Pet-food recall: Where’s the wheat?
By Gina Spadafori
April 3, 2007
- If you have a sick pet or a question on your pet’s health, call your veterinarian.
- If you’re new to the site, please check out our general information page (includes links to recalled foods).
- If you’d like suggestions on what to feed, click here.
- 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.
The Boston Globe (link here is the Internation Herald Tribune, but it’s the Globe’s story) is reporting the tained wheat gluten is in also in plants preparing food for human consumption:
ROCKVILLE, Maryland: The tainted wheat gluten that triggered a massive pet food recall also ended up in processing plants that prepare food consumed by people, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.
While agency leaders offered assurances Monday that the U.S. food supply remains safe, they said they cannot yet completely rule out contamination of human food by the suspect wheat gluten, which contained melamine, a chemical found in plastics and pesticides.
According to import records, the wheat gluten was shipped to the United States from China between Nov. 3 and Jan. 23 and contained “minimal labeling” to indicate whether it was intended for humans or animals.
The agency has banned all wheat gluten imports from the company, Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development, based in Wangdien, China.
The vast majority of the contaminated gluten went to pet food manufacturers and distributors, according to the agency. But some of the processing plants that remain under agency scrutiny make both human and pet food.
Here’s the rest.
Update: The importer says it’s not so, according to the AP:
WASHINGTON – None of the contaminated wheat gluten that led to the U.S. recall of pet food went to manufacturers of food for humans, the ingredient’s importer said Tuesday.
The Chinese wheat gluten imported by ChemNutra Inc. all went to companies that make pet foods, Stephen Miller, chief executive officer of the Las Vegas company, told The Associated Press.
Miller declined to identify what companies ChemNutra supplied. Nearly 100 brands of cat and dog foods made with the ingredient, since found to be chemically contaminated, have been recalled.
Also: Numbers, again.
Every time we see the 12-14-16 “official” number of dead pets the FDA has reported in the media … we wonder what happened to the ability of most in the media to report a story.
The Oregon state health veterinarian reports 35 dead pets, and Oregon has 1.2 percent of the U.S. population.
Now, the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association is reporting 38 dead pets, and Michigan has 3.4 percent of the U.S. population.
The Veterinary Information Network has reported numbers that suggest deaths in the thousands, as the L.A. Times and NBC News have reported.
Even the FDA will no longer speculate on the numbers dead, saying in a media conference last Friday that more than 8,800 reports had been made to the FDA, but ” we have not had the luxury of confirming these reports.”
So … can we get off the 16? Most of those animals died in the feeding trial, by the way.
I’m trying to follow the wheat in Europe and not having much luck.
Like… is it in animal or human food here?
The FDA confirm it came via the Netherlands, but here in the EU everyone hides behind “the competant authorities know best” and won’t tell anyone anything. Here’s part of the email I got from our Food Standards Agency:
“You also ask about the origin and destination of the wheat gluten thought to be the source of the contamination. As you may appreciate, it is
difficult to provide information about information we do not have — i.e., we in the UK cannot know whether all the wheat gluten which entered the Netherlands was despatched to the US or whether some was retained for other
purposes. This will, however, be a matter for the Netherlands authorities to investigate, and to advise Member States in due course via the Rapid Alert System if other breaches of food and feed legislation are found.”
So that’s all right then. I mustn’t worry because the bureacrats have got it all under control….
Comment by Phil from England — April 3, 2007 @ 10:59 am
I love the “in due course via the Rapid Alert Sysytem”
Oxy Morons.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 11:05 am
It’s not the plastic junk melamine causing the problem - it’s something else and they don’t know what it is.
This is not comforting news. Not at all!
The FDA said that melamine is probably a marker for something else - so said the USA article I posted on the former Canary thread.
Why is it so difficult to discover? Ten to one they have fed cats and dogs this melamine in like quantities and they haven’t gotten sick or died - without the wheat gluten.
But the FDA continues to operate under a smoke screen of - mums the word - or cat got your tongue or something equally gross but not printable.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 11:09 am
For political junkies, the Clinton Administration had tried to stem the surge of foreign wheat gluten imports with safeguard quotas to give domestic producers a chance to compete:
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/.....epf205.htm
The Bush administration then scrapped it in favor of throwing money at the problem:
Link
Comment by Sandro — April 3, 2007 @ 11:15 am
I just called the number on the can of College Inn Chicken Broth fat free low sodium which I use all the time and which I just realized has wheat gluten and I reached Del Monte. I was on hold forever and hung up. I also use this broth in the homemade stew I make my dog and use with kibble as a canned food. I feel sick.
Comment by Garyn — April 3, 2007 @ 11:16 am
I highly recommend people who have an animal that has chronic kidney disease consider consulting with DR. CHARLES LOOPS. He is a homeopathic vet located in Pittsboro, NC. He does phone consultations and can work with your local vet. Most of his business (95%) is done over the phone. He has successfully treated my kitty, Scooter for chronic kidney disease for the last 6 years. She is almost 16 years old, looks great and is a happy little kitty. The remedies he prescribes are affordable and easy to give. My local vet faxes the results of the blood work to Dr. Loops and through a phone consultation with me; he comes up with a treatment plan and mails me the remedies. I also had him treat my kitty, Cali for 5 years for liver disease and she had a great quality of life on his remedies. He excels in treating difficult cases and many of my friends have used him to successfully treat illnesses their local vets couldn’t help from bone cancer to mange. His phone number is: 919-542-0442. His website is: http://www.charlesloopsdvm.com
My heart goes out to all the people who have lost their beloved animals. Thank you Pet Connection for all your hard work!
Comment by Cindy — April 3, 2007 @ 11:17 am
It’s the classic tactic used by the media and the government to divert our attention from what is really happening. But this time, they have a bunch of crazed pet owners on their hands who won’t be fooled into looking away. And I used the term crazed with affection.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 11:18 am
I guess we are expected to live in two worlds, which is to say living optimistically but keeping a set of ‘worst case’ contingency plans in your back pocket.
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 11:21 am
WHAT ABOUT UREA POISONING? If melamine is urea, and it’s enough to kill a horse…see this 2002 health alert:
Animal Health Alert #1/2002: Urea Poisoning of Range Cattle
From the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
May 20, 2002
Arizona ranchers and large animal veterinarians are well aware of the difficult times facing range livestock this summer with the current drought. This situation has been made worse for several well-intentioned ranchers who have lost range cows after they attempted to supplement them using feed supplements that contained urea. Urea-containing supplements can be dangerous when formulated or used improperly and it is our intention to clarify this issue here.
Urea or ammonium salts are added to protein supplements as non-protein sources of nitrogen (NPN), which can be used, under the right circumstances, by ruminant livestock to provide up to 40 percent of their protein nitrogen requirements. NPN sources such as urea can be converted to protein and amino acids by rumen microorganisms in NPN-adapted ruminant livestock when energy intakes are adequate. They are commonly used because they are often less expensive than natural protein sources. When NPN supplements are improperly used, fatal ammonia intoxication can occur from too-rapid breakdown of urea (or ammonium salt)-containing products to ammonia from NPN sources by microorganisms in the paunch (rumen) of cattle or sheep. In appropriate amounts, ammonia can be utilized as a nitrogen source for protein and amino acid formation but is poisonous when formed in the rumen in excessive amounts.
Clinical signs of urea (ammonia) intoxication can occur in as little as 10 minutes to as much as 4 hours after consumption and include frothy salivation, grinding of the teeth, rapid breathing, bloat, muscle tremors, incoordination, bellowing, and seizure-like activity just prior to death. More often, clinical signs go unobserved in range cattle and they are simply found dead, sometimes in significant numbers.
Urea-containing or other NPN supplements should not be fed to range cattle when:
1. the main forage intake is dry, weathered range grass, which, during a drought or early summer is low in energy and protein and high in fiber. There must be an adequate intake of energy for ruminants to make efficient use of NPN sources of nitrogen such as urea for protein formation.
2. range cattle are on poor range or have been starved. These cattle are typically very hungry, are unaccustomed to NPN sources, and can easily become intoxicated if suddenly given access to NPN (urea) sources which can be rapidly consumed such as soft, easily chewed molasses-containing protein blocks. Range cattle are often supplemented only intermittently, which makes NPN ineffective as a nitrogen source for protein and amino-acid formation.
3. cattle are dehydrated. Cattle that have had an insufficient water supply are more susceptible to poisoning and should not be given NPN supplements.
4. cattle are not adapted to NPN sources. These animals are more susceptible to ammonia poisoning when suddenly given access to supplements containing urea or ammonium salts. Again, crumbly, easily consumed supplements that are suddenly given to unaccustomed, hungry cattle are often responsible for deaths because they are consumed too rapidly.
A high level of management is required for safe and effective use of urea-containing or other NPN supplements. A ruminant animal must be fed the NPN-containing supplement continuously at appropriate levels for several days before adaptation of ruminal microorganisms occurs and there is efficient utilization of the product as a protein supplement. If feeding of the supplement is stopped or for some reason animals go off feed, adaptation is readily lost.
Unquestionably range livestock need feed supplements at this time of the year and this is especially true given the present drought conditions on Arizona rangelands. For greater safety we suggest that ranchers consider using salt-limited feeding of all-natural protein supplements that do not contain urea or ammonium salts to avoid the risk of urea intoxication.
Check the label ingredient list of any products you are considering as supplements or ask for a formulation sheet from the vendor. Feed labels should state “for ruminants only” if the product contains an NPN source. Do not buy unlabeled products. All-natural protein salt-limited supplements are usually suitable for intermittent (i.e. every few days) supplementation in range cattle and are safer to use unless cattle are salt or water-deprived. Always follow label directions for any product used.
For more specific information on the use of livestock supplements, a qualified livestock nutritionist or large animal veterinarian should be consulted.
Diagnosis of NPN-related mortality in range cattle can be made by determining ammonia levels in rumen contents or blood (heparinized whole blood is preferable). Samples, however, must be from freshly dead animals and be iced down immediately after collection and during transport to the lab to prevent additional ammonia formation from decomposition. A full necropsy should be conducted to rule out other causes of death. Feed samples can be analyzed for urea if mixing errors are suspected.
Note: Horses, although less susceptible than cattle to urea intoxication, can be poisoned if they eat enough of a urea-containing supplement. Horses are roughly equivalent to cattle in susceptibility to poisoning by other types of NPN (e.g. ammonium salts).
By:
T.H. Noon, DVM, diagnostician, AZVDL
G.A. Bradley, DVM, diagnostician, AZVDL
H.F. Frederick Ph.D., livestock nutrition consultant
S. Peder Cuneo, Extension Veterinarian, University of Arizona
Reference: Clinical and Diagnostic Veterinary Toxicology, 3rd Edition, by GD Osweiler, et.al. 1985, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 11:21 am
Urease poisoning in the dog
http://ajplegacy.physiology.or.....t/201/1/71
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Sounds like at least what some of the deaths were. The symptoms are obviously linked to the toxin and there are quite a few of them, it seems. When is the CDC going to step in now that it is in the human food supply?
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Nadine - it’s something difficult to find or maybe just something that is so common they rule it out. Couldn’t be this……
None of it is comforting.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 11:30 am
I am so sick of the FDA! WTF is “we have not had the luxury of confirming these reports.”
What are we all going on a cruise to a location that doesn’t have tainted food sources? It’s because of this lazy bunch of frickin’ a———- that got us into this mess in the first.
“There is no requirement that pet food products have premarket approval by the FDA. However, FDA ensures that the ingredients used in pet food are safe and have an appropriate function in the pet food. Many ingredients such as meat, poultry, grains, and their byproducts are considered safe “foods” and do not require premarket approval.”
Maybe pet owners should shove some tainted food down their throats. Then we’ll not have the luxury of keeping count of how many off them drop off like flies…. I hope their own words haunt each and every one of them for life!
Comment by Stacy — April 3, 2007 @ 11:35 am
The irresponsible reporting of “16 dead animals” has been driving me mad, too - especially when I heard it parroted on Morning Edition yesterday (April 2).
So I dashed off an email to them, which follows:
[i]Subject: Pet Food Recall - HOW Many Animals Did You Say Died?
“16 animals” have died from eating tainted pet food. I heard this broadcast on today’s Morning Edition.
NPR, get with it! That appallingly low, indefensibly inaccurate number has been reported from nearly the beginning of the recall - by media who are too lazy or too complacent to do a little research or digging.
Yes, “16” is the official number that Menu Foods and the FDA are reporting as “confirmed.” But veterinarians around the country have been treating sick and dying animals for months - and many, many cases have been linked to eating the recalled food.
There are no requirements, consistent method, or centralized database for vets to report suspicious illnesses - even AVMA admits this. The self-reporting database established at Dr. Marty Becker’s petconnection.com site has recorded nearly 3,000 cases of sick or dead animals. These reports have not been substantiated, and Dr. Becker points out the limitations of self-reporting, but it is powerful anecdotal evidence that cannot be ignored. It will take time to sift through all the medical records, do necropsies when possible, and fish the empty cans out of the trash (when they haven’t already gone to the landfill) - but many of these cases will be irrefutably linked to the tainted food. Many others will remain suspicious, even if they can’t be “proven.” In the meantime, some of the media is highlighting the disparity between the “official” number and the reported deaths - even USA TODAY. So why not NPR?
When I search the NPR site for stories related to the recall, it appears that over a week passed between this morning’s story and the most recent one on March 24th. There have been significant updates on this issue since then - another toxin identified, foods NOT produced by Menu Foods added to the recall, several new brands and varieties (including dry food and treats) recalled over the past several days, a Chinese company identified as the source of the tainted wheat gluten, and the tainted gluten classified as “food grade,” which raises questions about its possible presence in the human food supply. Why has none of this been covered?
