Pet-food recall: How to count, what to feed
By Gina Spadafori
March 29, 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.
CBS News this morning had a piece on the recall, including discussion of the death toll. Click here, and then click on the video. The Pet Connection numbers are mentioned, but dismissed as possibly being reported elsewhere. Can somebody tell me what the heck difference that would make? The FDA say 16, and we have self-reported numbers of more than 2,300. The animals who died in the feeding trial are surely not in our count, but what difference would it make if the handful of other cases the FDA has are? We do realize it’s pretty scary to the powers that be that there’s an attempt to actually report on a problem that seems far bigger than it first appeared, but guess what? Welcome to the age of citizen journalism.
Also this morning, an excellent piece from MSNBC’s Kim Campbell Thornton (who’s also an occasional contributor to this blog) on the questions of how and what to feed pets now.
Meat by-products. Wheat meal. Rat poison?
OK, so just what’s in pet food, anyway? Thousands of pet owners have been asking themselves that question — especially after the revelation that the March 17 Menu Foods pet-food recall was linked to aminopterin, which is used as a rat poison in some countries, but is not licensed for such use in the United States.
When even national brands with a reputation for quality are caught up in a recall of this magnitude, it’s hard for a pet owner to know what to do. If you’re among those who have been anxious about where your dog or cat’s next meal is coming from, this Q&A may be helpful for you.
And it is. So go read.
If you have a pet with a recall-related illness, let us remind you to:
- Call the FDA to report your information
- Call your veterinarian and ask him or her to report to your state veterinarian, also for the FDA
- Enter your pet in our database
Go to the latest blog post | Go to the PetConnection home page
Technorati Tags: pet food recall, dogs, cats,veterinarian, veterinary
ARGH even the media continues to parrot the online and industry deception.
Meat as a first ingredient can mean the food has a LOT of grain.
Please refer to this meat/grain chart to see this illustrated:
http://kumpi.com/
It has been far too long that the industry has pulled the wool over consumers eyes.
Comment by Evy — March 29, 2007 @ 9:45 am
Found this on the Consumerist Blog (http://consumerist.com/consume.....47980.php):
How To Contact Menu Foods Executives, Makers Of Rat-Poisoned Pet Food
paulhenderson.jpgIf you would like to let Menu Foods know what you think about them selling pet food laced with rat poison, here’s their executive contact info:
1) To reach Paul Henderson (pictured), President & CEO of Menu Foods GenPar Limited, call (905) 826-3870
2) Press 0 when the recording picks up.
3) Leave a short message
4) Press #.
5) Press # again when prompted.
6) Then press # to use the directory.
7) Type in “henderson” with the alphanumeric pad.
8) Press #.
9) You are then taken straight to the man.
This at least worked for us after-hours, results may vary during the day. You can use this method to reach the other executives, like:
Robert W. Luba, Chairman of the Board of Trustees & Administration Board (rluba@menufoods.com)
Mark A. Wiens, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, Secretary of Administrator ( mwiens@menufoods.com )
Randall C. Copeland, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Administrator ( rcopeland@menufoods.com )
William F. Grant, Executive Vice President - Corporate Purchasing & Logistics of Administrator ( grant@menufoods.com )
Christopher J. Mifflin, Executive Vice President - Operations of Administrator ( cmifflin@menufoods.com )
Richard G. Shields, Executive Vice President - Technical Services of Administrator ( rshields@menufoods.com )
Serge Darkazanli, President and Chief Executive Officer ( sdarkazanli@menufoods.com, adoremus@menufoods.com )
Address:
Menu Foods Income Fund
8 Falconer Drive
Streetsville, ON
Canada L5N 1B1
Fax: 905.826.4995
(end quote)
I can’t make any calls like that from my cubicle — I would be in big trouble with co-workers by the time I got done speaking my mind. But maybe someone who doean’t have to worry about that can give it a try today and see if it reaches “the man”. He sure has a lot of explaining to do…
Comment by CatLady — March 29, 2007 @ 8:47 am
Comment by Dee — March 29, 2007 @ 9:51 am
The morons at CBS have never been able to resist “editorializing” on the news. “Fake yet Accurate” is their motto.
Comment by John Pierce — March 29, 2007 @ 10:02 am
If you are using store brand foods - stop right now. See link:
http://tammybruce.com/2007/03/menu_pet_food_.php
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Not sure what she’s talking about. The list is there now:
http://www.menufoods.com/recall/index.html
Maybe the site was down for a while, I don’t know.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — March 29, 2007 @ 10:20 am
We were looking for a list of all products MENU products under all labels for every store and entity. Seems its a mystery. (not just recall products.)
They produce Trader Joes wet, dog and cat
etc.
