the AP and other media outlets, please thank USA Today for its reporting.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/h.....care_N.htm
Comment by Gina Spadafori — March 26, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Please take your pets in to be tested if you suspect at all that they ate the tainted food. Just because they don’t have symptoms doesn’t mean they don’t have kidney disease. The only way to be sure is to have them tested.
Comment by Elizabeth — March 26, 2007 @ 9:58 am
Good idea Gina - thanks!
I registered over the weekend so I can post comments to their articles, it’s easy and only took a couple of minutes.
Comment by Kim — March 26, 2007 @ 10:04 am
Kudos to USA today!!! I did send an e-mail to the AP AND I, myself have reported my case ( 1 cat dead and 1 cat still sick) to Menu, Nutro and FDA - my vet has also reported my case to the State Veterinarian. What else do I need to do??? I have everything in black and white and own 36 pouches of the crap.
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — March 26, 2007 @ 10:12 am
I MUST TELL EVERYONE NOT TO GIVE UP. KEEP BUGGING THE FDA IF YOUR PET DIED. KEEP CALLING P & g ALSO. BUT I THINK IF YOU GET YOUR FOOD TESTED NO MATTER WHAT FOOD IT WAS YOU WILL HAVE PROOF. FREEZE IT NOW DON’T WHAT UNTIL IT EXPIRES. IF THEY THINK IM GIVING UP THEIR CRAZY. WE DO NEED ANSWERS AND IM NOT WAITING FOR THIS TO BLOW OVER. IM TELLING EVERYONE STICK TOGETHER AND FORM A ORGANIZATION ON HERE OR SOMEONE AND BUG THEM TO DEATH.
Comment by Georgeann Heckman — March 26, 2007 @ 10:16 am
Sorry to have to be so BLUNT
Company scandal puts trouble on the menu
David Reevely
The Ottawa Citizen
Monday, March 26, 2007
Menu Foods has been a troubled company for years, according to its documents. Now the scandal of its tainted pet food will be a case study for critics of industrialized food for a generation.
American authorities say certain kinds of pet food produced at the company’s plant in Emporia, Kansas, were tainted with aminopterin, a hazardous chemical used as rat poison in some countries. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration spent last week zeroing in on wheat gluten, a binding agent (think flour or cornstarch) possibly imported from China.
Like most people, I’d never heard of Canadian-based Menu Foods before last week, when it started recalling the moist cat and dog food it produces, packages and sells to other companies to resell under their own brand names. But in the pet-food industry, Menu Foods is a leviathan that’s quietly cornered the pouched-food market and done very well with canned food, too. The list of affected brands has stretched to more than 90 names, including high-end ones such as Iams and Eukanuba and Nutro Natural Choice.
We don’t know for sure what went wrong with Menu Foods, but its recent financial statements indicate the company was trying hard to cut its costs.
Its latest annual report, covering 2005, paints a gloomy picture. Year-over-year sales were down, and costs for raw materials and packaging were going up. Fuel for deliveries got expensive after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Aluminum and steel got more expensive, affecting Menu’s canning operations. The company buys empty food pouches in Europe and sells much of its finished product in the U.S., meaning it was squeezed at one end by the rising Canadian dollar and at the other end by the rising euro.
By the end of 2005, Menu Foods had “breached certain covenants in its Agreements with its bankers and noteholders.” In other words, it couldn’t pay its debts. That meant it couldn’t make its regular payments to its unitholders. Menu Foods’ monthly payouts went from 31 cents a unit down to five cents before stopping altogether in September 2005 and they’ve never resumed.
Between January 2004 and January 2006, Menu Foods units lost nearly 80 per cent of their market value — who’d buy an income trust that wasn’t paying out? The price had been creeping up again before the recall; apparently investors were hoping it’d soon return to business as usual. Instead, it’s become an example of what’s wrong with an entire way of doing business.
http://www.canada.com/ottawaci.....052cd54596
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 10:17 am
One thing that has to be done is to make them pay for hurting our pets. I am planning of creating a website for all these willing to join in a class action lawsuit. Few already been lunched in US, and at least one in Ontario.
Well, at least it was not the factory that is located few miles from my home in Mississauga.
Comment by Tom — March 26, 2007 @ 10:29 am
Update: I found the email for Mark Johnson, the AP reporter listed on the article my paper ran on Saturday. I just emailed him and the New York City and Albany Bureau Chiefs. I’m not making their email publics yet, while I have no qualms about overloading the APs general mailbox, I’d rather not do that to these individuals, unless they don’t respond.