This morning’s NPR story was about how unlikely it is that pet owners may receive significant compensation for their dead pets. That’s a footnote to this event, not a major story. Please report on the issues I mentioned above, especially the numbers of animals and families who are grieving and asking questions that the pet food industry, their veterinarians, and their government have so far been unable to answer.[/i]
I felt better after writing it, but I felt even better when I learned that that evening’s All Things Considered program ran a recall story - and they interviewed a reporter from USA Today who’s been covering this issue. Gee, wonder how they knew to contact that particular news org? ;0) The interview focused on several aspects of the recall they hadn’t reported on yet - and this time they at least talked about how the “14” or “16” mortality rate is woefully out of sync with the reality.
So I feel a little vindicated - it’s validating to know that someone at NPR recognized the need to update this story and acted on it. And USA Today, I apologize: I take back the “even USA Today” comment, as your reporting has been valuable throughout this crisis.
I have to give this blog credit, too: I didn’t listen to NPR last night, but I read a comment here from someone who did and provided a link, and that’s when I was able to hear it.
Comment by cerridwen — April 3, 2007 @ 11:37 am
I have an idea.
I can’t do this because my 2 cat victims (so far) were put down on march 17th.
Could some strong person with a sick pet do this please?
Take pictures or videos or both of the sick animal. Get it all, the vomit, the wasting away, the vet visits, the bills, and I hope the animal lives, but if not then record the death.
I know this would be hard but it might work and would provide a powerful way to stop this crap about 16 deaths and a “mere handful of crazed pet owners who are hysterical”.
If I had known before what I know now, I would have done it, the camera would be shaking and wet with tears but I would have done it.
I thought it was my private hell, first one and then two of my cats.
Maybe if it was not private we could stop this from being a hell for others.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 3, 2007 @ 11:41 am
*****Steve ~ this one is for you. Has anyone else thought about this?
That maybe the “tainted” wheat supply that came in marked for “feed consumption” to be used in the manufacturing of pet food was really “food consumption” used to manufacture human food……… If humans consume this (or we have been all along) it would take years to show up in the human body. But with cats being more sensitive to toxins it has a shorted duration period and would affect them sooner. Just a thought, if the switch was reversed.
Comment by marcy — April 3, 2007 @ 11:41 am
Stacey - Menu knew their test animals were dying and they sold it anyway. Menu didn’t care - they just sold it and our pets died.
So, it appears the desire to make a fast buck is greater than any moral obligation not to kill our pets. It is criminall what they did. They should be in jail for purposively poisoning our pets!
It is a crime - let them all go to jail. They jailed Martha Stewart they can jail Menu’s CEO’s.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 11:42 am
Cerridwen, Excellent email! I think that you should send that to every media outlet that you can. You Rock!
Comment by Jamie — April 3, 2007 @ 11:51 am
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 3, 2007 @ 11:41 am
I’ll echo E. Hamilton’s request. I’ve asked people to be on the look out for any footage like this. That is the kind thing that (sickly) will make the national news and maybe they will stop undercounting this crisis.
How may pets have to do before they realize that his is MAJOR and required(s) a much more active response.
Also, I wrote yesterday that some pet food company needs to work with owners of dead pets and say, ‘What will be good enough for you to trust us?” and then do it.
I think they need two independent experts and food trials on the food before I’d trust their food and then transparency in to the process.
Comment by spocko — April 3, 2007 @ 11:52 am
Maybe Sandro. What is happening - the good old boys network?
But the FDA didn’t discover the Melamine, or so I read, an independent food company did I thought -
Maybe it is UREA but doesn’t it seem that other labs would have found it too? If it is that common - how could it be overlooked?
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 11:52 am
Here’s the link to the patent. The steer thing is pretty disturbing.
Link Here
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
I do wish that someone in the media would press the FDA and if they are not forth coming then we need to keep digging. It was someone HERE who dug up the Xuzhou Anying connection. And I already dug up the name address and phone number (as well as contact name) of the other company Xuzhou Anying said that they sold it onto! Anybody call them?
The company? I looked up Suzhou Textile Import and Export Co. And this is what I found. They have a NEW NAME: (link)
Suzhou Hengrun Import & Export Corp., Ltd. Was founded on the basis of the recorganization of its predecessor-Suzhou Textile Import & Export Co. Link to info about the company Xuzhou Anying said they sold their wheat gluten onto.,
Why doesn’t someone call them and say, “Who did YOU sell it too.”
You know what pisses me off? CBS was hitting my site looking for a Muslim connection to this!
This is most likely a global trading disaster. It’s about food safety and to try and focus it on Terrorism is a stupid distraction and frankly lazy on the part of the press.
We bloggers have given the media pet death numbers much closer to reality, the names of the companies involved, and dug up the FDA reports. Yet they are still relying on the FDA numbers that are weeks old. Hell they could call vets in their own city and find more than 16 dead!
Waiting for the FDA to do this when the data is right in front of them is so frustrating.
Comment by spocko — April 3, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
Chinese Mushroom Powder…as an additive?
I came across this while investigating toxins.
http://jvdi.org/cgi/reprint/1/3/267.pdf
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
Comment by marcy — April 3, 2007 @ 11:41 am
May not even take that long. Look at the increases of young children showing symptoms of various things with no explainable cause. Teens suffering from chronic fatigue symptoms and other maladies. Peoples hair falling out before they are 20. People developing chronic long term health problems of various sorts by 30.
Whether it’s stress or chemicals something isn’t quite right.
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 12:05 pm
The ability of ruminants to utilize NPN compounds as indirect protein sources has important economic consequences. One pound of urea is equivalent in nitrogen content to over five pounds of a high protein feed such as soybean meal. On the basis of relative cost per unit of nitrogen, soybean meal is an order of magnitude more costly than urea. As a consequence, there is a strong incentive to replace a portion, or even all, of the vegetable protein fed to ruminants with NPN compounds.
Unfortunately, the amount of NPN compound that a ruminant can ingest is quite limited. The ammonia produced during post-feeding fermentation, when the NPN compound is decomposed, can be transferred to the blood stream across the rumen wall. When high levels of blood ammonia occur, the acid base balance of the blood changes and the central nervous system is affected. Early toxic systems are bloat, incoordination, labored breathing and excessive salivation; in extreme cases, there may be convulsions and death…
Comment by Sandro — April 3, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Is end feed what I think it is? The last supper? We really need a scientist here. Cuz if that’s what it is then it isn’t a big jump to what happened.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
Go to the FDA web site. Put in China in the search engine. Read what comes up and what shipments have been rejected. Click on the highlighted word - filthy and just read the report.
It is frightening what China is shipping to us.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 11:27 am
According to the full article (and do not read the whole thing if you have a weak stomach - it’s just awful) the dogs’ livers processed the urease into NH3-N, Ammonia Nitrogen, a pretty common compound. (And yes, toxic.)
You’d think the tests would have picked up a sky-high amount of that…but who knows.
Comment by Laura — April 3, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
I don’t watch Fox but heres this.
Tainted Pet Food Recall Widens
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
JOHN GIBSON, HOST: “Big Update” now in the pet food fiasco. The recalls are widening and so is the fear that tens of thousands of animals could die from tainted food — food that’s been on store shelves long after the whole scare started.
Since Friday, three more pet food makers have recalled some of their products, and the animal owners are now at their wits’ end. “Big Story” correspondent Douglas Kennedy has been following this closely.
Douglas, you almost need a program. What is going on?
DOUGLAS KENNEDY, BIG STORY CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, this is unbelievable. All these animal owners want to do is what’s best for their pets, but unfortunately that keeps changing. And also unfortunately, what to avoid keeps expanding.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KENNEDY (VOICE OVER): It’s been three weeks since the start of the pet food recall and still, more pets are dying even as more items are being added to the already massive recall list. Del Monte Foods has announced they’re pulling some of their dog and cat food treats because of possible contamination of wheat gluten, the pet food ingredient the Food and Drug Administration is now focusing on as the most recent cause of the pet poisoning. In fact, animal experts everywhere are warning pet owners to stay away from any product containing wheat gluten.
CINDY IOCOPELLA, ANIMAL WELFARE EXPERT: Your best bet is to check with the label, your pet food store. There’s other alternatives. There’s some more holistic approaches, there’s the raw food diet.
KENNEDY: Sources at the FDA say shipment of wheat gluten processed in China has been found to contain melamine, a chemical used to make plastics.
STEPHEN SUNDLOF, CTR FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE: The association between melamine in the kidneys and urine of cats that dies and the melamine was in the food they consumed is undeniable. Additionally, melamine is an ingredient that should not be in pet food at any level.
KENNEDY: A recent focus on wheat gluten calls into question the findings of a New York state lab and Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, which on March 23 announced the presence of Aminopterin, or rat poison, in the tainted pet food. The state lab says it’s standing by its finding, while Cornell’s backing away. “No other lab has been able to confirm the presence or Aminopterin,” the veterinarian dean told FOX News in a phone interview.
Meanwhile, animal hospitals across the U.S. are preparing for more sick animals. Cindy Iocopella is from Bide-a-Wee Animal Shelter in New York. She says sometimes the pets that die quickly are the lucky ones. This could be drawn out for six months or a year.
IOCOPELLA: Yes, it’s definitely possible. It depends on when the animal is diagnosed and how quick and aggressive the treatment is.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KENNEDY: Also today, the FDA announced it is blocking all imports of wheat gluten from that Chinese company. Meanwhile, anyone wishing to find the most up-to-date recall list can visit avma.org. The FDA is encouraging all pet owners to visit there often, obviously, John, because that list just keeps changing.
GIBSON: Did I get this straight? These animals could be dropping over sick or dead for a year?
KENNEDY: For a year. This is kidney disease. You could drop dead immediately or you can go through a long, painful process. So, it’s just terrible for any pet that ate any of this food.
GIBSON: As of just recently, before the recall, these pets are going to…
KENNEDY: And now after the recall. I mean, you know, they just keep adding dog food and cat food to that list.
GIBSON: What is — all right, melamine — and today it’s melamine.
KENNEDY: Plastic. What’s that doing in the pet food? Who knows.
GIBSON: Yeah, right. Douglas Kennedy, thank you very much. Appreciate it.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,263667,00.html
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
Every time I hear that “14, 15 or 16” ridiculous number quoted, I quickly fire off an email (with links) to the offending media group whether it’s CNN, Fox, MSNBC, the local CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, LA Times, OC Register, etc. We all seem to be making headway, but it’s soooooooo frustrating.
Comment by Ron — April 3, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
It seems that urea is fed to ruminants — but with cautions. The url for the site is
http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/AC149E/AC149E05.htm
About 1/3 down the page under the third table
…..Care must be exercised to limit the amounts of high-protein supplements containing urea which are fed to animals so that they do not cause toxicity. Mixtures containing as much as 80 percent or more crude protein but with a high urea content (Table 8) should be fed at a level not exceeding 0.3 to 0.5 kilogram daily to cattle weighing 350 kilograms or more and they should be fed along with other concentrates. Small animals should receive correspondingly less of these supplements. Animals that have not been fed previously, and especially underfed animals receiving only poor quality hay or pasturage, may be unusually sensitive to urea toxicity and they must gradually be adapted to urea feeding.
At the end of the page is a further caution.
…..There is no question but that urea and certain other nonprotein nitrogen substances can be fed safely to ruminants to replace part of the dietary vegetable protein. Favorable results can be expected when cereal grains are also included in the ration, but performance may be less satisfactory on forage alone.
Urea may cause toxicity and even death in ruminants if it is fed inadequately mixed with other feeds or in too large a dose. The toxic signs can easily be recognized.
Research by Kondos and McClymont (1965) suggests that high urea supplements should be withdrawn at least one half day before and after the administration of carbon tetrachloride, if the latter is being given as treatment against liver flukes and Haemonchus contortus infestations, because a concomitant absorption of ammonia increases the risks of toxic effects resulting from the drug.
Animals should never be permitted access to urea not mixed with other feeds.
Comment by Margaret Bridge — April 3, 2007 @ 12:21 pm
Go to the FDA.gov site, put in China, click on the Oasis link -
here is one link and one example: Filthy:
http://www.fda.gov/ora/oasis/o.....l.html#249
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
None of us are safe. Our food isn’t safe. And our Government is not doing a good job. It is up to the individual - what else can be done?
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
Iams defends pet food with open letter
Cincinnati Business Courier - 1:30 PM EDT Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Most Emailed
Iams Co. published an open letter to pet owners in North American newspapers Tuesday in an effort to quell fears about the widespread pet food recall that included some Iams and Eukanuba products.
The full-page advertisements ran in 59 newspapers Tuesday and will run again Wednesday, the company said.
The letter reassured pet owners that Iams and Eukanuba dry pet foods and wet foods on store shelves are safe.
“We know many people are confused and uncertain about which products are safe. We want to assure our customers that they can feel completely safe feeding any of the Iams and Eukanuba products now on store shelves, both wet and dry,” said Dan Rajczak, general manager for the Iams and Eukanuba brands in North America.
Iams said in the letter that Iams and Eukanuba dry pet foods contain no melamine or aminopterin, two ingredients being linked to the pet deaths that spurred the recall.
Menu Foods in March recalled of 95 brands of wet pet food, including some Iams and Eukanuba products. Menu Foods recalled the brands following reports of dog and cat deaths after eating it.
Vandalia-based Iams is owned by Procter and Gamble (NYSE: PG).