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007 @ 10:27 am
I wonder if there’s been a sudden, huge buying of paper shredders at MenuFoods?
Also, is their incinerator seeing overtime use?
Gary
Comment by Gary — March 29, 2007 @ 10:38 am
Menu makes food (wet) for 17 of the top 20 retailers in North America, including Procter and Gamble - so one can just figure that most store brands are “MENU” food.
Now we need a list of all products manufactured at MENU plants under any and all labels.
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007 @ 10:42 am
How to count - that’s the question. I took my ill dog to my vet on the Friday of the press release (hadn’t seen it) and was told to rush to the emergency clinic (150 miles away). They took really good care of him and when I picked him up on Monday, with his meds and his IV bag, and took him back to my own vet, neither place had any information except the press release. That’s why they said “oh, it’s only 16 animals”. I told them that I was worried. At no time did either place suggest any further action on the food front, or even that I might want to have my other dog checked. I kept getting the older dog’s blood tested, watching the numbers. On one of those trips my vet said he’d been watching tv during his lunch and they had said that the problem was rat poison. Still no panic. No suggestions.
No one here in Maine is responsible. I do believe that most vets care - but not enough, perhaps, to take action. As a result, I sense that they are even feeling a little defensive. Now that my second dog has died, suddenly, from perfect health to gone, I still have no answers from any part of the state as to whether anything should be reported anywhere. We won’t be counted, anywhere but here, and do you know how hard it is to feel that you don’t count? My pups and I, we don’t count?
Comment by Nancy Nielsen — March 29, 2007 @ 10:42 am
Oh, Nancy you do count. All of our pets count. Some people just wait for the experts to tell them what to do and in the meantime our pets are dying in our arms. I’m so so sorry.
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007 @ 10:48 am
Nancy
My vets office here in California still seems very blase about the whole thing. My husband was told that most of their clients didn’t feed “that kind of food”. He then turned to their shelves of Science Diet for sale, and informed them that Science diet mas made by Menu Foods, and had recalled food also. One of the vets basically pooh-poohed my pet food concerns, even after the recall. I would change, but what’s the point? I really don’t think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.
Comment by Joyce — March 29, 2007 @ 11:02 am
Gary - thanks for my first laugh in 2 weeks.
(I wonder if there’s been a sudden, huge buying of paper shredders at MenuFoods? Also, is their incinerator seeing overtime use?)
LINDA - here you can see other brands which Menu Foods makes which are Not on the recall list.
It’s been posted a bunch… but seems to get lost in the midst of everything else. Maybe because it includes foods not made by Menu also. I dunno. Anyway, it’s here:
http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210
Comment by Kim — March 29, 2007 @ 11:14 am
Thank you Kim. Some of the answers are in the list, some too on the blog repsonses - so interesting about Whole Foods wet food being made by Menu too.
Still looking for a list of all foods produced my Menu (excluding those produced/manufactured by other companies.)
But the List you gave is a great help - thanks.
Just a note, I fed my puppy some wet Trader Joes (made by MENU). Puppy ate it the first day and wouldn’t eat it the second. Puppy already has some brains - more brains than some of those vets people mentioned.
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007 @ 11:22 am
If the 2,000 pet owners who entered the database were to write letters to the major broadcasting companies, maybe our pets’ deaths could “count.”
To the Producers of Dateline:
We are counting on Dateline to do a thorough investigation into the recent pet food recall, the largest recall in history, which has resulted in mass pet deaths that have not been accurately reported. The website, http://www.PetConnection.com, has been keeping a database and running count of pet deaths since the recall announcement. Please check out all the blogs on this site for real stories, real numbers and real people to contact. These are all great humans who care deeply. The website is excellent. The public has access to it, unlike the professional veterinary site.
As far back as September 2006, my beloved Bouvier des Flandres dog, Calvin, was diagnosed with renal failure after our veterinarian changed his food to Eukanuba and then to Iams DRY prescription diet. A swift demise—-a 20 pound weight loss in two weeks—-all the signs of renal failure and, finally, the inability to walk necessitated immediate euthanization. There was no medical explanation for his sudden illness. Although an older dog, he was in good health according to all the tests performed. Even at that time, long before any recall, I shared my concern with the veterinarian that it was the food that made him deathly ill.
Because of my own experience, as well as hundreds of other stories like mine that I’ve been reading on the blogs, I believe that ALL pet food needs to be seriously tested. There are hundreds of pet owners blogging about pet deaths from dry food as well as moist and wet long before the recall date in March 2007. Please, please investigate the entire pet food industry. It’s been a long time in coming. You will have an enormous crowd cheering you on.
