Pet-loss recall: Why the numbers are so important
By Gina Spadafori
March 28, 2007
- If you’re new to the site, please check out our general information page.
- If you have lost a pet, we encourage you to learn about pet-loss resources.
Throughout the unfolding pet-food crisis, the vetcetera blog has provided the necessary counterpoint to what we’ve been reporting here on Pet Connection. In thoughtful, well-reasoned posts, that blog (written by a veterinary practice manager whose wife is a veterinarian who is also on a Fellow of the American Academy of Feline Practioners) has looked at what we were doing and questioned the good and the not-so-good of it. His contributions have been valuable, especially his evaluation of what our PetConnection database of self-reported numbers really means.
This story has always been about the numbers. It is the nature of business to downplay bad news, and the nature of government to proceed with bureaucratic caution. But when thousands of pets are being sickened and killed, the need for the swift sharing of information is essential.
We were told early on that sick and dead pets should be reported to the FDA. Next, we were told that they should be reported to the FDA and that veterinarians should report to their respective State Veterinarians, who would then report to the FDA.
How well did that work?
Anyone who called the FDA directly knows how hard it was to get through. So what about the veterinarians who tried to report to the state?
Breaking truly new reporting ground — OK, we’re a little in awe, and wish we’d thought of it — vetcetera looked at the actions of the State Veterinarian in each state. And found, in most cases, they were in full-on Heckuva Job, Brownie mode. In other words, they made the FDA look good by comparison. With the notable exceptions of Oregon and Georgia, few states made much effort to share critical information, to let veterinarians know they should report in, or to take reports volunteered by veterinarians.
This is beyond scandalous. Getting and sharing this kind of information is a serious issue of national security. Veterinarians are a critical component of the public-health system. Even if you don’t care about animals, you ought to care about the ability of veterinarians to be part of a system that reports developing problems with animal health.
Because, well, some of those problems can quickly become human problems. Anyone ever hear of Bird Flu?
We must push for a national system to for the rapid two-way sharing of information on a health crisis among our animals.
Today, call or write (don’t e-mail — they bat those away like gnats) your elected representatives at the state and national level and demand a system be put in place.
Go read vetcetera for the background, and then let’s make some change happen.
Update: On her personal blog, Dogged, Christie writes about the human toll this has taken and more on the problems with reporting.
This afternoon from the PetConnection database (12:15 p.m. PT): 2,274 deceased pets (1,279 cats, 995 dogs). These are self-reported numbers, as you all know by now.
Go to the latest blog post | Go to the PetConnection home page
Technorati Tags: pet food recall, dogs, cats,veterinarian, veterinary
This would be an incredibly valuable tool, IMO… When humans die there are reports made, when they are sick (with something unusual) there are reports made. When reports set off buzzers in some dark office a banana pops out of the desk and a bearuocrat goes to work… (sorry, kind of)
Statistics of this sort, however, allow us to track things like outbreaks of disease and with it even the smallest blip has the chance of being noticed before dozens or hundreds, or even thousands are affected.
Experts can take a blip of data and examine it more closely for details and determine if it indicates something to be concerned about or just a few more than the normal of unrelated problems.
I think this would, or should anyway, fit under the CDC jurisdiction. It would clearly benefit humans and animals…
Comment by steve a — March 28, 2007 @ 10:07 am
Called my congressman…Maurice Hinchey
im sure he’s active in this .. then tried calling local vets?? i was informed “we’v seen no animals sick from the poison food”? NOT 1?
(papers state otherwise , I know of several
deaths locally).
Not one has notified the Vma in Ny.. they only want your $$$$$. im doing what i can to cut thru the
New York apathetic atitudes.. but these idiots are sickening? i explained if it’s not reported
other animals will die. there’s recalled food
products stil on store shelves? (Hurley ridge
market, and dozens of otheres.)
somebody give me advice? im at my wits end?
Comment by art wolff — March 28, 2007 @ 10:11 am
The Pet Food industry biggest problem at the moment.