Gina - I’m sure you have this information, if not, email me.
Comment by Kim — March 26, 2007 @ 10:33 am
Just curious. Surely wheat isn’t the only grain that comes from China. What other grains and foodstuffs are imported into the U.S.? and have they been tested? Rats do not just eat wheat alone.
Gary
Comment by Gary — March 26, 2007 @ 10:50 am
Ive read some of the news articles posted here saying that Menu Foods have recalled all wet cat and dog food but the statment showing on Menu Foods website doesnt say that…they say they are recalling all the wet dog and cat food shown on their recall list so its hard to tell, has there been a new statement since the one posted on Menu Foods website or is it just a misunderstanding on the part of the authors of the news articles? When I first read they were recalling all wet food, I felt my kitty was on the way to being vindicated as her food isnt on the recall list but she is now deceased….but I guess I shouldnt have gotten my hopes up….
Comment by Sandi — March 26, 2007 @ 10:55 am
Does anyone know where I can get this tested? All of my Nutro Natural Choice packets are unopened. Sad thing is I got my tracking record from Petsmart and I have bought 300 pouches of this crap since November when I adopted them to feed my dear ones.
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — March 26, 2007 @ 11:05 am
Yesterday I emailed the NYTimes, asking them to make a correction to their correction regarding Menu Foods “expanding” their recall. I even sent them a link to the official Menu Foods press release which went out over the Canadian News Wire Service. Here’s the terse and wholly dismissive reply I got from the NYTimes:
“Hi. This is a correction from The Associated Press to one of their articles; it is not a Times correction. Thanks for reading.”
So, even tho the NYTimes ran the correction, they refuse run an addendum to said correction. So, as far as the NYTimes is concerned, they will do nothing unless the AP runs their own correction.
What a joke our national mainstream media has become.
Comment by Nikki — March 26, 2007 @ 11:05 am
Last night I was listening to a talk show on local AM. The host who owns a dog, asked a few of the pet food manufacturers, among them IAMS and Eukanuba, the question: “will you guarantee, your dry food is safe?”.
All of them declined to answer that question.
Comment by Gary — March 26, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Pardon my Venting.
Sprott places Menu Foods ratings on suspension – Could other pet food company’s have similar problems?
While Menu Foods Income Fund’s (MEWu/TSX) cash flow was recovering and its debt levels were declining, the company’s much-publicized pet food recall will set the company’s financial recovery back at least one year, according to Spott Securities.
For every additional week of Menu Foods’ product recall, $2-million to $3-million more in costs could be added to the company’s estimate of $30-million to $40-million, the firm estimated.
“More distressing is the fact that the shelf life for this type of pet food can extend up to 36 months, which means that any food that was produced dating back to early 2004 is potentially eligible to be returned by consumers and retailers at Menu’s expense,” analyst Aleem Israel said in a note to clients.
Sprott has placed its estimates and target price on Menu Foods under suspension given what it calls the “ballooning” of potential outcomes following an expanded pet food recall on Friday.
Sprott did lower its recommendation on Menu Foods to ‘reduce’ from ‘buy’ in order to reflect what it considers a “much too risky” play for investors at this time.
Mr. Israel added that litigation will likely be limited given word from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that “risk is limited to reimbursing the impacted pet owners for the cost of replacement” and Menu Food’s offer to cover related veterinary costs.
However, he noted that not only does Menu Foods not test for the specific toxin found in pet food samples, but other North American pet food manufacturers may not either.
http://communities.canada.com/.....blems.aspx
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 11:10 am
http://communities.canada.com/.....blems.aspx
This is an interesting article.
Comment by Amy Boda — March 26, 2007 @ 11:21 am
I adopted a puppy in January from a rescue organization. I have received an email from them that there are dogs who eat only dry food who are also having problems. To me this makes sense because gluten is listed in the ingredients shown on the labels. Has anyone heard anything about this?
Comment by Valerie Terenzi — March 26, 2007 @ 11:23 am
This is an interesting article.
Comment by Amy Boda - March 26, 2007
So is this one.
http://www.canada.com/ottawaci.....052cd54596
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 11:25 am
Valerie - could you tell us more. What type of dog food, brand, were they fed and where is this rescue so we may learn more and report it. I am so concerned over the dry.