In December 2006, our 16 pound Norwegian forest cat became ill with all the symptoms of renal failure after feeding her moist snacks donated by a neighbor whose cat had just been euthanized due to…renal failure. We
immediately took our cat to the veterinarian where she was treated with medication. Mrs. Murphy is fine now.
Were you to televise the Pet Connection website where viewers could log in their pet information to the Pet Connection Database, there could be a more complete count of actual deaths. With these more widespread results, it would be more likely that our government could be moved to take action to enforce pet food manufacturers to comply to stricter food regulations, thereby avoiding another mass murder of pets. The deaths of the others should not be for naught. They could “count” for something.
With regard to the general public and the veterinary community, there appears to be a sheep mentality, or at least a wait-and-see-what-happens attitude with regard to the acceptance of this major event, and which result will set a precedent for the future. This entire debacle brings to mind the 1973 Charleton Heston movie, “Soylent Green.” I am confident that Dateline could be extremely effective in investigating and breaking open the true story for the benefit of all our wonderful furkids that remain, as well as of those that are yet to be.
Sincerely,
Nadine Long
Lake Tahoe, California
Comment by Nadine Long — March 29, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Our vet said today that her issue is Menu has completely mishandled this situation.
Now as concerned citizens we have to do our part to insure this is addressed. This is going to be a long term effort that is going to require citizens to be firm and methodical. I still believe we need to have Congressional Hearings, and when Menu Foods is held to account citizens need to begin holding Pet Food Brands for being less then 100% truthful about where and how their product is produced. We need to keep the pressure on to make sure they come clean. If they can not come clean they do not deserve to be in business. It comes down to can you be trusted or not.
There will be new citizens coming aboard these blogs in the many weeks to come who are going to be angry, heartbroken, traumatized, and need to vent, so those of us who have been through the initial shock of this scandal from day one should help to take the lead and share what we know.
The bottom line is we still do not know what the source of the contamination is, and we can not let this be swept under the rug and forgotten. Our Government and our regulating agencies need to learn and understand once and for all they work first for the people who elected them. Not for special interests operating under the radar, behind the scenes, and in the back offices of the deal makers.
For those of us volunteering on these blogs it is important we continue to provide clean, clear, and definitive feedback that people can use to help themselves.
We need to take a refined less is more approach now so we do not get buried and overwhelmed with fluff and puff and or information that is not going to be useful to the citizen seeking help.
Job number one is building continued awareness of this situation. And keeping our efforts focused on this problem until it is FIXED. Until then we should not spare any effort insuring that not only is our pet companions food safe, but our own food as well.
Perhaps I am being over dramatic, but in my opinion it is time to slam on the breaks and seriously scrutinize what is going on with “Corporate Citizens”, who apparently believe they have more rights then those of us who are responsible for them being in business in the first place.
Sound Dangerous? Count Me In.
Comment by Steve — March 29, 2007 @ 11:58 am
Why is it so hard to get a list from Menu (from this publicly traded company) on exactly what products are produced in their plants. A complete definitive list?
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
Linda - tell me exactly what you’re looking for and I’ll create it.
Comment by Kim — March 29, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
Why is it so hard to get a list from Menu (from this publicly traded company) on exactly what products are produced in their plants. A complete definitive list? Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007
They are backed into a corner and protecting themselves and their investors.
Thats the bottom line.
Comment by Steve — March 29, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
Well, everything that menu procduces under any and all labels,
Such as:
Whole Foods: wet cat and dog (all types) or can name and size
Trader Joes: wet cat and dog food - can names and size
Safeway Select Brands, wet cat and dog food…
etc. that type of thing covering all market products. Seems if we want to Avoid feeding or buying Menu then we need to know what exactly to avoid in both cases.
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
If anyone has any food left don’t send it to Menu Foods. They are the most inconsiderate people I have ever talked to. I have talked to them at least 5 times and have gotten nowhere. If you have it call Iams and Eukanuba. If you do not have it here it is: 1-800-882-1591. I have talked to them many times and they seem to be a whole lot more helpful and considerate. If you have any cans or pouches left send them to Iams and Eukanuba as I did with my kitten Kelsey. They are testing it right now and have my vet bills and lab results on Kelsey. I’m saddened that Kelsey has died last month but hopefully I will get some compensation. Menu Foods does not care about our beloved pets. Whoever wrote that Menu Foods needs to be fed their own food is right!
Comment by Sue Newcomb — March 29, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/l.....25316.html
The Furry Beastro, at 1500 N. Wells St. in the city’s Old Town neighborhood, on Wednesday began giving away 100 bags of Holistic brand food for dogs and cats.
[..]
The pet shop teamed up with manufacturer Eagle Pack Foods for the giveaway.
“They totally stepped up, and we were just blown away,” said Kym Nelson of the Furry Beastro. “They pulled the truck up, and 100 bags of food came off, and we just couldn’t believe it.”