In the criminal law, criminal negligence is one of the three general classes of mens rea (Latin for “guilty mind”) element required to constitute a conventional as opposed to strict liability offence. It is defined as: careless, inattentive, neglectful, willfully blind, or in the case of gross negligence what would have been reckless in any other defendant.
So are these company’s being protected at our expense or is there something bigger the government does not want it’s citizens to know about?
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 10:14 am
I vote for the something bigger and probably a lot scarier too!
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 10:28 am
I would like to add that it has now been 13 days since the official recall, although it was known before of a problem. 13 days and no new news from FDA or anyone other than possible rat poison but they dont know if thats true, where it came in,if anything else is affected etc. I guess Im wondering if the testing takes so long (as Cornell has indicated) why they havent obtained the services of other labs to help out in order to speed this process up. I think this is shameful. Not to mention there are no daily updates from FDA, Menu Foods, from anyone that would have any knowledge as to the status of things which to me they should be doing to keep people informed the best they can. Shameful!!
Comment by Sandi — March 28, 2007 @ 10:53 am
How about evil and criminal too -
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 10:59 am
Comment by Sandi — March 28, 2007
Again, the bottom line is the Pet Food Industry is in serious trouble. Major Credibility Crisis.
I wouldn’t be surprised if major brands have seen their revenues go from Millions a day to ZERO a day by now.
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 11:14 am
Yes, Gina, getting ahold of the state vet was on my list for today. Since we have a new guv in Floriduh who is anxious to do good, he’ll get a cc of the letter. I guess I could write my useless state congress person too.
Comment by Cathy — March 28, 2007 @ 11:17 am
I asked my vet if they were going to report the death of my cat to anyone and they responded “No, we leave that up to the pet owner.” So much for that.
Comment by Ron — March 28, 2007 @ 11:58 am
Contaminated Pet Food Causes Human Food Scare as Chinese Imports Rise
“Frankly, I was not surprised to read about the wheat gluten poisoning incident,” Barlow stated. “We know that Chinese fish farmers routinely use a variety of chemicals and antibiotics banned in the U.S. for use in or around human food, and that residues of these substances remain in the fish after harvest.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/2.....ports_rise
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Interesting New York Times article on “Who Killed Fido”
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03.....ref=slogin
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
It is difficult to imagine how this poison used on stored grain could be just the cause - what do they do spray it on the grain, soak the grain in it, or sprinkle it on tons of grain???
I’d like to know how it is applied - anyone know?
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
Where the HELL (excuse my language) is the FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture?
Hello? Is anybody out there?
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
I read where the difficulty is in extracting the wheat gluten from the wet food for analysis - also, the stored grain isn’t just wheat gluten - it is wheat right and other grains. So why is the focus just on the gluten. What does gluten look like anyway - is it a dry extract of the wheat?
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
Linda,
Wheat gluten - also called seitan (pronounced SAY-tahn), wheat meat, wheat-meat, wheatmeat, gluten meat, or simply gluten - is a foodstuff made from the gluten of wheat. It is made by washing dough made from wheat flour in water until the starch is rinsed away, leaving only the gluten, which can then be cooked and processed in various ways.
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
The number of dead animals is going to exceed 5,000. And possibly a lot more.
Comment by Ron — March 28, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
After the starch is washed away from the wheat flour, you have a sticky mass that looks like if you took white flour and mixed it with water until you have dough. You can then bread it and fry it for example to make fake meat patties.
Gary
Comment by Gary — March 28, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
I suspect the substance (assuming the rat poison is actually what is causing this problem) was used while the wheat was growing, as a pesticide, to reduce the number of rodents eating the wheat. Either that, or it was used in the processing plant in China, again to reduce the number of rodents. Somehow, due to less than meticulous methods, the wheat became contaminated. I haven’t seen anything to suggest it was intentional. However- - I definitely want to know when portions of the pet food I purchase are coming from third-world countries. That will impact my decision whether to purchase. I’ve lived in several third world countries and I know that their standards are a little different than the standards most of us have come to expect. Of course, that’s why products are cheaper coming from there.