Comment by Linda — March 26, 2007 @ 11:26 am
Our dog died suddenly of the same symptoms and only ate Iams mini chunks. We had a new bag that was purchased 2 week of Feb. and she died Feb. 19th. I am so afraid this includes the dry food also. The first thing my vet asked when I described her death was whether she had gotten into rat poisoning.
Interesting that the spokesperson from Iams would not guarantee the dry food.
Comment by Julie — March 26, 2007 @ 11:28 am
Local Plant Still Operating After Recall
Companies pulling back 60 million cans and pouches of pet food
Thomas Gaudio
Technology/General Assigment
3/26/2007
PENNSAUKEN - Despite a North American-wide recall of pet food, Menu Foods’ Pennsauken plant remains up and running. “It’s not shut down,” Menu Foods spokeswoman Sarah Tuite says of the facility, one of the two U.S. plants whose products were involved in the March 16 recall of about 60 million cans and small foil wet pouches of dog and cat food.
The agency said it inspected the plant after the recall and the investigation is ongoing. The Pennsauken facility is 190,000 square feet and employs 180 people, according to the 2006 New Jersey Manufacturers Register, a registry published by Manufacturers’ News Inc. of Evanston, Ill.
Tuite says that Menu Foods is recalling the products made at the Pennsauken facility in Camden County as a precautionary measure. She says most of the cans and pouches that have been pulled from store shelves in the United States, Canada and Mexico were produced at Menu Foods’ facility in Emporia, Kan.
http://www.njbiz.com/weekly_ar.....aID2=70255
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 11:30 am
It is possible this poisoned wheat was stored someplace and just now being put into production in other brands at other plants and this is a big concern and one I believe we need to consider.
Comment by Linda — March 26, 2007 @ 11:30 am
Steve,
That is a fantastic article. The speculation that all of these recalled foods are basically the same…finally justified.
Comment by Amy Boda — March 26, 2007 @ 11:35 am
A few numbers AP and the rest have conveniently forgotten in their damag limitation excercise: of the 16 animals they accept have died, 9 were from Menu Foods taste test, out of a total of 25 cats on the test.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/.....i-news-hed
That’s a 36% mortalilty rate, on what presumably were young, fit, lab cats. I suspect the mortality rate for older cats will be a lot higher.
They’ve withdrawn 3 months production, 60 million countainers. If even a tiny percentage of that has been fed to cats and the Menu Foods taste test results are representative, the death toll will be in tyhe thousands
Comment by Phil Cleary — March 26, 2007 @ 11:42 am
The speculation that all of these recalled foods are basically the same…finally justified.
Comment by Amy Boda — March 26, 2007
Amy,
I’d never heard of Canadian-based Menu Foods either before last week. Like myself I think most people thought their food was made by the brand itself and what they were buying was not one generic recipe being packaged into different brand names. Not to forget shocked to learn many so called top of the line “natural” brands were contracting with the same mass manufacturer responsible for this fiasco to begin with.
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 11:49 am
Canada Free Press editors wished they had placed closer attention to American pet lover Dean Ayers, who sent the first heads up on March 22.
“I have a friend who works in Petsmart,” Ayers said in a message he sent via the Internet. “Today the Nutro rep. came in the store and, to make a long story short, started restocking all the cans of bad food that that was waiting on a pallet to be returned to the company. The store manager came and asked him what did he think he was doing? He told the manager that Nutro had ordered him to restock, that there is no proof their food was tainted, and he was going to restock.
“Well…the store manager took him into the office, had a few ‘words of prayer’ with him and told him to get out and don’t come back, the manager would call the company, etc., and out he went.
“I have left out the friend’s name, of course, and the location…to protect the friend. But I wanted everyone to know what this one company tried to do in this one store.”
http://www.canadafreepress.com.....032607.htm
Comment by Steve — March 26, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
I have just sent this to my local media. Anyone in the Central Valley of CA, I encourage you to do the same.
I am hoping that each of you will take notice of this attached email and the hundreds just like it sent to the AP today in response to the Pet Food Recall. Please continue to cover this story, not just on the web, or on the back burner. Thousands of animals are ill and nearly 2000 have died. Many small children and elderly persons may have been affected as well. You do not need to be a pet lover to realize this is much bigger than the Corporation is willing to admit. Please do not let us down, we look to each of you to provide accurate, truthfull information regardless of whether Corporate America gets their feelings hurt.
