Pet food recall: Updates from Oregon
By Gina Spadafori
April 1, 2007
- If you’re new to the site, please check out our general information page (includes links to recalled foods).
- If you want to report a sick or deceased pet, click here.
- If you want to know what you can do, please read our call to action
- If you want to read all our recall-related blog posts, click here.
Dr. Emilio DeBess, Oregon’s public health veterinarian, and the Portland Oregonian continue to lead with information. Just posted to the Oregonian’s Web site:
At least 94 Oregon animals — 31 dogs and 63 cats — may have eaten recalled Menu Foods pet food and experienced kidney dysfunction, according to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association.
The veterinary group says the suspected cases have been reported by Dr. Emilio DeBess, Oregon’s public health veterinarian.
At least 32 Oregon animals have died, including 13 dogs and 19 cats.
Hundreds of suspected deaths have been reported across the nation, though only 16 have been confirmed. In Oregon, the largest collections of suspected cases leading to death have been reported in Portland and Springfield, with 13 each.
By the way:
- Oregon’s population (2005, according the U.S. Census Bureau): 3,641,056.
- U.S. population (also 2005, according to the U.S. Census Bureau for comparison: 296,410,404.
For the math-challenged among us, that’s 1.2 percent of the U.S. population.
Also: The Associated Press offers an article on compensation:
Pet owners are not likely to get much compensation if they individually sue pet food-maker Menu Foods over the death of a dog or cat, although they might fare better if they joined forces in a class action suit, legal experts say.
Most state laws consider animals — even beloved pets — to be only personal property. That means that even for the loss of a faithful family companion, a successful civil lawsuit would not likely produce much reward, said Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond.
“With animals, all you get is the value of the property,” he said. “There are no emotional damages.”
Here’s the rest.
Go to the latest blog post | Go to the PetConnection home page
Technorati Tags: pet food recall, dogs, cats,veterinarian, veterinary
Well if we do more math I bet you the number is probably 4000 animals or more.
Comment by Eskie Lover — April 1, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
Don’t let that AP article discourage you from legal action. Menu Foods is liable. Thats the bottom line. Don’t let them walk away from financial accountability and leave you stuck with the bills.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
Also keep in mind that “heat” needs to be put on the Brands themselves soon.
Example. You hear about this new super premium ultra pure and nutritious food. Everything sounds and looks right. You’ve done your research. On the package is a picture of some seasoned hipster or celebrity wearing a denim shirt, big toothy smile, holding his dog and cat, all the while sitting in a grassy valley with snow capped mountains in the back ground with the sun gleaming it’s rays from a blinding blue sky next to a pristine mountain stream with trout swimming. What you don’t know is that this food was made in some plant that doesn’t even know what the hell they are doing.
Caveat Emptor. Let The Buyer Beware.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
Remember, the opinion of only one person was stated in the AP article. There should be a comprehensive site/blog for just the legal side to this—-a site to be trusted.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 1, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
When I have been discussing the recall with friends and on message boards, I have been telling them not to throw out any recalled food you have. Set it aside as “evidence” in case your animal becomes ill. If you choose to return the food, make sure you get proof of return.
If your animal becomes sick or dies, keep records.
If you go to acvim.org, there is a download on the front page entitled “Information for Veterinarians - Pet Food Recall”, which is out of date regarding treatment, but is useful regarding the type of information your vet should be preserving in the event of your pet’s illness.
I’m an attorney, but I don’t practice in this field, so this is friendly NOT legal advice.
Comment by modthinglet — April 1, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
Can someone please point me to the evidence about Wellness using Menu Foods as a processing plant? The Whole Foods here in town is doing an “immediate investigation” of this information - and I would like to provide feedback that can be pointed to regarding Old Mother Hubbard’s packaging sources. I need more than opinion - we need to back this up - obviously “Mother” isn’t giving us a lot of information on this point! Thanks in advance!
Comment by Chana Campos — April 1, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
Comment by Nadine Long — April 1, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
Exactly. You better believe The Pet Food Institute and Pet Food Industry has important media connections.
They are not going to encourage people to sue them. And I would not be surprised to start seeing some well spun propaganda attempting to do exactly that. Discourage you or make you doubt your right to legal action.
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
Comment by modthinglet — April 1, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
Thanks for that. Any other friendly advice on pros and cons of Class Action versus individual lawsuits?
Comment by Nadine Long — April 1, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
Can someone please point me to the evidence about Wellness using Menu Foods as a processing plant? Comment by Chana Campos — April 1, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
This is all so far. I saw this at another site.