Comment by Elizabeth — March 28, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
Here is an interesting article I came across. Menu’s spokeswoman sure seems coached doesn’t she?
http://www.dailyheraldtribune......0328.lasso
Comment by Amy Boda — March 28, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
Menu’s spokeswoman sure seems coached doesn’t she?
Comment by Amy Boda — March 28, 2007
Of course she is. I worked for 8 years in the marketing department of a company who’s growth curve and sales dwarf many of these Pet Brands.
Menu has a full fledged disaster thats blown the lid off the Pet Food Industry. There is going to be serious repercussions you can be sure of that no matter how they spin their PR.
My take? It’s more serious then anyone is letting on.
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
Linda wrote: “I’d like to know how it is applied - anyone know? “
Answer: IRRATIONALLY
Titled: Inadequate Storage Causes 20 Mln Ton Grain Lost
The irrational application of pesticides by Chinese farmers
This is from the official news organ of the Chinese government, the Xinhua News Agency, and was published in October of 2006. Interestingly, the pet food recall initially targeted pet food that was packaged from December 3, 2006 until March 6, 2007
http://www.china.org.cn/english/China/185009.htm
Did the irrational spraying of pesticides occur on grains designated for export? Direct your questions to the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corp (COFCO), the state-owned food and export conglomerate run by Ning Gaoning:
http://www.cofco.com/en/index.asp
Comment by Mike — March 28, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
My take? It’s more serious then anyone is letting on. Comment by Steve
I totally agree. I’ve been on the corporate ‘spin’ side before (in the software industry), and the worse the situation the bigger the spin.
Example: New version of software doesn’t work AT ALL (and crashes the whole network) = “Lots of great new enhancements”
There’s so much spin and deflection here… it’s almost mind boggling to imagine what they’re covering up.
Comment by Kim — March 28, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
Comment by Mike — March 28, 2007
Very disturbing.
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
Spokesman Review (Spokane, WA)
“By Tuesday evening, more than 2,100 pet owners locally and across the country had reported deaths believed to be caused by the recalled food to a Sandpoint-based Web site, http://www.petconnection.com.
“Definitely the chorus grew so loud that it was heard,” said Dr. Marty Becker, the celebrity Sandpoint veterinarian who is one of the site’s operators.
But state veterinary experts in Washington and Idaho insisted that the chorus hadn’t reached them, even if it had in Oregon, where officials reported 13 deaths among 47 sickened pets.
Charlie Powell, a spokesman for the state veterinary association and the Washington State University veterinary college, said his agency reviewed hundreds of the 15,000 cases they receive each year, looking for a spike in renal failure that could have been tied to the tainted food. They didn’t find it.”
There is more to the article, but you can only read it with a subscription.
http://www.spokesmanreview.com.....?ID=181463
Comment by Dee — March 28, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
it’s almost mind boggling to imagine what they’re covering up. Comment by Kim — March 28, 2007
You got that correct. This is worst crisis management I have ever seen in my life.
There are several factors that should be ringing alarm bells. The Bunker Mentality and the continual efforts at maintaining the Wall of Silence.
Something is definitely NOT RIGHT here.
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
Menu Foods now facing at least 6 class-action suits over tainted pet food
Canadian Press
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
18 minutes ago
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
What is surprising to me is that this ISN’T being made to be a bigger deal by the public. I have neighbors and co-workers who are only mildly interested in this issue — even though they have pets. The reason that Menu Foods is confident they will do just fine after the initial groundswell of anger is that they know that most Americans will shuffle back to Wal-Mart or Safeway and buy up that petfood once again. Most people will go back to their old complacency, and this will barely affect the corporate bottom line, I’m afraid.
I personally don’t need more than this wake-up call. I will not be returning to any foods made by Menu Food or any other large processing plant. It will be more expensive and take more time, but I’ve certainly learned my lesson. I just hope there is some kind of progress from the terrible loss of these animals — we need better quality control with regard to pet foods.
Comment by Elizabeth — March 28, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
“Menu is one of the dominant manufacturers in the country, probably doing over 60% of the private label canned foods.”