Comment by Cathy — March 29, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Huge scandal. Imagine a Pet Food industry that no longer trusts even it’s own self. Thats where it’s heading at this rate if nothing is done to get to the bottom of it.
We need Congressional Hearings before this gets out of control.
Comment by Steve — March 29, 2007 @ 12:18 pm
I too have lost my beloved kitty Nina. She was close to 6 yrs old. I feel I have tried to do all I can to make her death be known. Unfortunately, I run into many roadblocks. The pet food companies down play the number of batches actually in question here. Menu Foods has a “hotline” number listed that employs UN-sympathetic (calling my cat’s death an inconvenience) and un-professional customer service people that only provide with another toll free number to call. The FDA is no help either. I called initially 2 weeks ago to report my cat’s death. Today I called to follow up after not receiving the “follow up” call I was told I would; only to find out there was NEVER a claim in my name— the kicker, even if there was, the representative could not search her database to see where my claim stood.
I am VERY frustrated and don’t know what else to do!!
Comment by Nancy Cornejo — March 29, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
Off Topic? Now do we need to make sure this stuff doesn’t get sent to a by products plant?
Thu, Mar. 29, 2007
Missouri producer recalls Oscar Mayer bacon
Kraft Foods Global Inc. of Kirksville, Mo., is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,800 pounds of bacon because of insufficient cooling during processing, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said the recall involves 12-ounce packages of “Oscar Mayer 30% lower fat, center cut bacon.” Each label bears the establishment number “EST. 537V” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Each package also bears a “best when used by of 24 May 2007 A.”
The bacon was produced Feb. 11 and was shipped to a distribution center in California.
The department said the problem was discovered by Kraft Foods Global. No reports of illnesses have been received by FSIS or the company from eating the bacon.
Consumers with questions should contact Kraft Global at 1-800-323-4243.
Comment by Steve — March 29, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
Hundreds of Ohio and Kentucky pets are ill
http://blog.cleveland.com/metr.....tucky.html
Newswire: More than 2.000 Pet Deaths are Connected to the Recall of 60 million Cans and Pouches of Menu Foods
http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/15936/
DVMs swamped with calls, visits after recall
http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com.....?id=414714
Comment by Mike — March 29, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
“Why is it so hard to get a list from Menu (from this publicly traded company) on exactly what products are produced in their plants. A complete definitive list?”
Because Menu Foods and the companies they produce for have secrecy clauses in their contracts to not reveal their connection.
Comment by Dee — March 29, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
FYI
“The pet shop teamed up with manufacturer Eagle Pack Foods for the giveaway.”
Eagle Pack’s canned foods are made by Menu Foods, although they are not on the recall list. I have communicated with Eagle Pack several times regarding my concern that a reputable pet food company like them would have ANY association with Menu. I would not use any of their products because of this association. We need to boycott everyone who has their products mad by Menu. Hopefully the “good guys” will jump ship the soonest.
Sorry about being on my “soapbox” but this is really the only way I think we are going to get everyone to take notice. Hit them in the bottom line.
Comment by Joyce — March 29, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
From the itchmo! Blog
An FDA Visit to a Victim’s Family
Yesterday, a reader informed us that the FDA would be visiting their home to talk about their pet who died. And she graciously shared her feelings about the visit. The visit didn’t yield any answers, nor resolution, but our parent was comforted by someone who was apologetic and sympathetic. Although it would take “a couple of months”, the FDA did promise to make the lab results available.
Here’s what she said about the visit
http://www.itchmo.com/read/an-.....9#more-258
Comment by Steve — March 29, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
If that is the case Dee, then the only assumption one can safely make - unless verified otherwise - if wet, it’s from a Menu Plant. So avoid all wet unless we know for certain where it is manufactured. My guess is that all store brands and those of generic labels are from Menu.
So then the link posted above (http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210 ) is even more important.
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
CORNELL LAB UNABLE TO SUPPORT NY STATE LAB’S FINDINGS 03/29/07
In an email dated March 29, 2007, the Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center states they are unable to confirm the findings (aminopterin) of the New York State Lab. (Editor’s note: This only confirms that the toxic agent or agents in the recalled food remains uncertain and pet parents are advised to report all suspected food-related illness or adverse effects to their pets’ vets, the FDA and Pet Connection, including pets whose symptoms are not consistent with aminopterin poisoning.)
From: Animal Health Diagnostic Center
Date: March 29, 2007 8:32:57 AM EDT
To: XXXX
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Message from AHDC web site
Dear XXXX,
Though the State Lab has identified a possible contaminant, my laboratory has still not been able to definitively support their findings through our own testing protocols. This is why we are unable to accept samples now. Once we have established the cause of the toxicosis with more certainty and develop a test for it, we hope to be able to offer it to clients through their veterinarians. My laboratory and I are continuing to work hard on this issue.