The following is a copy of an email I received in response to one I sent to Wellness asking that if their canned foods are produced by Menu Foods how can they state, without doubt, that none of their foods are affected…
Dear Ms. xxxxx,
We are aware that Menu Foods has initiated a recall. No products made by
Wellness & Old Mother Hubbard are affected in any way.
Again, no Wellness, Old Mother Hubbard, or Neura products are part of this
recall.
We do use outside manufacturers to produce our product. We choose the industry
experts to make our formulas for us under our strict quality guidelines.
While we do have some of our products made at Menu Foods, we do not use the
specific ingredient that has caused the recall to take place. In addition, we
have strict cleaning procedures in place to prevent cross-contamination.
There are two very important factors in determining the quality of a food. The
first is the manufacturer. In this case, Menu Foods is a top notch manufacturer
that receives excellent scores for food safety and quality systems. They make a
consistent product which is exactly what the company asks for. Frankly, they
make product for so many companies because they are one of the best.
The second factor is formula. Ingredient selection can make or break product
quality. Certain ingredients can be allergens to certain pets. Other
ingredients can be sourced for either their quality or their price. Chicken for
example, can be sourced for a certain price. But low ash chicken, which is
better for a cat, can be sourced, but at a higher price. Those are the types of
ingredients we use, because they are of higher quality. So I would not assume
all companies are created equal. If you’d like to learn more, please call us.
We have much more information where that came from!
Nicole Bibeau
Specialist
Consumer Affairs
And on petusa.com
Wellness (verified by company 3/26/07)
* “Menu does make some of our canned cat and canned dog foods. They make
OUR recipes according to OUR quality standards.”
* “We have procedures in place to clean between each run of food that is produced. We also inspect the plant regularly to audit their procedures. Since we take our quality very seriously we go above and beyond what is expected in the industry. We are happy to tell you that we require our facilities to pass an audit by Cook & Thurber, a HUMAN FOOD auditing firm.”
* Other manufacturers are used besides Menu Foods.
* Products do not contain wheat, corn or soy, artificial preservatives, flavors or colors.
Old Mother Hubbard (verified by company rep 3/26/07)
* “Menu does make some of our canned cat and canned dog foods. They make
OUR recipes according to OUR quality standards.”
* “We have procedures in place to clean between each run of food that is produced. We also inspect the plant regularly to audit their procedures. Since we take our quality very seriously we go above and beyond what is expected in the industry. We are happy to tell you that we require our facilities to pass an audit by Cook & Thurber, a HUMAN FOOD auditing firm.”
* Other manufacturers are used besides Menu Foods.
* Products do not contain wheat, corn or soy, artificial preservatives, flavors or colors.
Please keep us posted on Wellness developments Chana
Comment by Steve — April 1, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
If there are any concerned pet-loving attorneys out there who would like to make “friendly suggestions” (not legal advice) for those who don’t know where to begin in taking legal action, please come forward. We would love to hear from you.
Gina, would it be appropriate to title a separate blog post?
Comment by Nadine Long — April 1, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
We need our own spin doctor to help us.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 1, 2007 @ 1:44 pm
Comment by Chana Campos — April 1, 2007 @ 1:33 PM
Can someone please point me to the evidence about Wellness using Menu Foods as a processing plant?
The retailer Pet food Express believes it to be true:
http://www.petfoodexpress.com/.....tion=About
Comment by MFEMFEM — April 1, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
I phoned OMH/Wellness the week the recall story broke (I would sign an affidavit) and received the info their wet foods are packaged at Menu in Kansas. I immediately quit using their products, including dry, at that point.
Additionally, here’s correspondence from 12/18/06 with Wellness when we noticed, repeatedly over many weeks, our cats only liked the ~3 ounce cans of Wellness, never the 5.5 ounce cans of the same flavor. It confounded us. I am still more than a little anxious about what it meant.
“Thank you for taking the time to write Old Mother Hubbard regarding the Canned Cat Food. At Old Mother Hubbard we are committed to providing the highest quality pet foods and treats available. Our expert staff of engineers is continuously improving our products to ensure that they are tasty and nutritious for your pet.
Your comments will be forwarded to our Quality Assurance Department. I assure you that we are taking your complaint very seriously. You are a valuable customer, and any dissatisfaction on your part indicates an opportunity for improvement on our part.
Although the recipe is the same in both cans your cats may be picking up on subtle differences that occur naturally in our products. The cans were produced on different dates so the raw ingredients used will vary slightly because they were sourced at different times.