Disturbing
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Why Menu Foods May Not Be Going Away
March 28th, 2007
Ask yourself this question: How can you replace millions and millions of wet pet food overnight? Many analysts and Menu Foods stock buyers are banking on this fact to keep the company alive.
Fact is, removing Menu Foods doesn’t remove the demand for wet pet foods. This demand, combined with the fact that no other company has capacity to fill the void, means Menu Foods’ services are still required by some companies. The recall will hurt Menu Foods, but at this point, it looks as if they will weather the storm.
If you think that lawsuits could put away a corporation, just look at the cigarette industry. In our opinion, lawsuits will take several years to hit Menu Food’s bottom line, when the recall is just a faded memory in the minds of most consumers. Coupled with the fact that many deaths will go unreported and unverifiable, and “replacement value” laws restricting awards in most states, it’s unlikely to be a death-knell. Even the FDA chimed in on Menu Food’s financial liability:
“…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.”
Source: itchmo
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
Thank you Mike about the irrational spraying in China.
The problem is bigger than imagined and the implications a horror story.
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
I wonder if during the processing part, making the Wheat Gluten, if they added something to help with their mice/rodent problem? Seems that would be easier to do - soak it or something.
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
This can apply to any brands discovered to be using Menu Foods here recently.
Specific questions I’d like answered:
* Why didn’t Hill’s notify us sooner?
* Even if Hill’s knew my clinic didn’t have any affected products, what about my clients? How were we supposed to notify them?
* Why was the Hill’s notification letter signed by the vice president of sales? (A letter from their head veterinarian, vice president of quality control, or the president of the company would have carried more weight. A letter from sales just implies that their primary concern is $.)
* When did Hill’s know about the recall?
* What is the basis for Hill’s claim that their nonrecalled Savory Cuts products are safe?
* Does Hill’s supply their own ingredients to Menu Foods or rely on Menu Foods to supply them? If the latter, how does Hill’s ensure quality control? (Are they inside Menu’s factories? Do they supervise the cleaning of equipment prior to manufacture of Hill’s products? Do they test and monitor the raw ingredients?)
* How can we believe that their foods are made with the highest quality ingredients? (Just because they say so isn’t going to cut it.)
* Why were we told that Hill’s doesn’t farm out their production?
* Why is Hill’s making diets that place marketing concerns (cuts and gravy foods are apparently highly popular with customers) before the health of cats and dogs (again, why is wheat, a well-known allergen, in these and other foods made by Hill’s)?
Source: Vetcetera
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
The following from USA Today:
“In 2006 the U.S. imported 28,295,401 pounds of wheat gluten to be used as ANIMAL FEED from China, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service.” (Or, 141,477 tons of the stuff.)
Wheat gluten is not fed to livestock—though I believe that the process of making gluten produces “spent grain” which is. Hard to believe that Menu Foods used the whole of that gluten during the crucial “three month” period we’ve been quoted. (Frankly, I find that time frame questionable, as Menu Foods reportedly changed their supplier of wheat gluten 18 months ago.) Which brings us back to the issue of dry food, much of which also uses wheat gluten.
In all honesty, China is a pesticidal wasteland and there are many explanations for this, (none involving a global poisoning conspiracy). Moreover, there are sincere governmental efforts to improve the situation—very much involving the desire to sell grain, and other commodities, outside of China.
Too, why assume that pesticide issues are limited to wheat products? My dogs eat dry Nutro with rice gluten. What country does THAT come from? What tests are done…at what point in the process… and by whom?
Sorry if this is redundant.
Comment by Eva — March 28, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
Add to that.
Why should I continue to purchase your product?
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 2:23 pm
It’s so frustrating. I have a second cat (the first one has already died) which has been at the vet for over a week with costs around $2,000. The cat was finally released because her BUN and crenatine levels were not dropping anymore (they were 219 and 26 respectively). The cat has come home to die. She still won’t eat or drink water and sits by the swimming pool staring at the water and meowing (no drinking). We will probably give her a week and then go forward with euthanizing her to join her sister.