XXXX XXXX
Diagnostic Toxicologist
Animal Health Diagnostic Center
Source: http://howl911.com/
Comment by Steve — March 29, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
Comment by Steve — March 29, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
Thanks Steve. When will we have the answers?
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
Nadine, I couldn’t agree more with you. This tragedy if far more reaching than what is currently being investigated and reported. My 10 year old Dog Riley may or may not recover from symptoms he developed as a result of eating a pouch of the Eukanuba wet food. He suffered an immediate allergic reaction after eating the food, suddenly developed diabetes and can no longer walk! He has been in the hospital for almost two weeks! My husband and I are focusing on his recovery and his vets are doing whatever is necessary to treat his symptoms at this time. However, we may be forced to make a decision to euthanize him if it is determined that he will not recover and his quality of life is compromised. I’ve been emotionally distraught over this and the recall. I firmly believe that kidney failure is only ONE symptom that has been investigated due to this recall. Much, much more still needs to be investigated and uncovered so we can get the proper medical treatment for our pets before it is too late! Riley was in excellent health prior to eating the contaminated food. Our pets are the innocent ones being affected by this and deserve nothing less than our love, care, help and commitment to ensure their health and safety. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been affected by this awful event or who have lost a loved one.
Madeline Coker
Tampa, FL
Comment by Maggie Coker — March 29, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
My friend’s golden at one three-house can of recalled wet cat food and is the hospital now with renal failure and may not survive. I simply don’t understand why the labs can’t give us something definitive.
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
Sorry, ounce, not house.
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
Thanks Steve. When will we have the answers?
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007
At this rate probably only when Pet Industry and FDA Representatives are put on the hot seat under oath at a Congressional hearing.
Comment by Steve — March 29, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
This is just a friendly nagging reminder to e:mail Anderson Cooper 360 at CNN under his “Keeping them Honest” tipline section, OK? It would be nice to have the number of messages sent there equal the number of pet deaths and pet illness reported to this site. Thank you and bet wishes to everyone.
Comment by Sandi K — March 29, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Steve - DITTO!
Comment by Linda — March 29, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
I just forwarded a copy of this post above to Kucinich’s office.
CORNELL LAB UNABLE TO SUPPORT NY STATE LAB’S FINDINGS 03/29/07
In an email dated March 29, 2007, the Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center states they are unable to confirm the findings (aminopterin) of the New York State Lab. (Editor’s note: This only confirms that the toxic agent or agents in the recalled food remains uncertain and pet parents are advised to report all suspected food-related illness or adverse effects to their pets’ vets, the FDA and Pet Connection, including pets whose symptoms are not consistent with aminopterin poisoning.)
Comment by Steve — March 29, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
Isn’t it true, the FDA is also to blame for letting this corruption get this far and therefore are more on the side of MenuFoods than the consumers? And, what connections does departments inside the FDA have with MenuFoods?
Gary
Comment by Gary — March 29, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
Ga. agriculture will continue to monitor and test pet food
http://www.lincolnjournalonlin.....s/015.html
“We will proceed with testing samples of the pet foods in our Tifton Laboratory and compare our findings with those of the New York food laboratory scientists,” Irvin said. “Our 12 inspectors will continue to first investigate complaints of the recalled pet food still being sold and make sure that it is pulled from the shelves wherever we find it.”
Comment by Cathy — March 29, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
I feel that they’re all to blame.
And, while the FDA is not supposed to be politically influenced, there is no doubt that it is, and the current administration has put on a lot of pressure regarding certain medications such as the morning after pill…Think of that next time you are in the voting booth
Comment by Joyce — March 29, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
Nancy, I understand what you mean about the vets not seeming to care. My cat Tommy died on Feb.16. At that time we did not suspect that it was the food that we were feeding him because he was 15 years old. Our vet is a very caring person and charged us only $30 when the bill was $130. However, it seems that they are not thinking that it is the pet food that killed him even though we were feeding him the same food that was recalled the UPC and dates matched perfectly. He died from kidney failure and he had the bad breath the wt. loss and everything. I think the vets are not getting the full story either because when we found out about the recall we printed the recalled foods off and showed them to our vet, that was on the Tue. after the recall, our vet had not heard about it yet! I would think they would be the first to know about this. Tina
Comment by Tina — March 29, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
By the way did anybody’s pets start to drool really bad after they got sick? Tommy was drooling really bad after he got sick, but he had canker sores too so we were not sure if it was because of the canker sores or the kidney failure.