Amy Boda wrote:
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 10:58:43 -0700 (PDT)
From: Amy Boda
Subject: Pet Food Recall
To: info@ap.org
Thank you for your continued coverage on this vitally important issue, however I would like to make a suggestion. Menu Foods is releasing death totals based on preserving their public image, not factual information. With Banfield Vet Hospitals making public statements regarding hundreds of known deaths resulting from tainted pet food and thousands of illnesses, along with several Universities and the “official” database at petconnection.com, as a public informant do you not believe it to be prudent to also report this information worldwide? As reporters you are in fact investigators of the truth, typically this does not include feeding the public falsified information from large corporations. Do you remember reporting on the Enron situation? The reports had little to do with what the company wanted to project, but in what you as reporters had learned doing some digging. Do you not think the same is due the public now? Far fewer American people were affected by the Enron fallout than by this pet food recall. 140 million homes within the US have pets. 140 million households did not own Enron stock. Please, please visit:
http://www.petconnection.com/b.....he-numbers
You will find over 1700 reports of pet deaths due to the food recall. There are many more cases of illness. Contact the writers of this site, the people who have created this database and compiled these heart wrenching numbers. They will gladly assist you in obtaining any information you need to reveal this information to the public.
Comment by Amy Boda — March 26, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
To Linda & Valerie. My dog only ate the Ol’Roy Kibbles chunks and chews dry dog food, and the Ol’Roy Bark’n Bac’n moist dog treats, bought on 3/3/07, she became sick on 3/8/07, all of the symptons described in the recall, my vet’s first response was also looks like rat poisoning, unnfortunately we couldn’t save her and my baby died on March 15. She was only 7 and perfectly healthy. I firmly do not believe the contamination is only in the wet food products. I can’t get any answers from Wal-mart regarding who manufactures their ol’roy dog treats, I truly think that was the source, not necessarily the dry food. of course I can’t get through to menu to ask if they manufacture any dog treats distributed by Wal-mart. Does anyone know??
Comment by Tammy — March 26, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
This is the email I received: This was sent to everyone who adopted in Massachusetts, there are addresses from most of the adoption organizations
I was feeding Nutro Max small bites (DRY) to my 3 Aussies and 1
>>>>Corgi. For the last 3 weeks on and off all 4 dogs have vomited
>>>>yellow bile. I did not think much of it because it was on and
>>>>off…maybe they were eating snow…whatever. Then the
>>>>recall…only wet?
>>>>
>>>>My brother called me on Sunday on the way back from the Rescue show
>>>>and his 10 yr old Sheltie spayed bitch was vomiting bile on and off
>>>>for a few days and now has blood in her urine. They brought in a UA
>>>>and dog is being treated for a UA infection.
>>>>
>>>>Yesterday he called me and his male-13 month old German Shepherd has
>>>>blood in its urine…guess what…feeding DRY Nutro Max. Another UA
>>>>to vets. No infection.
>>>>
>>>>The dispatcher at the police department where I work over heard me
>>>>talking to my brother…she has 2 mixes on Nutro Ultra DRY…they
>>>>have been vomiting bile on and off for about 4 weeks.
>>>>
>>>>A women in my obedience class…her mother has a Terrier on Nutro
>>>>All Natural DRY…dog is being treated for blood in urine.
>>>>
>>>>The dispatcher called the FDA today and spoke with Bill Boiven
>>>>(Spelling) at 781-596-7783. She gave him all our info and he
>>>>contacted me. Guess what!!! They have already started to launch an
>>>>investigation on the dry dog food. They are getting millions of
>>>>phone calls about this. He did tell me that the foods are processed
>>>>by 2 different manufactures but this is way to coincidental.
>>>>
Comment by Valerie Terenzi — March 26, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
Valerie, was there any mention from the FDA about moist dog treats? I’m so glad to hear that they may look into the dry, I’m not crazy! It is WAY to coincidential indeed. I did make a report to the FDA in Cincinnati,Ohio, about my dog’s death, but haven’t heard anything back.
Comment by Tammy — March 26, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
My 12-year old beagle mix, Scotty, ate at least one of the contaminated cans of dog food and has been experiencing vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, lethargy. He’s been to the vet three times in the last ten days. His bloodwork shows problems with the liver and not his kidneys, so the vets are not linking this to the food.