Comment by Ron — March 28, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
I can tell you what the manufacturers will respond to that last question: “Because it’s convenient.” And, unfortunately, that’s exactly what will happen with most people over time. It will get convenient to go back and buy these products. The manufacturers are counting on that.
Comment by Elizabeth — March 28, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
EU may ban imports of ‘life threatening’ Chinese food products
Feb 4, 2002
BEIJING, Jan. 28 Kyodo
The European Union (EU) will decide by Tuesday whether to suspend imports of Chinese food products considered in some cases to be ”life threatening” for its consumers, EU officials in Beijing said.
In response, China’s state media Monday said an ”unjust and unreasonable” decision to ban the import of food products could damage trade ties between China and the EU.
The EU’s veterinary department Friday recommended that import bans be imposed on a number of Chinese food products, including crustaceans, frozen shrimps and prawns, honey and rabbit and poultry meat.
The discussions on a possible ban follow an inspection in China by an EU veterinary team in November. It found that some Chinese food products contained high levels of dangerous chemicals, which in some cases could be life threatening, EU officials told Kyodo News.
Particularly worrying was the discovery in shrimps and prawns of traces of the chemical substance chloramphenicol, which can cause anemia and leukemia and are intolerable in the body at any level, the officials said.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Kyodo News International, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
I am SO sorry, Ron. That’s just criminal.
Comment by Elizabeth — March 28, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
Why is the date of that article about the EU 2002?
Comment by Elizabeth — March 28, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
Why is the date of that article about the EU 2002?
Comment by Elizabeth — March 28, 2007
My only guess that is when the issue was being addressed between EU and China. The year 2002.
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
Well that EU article only confirms why we shouldn’t buy China - sorry to say, we probably are and don’t even know it - frightening.
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
Link
http://findarticles.com/p/arti.....35753/pg_1
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
Fri, Feb. 09, 2007
USDA may allow China to import chickens to U.S.
By David Goldstein
McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to allow China, where 14 people have died of bird flu since 2003, to sell chicken to the United States.
The agency is drafting a rule that would permit China to export cooked poultry to Americans, even though public health officials have been warning for several years about a potential avian influenza pandemic.
http://www.realcities.com/mld/.....665792.htm
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
Ron, I am so sorry. I have one more too doing the same thing, it’s gut wrenching everytime I go home after work.
Comment by Sandi Schreiber — March 28, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
It’s all about opening up “free” trade with China and the payback is what for the American People? What will we gain and what does our Government want to gain (in the long haul??) by these moves?
Next thing, we’ll be eating dog and cat covered in sauces and it will be packaged as chicken.
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
Steve - didn’t you mean to wait to post this until April 1st? Because this just has to be a joke.
(yeah, more sarcasm)
Comment by Kim — March 28, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007
Our Government, like the HAL 9000 computer onboard the spaceship Discovery in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, is apparently out of the control of its makers.
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
Comment by Kim — March 28, 2007
Kim, I’ve just started to do some deep digging below the surface level today and I don’t like what I am finding.
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
Ditto Steve. Not only will I not buy anything Menu might breathe on, I will not buy anything made in China - which is becoming quite difficult since we import so much. Our government needs a major wake-up call. And the sad thing is, I don’t believe it will make any difference who we vote for - they all have us on the same path.
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
Thanks for the diggin Steve. Thank you so very much.
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
I’m probably not the person to speak to the issue of China and imports from there — I personally have very strong feelings against the government of China and I do everything I can to try and boycott products from China. I have been involved for the last six years with trying to do something about the animal cruelty and fur trade issue. I’ve made three trips there in the last five years, to pass out brochures and try and educate. I grew up in Southeast Asia and have a tendency to think of China as the “bad guy.” I’ll tell you what, though — all of this information and the threat we are seeing today just confirms more than ever how I feel on this issue. Our government is supposed to be protecting its citizens, not opening us up to danger. I’m very alarmed.
Comment by Elizabeth — March 28, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
they all have us on the same path.
Thanks for the diggin Steve. Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007
My pleasure. The kind of future they have in mind for us isn’t exactly the kind of future I believe most Americans want for their children and grandchildren.