Comment by Tina — March 29, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
I truly believe all of our questions can be resolved by independent, investigative reporting. These have the money, tools and talent to get to the bottom of all of this. Congressional hearings certainly would be in order as well.
The issues surrounding this event, and there are many, need to be addressed from all directions—-methodically as well as passionately. The stories that pet parents are sharing are incredible.
Our local newspaper will be covering the story in this weekend’s edition to keep our community informed.
Comment by Nadine Long — March 29, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
Sandi - I’ve been trying for an hour to submit info via the Anderson Cooper ‘keeping them honest’ form.
I registered, signed in, and am still unable to submit the form.
Any ideas what the problem is?
the link I’m using is this:
http://www.cnn.com/exchange/ir......anon.html
Comment by Kim — March 29, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
it”s not going to change until we make a choice? your dealing with weasles here.. think of what corporate mentality is inteded to accompish? to make $$$$$$$ , thats the bottom line. you have to think , we are sick.. and we are mad enough to DO what ever it takes..(even
if that means using “non-convental” means ??
if the courts won’t punish who will?
sigh.. i am patient , waiting even a decade to
“avenge” .. planing is everything. personally
if anyone want to discuus this futher? leave a
message , let me know..
J.paycut
Comment by johnypaycut — March 29, 2007 @ 2:07 pm
I had a thought…Many people belong to Proffesional Organizations across the country. I personally belong to The NNA (National Notary Association), which has thousands of members. I have contacted them asking for the pet food recall to be mentioned in their weekly email newsletters/print publications. It is a way to reach many who may not have learned of this site or even the recall as of yet. Just because people do not have a pet does not mean they are not willing to help with important causes such as changing the regulations in the pet food industry. As most people recongnize, Notaries are public officials as well. Our voices are heard in court rooms and legal proceedings all throughout the US. I have had requests already to notarize sworn statements from consumers for Menu Foods, Attorneys and even the pet food companies as well. I imagine many other Notaries have as well. I am a pet parent first and a “mad as hell” consumer second. I will do all that I can to help bring this company to justice for what it has done to our beloved family members. And if that means helping people by listening to their stories and authenticating their signatures, well so be it. I would love to hear from anyone who has thoughts on getting other Organizations involved as I am happy to contribute in any way I can. Please email me directly at bodasnotaryservice@yahoo.com.
Comment by Amy Boda — March 29, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
My vet (California Veterinary Specialists) told me they are collecting data and are in direct contact with the FDA. I’m supposed to be contacted by the FDA but haven’t heard from them yet. I was lucky enough to take my dog Coco to the vet before any symptoms. 4 days later and a $1700 bill she’s now home and with a follow up visit scheduled next week. I will try the Anderson Cooper link. We need to do whatever we can.
Comment by Richard — March 29, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
vote, vote, vote…………….
Comment by Joyce — March 29, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
I mentioned in an earlier post that a Nationwide March (regarding pet safety and the recall) was being organized, well the date has been decided. It will be Saturday April 28,2007. Please join the following community (follow the link) and look for info on the March. Jen H. is leading the group, contacting animal rights organizations,shelters and such for support. I have included myself as a contact and to help with the organization efforts here in California. We need people from all geographic areas. Anyone in Northern/Central CA who wants to help please contact me at bodasnotaryservice@yahoo.com.
MenuFoodsClassAction@yahoogroups.com
Comment by Amy Boda — March 29, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
Yes, Amy, yes! That’s the idea. Get the facts out there to everyone. In advertising, it’s called “saturation.” Our pets can’t speak for themselves, so we must be vocal for them.
Comment by Nadine Long — March 29, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
Kim, in regard to posting to Anderson Coopers tipline, I had the same problem yesterday. I finally had to go in and shorten what I had written and it finally sent after that. I guess they didnt want my 3 pages….(-:
So I would try to shorten your e:mail if possible and then see if it goes. Also make sure there isnt a bunch of empty space after your write-up that would be taking space in the field lines, if that makes sense. If there is, you can delete the blank space….let me know if that helps, Sandi K
Comment by Sandi K — March 29, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
Tina - so sorry about this - I think you’ll find the mouth sores go along with ARF CRF
Comment by 4lgdfriend — March 29, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
1. Has anyone else wondered if this could be caused by use of a GMO Grain??
GMO corn causes liver, kidney problems in rats: http://www.sciam.com/article.c.....9A180E764B “Greenpeace said a study it had commissioned that was published in the journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Technology showed rats fed for 90 days on Monsanto’s MON863 maize showed “signs of toxicity” in the liver and kidneys.