I’m curious if anyone else’s pet has experienced liver problems and not kidney problems after eating the contaminated food?
Comment by Kim Shearer — March 26, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
My 2 cats were also eating Nutro Dry - they are sick because of the pouches, but they also turned their nose up at the dry food. I returned it to Petsmart - going with Ralston on the dry. Menu and Nutro can’t be trusted and I was a faitful customer of Nutro for over 20 years.
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — March 26, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
I had my Dobie Mercy on dry food Science Diet and she suddenly developed Liver problems. I took her off the Science Diet and home cooked her food and gave her SAM-E and now she is on Natural Balance. The vet couldn’t figure out what happened or why, all the tests and ultrasound etc costs me almost $1,000 and still no clue as to what happened. Science Diet had wheat in it.
None of my dogs are showing signs of any other problems.
Comment by Linda — March 26, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
MenuFodsClassAction@yahoogroups.com is organizing a Nationwide March to raise awareness. I think this will surely get someone’s attention!
Comment by Amy Boda — March 26, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
Kim, My cat ate the recalled food as well as dry Nutro, and his bloodwork showed fine for kidneys, but his liver was elevated just a little. My vet said it might even be normal for him, but wants to keep and eye on it becuase we dont know if this food only affects the liver. She wants to re-check in 6 weeks. What kind of liver problems is she having? We also switched to natural balance.
Comment by Lacy — March 26, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
Our 13 year old Westie has been sick for about 3 weeks. Same symptoms, vomiting, loss of apetite, lethargy, even brief periods of fainting. I fed her some of the Iams from the can but I don’t remember exactly which kind. This is too coincidental. I almost had her euthanized today, but 1 hour before we left the house, she ate some chicken!! Bloodwork didn’t show kidney problems but I’m wondering about the liver because her stools are so pale. Anyone with similar experiences?
Comment by Virginia — March 26, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
My beauiful beloved Samoyed dog passed away Feb.6,2007. He was fed the IAMS pouch type food during Dec.06 and Jan.07. He suffered the ENTIRE month of Jan. from kidney failure. The vet kept asking if it was possible he ate poison, and of course we said no. We only fed him good dog food…I am devastated, disgusted and overwhelmed that my poor boy suffered so much, along with so many of his canine and feline friends across the country. I reported to the FDA, but cannot get thru to IAMs or Menu foods. This is horrible.
Comment by maryann prendergast — March 26, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
Lacy,
My Mercy a three year old Doberman began to leak urine in her sleep and so I took her into the vet and he ran a blood panel and the only thing it showed was a high liver enzyme test result. So he did an ultra-sound, and asperated her liver, and sent it for a reading, and did a bile-acid test and all came back okay, but this very high liver enzyme level. So I took her off science diet dry (had wheat) and home cooked her food and then put her on Natural Balance. She acts fine and is not vomiting. She seems okay. That’s the only thing that happend but I took all my dogs off the dry science diet and put them on the Natural Balance.
I called my vet to have my other dogs tested just to be sure. Now it is a wait and see game I suppose. I’m just worried about the wheat in the dry foods.
Comment by Linda — March 26, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
Oh Maryanne P. - so sorry to hear about your Sammy. I have a Sammy mix and he is a big lovie and such a happy guy. I’m so sad for your loss.
Comment by Linda — March 26, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
Lacy - Scotty’s blood work showed extremely elevated liver counts. He’s lethargic, not eating, drinking lots of water, has orange urine - the same symptoms that resulted in the dog food recall two years ago that effected the liver and not the kidneys. I have the recalled dog food can which still has some gravy in it. I will be taking it to the vet tomorrow for testing. It was just too coincidental that Scotty stopped eating nine days ago, within days of having digested the contaminated food. My vets told me that not alot of information is coming out about this and they may ultimately find that it also affects the liver. Since there’s no central information point that’s available to consumers, it’s hard to tell if other pets are displaying liver problems and not kidney problems as a result of eating the contaminated food.
I hope you cat had a full recovery.
Comment by Kim — March 26, 2007 @ 7:51 pm
Our beloved 16 month old toy poodle,Alex,died March 5, 2007. I cannot conclusively say it was his food, but he exibited signs of poisoning. I fed him Iams dry puppy food.
Comment by Alexis — March 26, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
My heart goes out to all the pet owners who have lost their friends.