Last Thursday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a letter it sent in January to warn Iams about an unregulated substance, chromium tripicolinate, used in Iams weight-loss dog food. Iams said it is removing the ingredient from its products.
Link
Comment by Jamie — April 3, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
Excellent find Linda. You have to wonder how many tons of this garbage makes it through to our dinner plates and now, sadly, pet food.
Comment by Sandro — April 3, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
Link
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
It is up to the individual - what else can be done? Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
Getting the word around. Educating people. It is astounding how many people are still clueless as to the magnitude of this. And this has been going on since March 16.
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
Urea + formaldehyde = melamine
From what I’ve been reading, and I’m no chemist, it appears that the red wheat gluten contains phenols which are used in conjunction with formaldehyde to create resins. In this case below, the use of phenol, formaldehyde, water and a “catalyst” makes a reddish brown goo. All I could think of was “cuts and gravy.”
“Base catalysed phenol formaldehyde resins are made with a formaldehyde to phenol ratio of greater than one (usually around 1.5). Phenol, formaldehyde, water and catalyst are mixed in the desired amount, depending on the resin to be formed, and are then heated. The first part of the reaction, at around 70 °C, forms hydroxymethyl phenols. This results in a thick reddish-brown goo, the resin.”
New Menu Foods recipe: I may be far off course, but what if another unknown or even know catalyst creates some other toxic, complex, chemical concoction? I also remember something about methyl, mentioned above, in my surfing the other day.
And, this resin, added to the ingredients as a binder and heated to high temperatures (baked) would remain toxic.
If they are now making CD discs out of cornstarch, anything is possible.
There is more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P.....hyde_resin
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
I was looking for the definition of “end feed” not another nightmare.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
Thanks Sandro - so, if it doesn’t smell putrid - it gets in? I’m gonna gag!
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
Nadine - I think I just fell off my chair - how terrible.
Urea + formaldehyde = melamine
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
LINda,i agee with u 100% mr ce0 from menu foods does not care at all. they should let him eat that food that we fed our poor pets.all these pets that died,it’s so dam sad and it makes me so angery. and the media keeps saying 14 dead instead of the real total.
Comment by Mary Ann — April 3, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/.....etscol.DTL
The SF Chronicle is reporting the real numbers. 2797.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
Of course that’s because Christie wrote the article.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
You know another thing that I want the media to pay attention to? Who is speaking for the sick and dead pets?
They are quoting the “experts” from the FDA (who were slow to move) the people from the pet food manufacturers and a few individuals vets.
Someone needs to speak for all 3,000 plus dead.
You will notice that the spokespeople are all are trying to cover their asses in one way or another.
The righteous anger of a pet owner who has lost their beloved pet can be focused on the groups that were slow or covered up.
We need Gina, Steve, Itchmo or someone from Howl911 to speak for them.
I nominate Steve or Itchmo.
And maybe that person can remind the press it’s not 14, 15 or 16 dead. It’s THOUSANDS.
Comment by spocko — April 3, 2007 @ 12:37 pm
You got that right, Steve. Then once you have one of these wide spread diseases, good luck finding answers. My husband was diagnosed with MS a couple years ago, in his mid 30’s, and trying to research and find answers was totally frustrating. For how smart many scientist and doctors are, we sure are pretty clueless about some very serious things. The major rise in Autism is another classic example.
As far as pets, in my breed, we are seeing an alarming rise in auto immune problems and Degenerative Myelopaty - DM. Our parent club, along with the AKC Canine Health Foundation is funding research for DM, but there is not going to be any quick answers, I’m afraid. DM appears to closely resemble MS in humans.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
URGENT,GO TO http://WWW.PETA.COM THERE IS DRY FOOD KILLING PETS AND THE FDA WILL NOT RELEASE THE NAME OF CO. IT’S UNDER APRIL 2 UPDATE
Comment by Mary Ann — April 3, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
Mr. CEO of Menu foods made an executive decision to keep quiet and keep selling poison - I wonder if he has sold any stock?
It is listed you know. I can’t look. I’m too busy at work. But on a Stock Trader site - you can access if the company owners/CEO’s have sold off any stock - and look when it happened - look to see the date and if it happened on or around December 2006. You get the date and if they sold off you know they knew their food was poison - you know it then. Just a thought. Anyone here help?
I’m going to a meeting now. Must run!
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
**ACTION TO TAKE NOW**
Anderson Cooper 360 is covering this story tonight in the Keeping them Honest section. Our emails worked.
Please take a moment to contact them at the link below, thank them for covering this story, and ask them to make sure they report the real numbers of deaths. Include whatever links and info you want, if you don’t know what to say the following from what Gina said above should be persuasive. http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.ac.html?10
***
The Oregon state health veterinarian reports 35 dead pets, and Oregon has 1.2 percent of the U.S. population.
Now, the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association is reporting 38 dead pets, and Michigan has 3.4 percent of the U.S. population.
The Veterinary Information Network has reported numbers that suggest deaths in the thousands, as the L.A. Times and NBC News have reported.
***
Please, take one minute to email them - this will greatly improve our chances of getting this fully covered!
Comment by Kim — April 3, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
Linda, just to clarify a point, it is in fact the FDA that said it found melamine:
“Officials with the FDA said last week that it had found the presence of melamine — a chemical used in plastics, countertops, glue and fertilizers — in test samples of the recalled wet and dry pet food and treats. The chemical was also found in cats who died after eating the contaminated food.”
Comment by Sandro — April 3, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
They need to figure out ways to meet the growing demand for feeding an exploding population addicted to super-sizing.
It’s a known fact that fast foods have ingredients that are known to be appetite stimulants. And it would not shock me the least to know these appetite stimulants are put in pet food either.
So how does increasing appetite help? If your getting the proper nutrients you are going to eat less and have more stamina and energy as well. Even the NFL has modified their foods on this concept in training camps so the players get maximum benefit from their diets in the past 15 years.
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
I didn’t watch Gibson yesterday on Fox, but I will this afternoon. This was from yesterday.
“JOHN GIBSON, HOST: “Big Update” now in the pet food fiasco. The recalls are widening and so is the fear that tens of thousands of animals could die from tainted food — food that’s been on store shelves long after the whole scare started.”
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,263667,00.html
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
http://www.fda.gov/ora/complia.....5-100.html
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
Friends I have to take care of some business for the rest of the afternoon.
See you this evening.
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
You can forget about news coverage now, a man shot a women at CNN’s Center complex in Atlanta. News about the news will definitely trump the nation’s food supply.
Comment by Sandro — April 3, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
Steve,
I guess it’s just me but the thought of feeding animals dried blood from their own species is a little repugnant. I feel the same about feeding them their own excrement.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
Lois,
I’m shocked at the FDA link you just sent. It appears that they will get involved if toxins are involved, thus, they didn’t mention melamine…not on the list…and also their slow reaction. It would appear that the states should all be involved in the investigation. They all have laboratories. More letters, please.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
Yep. It’s common practice and self regulated by each state. We produce so much ot it they had to think of something to do with it and that was their solution. Seems like a perfect recipe for disaster. Poor critters.
THe U of K thing shocked me more but I guess I’m missing something.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
Here’s more from Gibson. . .at least he is doing more than repeating what everyone else is saying.
Meanwhile, animal hospitals across the U.S. are preparing for more sick animals. Cindy Iocopella is from Bide-a-Wee Animal Shelter in New York. She says sometimes the pets that die quickly are the lucky ones. This could be drawn out for six months or a year.
IOCOPELLA: Yes, it’s definitely possible. It depends on when the animal is diagnosed and how quick and aggressive the treatment is.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KENNEDY: Also today, the FDA announced it is blocking all imports of wheat gluten from that Chinese company. Meanwhile, anyone wishing to find the most up-to-date recall list can visit avma.org. The FDA is encouraging all pet owners to visit there often, obviously, John, because that list just keeps changing.
GIBSON: Did I get this straight? These animals could be dropping over sick or dead for a year?
KENNEDY: For a year. This is kidney disease. You could drop dead immediately or you can go through a long, painful process. So, it’s just terrible for any pet that ate any of this food.
GIBSON: As of just recently, before the recall, these pets are going to…
KENNEDY: And now after the recall. I mean, you know, they just keep adding dog food and cat food to that list.
GIBSON: What is — all right, melamine — and today it’s melamine.
KENNEDY: Plastic. What’s that doing in the pet food? Who knows.
GIBSON: Yeah, right. Douglas Kennedy, thank you very much. Appreciate it.”
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 1:10 pm
The point is, anyway you look at it, it goes way beyond China. The whole system is fundamentally flawed.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
I really don’t think Joe Citizen knows what REALLY is in his pet’s food. Many will turn a blind eye to it for convenience sake or general apathy.
But, down the road a little bit when we have some solid information, perhaps the AIDS Quilt project model could serve as a fund for educating the public.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
Nadine, Did you read my posting on the AIDS quilt idea last night?
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
Is this really true? MSNBC and FOX News channel just reported there was no contamination to human food from wheat gluten. I’d like to know how they can dismiss this so fast and can they be 100% certain?
Comment by Mary — April 3, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
Vitamin D? What’s next?
“Pet Food Recall: FDA Likely Wrong About Wet & Dry Food Wheat Gluten As Sole Source”.
http://www.postchronicle.com/n.....2855.shtml
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
CVM —- WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU
From the FDA website:
Regulation of food and dietary supplements
The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition is the branch of the FDA which is responsible for ensuring the safety and accurate labeling of nearly all food products in the United States.[2] One exception is products derived from traditional domesticated animals, such as cattle and chickens, which fall under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. Products which contain minimal amounts of meat are regulated by FDA, and the exact boundaries are listed in a memorandum of understanding between the two agencies.
However, medicines and other products given to all domesticated animals are regulated by FDA through a different branch, the Center for Veterinary Medicine.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 1:26 pm
Iams Co. published an open letter to pet owners in North American newspapers Tuesday in an effort to quell fears about the widespread pet food recall that included some Iams and Eukanuba products.
The full-page advertisements ran in 59 newspapers Tuesday and will run again Wednesday, the company said.
The letter reassured pet owners that Iams and Eukanuba dry pet foods and wet foods on store shelves are safe.
Wish we could do the same on the opposite page with the real story.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
Here is a new one. Is this the US supplier finally named?
http://www.whas11.com/topstori.....835ea.html
Comment by Doug — April 3, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
And another one saying the same thing:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap.....Recall.php
Comment by Doug — April 3, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
*** PLEASE TAKE ACTION ***
Senator Durbin has been the ONLY Senator to step forward and demand answers from the FDA. We are collecting e-signatures thanking him for his involvement - the signatures will be presented to him on FRIDAY, APRIL 6.
PLEASE take a moment to add your name:
http://www.petfoodcrusade.com
Also, just announced today - Senator Durbin has asked Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, DVM, Esq. to testify before the Senate on Thursday, April 12. Dr. Hodgkins worked in the pet food industry for 20-some years before leaving to start her own cats-only veterinary clinic. She is outspoken on the subject of pet food, and how many commercial foods CAUSE illness in our pets.
http://www.yourdiabeticcat.com
PLEASE encourage Senator Durbin to keep pushing!
http://www.petfoodcrusade.com
Comment by Lynette — April 3, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
Yes, I think you hit it, Doug!
Now. . .who the heck is ChemNutra?
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 1:39 pm
Wouldn’t the hypercalcemia be noted on hundreds of blood tests if it is vit D? It seems that would be pretty straightforward data to gather from the vet clinical labs.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 1:39 pm
http://www.chemnutra.com/
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=.....&gl=us
This discusses locals who lend their land to farmers in Jiangsu and Anhui. “The migrant farmers sometimes do not conform to the regulations and use too many chemicals and additives.” “Shanghainese have become experts in food safety” “But the expertise is based on food-poisoning accidents.” It is common practice for farmers to reserve clean land for themselves. “In this land, we plant vegetables for our own food, and we do not use chemical fertilizers or hormones. But for the vegetables to be sold, we use many chemicals” Chemical residues built up over decades can still enter the crops. The FDA has 400 people working on this problem? If Menu Foods finds another Chinese exporter for wheat gluten or any other dog food ingredient, then pets will probably continue to sicken and die. The bees are even dying off.
Transgenic, GMO, encapsulated time-released fertilizer, insecticidal, fungicidal capsules applied to Roundup resistant supercharged wheat probably overwhelmed our pets’ immune systems, poisoned them and caused kidney and liver failure. The bees are dying too. $$$ but they saved 10 cents.
Comment by Sue Dunn — April 3, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
Chem Nutra
The China-Source Experts
ChemNutra imports quality ingredients from China to the U.S. for the feed, food and pharma industries. We are a professionally managed, American owned company experienced in negotiating, securing and delivering ultra-competitive pricing on high-quality chemicals and ingredients from quality-assured manufacturers in China. We bridge the business and cultural gaps…including all regulatory, compliance, import and transportation requirements.
We specialize in Taurine, L-Cysteine, Glycine, Vital Wheat Gluten, and Glucuronolactone, and we also handle many other ingredients.
ChemNutra imports over 4,000 tons per year, and our customers include several Fortune 500 companies.
http://www.chemnutra.com/
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
They claim on their website to be the China-Source Experts.
http://www.chemnutra.com/
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
ChemNutra is US importer of tainted gluten.