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
I’m very alarmed. Comment by Elizabeth — March 28, 2007
Welcome to the club Elizabeth. Things are apparently deteriorating faster then us “little people” can keep up with. Maybe our efforts won’t be in vain.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
Steve, so true, so very true. And I don’t know how to fight it especially in this PC world - so we buy poisoned pet food (maybe even poisoned human food) and no one much seems to be bothered except those with pets dying.
And how come we are allowing this grain/wheat in our country, especially in light of the EU article above mentioned?
Someone is making money off of this trade - someone is buying shares in companies of Chinese origin - it’s always in the money trail - always!
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
For what it’s worth. Every bit counts.
Ont. vets to track tainted pet food illnesses.
The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association said Wednesday it will start a tracking program with its member vets. The voluntary organization represents 2,300 veterinarians province-wide.
In the U.S. pet food is regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration. People in all 50 states have been assigned to track instances of illness. Some 2,000 pet deaths are reportedly being blamed on tainted food.
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/.....orontoHome
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
China has spent a FORTUNE trying to make headway into the American market. Americans are attractive because they have lots of discretionary funds and they like to buy things. Additionally, US interests have been spending lots of money and time making inroads into China, setting up trade treaties and negotiating deals. There are many people with LOTS to lose if the American public ever wakes up and takes notice. We’ve been fed pablum, and we don’t even ask where things come from. As long as we can keep shopping at Walmart and get cheap and convenient things, we are going right along with their program. We need to wake up — China is most certainly the next super power in the world.
Comment by Elizabeth — March 28, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
Having problems with PETCO.
I have requested all my purchase from PETSMART and received them in an email 2 days later I have been trying to get my Purchase records from PETCO and they are not at all helpfull.
I am only after one transaction back in November which I purchased IAMS pouches and after 45 mins on the phone with them I was told that they would only go back 60 days when I told them I was trying to fulfill the request of FDA office in Kansas City it made no difference. They were not very cooperative and I gave them all the infomation they asked for.
SO I call Visa because I used my debt card for the purchase and they said they would send me a detail list of the purchse with UPC’s no problem.
I’m getting real tried of writing nasty mails to companies with no results I’m going to hit them where it hurts in the wallet good bye PETCO you just lost 600.00+ a year in sales.
Thanks for nothing.
John
Comment by John — March 28, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
Elizabeth, exactly! And we are being lead down the road of destruciton with a smile on our faces (not mine or most here)- and if you mention this fact to people, they don’t care. They just want cheap.
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
You have to wonder about the USDA.
See it. Study it. Absorb it. Think about it.
http://www.centerforfoodsafety......18.06.cfm
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
Here’s just one example of China infiltrating U.S. business interests:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/.....siness-utl
Comment by Elizabeth — March 28, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
Here’s a good article on the US-China interdependence:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opi.....inion.html
Comment by Elizabeth — March 28, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
Steve, and yet another reason to not buy (food products) from China and maybe even from other overseas sources also.
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 3:22 pm
Keep contacting the local news stations with your stories and tell them about this database. I saw a piece on FOX NEWS regarding the numbers and how they are higher than what Menu Foods are reporting. I talked with my FDA Rep today and she said the calls have been in the thousands for her Kentucy region alone. I also spoke with my vet and she said she has had to put down “many” cats for kidney failure within the past 6 months - she said this is only the tip of the iceburg! We must contine to speak out for our furry friends that cannot voice their opinion!!
Comment by Lindsay A. Glass — March 28, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
Elizabeth, thank you for the article. So true.
Lindsay, we will. Six months back - yes and the rodent problem in China goes back how long now? This scope of this problem is larger and really tragic. I shudder to think what is next.