“….first time that independent research, published in a peer-reviewed journal, has proved that a GMO authorized for human consumption presents signs of toxicity,” Arnaud Apoteker, a spokesman for Greenpeace France said…”
Comment by 4lgdfriend — March 29, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
THE SCI.AM.COM ARTICLE ALSO REVEALS: “The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that the lethal concentration of the chemical is three parts per million (ppm) for rats; the amount found in the contaminated food samples was 40 ppm.”
AND:
product numbers on his packages of Iams wet food fell just outside of the range of recalled products. The date codes on his packages were 6256 and 6293; the recall range extends from 6339 to 7073. Nevertheless, Valentine believes that his cat was a victim of food poisoning, raising the question of whether the recall was wide enough.
Comment by 4lgdfriend — March 29, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
Something that I have not seen mentioned is: any cat with residual kidney damage or immune issues resulting from exposure to this toxin(s), whether from wet or dry food, is going to have to watch CRF issues (chronic renal failure) and other immune-related problems/diseases in cats VERY CAREFULLY FROM NOW ON for who knows how long. This is NOT JUST AN ISSUE UNTIL YOU FIND ANOTHER FOOD!! Start getting info now so you are not left without the facts. If our vet wasn’t omniscient enough to warn us about the dangers of the petfood industry, don’t expect him/her/them to google into the future effects on our pets either!! This is up to you if you want to protect your pets health.
Feline health links: http://www.mindspring.com/~kerspin/
Comment by 4lgdfriend — March 29, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
I thank this website for trying to keep on top of this problem. There is a bigger issue here in my opinion. The manufacturer almost immediately identified a “new supplier”, whom they also identify as being from China. One of MSNBC’s stories on this quoted someone from a famous cancer institute as saying that it is unlikely this poison would be there unless someone put it there. That unknown person may or may not have known whether it would end up in pet food or people food. But the end result is clear — it points out, clearly, that someone could introduce a poison into a food product bound for the US in a foreign country and there are apparently no quality controls or safeguards. Yet so far Homeland Security and the feds are silent. And they clearly are afraid to implicate China — not the manufacturer, per se — in something that is much, much bigger than anyone is willing to report.
This is very, very scary in its implications.
Comment by Mike V — March 29, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
For pets with immune systems compromised by the effects of this toxin(s) (see VIN for info on that) please be aware that vaccinations should NOT be given to pets that are already ill.
It’s not only the petfood industry that panders to vets for profit - big PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES also do this. For a look at what one forward looking DVM with PHD in immunology has to say about this see: http://www.drpitcairn.com/talk.....cines.html
I HOPE THE LID IS BLOWN OFF BUT GOOD.
Comment by 4lgdfriend — March 29, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
1. More on the idea of GMO grains possibility from DVM Phd http://www.drpitcairn.com/nutrition/gm_foods.html The FDA does not require any safety tests on genetically modified foods…There are no adequate tests on “biochemistry, immunology, tissue pathology, gut function, liver function and kidney function,”[3] and animal feeding studies are too short to adequately test for cancer, reproductive problems, or effects in the next generation. ……animals fed GM crops developed potentially precancerous cell growth, smaller brains, livers and testicles, damaged immune systems, bigger livers, partial atrophy of the liver, lesions in the livers, stomachs, and kidneys, inflammation of the kidneys, problems with their blood cells, higher blood sugar levels, and unexplained increases in the death rate. (See Spilling the Beans, August 2004.) None have been adequately followed-up or accounted for.”
Comment by 4lgdfriend — March 29, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
I really hope that all of us who have been “crying in the wilderness” for years about the abuses of the petfood and pharmaceutical companies are going to finally
be heard by the 98% who have treated us like
hippie freako new age kooks ——— who just happen to care about our animals enough to do something different - and say NO to the currently accepted practices.
Comment by 4lgdfriend — March 29, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
GM grains…
Guess what? High fructose corn syrup is made almost entirely form GM corn. It’s also fed to poultry and beef in the U.S. and Canada. The stuff is also making people sick as well.
My educated guess is that the GM corn, which is a main ingredient in dry pet foods is causing numerous problems. The GM corn in question didn’t exist before ~2002, so this is a recent change - and why food we fed for years was safe but suddenly is causing problems.
Organ meat from animals that are the grain is also just as bad. But I suspect that Menu went with feed corn to save money - and it was this GM stuff instead.
Comment by Joseph — March 29, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
I’ve been feeding my two cats Science Diet, thinking that I was getting the very best for them. They’ve done very well on it, actually, but needless to say— the trust is gone. Also, I was never aware before about the heavy use of corn as a filler, or about by-products. I wanted to find a new food for my cats from a company that had no association with Menu foods; uses domestic products; has no corn, wheat or soy; and has meats or meat meals as the first ingredients. The food would also have to have lots of Omega 3 and 6, because one of my cats has very senstive, dry skin. After exhaustive research, I decided to try Felidae and drove a country mile to a place that carries it.