Comment by Eva — April 3, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
CNN’s Anderson Cooper primetime show tonite:
“”What’s killing our pets - and who’s responsible? Should our food supply be the next concern? “AC 360°” is keeping them honest, tonight 10 ET.”“
Interesting, Sunday morning I saw an early morning interview with a vet who said “all food on the shelves for sale was safe”. The vet referred to the public as becoming “hysterical”. Hmmm…she didn’t even know that Alpo had been recalled. Extremely poor coverage on CNN’s part. (I don’t think I have to comment how I feel about that vet’s ignorance and her incendiary statement about our “hysteria”).
CNN has not previously researched or covered this crisis well. Let’s hope that their AC 360 show tonite will change that.
C’mon major media, remember Watergate? Well Menugate is getting ready to burst wide open. Go get your Pulitzer Prize. And in the meantime, help us get our pets and humans safe.
Comment by Laurie — April 3, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
In case this disappears. . .
ChemNutra Inc.
810 S. Durango Drive, Suite 102
Las Vegas, NV 89145
General: (702) 799-9800
Sales: (702) 799-9801
Purchasing: (702) 799-9808
Fax: (702) 799-9820
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
keep searching the news wires. There are 2 more with this same wire release (one from AZ and I forget what the other was.) Everyone is running with this because it is the comforting story to calm everyone down. Guess someone got nervous when the heard MR Cooper was finally reporting on this tonight. Funny how no one will report the other stuff this fast.
Note to Gina - you may want to consider adding wheat & wheat gluten to your tags after each blog (if you use those terms of course). You are not in the engines as high as you should be with all this activity. You could even add FDA, food grade, feed grade. More people will find you that way & be able to be helped as we have. Just my 2 cents as thanks for everything you have done for all of us…..
Comment by Doug — April 3, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
Contact Information
Contact Person: Mr. zhu hao
Job Title: Purchasing
Department: china office
Address: Hangzhou, hz, Zhejiang, China (Mainland)
Zip/Postal Code: 310030
Telephone: 86-571-88951008
Fax: 86-571-88944168
Mobile Phone: 0086-13757177839
Website: http://www.chemnutra.com
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
Who feels better now that Washington and ChemNutra have assured us all is well?
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
Click on “Press Releases” and it says “Check back soon for our latest press release” Guess they’ve never had a press release before. . .kind of silly to add that option to the site!
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
ok, cnn just had a commercial that there is another recall? is there really another or is this the one from Saturday that they are finally reporting?
Comment by Doug — April 3, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
Importer: No contaminated wheat gluten in human food supply
03:18 PM EDT on Tuesday, April 3, 2007
By ANDREW BRIDGES / Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — None of the contaminated wheat gluten that led to the U.S. recall of pet food went to manufacturers of food for humans, the ingredient’s importer said Tuesday.
The Chinese wheat gluten imported by ChemNutra Inc. all went to companies that make pet foods, Stephen Miller, chief executive officer of the Las Vegas company, told The Associated Press.
Miller declined to identify what companies ChemNutra supplied. Nearly 100 brands of cat and dog foods made with the ingredient, since found to be chemically contaminated, have been recalled.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APTV-04-03-07 1514EDT
Why won’t he name them? Did he tell the FDA right off the bat. Is it because they want to delay some more?
Comment by spocko — April 3, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
Good thing CEO Steve has a law degree. . .
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
What a huge wake up call. To learn how different ingredients get into our foods, both human and pet, is astonishing to me. I’m now checking ingredients left and right. This quickly seems to be becoming a whole new way of life in regards to diet, once you’re in the know.
Comment by Mary — April 3, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
This may be a dumb question. . .FDA has known it was ChemNutra for weeks. How, today, are we so sure it didn’t go into the human supply? If this is true, the FDA should have known this weeks ago, and responded to that effect when asked. Don’t you think that would have been one of the FIRST questions the FDA asked ChemNutra?
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
They are making it up as they go along. You gotta love this country!
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
Here’s the USA Today version
http://www.usatoday.com/news/h.....OE=NEWISVA
As to Jackie’s question - you almost wonder if they released this today, right now, for some strategic reason….
Comment by Doug — April 3, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
If there is none of this wheat believed to have gotten into the human food supply, why is the FDA doing tests on Winco and Safeway products as reported earlier?
Comment by Pat — April 3, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
Comment by Sandro — April 3, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Well I think what happened Sandro - is the FDA’s lab didn’t discover it - some vets had found it in the urine and kidneys of dead pets and they thought it too high or odd - and then their lab notified the FDA - and then the FDA began looking for it and that’s how they found it. They didn’t find it on their own.
But I don’t have time now to look up the news release.
Also, I will try to find out if the CEO’s of Del Monte Foods or their officers are selling large quantities of stock.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Just got this from Wysong
What To Learn From The Canned Food Disaster
First of all, our sympathies go out to those who have lost pets due to the recent canned food problem. All of us who love our pets can only imagine the heartbreak.
This is also tragic for the manufacturing company and their employees who must feel a sense of responsibility. It is difficult to see how a company could survive this and how hundreds of employees will not lose their source of livelihood. Although there is no evidence of foul play or intentional misconduct at this point, consumers will likely turn to other brands made by other companies.
On the other hand, no producer can feel too smug, since such an incident could easily happen to any company producing food for human or animal consumption. As you know, spinach picked from a field, watermelon, hamburgers…virtually anything that can be eaten could possibly be fatal.
There is no fail safe protection. Just because a food is cooked—which all canned foods are—provides no certain safety. Dry foods are not totally reliable either. Raw foods have their dangers too, but they are obviously exaggerated since every major pet food disaster that has occurred in the past 15 years has been with cooked foods. Dilated cardiomyopathy that afflicted thousands of cats was from feeding 100% complete and AAFCO tested cooked foods. Mycotoxin poisoning was from dried cooked foods. And now this from cooked canned foods. Although good food handling and manufacturing practices help reduce risk there is no one manufacturer that can provide perfection.
As we continually preach, however, feeding only one food meal after meal, day after day puts your pet at greatest risk both in the short and long term. It doesn’t matter if the food is organic, “100% complete,” or is absent all of the boogeyman ingredients marketeers try to scare you about. Don’t be fooled into believing the route to safety and health for your pet is a particular packaged food to feed relentlessly. Vary the diet, don’t fall for marketing nonsense (see below), and follow the Optimal Health Program for the wisest course of action for both your family and your pets.
Critiques Of Pet Food Company Claims
In the last issue, we discussed research that applied to some pet food company claims. This issue of the e-HL follows up in more detail on two of the more misleading and dangerous claims. Whether you are a pet owner or not, the following information will help you understand the need to see through marketing claims. These two topics are part of a new section on our website that is being built to evaluate the various misleading claims that abound in the food (particularly the pet food) industry.
A person could easily conclude—if the arguments in the critiques are correct—that at best such claims demonstrate incompetence, and at worst a deliberate attempt to deceive consumers. The consequences for those who fall prey is to be misled from the important understandings of health and how to achieve it. With regard to pets, it is not a matter of finding the one magic commercial food—particularly one with misleading claim—and feeding it continuously. Health is best achieved by following the principles in the Optimal Health Program™.
CLAIM: “No grains”
REBUTTAL: A little history. When Wysong foods were first formulated in the early 1980s, special attention was paid to ingredients, not just—as was the common practice at that time—percentages of protein and the like. Then Wysong introduced the idea of archetypal feeding. That means diets for pets should be predominantly meat, meals should be varied, and raw foods should be at least rotated into the diet. These concepts remain critical for pet owners to understand if health is their objective. Some manufacturers, looking for an edge in the market, are attempting to capitalize on these concepts.
Doing so is one thing. Not doing so and leading the public to believe you are, is quite another.
The “no grains” claim on a pet food is made to lead people to believe there is either something wrong with grains or that the food is predominantly meat. The claim also implies that a “no-grain” food is better or safer than all the products that have grains.
Grains are added to dry extruded pet food kibble because the starch they contain permits the kibble to form in processing—similar to popcorn popping. If grains are not used, then some other form of starch must be used, such as potato or tapioca. The starch in grain is essentially the same as starch from anything else. Starch is starch and there is no reason to believe the starch in grains is somehow uniquely inferior or dangerous compared to other starches. In fact, the nutritional value of grains is superior, particularly to tapioca. (http://www.wysong.net/PDFs/healthiergrains.pdf)
Although it is true that starch is not a natural component of a carnivore’s diet, simply substituting one starch for another does not solve the problem.
Feeding in variety and using true all meat foods is the solution. (http://www.wysong.net/apologize.shtml , http://www.wysong.net/page/WOT.....WDAR7-5) ‘Hiding’ the starch in the formula by using potato or tapioca does not make a food more meaty than a grain based pet food.
“Tapioca”
Don’t be fooled: Tapioca is used as the starch source in some “no grain” pet foods. Tapioca (cassava root, manioc) is first and foremost a source of carbohydrates, but very little else. It is actually a nutritionally poor substitute for grains— (http://www.wysong.net/PDFs/healthiergrains.pdf ). Due to its poor nutritional quality, special attention must be given to formulations to compensate for this problem. Tapioca contains very little protein, and the small quantity that is naturally present is of inferior quality to grains. This necessitates the addition of ingredients to supply the amino acids methionine and lysine. Meat naturally contains these amino acids, but formulating with tapioca rather than grains and legumes effectively robs the meat of these essential amino acids. This creates a net deficiency of them as compared to the same formulations if they were to contain grains.
In pet food kibbles, the “no grains” claim is almost assuredly made to imply that the grains have been replaced by a superior ingredient. However, the idea that ridding the food of grains creates a superior product is not supported by the facts. [See “No Grains” article (http://www.wysong.net/controve.....tml#claim4 ) and Tapioca/Grain comparison chart (http://www.wysong.net/PDFs/healthiergrains.pdf )]. The truth is, tapioca poses some unique and very serious health risks.
The high carbohydrate concentration in tapioca results in high doses of sugar—which is what starch converts to when digested. In terms of sugar concentration, tapioca is second only to sugar cane. In carnivores, high levels of sugar are toxic over time and lead to a host of chronic diseases including dental deterioration.
Tapioca is often chemically modified before formulation in food products and as such, presents a threat to health by binding essential minerals that play key roles in many critical enzyme systems, and also producing the disease, parakeratosis. (http://www.wysong.net/health/hl_984.shtml )
Furthermore, natural tapioca contains cyanogenic glycosides (specifically linamarin and lotaustralin) which yield hydrocyanic acid upon hydrolysis (as occurs in the stomach). Hydrocyanic acid (hydrogen cyanide) is highly toxic to humans and animals. In fact, hydrogen cyanide is a chemical warfare agent and was used in Germany’s gas chambers and is used for execution today in the U.S. The toxicity is dose dependent and therefore animals or humans fed a steady diet of any food that yields hydrogen cyanide are at risk.
Cyanide is an irreversible enzyme inhibitor in cellular respiration pathways. Cyanide ions bind to the iron atom of the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (also known as aa3) in the fourth complex in mitochondrial membranes. This denatures the enzyme, and the final transport of electrons from cytochrome c oxidase to oxygen cannot be completed. As a result, the electron transport chain is disrupted, meaning that the cell can no longer aerobically produce ATP for energy. In effect, it stops the body from “breathing.”
Tissues that mainly depend on aerobic respiration, such as the central nervous system and the heart, are particularly affected. Acute poisoning with high concentrations of cyanide causes coma with seizures, apnea and cardiac arrest, with death following in a matter of minutes.
At lower doses, loss of consciousness may be preceded by general weakness, giddiness, headaches, vertigo, confusion, and perceived difficulty in breathing. At the first stages of unconsciousness, breathing is often sufficient or even rapid. But then the victim progresses towards a deep coma, sometimes accompanied by pulmonary edema, and finally cardiac arrest. Skin color goes pink from high blood oxygen saturation.
At doses insufficient to cause loss of consciousness, the symptoms can also include faintness, drowsiness, anxiety, and excitement. Dizziness, nausea, vomiting and sweating are also common. The situation is complicated by the non-specific nature of the symptoms.
Exposure to lower levels of cyanide over a long period of intake, as occurs in people in tropical Africa, and could occur in pets fed “complete and balanced grain-free” extruded foods, results in increased blood cyanide levels. This may lead to weakness of the digits, difficulty walking, dimness of vision, deafness, decreased thyroid gland function, and Tropical Ataxic Neuropathy (TAN). TAN is characterized by lesions of the skin, mucous membranes, optic, auditory, spinal, and peripheral nerves resulting in myelopathy, bilateral optic atrophy, bilateral hearing loss, and polyneuropathy. Stomato-glossitis, motor-neuron disease, psychosis, and dementia are diseases prevalent in humans who regularly consume tapioca (cassava) products. Although many of these maladies have thus far only been described in humans, this is likely because only humans have been consuming large quantities of tapioca in lieu of grains. That could certainly change if pets are converted from grain-based to tapioca-based pet foods.
Birth defects were seen in rats that ate diets of cassava roots. Effects on the reproductive system were also observed. Moreover, when tapioca is ground into flour with milling, the powder has been reported to produce ulcerogenic effects in the gastric mucosa. Personnel working in pet food plants compounding tapioca based pet foods could experience skin irritation and sores from exposure to tapioca dust.
When cassava (tapioca) chips are sun-dried on the floor to reduce the hydrocyanic acid, they can be infected by microorganisms. This can predispose to aflatoxicosis, a potentially lethal mycotoxin disease.
The problem with microbial infestation can be avoided by using fresh cassava root. However, cassava root, either fresh or parboiled, has resulted in deaths due to the high degree of cyanide toxicity found in the fresh root.