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
This is how Menu Foods will go away. First, they will declare bankruptcy. Then the existing investors, Menu Foods is owned by an Income Fund which in other words means a group of institutional investors and possibly wealthy individuals, will form an acquisition company (new company) that will present to the bankrupty judge a plan to purchase all the assets and the secured debt and possibly the trade credit payables of Menu Foods. In the end the liability associated with the class action lawsuits for product liability and property damage will be left in the bankruptcy court. The acquisition company (new company) will continue to operate the existing plants, service/sell to exisiting distributors and keep on making pet food under a new name — probably something like Safe Pet Food Company. Same corporate officers, same facilities, same ingredient suppliers. — Of course it will be a privately held company so information will be more difficult to discover.
DON’T BE FOOLED.
Comment by Judy T in Virginia — March 28, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
At this point it wouldn’t shock me if they really knew what this was about but they are protecting the big corporations and big business’s interests first before everyone else’s.
Wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 3:28 pm
Judy T., that is how it works. You are so very right. Exactly!
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
I give PetSmart some real credit during this problem. They e-mailed me and told me I purchased recalled product. (Of course I alreay knew that because my cat at some) Luckily, I think she at very little so it looks like she might survive.
I just feel so bad for those here who have lost their pet. My pets have always been my children and I have always referred to myself as their mommy.
Comment by Judy T in Virginia — March 28, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
DON’T BE FOOLED. Comment by Judy T in Virginia — March 28, 2007
Exactly.
Comment by Steve — March 28, 2007 @ 3:32 pm
My heart breaks over this too. We are a country of griefing and heartbroken pets owners. Tragic is the least of it.
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 3:33 pm
Is anyone on here also a part of the Class Action Group against Menu Foods, INC Yahoo Group?
Comment by Lindsay A. Glass — March 28, 2007 @ 3:33 pm
Grieving - I must read before I post.
Comment by Linda — March 28, 2007 @ 3:34 pm
John - if you want to feel even better about your no-more-PETCO decision…
On Saturday I went in, and their shelves were still stocked with recalled food. After talking to another customer, I left in shock and went straight to the local paper. When I got home I called the manager, and he told me I was wrong, that he’d pulled the products. Um, no, don’t think so.
So I called Petsmart here to verify that there should be no pouches on the shelf, the manager there was helpful and very nice, and she was outraged that PETCO hadn’t pulled everything.
So then I called the PETCO where I used to live, thinking if they told me that no pouches should be on the shelf, I could go back more informed to my Petco.
Well. Let’s just say all she would do was cover her own a**. So no more PETCO for me either. Ever.
Except I think I’ll head back in there now that I have my recalled-food summary, makes it much easier to check the shelves and gives them no way to deny it.
Comment by Kim — March 28, 2007 @ 3:45 pm
Hi all, I came up with an idea/suggestion. While I know we arent happy with new organizations right now, I have e:mailed Anderson Cooper 360 at CNN under his “Keeping Them Honest” section to beg him to check into this pet food recall and the potential coverup and lack of reporting on true death and illness numbers. I think we all should and it might make our point! His site says they “promise” to read every e:mail we send and this is the kind of thing they like to check into. Lets give Anderson Cooper a chance and see if he can help us! Please everyone, send him your stories now! I have also asked him to please come to this website and see for himself the sad and anguishing stories by pet owners affected by this tragedy. Thank you!
Comment by Sandi — March 28, 2007 @ 3:52 pm
Sandi-
Great idea, I sent Anderson Cooper an email too. We needs hunderds more.
Comment by Lindsay A. Glass — March 28, 2007 @ 4:21 pm
JUDY T; This is how Menu Foods will go away. First, they will declare bankruptcy…..
new name like safe petfoods:
EXCEPT: a lot of people well never trust the petfood industry again. or those in their marketing chain.
A lot of us had wised up long ago, sadly, due to the illnesses caused in our pets. I feel I owe it to those pets to promote awareness of the terrible state of the petfood industry, and to help bring attention to the lack of proper nutritional education among the veterinary community as well.
Comment by 4lgdfriend — March 28, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
How come I always have to be responsible? If I poison my neighbors cat intentionally I can go to jail and or pay court cost. The big corporations seem to have known their product was tainted yet I bet nobody goes to jail. Why? Is this really justice? So sorry for you pet owners who are suffering due to the greed of the stockholders.