After going over the packaging and talking with the extremely knowledgable man who runs the store, I found that it would meet all my requirements. I also liked the herbs, fruits and oils in it. There was not a price for it on the shelf, and when I went up to pay I was expecting to lay down a big chunk of change for this obviously superior food. Normally I am completely cheap, even with my own food— but nothing is too good for my very spoiled cats. To my absolute shock, though— the Felidae cost half of what I was paying for the Science Diet! I am in the process of changing them over on to the Felidae, and so far they seem to really like it.
Comment by Marie — March 29, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
The FDA representative from the Shreveport, LA office who called me as a follow-up to my complaint with the Louisiana state FDA office in New Orleans said the four state region for which he worked had logged more than 8,000 complaints about pet food in the last 2 weeks!!!!!!!!! He seemed to think I would have received a quicker response if I had called the Shreveport office 1st instead of calling the NO office. My complaint has been sent to the Kansas City office because that is the region in which the pet food was manufactured. Our cat died of acute renal failure after eating Hill’s Prescription c/d DRY food. We had bought a new bag of food just a few days before he was stricken.
Please continue to call the FDA. The number of 8,000 for just the four states of Louisiana,Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama is staggering. Just think what it must be in the northeastern United States or California. This number is much higher than what is being reported on Pet Connection.
My vet who went to extraordinary means to try to save our cat thinks the corn in the Hill’s could possibly be contaminated.
We switched our dogs to an organic food. They were eating Nutro but had not exhibited any symptoms. However, we wanted to be safe rather than sorry.
Comment by Janice — March 29, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
I have been feeding my kittens and 15 y/o kitty cat Iams for ever. The dry and the pouches, I checked all the recalled product code numbers against the ones I had, fortunately they didn’t match. Although reading 4ldgfriend 3/29’s note I guess it may have been devine intervention, my cats are fine. I have started to buy Tuna and Chicken in cans because I’m afraid to feed them anything else. Does anyone have information whether the 5lb. bags of Iams dry kitten and weightcontrol were recalled, the only food I saw
listed was the pouches and canned food.
Comment by Joy — March 29, 2007 @ 7:12 pm
There has been no recall on any type of dry food, but I’m reading that there have been problems with that as well. The dry foods are not manufactured by Menu, but Iams and the others use a lot of corn as a filler, which there may or may not be a problem with. As of yet, it’s unclear to anyone who’s pet has not become ill from the dry food. I’m in the process of switching my dogs to Solid Gold dry, a company that doesn’t use Menu Foods to process any of their products, and doesn’t use corn or wheat. They make products for both dogs and cats. There are a few other companies that do not manufacture their canned products at Menu Foods, as well, such as Timberwolf Organics, which, unfortunately, my dogs won’t touch. I strongly suggest boycotting any company affiliated with Menu Foods, as it would send a clear message to this manufacturer that this extreme negligence is unacceptable. Perhaps if pet owners across the country team up and put Menu Foods and its affiliates out of business, more care will be taken by the existing pet food companies so something like this is not allowed to happen again.
Comment by Ginger — March 29, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
I am really getting concerned with the very consistent posting about the lack of alarm exhibited by vets.
I read one posting linked to by petconnection from the University of Washington as an advisory to vets that spent 2/3 of its text essentially telling them to be dismissive of their clients suspicions. The reasons cited ranged from potential reporting of unrelated coincidental illnesses to outright fraud from those seeking to capitalize on law suits.
There was not one word about serving the public or utilizing their scientific training to fully examine every case in their best professional judgement. The message was effectively, watch out for irrational customers fretting over Poopsey…
If this is the position of a major vet school then it is little wonder that DVMs are are so non-commital. While everything that they said was technically true, in my opinion they put a distorted emphasis on discarding additional possibilities.
In the case of my own vet previously posted here, even the FDA rep I spoke to was incredulous when I related her characterization of my dog’s symptoms as a “red herring”.
I was informed that someone from the FDA office in Green Bay was probably going to come down and collect some of the remaining cans for testing. I also gave permission to the FDA to review all of Brandy’s vet records - something that I do not think will make my vet very happy given her past reactions…
Both large and small animal vets are the sentinels for larger health concerns ranging from bird flu to “mad cow” to rabies. If we cannot rely on them to do a thorough job in policing public health for animals how are we to trust them to safeguard situations that may have more human consequences in the future?
At at time when the federal government requires each and every farmer to submit livestock ID data for tracking each and every animal not only for public health but homeland security what does this say about the DVM community’s role in those scenarios?
After this I think I can be excused for viewing the professionalism of vets with a more jaundiced eye.
Bernie
Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — March 30, 2007 @ 8:05 am