As it stands, appropriate measures have not been taken to produce tapioca products of guaranteed quality that will meet the nutritional requirements of pets. A pet owner is well advised to ask any producer of tapioca-based pet foods for answers to the following:
· Nutrient levels: energy, protein, fiber, and mineral levels
· The exact amount of tapioca used in the formula
· Levels of anti-nutritional factors: hydrocyanic acid, phytates, and oxalates
· Microbial counts: levels of Aspergillus and Eschericia species
· Levels of other contaminants: those introduced during the drying process
· Moisture content
The levels that could be reached in a “no grain” tapioca-based pet food could certainly reach dangerous levels. Levels of hydrogen cyanide above 100 parts per million (ppm) in a finished food are considered unacceptable. In a “no grain” formulated pet food, depending upon the type and amount of tapioca used, levels in a typical formula could reach over 1026.3 mg/kg, or 718.85 ppm! The minimal lethal dosage in humans is about 50-60 mg. A 60 lb. dog eating an average amount of a “no-grain” tapioca-based pet food could be ingesting 17.6 mg of hydrogen cyanide per day. Considering that this dog is about one third the weight of an average human, on a per weight basis it would be receiving 52.8 mg (3 X 17.6 mg) of hydrogen cyanide—which is within the lethal dose (50-60 mg) range. Even if this calculation is on the high side, lower hydrogen cyanide levels would at the least put the animal at risk of chronic toxicity.
The above is not to say that moderate levels of tapioca cannot be consumed by animals and humans without ill effect. However, eating it as a mainstay, or as a substitute for grains that have been proven safe and nutritionally beneficial for thousands of years, is not only unwarranted, but also potentially dangerous.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Someone had mentioned on here that their chicken/vegetable broth contained wheat gluten. I just checked one that I purchase often. It’s by Pacific Natural Foods and specifies on the side of box, ‘gluten free’. They have both chicken and vegetable broth.
It’s almost hard to believe anything you read anymore, but at least this one specifies, no gluten.
Comment by Mary — April 3, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Pat, they’re just saying that it isn’t in the human food supply to avoid mass hysteria. Crowd control. The story is building and they want to keep it down.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.....3/0/NEWS08
Another. The Ap is running with this. Too bad they still have the wrong number of pets deceased though (this one says 15.)
Comment by Doug — April 3, 2007 @ 2:16 pm
PETA is focusing on IAMS. Could there be two problems at one time - the wheat gluten and Vit. D problems?
Since Menu doesn’t make dry food, they may have other issues.
Just a thought.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
They are hoping we eat all the evidence.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
I think Linda is right. My vet is suspicious of that as well.
Comment by Doug — April 3, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
Anderson Cooper is addressing our concerns tonight on his show on CNN. Seems enough of us contacted him that he feels this is a significant story. There is power in numbers!!! Keep in contact with your Representatives and Senators as well as any other journalists you know.
Comment by Janice — April 3, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
This is backpeddling damage control and nothing else which leads me to think the problem is even bigger than it appears at this point.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
As to A. Cooper tonight. Lets hope he gets the facts straight and truly asks the hard questions. We all know how lousy the media has done on this so far - Hey Anderson, We are counting on you to set the truth free! I jsut have to think that this company came forward tongiht because of that report. I think they want him to focus on that claim (not in food) to hide the truth, whatever that is at this point….
Comment by Doug — April 3, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
If we are to believe what we are being told. . .have ChemNutra release all shipping records from the past 4 to 5 months. Then, and only then, will I think about believing them.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 2:23 pm
This as yet unidentified producer of the wheat gluten could have sold it to many companies - not just one or two. And maybe they’ve been doing it for a long time too.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
EVERY COMPANY THAT BUYS FROM CHEMNUTRA NEEDS TO COME FORWARD NOW. You will be found out so just do it.
Comment by Doug — April 3, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
Here’s an excerpt from an email just received from Wysong.
What To Learn From The Canned Food Disaster
First of all, our sympathies go out to those who have lost pets due to the recent canned food problem. All of us who love our pets can only imagine the heartbreak.
This is also tragic for the manufacturing company and their employees who must feel a sense of responsibility. It is difficult to see how a company could survive this and how hundreds of employees will not lose their source of livelihood. Although there is no evidence of foul play or intentional misconduct at this point, consumers will likely turn to other brands made by other companies.
On the other hand, no producer can feel too smug, since such an incident could easily happen to any company producing food for human or animal consumption. As you know, spinach picked from a field, watermelon, hamburgers…virtually anything that can be eaten could possibly be fatal.
There is no fail safe protection. Just because a food is cooked—which all canned foods are—provides no certain safety. Dry foods are not totally reliable either. Raw foods have their dangers too, but they are obviously exaggerated since every major pet food disaster that has occurred in the past 15 years has been with cooked foods. Dilated cardiomyopathy that afflicted thousands of cats was from feeding 100% complete and AAFCO tested cooked foods. Mycotoxin poisoning was from dried cooked foods. And now this from cooked canned foods. Although good food handling and manufacturing practices help reduce risk there is no one manufacturer that can provide perfection.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
I must say. . .even outside this fiasco, I have total disdain for people who are making money by importing total crap from China.
It’s now clear. . .several of our pet food manufacturers went to a Chinese importer to buy cheap, inferior wheat gluten.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
Another scary thought: I was searching the FDA records of rejected delieveries. Many veterinary drugs are manufactured in China and are being shipped to the U.S.
Exactly what are we putting into our pets?
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
I’m looking for rejected delievers from these Chinese importers of this Gluten junk - but I’m busy at work - tax time. I will keep looking.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
ChemNutra links: “we dominate the market in Taurine” http://www.petfoodindustry-dig.....608/?pg=32
from their website…
ChemNutra imports over 4,000 tons per year, and our customers include several Fortune 500 companies.
Comment by Kim — April 3, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
China Denies Role In Pet Food Recall
http://www.usatoday.com/news/w.....htm?csp=34
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
ChemNutra: http://www.naturalproductsinsi.....p/li/49724
We import raw materials from China for distribution to the energy drink and nutritional supplements industries.
I feel sick.
Comment by Kim — April 3, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
“The poisoning of American pets has nothing to do with China,” said the report, published in the official People’s Daily website.
same link
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
For what it’s worth, the Chinese office of ChemNutra got a score of 7 out of 15 for “clearance” on this “ratings” site:
http://www.yaphon.com/tqs/11/s.....ice_.shtml
It’s not at all clear who does the ratings on the site. Almost all companies have similar scores.
“Clearance” apparently refers to inspection systems used, but not, apparently, the actual thoroughness of inspections, as far as I can tell:
http://www.yaphon.com/static/p.....tail.shtml
Comment by Cathy — April 3, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
Here’s the whole thing
China denies role in pet food recall
PET FOOD RECALL
Solutions: No easy answer on feeding Fido | Poison vs. pests | Raw foods are popular, but …
Backlash: Pet food maker Menu Foods to pay vet bills | Audio: Cat owner sues
Toll: Scores more may have died | Video: 104 lost
Foods affected: 50 dog brands | 40 for cats
Video: Critical information for pet owners
By Anita Manning and Calum MacLeod, USA TODAY
China denied Monday that pet food ingredients exported to the United States are to blame for the recall of more than 60 million cans of cat and dog food and the deaths of 14 animals.
Even so, Mao Lijun, managing director of Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. of Peixian, China, says his company is investigating the possibility that its wheat gluten — an ingredient in commercial pet foods — was contaminated with the chemical melamine, used in the manufacture of plastics and as a slow-release fertilizer.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an import alert Friday authorizing the detention of any wheat gluten imports from the Chinese firm. All the samples of wheat gluten from this supplier have tested positive for melamine, says Ellen Morrison, director of the FDA’s Office of Crisis Management.
Chinese officials said Monday that an initial investigation by the government’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine found that China has not exported tainted pet-food ingredients to the USA and Canada. “The poisoning of American pets has nothing to do with China,” said the report, published in the official People’s Daily website.
However, the Chinese report focused on aminopterin, the rat poison initially found in a sample of the recalled pet food by a New York state laboratory. Since that report last week, the FDA has cited melamine as the source of the problem.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: China | Chinese | Food and Drug Administration | Mao | Anying | Xuzhou
Mao insists that the discovery of melamine, if it is confirmed, would be the first time this has happened in China. “We are fully co-operating with the investigation,” says Mao. “We are helping the authorities. We know that the sale of agricultural products to the USA is a sensitive area. We do not refute the news, but we need to know more about it.”
The FDA does not yet know how the chemical got into the wheat gluten. What is certain is that it shouldn’t have been in food. “This is not an acceptable additive to food. It shouldn’t have been there,” said FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach in a Monday briefing.
Wheat gluten is the protein found in wheat flour. It is used to add protein and thicken pet foods. It also is used in human foods. In Chinese cuisine, wheat gluten is often used as a meat substitute in vegetarian dishes.
The Chinese supplier sells both animal-feed-grade wheat gluten and human-food-grade gluten. Menu Foods, which manufactured most of the recalled pet foods, has said that the wheat gluten it used was human food grade.
There is “no evidence” to suggest that any of the wheat gluten from the melamine-positive lots got into the human food supply, says von Eschenbach.
No new recalls have been announced since Saturday. But FDA’s enforcement director David Elder said Monday that the investigation is “open and ongoing. It’s impossible to say that there won’t be further recalls. We’re going to follow the trail.”
FDA researchers can’t say for certain that it is melamine that has sickened and, in some cases, killed the animals. “The information in the scientific literature doesn’t show the type of injury we’re seeing,” says Neal Bataller at the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.
“But there’s a very strong association between the wheat gluten and these problem. We can’t rule out melamine as a direct causative agent,” Bataller says. But he also noted that the presence of melamine could merely be an indication that there’s another, more dangerous, contaminant in the gluten.
FDA officials don’t yet know how much wheat gluten came into the USA from Xuzhou Anying. The contaminated gluten entered the country between Nov. 3 and Jan. 23, Bataller says.
Exports currently account for less than 10% of the firm’s business. Both domestic and foreign sales are rising, says Mao, who didn’t provide details. Xuzhou Anying set up a trading company last year to help boost overseas sales. “We only started exporting to the USA last year,” Mao says. “It is a great market for us to develop.”
The agricultural inspection system in China is thinly spread, says Beijing-based agricultural consultant Hu Xiaolan. The system is “very complete, but it is still hard to get every department to fulfill its function,” Hu says. “There are not enough people or funds to undertake all the inspections.”
Ma Ying, head of the Fodder Division of the Animal Husbandry Department of China’s Ministry of Agriculture, says the inspection system in China is based on production licenses. “Each year we issue or renew 2,000 licenses for the 15,000 animal feed producers in China. That’s about 13%. In addition, we have an approval number system for each new product that means we inspect about 50% of all producers each year.”
In addition to these central government inspections, provinces also conduct their own inspections, Ma says. “In 2006, we inspected 11,800 batches of the 110 million tons of animal feed produced in China. Of the compound feed we inspected, including that used for pet food, 95% was approved,” she says.
Michael Rogers, director of the FDA’s division of field investigations, says it has over 400 investigators actively focused on the pet food recall. The agency has so far tested 430 samples of pet food sent in by consumers.
Normally the agency gets 5,000 consumer complaints a year on all products. “This issue has generated about 9,400 reports of concerns or complaints. The sheer volume is extraordinary,” says von Eschenbach.
Contributing: Elizabeth Weise in San Francisco
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 2:42 pm
Comment by Kim — April 3, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
RED BULL drink
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
The site I listed above also says that “South America” is the main market for the Chinese office of ChemNutra. I wonder if anyone has told them.
Comment by Cathy — April 3, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
Nutritional supplements are unregulated which I’m sure ya’ll know.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
I find it odd that I can’t find ChemNutra on the FDA website anywhere importing anything. Maybe I’m not doing it right - or maybe they import under a different name?
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
Oh, a friend was telling me this weekend about a company she used to work for that brought in tons of chemicals from China that were used here by pharmaceutical companies for drug production and most everything they got from there was pure sh*t.
It’s everywhere.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
Not all that much online for them anywhere. Pet Food Industry directory link
http://www.directorypub.com/SR.....id=6000050
“Quality Ingredients for Feed Food and Pharma”
Comment by Kim — April 3, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
This is a wake up call - gag a maggot!
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
Anyone have a subscription to Hoovers online?
there’s also a JNC NutraChem that is China-based, trying to see if they’re related…
Comment by Kim — April 3, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
I agree with Jackie and Doug ChemNutra need to put the list out. Why didn’t they? (Oh and Dugh good suggestion earlier I did some digging into the financial records at SEDAR, which is for companies traded on the Canadian stock exchange.)
http://www.sedar.com/ I haven’t found any insider selling prior to this recall, but I’m still looking.
I posted the following about how the AP headline writer positioned this story:
AP reporter Andrew Bridges has been doing some great digging on this tainted pet food story. But in the rush to assure people it’s not in the human supply they missed that the critical point. IT IS in the PET Supply.
Where? They STILL WON’T TELL US. They don’t trust us. Now, note this headline supplied.
Importer: No contaminated wheat gluten in human food supply
-AP headline
Why wasn’t it THIS headline?
US Importer refuses to name buyers of contaminated wheat gluten
03:18 PM EDT on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 By ANDREW BRIDGES / Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — None of the contaminated wheat gluten that led to the U.S. recall of pet food went to manufacturers of food for humans, the ingredient’s importer said Tuesday. The Chinese wheat gluten imported by ChemNutra Inc. all went to companies that make pet foods, Stephen Miller, chief executive officer of the Las Vegas company, told The Associated Press. Miller declined to identify what companies ChemNutra supplied. Nearly 100 brands of cat and dog foods made with the ingredient, since found to be chemically contaminated, have been recalled. (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-04-03-07 1514EDTEmphasis mine.