Comment by George Renaud — March 28, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
no doubt…here we trusted good names and “high quality foods” and we purchased and fed our animals poison! Makes me so sad and angry. I don’t trust it; I feed Jack organic food now.
Comment by Lindsay A. Glass — March 28, 2007 @ 4:31 pm
Has anyone seen CBS (any CBS station) cover this story at all? I emailed the local station here yesterday, no story at all yesterday. Not even a mention. And none today. But they could run a 5 minute story on a new baseball pitch. And 15 minutes on the weather.
WTF is wrong with them?
Comment by Kim — March 28, 2007 @ 4:31 pm
NBC nightly news with Brian Williams is about to have a story on the pet food recall. EST, about 6:35
Comment by Elderta — March 28, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
Grieving also. I had to put my six year old sheltie to sleep on Monday, because of kidney failure. When will it stop?
Comment by Kristy — March 28, 2007 @ 5:40 pm
As has been noted elsewhere, Aminopterin is associated with a host of birth defects—most notably, perhaps, neural tube defects. While researching some of the issues associated with the pet food recall, I discovered the following bits of statistically disturbing information:
“In the northern provinces of China, the birth prevalence rate of neural tube defects (NTDs) is among the highest in the world—at about 6 per 1,000 births in rural areas.” (medical journal)
“Winter wheat accounts for 90 - 91 percent of China’s total wheat crop. The main production areas are the North China Plain and Sichuan Province.” (USDA)
“Wheat is the staple crop for farm households in the north China plain region. For example, rural people in the northern province of Shandong consume an average of 419 pounds of wheat annually and only 11 pounds of rice.” (USDA—separate publication)
In a related vein, has ANYONE seen a story indicating whether female workers at Menu’s plants have been warned about the potential dangers of aminopterin exposure?
Comment by Eva — March 28, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
Thankfully we feed our 6 dogs and 3 cats raw meat and bones. We learned some time ago that ALL commercial pet food is loaded with all kinds of things that our beloved pets not only don’t need, but are actually not even healthy for them. I highly recommend raw feeding to everyone. Our pets have been SO much healthier and happier since we switched. You can learn more about raw feeding by simply doing a search for “raw feeding” on any search engine. Our hearts and prayers are with all who have lost pets or have pets affected by this current canned food mess!
Comment by Misty — March 28, 2007 @ 9:02 pm
Kim—CBS Radio ran the story on the Osgood File today. It focussed on the VIN numbers.http://wcbs880.com/pages/326423.php?contentType=4&contentId=391043
Comment by Shawn — March 28, 2007 @ 9:23 pm
Not enough labs involved? Where are the autopsy reports? What is happening to the dead bodies? They are evidence that is being lost.
For anyone with a good case of connection with a recalled food, a dying animal and a veterinarian anxious to cooperate, please contact me at healthenergy@netzero.net. I have an outstanding pathologist on tap who will examine tissue samples from various organs, including brain and heart, as well as kidney.
I would also like to have samples of contaminated foods for my own study, especially if they have been associated with a newly sick animal.
Comment by Ronald Wempen — March 29, 2007 @ 9:31 am
Is anyone keeping track of reports of kidney failure and other recent, unexpected and/or acute illnesses that pet owners think may be a result of foods not yet recalled?
Comment by Kat — March 29, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
I just called Menu Foods for the 3rd time to complain that I have still not been contacted. I was basically told to be patient, and I said that we have all been patient, and frankly, that didn’t make me feel any better. The man refused to take my name again, and said that there was no way to check to see if my name was really in the system, but the persons answering the phone were all professionally trained…..whew, that’s a load off my mind. Now I know that everything is going to be ok, lol. I feel personally that both times when they’ve taken my name that it has gone right into the big circulair file…
Comment by Joyce — March 29, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
I had a problem with trying to report my dog’s death to the FDA. The number that is listed for the state of Alabama, when called, I got a recorded message for Customer Complaint Center for New Orleans. The last time I checked, New Orleans was not located in Alabama.
Comment by Kristy — March 29, 2007 @ 2:53 pm