Since 1926, Old Mother Hubbard has been working closely with veterinarians and breeders to understand the nutritional requirements of animals. We manufacture only the highest quality pet foods, using healthy, natural ingredients. Our organization prides itself on making the best pet foods and treats available today.
Nicole Bibeau
Specialist
Consumer Affairs
000010645A”
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 1, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
Since Menu Foods and their suppliers have clearly demonstrated a failure to properly
supervise and maintain quality control over their pet food products, maybe it’s time to boycott Menu Foods. If you agree, then the
Blogs should be utilized to make pet owners
aware that a boycott is the only way to get Menu Foods to seriously effect changes in their
manufacturing processes and supply sources.
Russ
Comment by Russ — April 1, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Let me try this again as my posting went into a black hole.
I phone OMG/Wellness the week of the recall announcement and was told their canned foods are made at the Menu FOods plant in Kansas. I would sign an affidavit.
Additionally, here follow an email from Wellness when I contacted them on 12/18/06 because we noticed our 3 cats would only eat their ~ 3 ounce cans, NEVER their 5.5 ounce cans of the same flavor. I am still very anxious about what that really meant.
Obviously, we AIN’t using Wellness (wet or dry) in this house anymore.
Dear XXXX:
Thank you for taking the time to write Old Mother Hubbard regarding the Canned Cat Food. At Old Mother Hubbard we are committed to providing the highest quality pet foods and treats available. Our expert staff of engineers is continuously improving our products to ensure that they are tasty and nutritious for your pet.
Your comments will be forwarded to our Quality Assurance Department. I assure you that we are taking your complaint very seriously. You are a valuable customer, and any dissatisfaction on your part indicates an opportunity for improvement on our part.
Although the recipe is the same in both cans your cats may be picking up on subtle differences that occur naturally in our products. The cans were produced on different dates so the raw ingredients used will vary slightly because they were sourced at different times.
Since 1926, Old Mother Hubbard has been working closely with veterinarians and breeders to understand the nutritional requirements of animals. We manufacture only the highest quality pet foods, using healthy, natural ingredients. Our organization prides itself on making the best pet foods and treats available today.
Nicole Bibeau
Specialist
Consumer Affairs
000010645A
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 1, 2007 @ 2:15 pm
It is crystal clear that we as pet owners and pet lovers cannot trust the manufacturers, and, sadly, many veterinarians. Ask yourself, “Would I have purchased this pet food if I had known that it was manufactured by a third party?”
We fell for the slick advertising, the celebrity endorsements, the bucolic pictures of mountains and streams, and the words “natural” and “healthy”. It has become clear that deception, if not out right lies, are the norm for the pet food industry. Tainted ingredients from China to save a few cents a can!
Those of us who have lost our beloved friends have paid the ultimate price to sustain corporate greed. These companies played on our love of our animals to sicken and kill our pets while enriching themselves.
ONLY STRICT LEGISLATION WITH STRONG ENFORCEMENT AND HARSH PENALTIES WILL PROVIDE ANY GUARANTEE THAT THIS TERRIBLE EPISODE WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN.
Stop purchasing pet food from ANY company that engages in deception and press your lawmakers for legislation with real enforcement.
Comment by MFEMFEM — April 1, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
I’m curious how many pet illnesses and deaths will go completely unreported? Some people don’t take the time to take their pets to the vet when they get sick.. and if they die, nobody will know.\
Extrapolate Oregon to the rest of the US, and that’s nearly 3500 dead pets.. that may be reported. How many will die with their owners being none the wiser? Hundreds more? Thousands?
Comment by Andrea — April 1, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
A couple of comments.
First, I totally agree that the final toll could be staggering. I was just over at a few petloss forums and people were talking about sudden kidney problems - but no mention of the recall. I think a lot of people are assuming this just started in the last few weeks or they’re assuming unnamed brands are safe.
Second, I do hope everyone who has lost a pet sues successfully. But the other thing that never gets mentioned (and I think it’s by far the most noticeable to these goons) is a boycott of their products. Lawsuits are paid by insurance companies - boycotts hit the bottom line.
When all this is settled I’m going to try to make a chart of companies who did this and their subsidiaries/products. If we want to say no, this is the way to do it.
I’d never say don’t write your Congressperson but I worked in the US Senate for years and I know how that place operates. The little people can write thousands of letters, but they’ll never be as important as the PAC contributions of these conglomoerates or the industry lobbyists.
We need to wield our real power and that is economic.
Comment by Kelly — April 1, 2007 @ 10:57 pm