Now I suppose Steve Miller doesn’t have an OBLIGATION to tell the public who bought this, but the question is, was Mr. Miller working overtime to reach EACH and every one of the companies that bought this wheat Gluten so they would be able to recall and test their food?
Do you suppose WE should get a list too? Or can’t the public be trusted? What obligation do they have to us? Is ChemNutra the ONLY importer? What about the other company that Xuzhou Anying said that they sold to? Who did THEY sell to in the US? In the Netherlands? Elsewhere?
Why didn’t the FDA tell us this companies name days ago? My guess they were protecting them so that they could get their ducks in a row for the media. How many pets have to die?
Note that the DHS crisis person is in charge, okay they have gotten their message out, according to THEM this isn’t in the human food. Could you please prove it to me? Give me a list of where it came from and who bought it. I’ll bet since it says names like Del Monte someone put pressure on them to not release it. On the other hand maybe their was NO pressure at all?
Why didn’t he release that info? Could he please explain WHY this was released? Who told him not to release the names? FDA? DHS? Someone else?
Today the someone at CBS wanted to figure out if any Muslims were involved in the tainted wheat! Why did that do that? Because there was no good information and in the absence of info they are going to run with scary rumors.
Comment by spocko — April 3, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
Another link in the cahin, the importer in this country named in this story http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17934231/
is Chemnutra inc. of Las Vegas http://www.chemnutra.com/
The China source experts.
Comment by Lance — April 3, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
ChemNutra
Claims to be taurine experts —- the ingredient in Red Bull and other energy drinks we consume. Want to know where it comes from?
“Urban legends surrounding the source of taurine have included bull urine extract and bull semen. While it’s true that taurine is found in both sources, it is not the source of taurine in the pharmaceutical or food industry.”
Yeah right.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 3:01 pm
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/docke.....vol154.pdf
I did find JNC NutraChem at the FDA -
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
Re: SEDAR - I looked for Menu Foods the other night and it appears they were removed from the list…strange?
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 3:04 pm
In other news….
Avian Flu Forces Death Of 25,000 Turkeys in WEST VIRGINIA
http://www.kptv.com/health/11510370/detail.html
(sorry for the off-topic post)
Comment by Sarah — April 3, 2007 @ 3:04 pm
But one wonders if any of that turkey meat will end up in pet food.
Comment by Sarah — April 3, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
It must be this JNC NutraChem don’t you think?
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
My beloved Austrailian Shepherd became seriously ill 3/28/07 and died this morning 4/3/07 of acute renal failure. He and my other dog have been eating Pedigree brand Weight Maintenance for several years. He was 11 yrs old, but in perfect health and extremely active. Pedigree has a statement of product reassurance on their site, however I heard something on the news yesterday about a possible Pedigree recall of dry dog food. Has anyone else had problems with this??
Also..while researching I’ve learned that in the last few months Pedigree has had to recall all of its dry dog and cat food in several asian countries because of the high pet death count. Couldn’t some of the product had turned up here??
I am completely grief stricken and needing answers.
Comment by Lynde — April 3, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
Itchmo identified a second suppier:
http://www.itchmo.com/read/sec.....d_20070402
But I can’t locate their names as an importer on the FDA website - so maybe these people use various company names????
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
Keep digging everyone. Hopefully what is exposed here will spill over to the general populace. I am into learning nutrition but have never ever considered any herb or concoction from China.
I just had no idea that my refusal to not buy Made in China stuff was circumvented through an unguarded back door.
1. We have lost tens of thousands of good paying jobs to China (plus other countries) and replaced them with low paying service sector jobs. Their human rights stink, their land is the most polluted, river waters are too toxic for drinking or bathing. They export food and other products to the U.S. that have been implicated many times.
2. Our middle class standard of living is falling I can no longer in good conscience buy Made in China stuff and will be joining other people doing the same thing to try and turn things around.
3. Don’t buy if that is your choice, but let the companies know why you will not buy their product. It will be extra work and effort; I am up for it.
4. I do not mind a company making good money. But I do mind how it is made or distributed. The top tier in many companies is grossly overpaid if the rest of their workers salaries have remained stagnate to the point of not keeping up with inflation.
Comment by DeeAnn — April 3, 2007 @ 3:16 pm
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/3/112836/8000 Because this Chinese company, Zuzhou Anying, advertises itself as manufacturing both edible and non edible and (deliberately poisonous) powdered substances from grain byproducts, I think it is highly possible we have not yet found all the contaminents.
I was just now trying to decipher, using the FDA tutorial guide, the codes the FDA has in the #99- 26 Alert, which importers use to identify substances by code, there are three:
product codes
02F [ ] [ ] 08
02E [ ] [ ] 06
71M [ ] [ ] 01
The numbers and letters stand for five things, Industry, Class, Subclass, Process Indication Code, and Product. So by looking at the first number, we see 02, 02, and 71, which is milled grains, milled grains, and Byproducts for Animal foods, respectively.
So 2 of the codes are for food grade (human consumption) wheat gluten, E and F, but the third one is for Industry number 71, Byproducts, class M, which is not found in Byproducts Indusry 71. What is “M?” The FDA has also left blank spaces in the code numbers for these three batches of material it is searching for, there is supposed to be a series of 5 letters and numbers, and there is only 3, with 2 blank spaces left in the middle, which would help pinpoint more specifically.
This is extremely suspicious behavior on the part of the FDA, based on what I have read in Susan Hu’s diary from yesterday on the FDA’s drop in product inspections. I believe they may know more about the wheat gluten’s whereabouts than they are currently admitting to publically. And now let me speculate that indeed this gluten MIGHT be in the human food chain, and the FDA does not want to set off a stampede of paniced consumers.
I am concerned not only because my friends and loved ones could be eating this tainted gluten, but because human foodstuffs are still used in pet and livestock manufacturing and that way the contaminated products still might end up being fed to pets. Plus, we don’t have complete testing yet as to just what else is in this suspect gluten. But I’m most concerned that when I study the FDA’s websight, and click on Alerts sections for Human Foodstuffs, there is no listing for this Wheat Gluten being recalled in spite of clear evidence ON THE ALERT that the wheat gluten IS human foodgrade. Being human foodgrade, then, there was nothing to stop it from being used in people food. It is only listed as a Pet Food Alert.
I guess we’re all just dogs now to our government. “
Comment by 4lgdfriend — April 3, 2007 @ 3:16 pm
I’ll bet anything in the world that the tainted wheat is in our food supply. There are probably cases of poisoning that have gone unnoticed. In general, people weigh more than their pets. I’d like to know how many of the dogs that died on the tainted pet foods weighed less than 100 lbs. My guess is most of them. Most likely, the same amount of contaminents consumed by people (who, excluding children, typically exceed 100 lbs) would result in illness… Maybe not even right away. The toxin that contaminated the water here in Toms River was a plasticide, and it took a couple years, I believe, until people started being diagnosed with cancer. And that was mainly children. Not to try and cause a panic, but, if you have children especially, try to stay away from wheats until this whole thing is over with.
Comment by Ginger — April 3, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
Just got back. Wow, catching up on this thread and I see some disturbing stuff. Heres my bottom line, I do not want to purchase any pet food that has ingredients imported at ALL. Can’t be trusted.
I want a Pet Food that is 100% Domestic.
Now there is an opportunity for some ambitious achievers.
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
Ginger, that’s what I’m thinking too!
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 3:22 pm
This appears to be the name of ChemNutra in China.
Found from the bottom of page
http://www.asiacategory.com/co.....t.ltd.html
Yancheng Jingwei Chemicals Co., Ltd.
Yancheng Sinochem Chemicals Corporatio
Contact Information
Address : Hangzhou, hz, Zhejiang
Zip : 310030
Country : China (Mainland)
Phone : 86 571 88951008
Category : Food Additives
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 3:22 pm
A little unrestrained greed and short term thinking still at work here?
Sector Snap: Pet Food Makers Recover
Tuesday April 3, 11:43 am ET
Pet Food Makers Stocks Up As Investigation Continues;
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070403......html?.v=1
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
2ND CHINESE COMPANY:
Suzhou Hengrun Import & Export Corp., Ltd.
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Suzhou Hengrun Import & Export Corp., Ltd. Was founded on the basis of the recorganization of its predecessor-Suzhou Textile Import & Export Co. Which was set up in 1978 as a trade company of textile products and has become one of the 500 largest foreign trade enterprises in China since 1991. It has been awarded the Certificate of ISO9001(2000)for Quality Management Authentication by the China … [ Click for details ]
Contact Details
Suzhou Hengrun Import & Export Corp., Ltd.
Company Name: Suzhou Hengrun Import & Export Corp., Ltd.
Company Address: 201 Zhuhui Rd., Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
City/Province: Suzhou/Jiangsu
Country/Region: China
Zip/Postal Code: 215006
Telephone Number: 86-512-65595569,67173223
Fax Number: 86-512-65298929,65188511
Contact Person: Aisha Huang/Allen Wang
Mobile: 86-13962128946,13962122907
Showroom: http://www.made-in-china.com/showroom/clive130
Homepage: Click Here
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
P&G Shareholder on P&G Board
3-Apr-07 02:22 pm
only 12 pets have died since all this bull@#$% hit the fan.I think it’s overblown and I am a multiple pet owner.It must be a slow news day.
Sentiment : Strong Buy
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
Watch out for this > bull@#$%
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
This appears to be the name of ChemNutra in China. It was found at the bottom of
http://www.asiacategory.com/co.....t.ltd.html
Yancheng Jingwei Chemicals Co., Ltd.
Yancheng Sinochem Chemicals Corporatio
Contact Information
Address : Hangzhou, hz, Zhejiang
Zip : 310030
Country : China (Mainland)
Phone : 86 571 88951008
Category : Food Additives
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 3, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
SO…SALLY HAS CONNECTIONS!
Stephen S. Miller, CEO
Steve has over 20 years experience in business management, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, and law. He has also served as Vice President at both Smith Barney and EF Hutton, as well as Investment Officer at Citibank.
Steve earned a Law degree as well as an MBA degree at Columbia University, and bachelors degree from Brigham Young University. Steve is a lawyer and licensed member of the New York Bar. He also served as Adjunct Associate Professor of Finance at New York University.
Sally Miller, President
Sally has over 12 years of experience in China as QA Manager and Purchasing Manager, working for various multinational companies. She was responsible for purchasing large quantities of nutritional and food ingredients in China for export worldwide.
Sally earned an MBA as well as an Engineering degree in Food Engineering. She has been a member of the Institute for Supply Management in the US. She has also been certified in China as an ISO 9000 Chief Auditor.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
Oh this explains more. Look who went to China.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/engl.....930416.htm
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 3:45 pm
ok - im back but gotta run again soon
- dobbs on cnn is going to investigate if the gluten is in the food supple and what our gvt is doing about it - i think its on at the top of the hour. let’s see what comes out of that.
Comment by Doug — April 3, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
Ol Henry’s still dreaming about his New World Wheat Gluten Order I guess. I didn’t went to venture into this nonsense but better informed then ignorant. Then will drop it.
2:38 a.m. April 3, 2007
BEIJING – China’s rise as a global power is inevitable and could lead to conflict unless Beijing and Washington can cooperate to create a new global order, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said on Tuesday.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/.....nger-.html
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
CEO Steve comments. “”Obviously, if this ingredient was responsible, it’s just very upsetting,” Miller told AP.” Very upsetting. . .that’s it?!
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap.....Recall.php
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 3:52 pm
Re: Who went to China
My questions: Was this a planned trip or did they send him for damage control?” Certainly, he isn’t referring to the wheat gluten “catastrophe,” is he?
Addressing the China Sciences and Humanities Forum (CSHF), Kissinger said he regards Sino-U.S. relations as a key component in a new system of international relations, a system based on cooperative action and the prevention of catastrophes.
“Throughout history, when one country becomes stronger, the former super power feels uneasy”, said Kissinger. “But China’s rise is inevitable. There’s nothing that can be done to prevent it. And there is no reason to oppose it. America needs to cooperate with the world’s most populous country.”
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
“Go to the FDA.gov site, put in China, click on the Oasis link -
here is one link and one example: Filthy:
http://www.fda.gov/ora/oasis/o.....l.html#249
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 12:22 pm”
Linda- Just wanted to say thanks for posting this. I’m now posting something similar on every website I’m involved with so people can see just how disgusting these imports really are.
Let’s see what the “Eat Wheat Gluten because Wikipedia said so!” think of me now.
Gross!
Comment by Stacy — April 3, 2007 @ 4:02 pm
Doug’s right,
CNN News channel: “Lou Dobbs Tonite: Investigates poisoned wheat gluten possibly in our food supply?”
Program just began at 6PM ET.
Comment by Laurie — April 3, 2007 @ 4:04 pm
From the ChemNutra web site. They are experts in netitive pricing on high-quality chemicals and ingredients from quality-assured manufacturers in China. Some quality assurance huh!!!
One of their specialities is “Vital Wheat Gluten”
You know in my opinion Menu could have walked away from this as, if not good guys, at least not bad guys if they stopped thinking of their almighty dollar and recalled at the first hint of contamination. Instead they sat back and hoped it was going to go unnoticed and they wouldn’t loose a dime. Wonder if they feel the same way now.