I wrote an email to the link you provided for the Associated Press. As Follows:
Why are you not doing more in depth reporting? As a reporting agency, you of all people should know by now that there is more than 16 pet deaths than Menufood says. No wonder MSM is losing the audience—we are losing faith in you.
How about at least in your reporting direct pet owners to petconnection.com so that others feel there is a place to turn in this tragedy.
Comment by DeeAnn — March 26, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
RE: Recalled food still being sold
Take your digital cameras to the store. Tell the store Manager that you are documenting the fact that recalled food is still on their shelf, and you will provide any Attorney with the proof (buy a package if need be and keep the receipt). Then ask for the phone number to their Corporate Headquarters. Call Corporate and explain what you did and why. Take action and it may pay off. Businesses have owned us for too long now, lets change that.
How do you prove the date—use a current newspaper with the date in the photo.
Comment by DeeAnn — March 26, 2007 @ 9:02 pm
I have been trying to determine (for 7mos.), why my 11yr. old toy poodle, “Chance”, continues to have elevated Liver enzymes. Although he was very ill when I pulled him from a shelter(14 months ago), his original bloodwork showed fairly normal liver counts. I have his blood tested every 3mos. and each time, enzymes have gone up 100 pts. He is on a daily medication for this, but they still continue to rise. My vet says it could be the steroid in his daily eye drops, but I wouldn’t think that could make such a huge difference. I have looked for months into what he’s ingesting that could be killing his liver? He has always had a homecooked diet. I had come up with nothing until last Wednesday…As I’m giving him his night-night snack (out of the bedside drawer), it occurs to me: OH NO! My heart sinks, I read the package, it contains wheat gluten, made by Nutro, suppose to be all natural, a SOFT treat (Chance has only 4 teeth), not on any recall list. I have to wonder..Could it be? I stopped immediately, and took all 3 dogs, to the kitchen, and said we’ll have to find something else. He has been eating these treats (nightly) for at least 10 mos. I drive 120 miles ,every month, to buy these, and I’m pissed! I guess I’ll be saving on gas, now! My prayers are with all the fur babies and also, the people that love them!
Comment by Karla Thompson — March 26, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
I have been feeding all six of my dogs Nutro Natural Choice dry dog food for about a year now. Back in late October, they all started vomiting a few times a week, always within 3 hours after eating. Pooters, my Chihuahua, started with explosive, bloody diarrhea and greenish yellow vomit had to be admitted in the hospital for four days. The vet said he had been given some kind of poison, possibly rat poison. I thought my roomate had poisoned him because she went a little crazy right around that time. I still haven’t ruled that out as a possibility, but I think it’s something that needs to be considered in regards to the pet food recall. His problem has recurred every month since for about 4-7 days a month, except it has just been vomit with no diarrhea. However, you can tell his bowels are upset because you can hear them gurgling clear across the house.
After finding the posts talking about problems in association with the Nutro dry dog foods, my mom contacted Nutro and they were very snippy and rude to her. They told her that there is NO way the dry dog foods could be affected because it comes from a different manufacturing company. They are refusing to take back the $130 worth of dry dog and cat food we bought right before the recall. I just threw every bit of it out because I felt like everytime I feed my animals, I’m killing them. I switched them to the new Blue food at Petsmart and guess what…. after being on it for a week we’ve had absolutely no vomit from any of them.
Comment by Jenny Weedman — March 27, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
So needless to say, I once recommended Nutro to everyone and considered it to be one of the best foods on the market, but now I’m boycotting it. I feel that they’re covering something up and I don’t like being lied to, especially when my babies’ lives are at stake.
And as an after thought, my mom works with this lady who lost one of her dogs (a Shih Tzu mix) and her other one (a Boston Terrier) got really sick, reportedly to rat poison, in December. Don’t quote me on this, because I’m not 100% sure, but I think she said she was feeding Nutro Max dry. I’ll have to double check and let you know.
Comment by Jenny Weedman — March 27, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
My vet just called me and said that Science Diet Dry (all Science Diet for that matter) is safe. They test all their foods and he told me not to worry. Mercy’s problem (my Dobie) in no way is or was related to any Science Diet she had eaten.
I trust my vet very much; he is up to speed on this. So, that is a relief.
Comment by Linda — March 27, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
Somehow this needs to be sent to ALL local news station. I’ll see what I can do here in Louisville.
Comment by CloudDancer Mogle — March 28, 2007 @ 8:53 am