“The China-Source Experts
egotiating, securing and delivering ultra-comp
ChemNutra imports quality ingredients from China to the U.S. for the feed, food and pharma industries. We are a professionally managed, American owned company experienced in netitive pricing on high-quality chemicals and ingredients from quality-assured manufacturers in China. We bridge the business and cultural gaps…including all regulatory, compliance, import and transportation requirements.
We specialize in Taurine, L-Cysteine, Glycine, Vital Wheat Gluten, and Glucuronolactone, and we also handle many other ingredients.
ChemNutra imports over 4,000 tons per year, and our customers include several Fortune 500 companies.”
Comment by Maureen — April 3, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
not sure if this is relevant, i will let the sleuths decide. list of pet food suppliers in general
http://www.directorypub.com/SR.....mp;prodid=‘Vitamin%20A&D’&pub_id=6000050&PHPSESSID=2bc5d1baf0e8df13ffc15784fcd82c0e
Comment by Doug — April 3, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
Lou Dobbs is doing a segment on CNN (as I speak). Watch CNN I bet he has some nice comments for China and the FDA.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
Its not just China its COMMUNIST China…lol
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 4:09 pm
Certainly, he isn’t referring to the wheat gluten “catastrophe,” is he? Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
Well one thing is certain with these Old Schooler Globalists like Henry they don’t even consider Earth a home let alone the United States they basically consider it an inconvenience to be here.
And knowing their modus operandi it very well could have been damage control visit. The timing certainly looks odd. The way this whole fiasco has unfolded the geopolitical thing can not be left out of the picture at this point.
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 4:09 pm
Jackie: I just read the IHT article based on the full AP article. It’s very disturbing.
For in the early article Xuzhou Anying, said that they sold it to others, specifically Suzhou Textile Import & Export Co. which is now called Suzhou Hengrun Import & Export Corp., Ltd. So is the FDA tracking down THEIR shipments to the US?
And ChemNutra said that they sold it to a distributor and three pet food companies. Who is the Distributor? Who did THEY sell it to?
Comment by spocko — April 3, 2007 @ 4:09 pm
What about the people that don’t have internet access. Who knows how many pets have died that could have been prevented. The only way I found out which foods are bad and who makes them is by the internet.
Everyone talk to your neighbors.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
Think I gobbled the quote from Chem Nutra’s website
The China-Source Experts
ChemNutra imports quality ingredients from China to the U.S. for the feed, food and pharma industries. We are a professionally managed, American owned company experienced in negotiating, securing and delivering ultra-competitive pricing on high-quality chemicals and ingredients from quality-assured manufacturers in China. We bridge the business and cultural gaps…including all regulatory, compliance, import and transportation requirements.
We specialize in Taurine, L-Cysteine, Glycine, Vital Wheat Gluten, and Glucuronolactone, and we also handle many other ingredients.
ChemNutra imports over 4,000 tons per year, and our customers include several Fortune 500 companies.
Comment by Maureen — April 3, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
I like how when they show the graphic on CNN it’s labeled as “poisoned pet food”
does anyone know if they are looking at the other ingredients that were imported such a Taurine?
Comment by straybaby — April 3, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
Form the article I previously linked.
That’s a lot of wheat gluten! Also, ChemNutra became aware there was a problem on March 8th, and quarantined inventory. Hmm. . .how many days was that before we were notified to stop feeding poison to our pets!?
“ChemNutra said it has recalled 873 tons (792 metric tons) of wheat gluten that it shipped to three pet food makers and a single distributor who in turn supplies the pet food industry. The company said the recall applied only to wheat gluten from Xuzhou Anying, one of its three Chinese suppliers of the ingredient.
The importer shipped the product in 25-kilogram paper bags between Nov. 9 and March 8, when it learned the ingredient was suspected as the cause of the pet food problems. ChemNutra said it then quarantined its wheat gluten inventory.”
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
oh lou you ding dong - “over a dozen desceased pets”…. i thought you would pull through for us.
ok, the story is still running…
Comment by Doug — April 3, 2007 @ 4:15 pm
Sorry. . .I’m a little slow today. Starting to feel (and act) like a wet noodle.
There’s a couple disturbing things in that report.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 4:17 pm
Doug: I don’t get CNN. Did he not even allude to the hundreds that are confirmed by cities or states?
Comment by spocko — April 3, 2007 @ 4:19 pm
I blame the FDA for not reporting that there are not more pets dead. The main stream media can only report what the facts are.
Yesterday he said there were probably many more than what was disclosed.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
CNN Just did another good blurb on the “Pet Food Scare”
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
Spocko no they really didn’t. Hopefully Anderson Cooper does a better job.
Still it’s the FDAs job to make those offical reports.
FDA you suck A**!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
I am just glad that it is actually getting air time. Hopfully it helps save pets and brings awareness.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
Don’t forget simple Wisdom.
AP Finance
Sector Snap: Pet Food Makers Recover
Tuesday April 3, 11:43 am ET
Pet Food Makers Stocks Up As Investigation Continues.
This was the first thought I had after the bravado I saw in that article.
The Tortoise and the Hare is a fable attributed to Aesop. The story concerns a hare who one day ridiculed a slow-moving tortoise. In response, the tortoise challenged his swift mocker to a race. The hare soon left the tortoise far behind and, confident of winning, he decided to take a nap midway through the course. When he awoke, however, he found that his competitor, crawling slowly but steadily, had already won the race (although in some versions, he may have also been bragging to some other people). The moral is stated at the end of the fable as:
Slow and steady wins the race.
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
Actually, the MSM could do a much better job on reporting this if they wanted to. There’s plenty of reports and info without the FDA, IMHO.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 4:26 pm
Spocko no they really didn’t. Hopefully Anderson Cooper does a better job.
You missed my dry humor in quotes “pet food scare” - their headlines.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
Is anyone else wondering what the Netherlands connection is now that we know the US supplier?
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
I think the Netherlands was just the port of entry.
I could be wrong, but thats how I read it.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
Doug, I just noticed that article I linked to is dated yesterday. Google says 21 hours ago.
So, the US supplier was actually revealed yesterday.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
Is anyone else wondering what the Netherlands connection is now that we know the US supplier?
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
The Netherlands has a prosperous and open economy in which the government has reduced its role since the 1980s. Industrial activity is predominantly in food-processing (for example Unilever and Heineken), chemicals (for example DSM), petroleum refining (for example Royal Dutch Shell), and electrical machinery (for example Philips). Slochteren has one of the largest natural gas fields in the world, which has so far (2006) resulted in a total revenue of €159 billion since the mid 1970s. With just over half of the reserves used up and an expected continued rise in oil prices, the revenues over the next few decades are expected to be at least that much.
Third in worldwide agricultural exports
A highly mechanised agricultural sector employs no more than 4% of the labour force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports. The Dutch rank third worldwide in value of agricultural exports, behind the United States and France, with exports earning $55 billion annually. A significant portion of Dutch agricultural exports are derived from fresh-cut plants, flowers, and bulbs, with the Netherlands exporting two-thirds of the world’s total. The Netherlands also exports a quarter of all world tomatoes, and one-third of the world’s exports of peppers and cucumbers.[4] The Netherlands’ location gives it prime access to markets in the UK and Germany, with the port of Rotterdam being the largest port in Europe. Other important parts of the economy are international trade (Dutch colonialism started with cooperative private enterprises such as the VOC), banking and transport. The Netherlands successfully addressed the issue of public finances and stagnating job growth long before its European partners.
As a founding member of the Euro, the Netherlands replaced (for accounting purposes) its former currency, the Guilder, on January 1, 1999, along with the other adopters of the single European currency. Actual Euro coins and banknotes followed on January 1, 2002. In the first years of the third millennium, economic and employment growth came to a standstill, which the government tried to resolve by reducing expenses.
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
Still can’t locate this Company Yancheng Jingwei Chemical Co. on the FDA site:
Honey contamination from China report -
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/o.....a3604.html
I can’t see how wheat gluten could not be contaminated.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
Ya your right Jackie, they could at least say there are thousands of unconfirmed or confirmed by the state deaths.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
Are the states even taking a tally? I know Oregon was.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
Regarding the Michigan numbers:
The facts: Michigan is reporting 38 suspected deaths. But that is from only 144 responses to their survey of 2000 Vets.
The rest of my post is all EXTRAPOLATION, not FACT:
Let’s estimate that each “response” represents 3 Vets who work at the same clinic. That means the 144 responses represent 432 (21.6%) of the 2000 Vets. That means that if all of the 2000 Vets in Michigan have similar numbers of deaths… then it extrapolates to 175 deaths in Michigan. The 2005 census shows Michigan has 3.4% of the US population. If the extrapolated number of deaths in Michigan represent 3.4% of the nationwide deaths… that extrapolates to 5,147 deaths nationwide.
I repeat, these are all extrapolations, not factual numbers.
Comment by Sarah — April 3, 2007 @ 4:36 pm
Where did you get the Michigan infromation from? I have been looking for the ones in Colorado.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
Anyone hungry?
http://www.amazon.com/Vital-Wh.....B0006ZN52E
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
Here’s the bottom line in this whole fiasco. U.S. CEO’s are obviously importing thousands of TONS of toxic food stuff from China each year and we’ve been clueless. Hows that for being good “Corporate Citzens.” Just to make an extra buck where ever they can cut costs. Now the next thing is how long have they been pulling this stuff off?
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
Reporting on my Papillon, who has been making a very very slow recovery. He’s eating nothing that I’m not also eating, mainly chicken, some liver, fish and bits of cheese. This morning he did have some oatmeal and a tiny bit of soft boiled egg. I felt that he had more energy today and am now looking at our long term plans. Eat organic, eat local, at least eat stuff that is identifiable.
Comment by Nancy Nielsen — April 3, 2007 @ 4:51 pm
Steve: I’ve been reading the Menu Annual report. They focus on what is important to them. The money. Their communications to the owners of dead pets was designed to also sooth Wall Street.
Now the question is, what is the FDA trying to do to sooth the people?
Did any of you know that the USDA cut a deal with ConAgra so that vital public health information (like where the Mad Cow meat when) wasn’t made available to HEALTH officials and the public?
That info is considered proprietary information. The health officials didn’t get that info thenfore some of the Mad Cow meat went into a Vietnamese restaurant in Truckee
California.
Why don’t the FDA say, “This is where the wheat came from this is where it went”?
Simple. They will protect the companies first.
To be fair they are also trying to get the system set up so if they get busted again (like Joy did here with her research) they will have the companies prepared for human food recalls.
When they work the media their are working to downplay first and foremost. That is their job.
And as I pointed out on my blog. One of the FDAs top officials resigned at the end of 2005 because she was told to do something political that wasn’t based on science.
What does that tell you about who is still there?
Maybe we need to get my friends at the GAO on this story (Governmental Accountability Office). They Rock!
Comment by spocko — April 3, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
Comment by spocko — April 3, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
Oh without a doubt. These guys only care about money. They have ZERO conscience. Predatory Capitalism.
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
I think the naming of the US Supplier was the last stage of a plan to make this all go away. Now, the headlines say “Tainted wheat gluten not in human food supply”. Then, I see this statement from the Pet Food Industry today. The story is going to fade, and probably fast.
“Tuesday 4/3/07 Update
The Pet Food industry has come out publicly to state that Dry Food is NOT contaminated in any way”
http://www.wcpo.com/content/ne.....1f0c1ca0f2
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
Well I guess I will have to test my food on mice and rats. I can buy them at the pet store.
No body wants to test my IAMS MINI CHUNKS AND MY IAMS SAVORY BEEF SAUCE IN A BOTTLE. I called eeveryone. My Dog Died eating this? I’ve been ttrying for 4 weeks or more to get someone to test this food. I’ll know soon enough if the mice die. I can get a biopsy of their kidney. And that will give me my proof that I need that it killed my dog and it is contaminated with wome chemical poisoning. Sometime its better to think on your own and take matters into your own hands. I will get my proof somehow. I’m determined.
Comment by Georgeann Heckman — April 3, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
I still want to know the name of the farmer that grew this stuff and who he has been selling it to in China and how many suppliers have been exporting to the U.S. and how many importers have been importing it.
It feels like we are chasing our tails here - with a bunch of finger pointing - Whose on first, what’s on second - etc.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
This pet food industry is in an upheavel. IAMS problems, Vit. D problems, wheat gluten. I don’t know how any of it can be safe.
Poor pets and poor us!
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
I don’t know if this has been posted or not, but NutroMax is sending out pathetic e-mails now. I ended up on their mailing list yesterday as after the phone call I made to them didn’t get me anywhere. I e-mailed them with the same questions. Of course, they didn’t bother to respond personally.
I wouldn’t trust what this e-mail says if my life depended on it. Talk to your vets if you even THINK about feeding their recalled diets!
“April 3, 2007
Dear Nutro Customers,
Several of you have asked about Nutro dog and cat “treats,” “biscuits” and canned products currently on shelves. We can assure you that these products are safe to feed your pets. While some of these products do contain the ingredient wheat gluten, none of Nutro’s “treat,” “biscuit” or canned products, currently on shelves, contain any wheat gluten from China or from the manufacturer suspected of selling the compromised wheat gluten.
For a complete list of Nutro products included in the recall, as well as further information about Nutro and
how its products are affected by the Menu Foods recall, please visit http://www.nutroproducts.com or call
1-800-833-5330.
Our team of customer care representatives is working diligently to respond to each and every email personally. We ask for your patience during this very unfortunate situation.
Sincerely,
Dave Kravis,
President & CEO
Nutro Products”
Comment by Stacy — April 3, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
‘Real Food for Dogs’, is now #100 in Books at Amazon.com and ‘Real Food for Cats’ is #512.
Comment by Sue Dunn — April 3, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
I don’t believe it Nutro. Plain and simple. Not any more. I don’t believe big companies. You simply don’t know where that Wheat Gluten went and maybe today it is on a ship coming in from a different supplier and we are to trust the lives of our pets into big business and feed them this maybe okay according to you Wheat Gluten junk.
Thank you, but no thanks.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
I think the CEOs should be forced to eat their own recalled food.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
Georgeann, be careful speaking publicly of poisoning mice. . .you’ll have PETA patrol at your doorstep :-)
I think that’s actually a heck of an idea. If you do go forward with that plan, let us know the results.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
They should have to be the ones who test the foods. Not some poor lab animal.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 5:12 pm
Lawsuits Build Against Maker of Tainted Pet Food
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/stor.....amp;page=1
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
Coincidence. . .full page articles in the paper, massive e-mails to pet owners, and the naming of the US supplier? They’re all in bed together. . .FDA included!
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 5:14 pm
You round em up, Monkeykitty, and we’ll supply the food! I have some nice, ripe MD sitting in a plastic baggy I’ll donate.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 5:18 pm
China denies role in pet food recall
USA Today - Apr 03 4:40 AM
China denied Monday that pet food ingredients exported to the United States are to blame for the recall of more than 60 million cans of cat and dog food and the deaths of 14 animals.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/w.....htm?csp=34
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 5:22 pm
An unbelievable fiasco. I can not believe my eyes.
Tell me I’m dreaming
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
Yep, a blurb on Studio B. . .stating the human food supply is safe according to the US Supplier. Oh, and get this. . .16 pets have died. . .can’t forget that ground breaking news.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
This was Stephen S. miller’s (CEO, ChemNutra) previous employment…maybe someone can research further. As far as Sally (Qing) Miller, I didn’t find much, but again maybe someone can take the search to another level.
Comment by Valerie F. — April 3, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
oops sorry, here’e the website:
http://cache.zoominfo.com/Cach.....ame=Miller
Comment by Valerie F. — April 3, 2007 @ 5:24 pm
Is anyone else getting dizzy from all the spin?
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 5:24 pm
That or they should have to disarm IEDs in Iraq. One of the two.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 5:28 pm
If anyone is working for AP or Reuters reading this please friggin update your wire story. There are clearly more pets that have died than JUST 16!!!
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
I saw this on http://www.itchmo.com just now and didn’t see this listed on petconnection.com yet. Does someone know how to start a new topic so all can be alerted to watch this tonight? (sorry if this has been posted on the site)
CNN will air a segment on Anderson Cooper’s show on the safety of pet foods tonight. One of our favorite writers, Christie Keith of Pet Connection, will be a guest. We wish her the best of clarity and quick thinking under fire to dispel any notion that the system is safe. People are still in the dark.
(Paragraph taken directly from http://www.itchmo.com)
Thanks, Christie for doing this, and thanks to Anderson Cooper for doing a show on the recall!
Comment by petlover — April 3, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
A class action is what will hit a corporate giant where it hurts. We may as well get started for those have lost pets and who wish to get involved. At the least they should recover the hundreds and in many cases thousands of dollars they spent trying to save their pets and in some cases are looking at expensive continual care.
Here is one source. Not the only there are many but it’s a starting place. I don’t know this firm or endorse it but they look pretty credible.
Lerach Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Menu Foods Inc. Over Poisoned Pet Food
Documents Show Company Ignored Pet Owners’ Complaints
BOCA RATON, Fla. – April 2, 2007 – Two class action lawsuits were filed by Lerach Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP, the nation’s most successful shareholder and consumer class action law firm, against Menu Foods, Inc., the Canadian manufacturer responsible for producing pet food that has killed dogs and cats across America.
Lerach Coughlin, a 180-lawyer firm with offices in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Boca Raton, Washington, D.C., Houston, Philadelphia and Seattle, is active in major litigations pending in federal and state courts throughout the United States and has taken a leading role in many important actions on behalf of defrauded investors, consumers, and companies, as well as victims of human rights violations.
http://www.lerachlaw.com/lcsr-.....ds/pr.html
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
Yikes… Some of us have pet mice and rats, too! It ain’t just PETA that objects to that kind of talk of poisoning mice and rats.
I have lost a beloved pet cat, too. I know how much I miss her and how angry I am at all of this, but our time and efforts are best spent in consoling each other, researching the situation, and pushing that information out there for others to see.
And your research IS being seen. This site is currently being watched and your research is being seen and used by major media. And there has been some super research done and posted here! Some of you are days ahead of major media, but it is getting out there loud and clear. (And heads up to you corporate pet food and FDA folks monitoring this, we are a force not to be stopped.)
And by the way, PETA is our friend in trying to nail IAMS…
Comment by Laurie — April 3, 2007 @ 5:35 pm
Re: Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
The Lerach law firm is the noted class action firm that installs fear in defendants’ hearts. They do well for themselves also. But if you can’t afford your own attorney — and who can — they know what they are doing.
I organized seniors involved in the savings and loan crisis some years ago; Lerach’s firm eventually became the lead law firm in the case and did well for them.
Comment by Maureen — April 3, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
Ya peta had been gunning for Iams and P&G for a few years now
My kitties are now on Itchmo :)
http://www.itchmo.com/read/mor.....s_20070403
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 5:46 pm
Yancheng-Jingwei Chemicals Co., Ltd.
http://www.sinochem-yancheng.com/
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 5:49 pm
Cute Kitties, indeed!
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 5:49 pm
NUMBERS: Try this - “FDA reports 55 dead in the 4 state region…” - reported on WB2 news Channel Two - Denver area - over a week ago! http://www.wb2.com has archived on-line video under “Rat Poison Found in Tainted Pet Food” - scroll down in the window to see the story list.
Comment by Duke — April 3, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
Thanks Duke!
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
OK I have what may be somewhat of a stupid question Im sure & maybe I need to be hit over the head….but these e:mails coming out from Nutro, can I believe what they are saying, Im being serious? So can I assume that whatever products that arent on their recall list, are they OK to use? They say that they didnt get their wheat from China & that they didnt use that manufacturer, so can we use those now even if they have wheat gluten or is there something Im not thinking of, some twist, I dont know how all of this works…Steve? Anyone? Help me understand, Im a little gullible, Im afraid…
Comment by Sandi K — April 3, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Whether or not the contaminated wheat got into the human food supply, I’m sure some people HAVE consumed it. My husband works for a company that produces a database of media and product use. We checked the user numbers for the food that killed our dog, Nutro Ultra. The numbers go way up in the lowest income bracket.
Comment by Pamela J. Betz-Baron — April 3, 2007 @ 6:06 pm
Actually it is “Tainted Pet Food Laced With Rat Poison” - sorry for the misquote - remember this is now old news - but you will hear the report that the regional FDA reports *55* dead in the region. http://www.wb2.com
Comment by Duke — April 3, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
Sandi
Use your best judgement however I refuse to use any company who has basically just farmed out their products to a company that can’t control its own quality assurance.
It may or may not be safe however I refuse to trust their current products ever again. I spent all last weekend looking for a company that I could literally talk to and get personal assurances that they have the utmost control over their food production.
Shame on me once, call it a lesson learned.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 6:11 pm
Sometime we need to help the media ask the right questions. We can see patterns they don’t. We need to help ‘em out.
Question: Do we have political ideologues driving our food safety?
The FDA didn’t say who sold the tainted wheat from China. Joy, a blogger here found it.
The FDA wouldn’t reveal the name of the US Distributor of this tainted wheat. (I think a reporter found it or was directed to them along with their “it’s not in the human food supply message.” But we have no proof. We just have to take his word.
Then the US Distributor would NOT reveal the names of the people he sold it to.
Why? Possibly because Del Monte would be on the list. And even if it is the Del Monte PET Food division the people will see it and think ,’It’s in my ketchup!’. So does that justify them holding back this info?
And why does the AP just accept that? Shouldn’t there be a demand that he produce his list, for the health and safety of the pets?
I also think that a few questions should be going to the INDUSTRY backed ‘self regulating group’ What role did they have in all this? Were they more concerned about the health of your pet or the health of the companies that are selling foods to you?
I posted about the Pet Food committee at the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Lots of names and phone numbers their folks.
Maybe the media might want to check in with them. Be sure to ask them who funds their group, what are their ties to the pet-food industry (previous employment, grants, chairs, etc.) and who they get their funding from. And be sure to ask them what kind of power they have in an emergency like this. Who do they report things to first? The industry or the public? The manufacturers or the FDA? Did they know about this? When? What did they do? Don’ t just ask them for perspective, to explain things, they are players, they probably had a role in this.
I don’t know where they touched this crisis and how they acted, I’m as curious as you are. You are curious aren’t you?
Pet Food:
Dave Syverson, Chair
Bill Burkholder (FDA)
Tony Claxton
Teresa Crenshaw
Roger Hoestenbach
Rod Noel
Lynn Sheridan
Liz Higgins
This is what happens when you strive for a government small enough to drown in a bathtub, it takes your pet first. Then when we need good government for us humans, we are SOL.
I want to media to pay attention to this. Maybe if Paris Hilton’s dog died this would get more notice.
Hey what food does Barney, the president’s dog eat!?
Socks?
Comment by spocko — April 3, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
As far as I am concerned they will just wait for all of this to blow over and go back to thier old habits once they are out of the public’s eyes.
There are plenty of companies out there that want my business that are willing to do what I require to keep my pets safe. Its up to you as a consumer if they stay in business or not.
Never under estimate the power of the purse.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 6:14 pm
Sandi, if you’re looking for someone here to tell you it’s OK to feed your pets Nutro, I doubt that is going to happen. As Monkey said, use your best judgment.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
Comment by Pamela J. Betz-Baron
Excellent point… Although not often admitted, and swept under the carpet in this scandal, pet food has been and still is being consumed by humans.
Comment by Laurie — April 3, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
Excellent questions, spocko! Can you e-mail that to various news org’s?
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 6:22 pm
When I was at my vet on March 23rd I asked if he had seen any pets with poisoning from contaminated food. He said, “we just a cat die this morning.” I told him I had just read in the paper it was rat poison. He said, “It doesn’t look like rat poison, the cat died of kidney failure.” This was in Stillwater, MN.
Comment by Kristi — April 3, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
Looks Like War Folks
Howl911 Threatened with Lawsuit from Blue Buffalo
April 3rd, 2007
Blue Buffalo just sent the editor of Howl911 a threatening email asking them to remove the post to Blue Buffalo’s inclusion of menadione - a substance that’s banned in the UK. Instead of explaining why this substance would be good for our kids, they threatened to silence the grassroots blogs because it happens to appear on a page that has recall news. It’s not known if the original poster on The Dog Food Project has also been legally threatened. We expected more from a company like Blue Buffalo. We demand an apology!
Reading Mr. MacLean’s logic, it’s clear that Itchmo can post this news since we cover much more than the recalls. Shall we temp the law?
Full email from Blue Buffalo’s legal counsel after the jump.
http://www.itchmo.com/read/how.....o_20070403
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
“We just had a cat die this morning” is what the vet said, sorry
Comment by Kristi — April 3, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
Sandi,
Here is the list of foods and who makes them (not all companies are listed) I personally would avoid Iams, Menu Foods, Del Monte and Purina (fancy feast especially).. I was very surprised when I saw the list. Not out to bash any pet food companies but it does show what their priorities are which is greed and keeping their shareholders happy.
http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210
I personally will boycott Menu Foods and hope they go out of business because of this. Buyer Beware.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 6:36 pm
Isn’t that interesting, Steve. Kudos to Howl911 for posting the e-mail. Unbelievable.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 6:42 pm
I’m using Firefox, and still have the funky word wrap thing going on.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
RE:Howl911 Threatened with Lawsuit from Blue Buffalo
April 3rd, 2007
At least they know we are now reading labels, I know I really never did.
Truth hurts sometimes, just so its factual. After Anderson Cooper they all will be watching this site too if they aren’t already.
Got to love the internet!
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
Just move the servers to another country…
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
Let me guess. . . .China!?
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 6:47 pm
Count me also as going absolutely crazy about the continual misreporting of the amount of dead animals by the MSM. With respect to the numbers of dead and sick animals I think the FDA has actually been pretty open about the fact that they’ve had 9000 or so complaints in the past few weeks. That is a lot. The crack news media should be able to extrapolate from that info that there are a few more than 15 deaths. DUH! The FDA does not have the actual animals’ bodies nor do they have the health/death records of every sickened animal in America who have been treated for seisures or kidney failure. In all fairness they really cannot be expected to provide an “official” count. The VETERINARIANS of America individually and collectively DO have this information, however, and with only a few exceptions they have been way too silent and under the radar for my taste.
It seems to me that some veterinary school or professional organization could really jump in here and provide a huge public service just as a clearing house for details about casualties. (Like what pet connection is doing but with actual contact with vet’s records.) And even then we would STILL be undercounting, probably by thousands, the equally loved pets who died suddenly at home, or under a bush and were never seen by a vet.
Comment by elizabeth R — April 3, 2007 @ 6:50 pm
That or Russia, China has a small issue with free speech.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
Comment by Steve
Looks Like War Folks
Howl911 Threatened with Lawsuit from Blue Buffalo
Hmmm… Obviously a few of these websites are rattling some cages. You would think that all of “them” would have learned by now that this is NOT going to just go away.
Again, lots of eyes watching some of these webpages. Slowly but surely we are getting our voices heard and a lot of impressive research out there. Hey look, petconnection’s own on a CNN special report tonite. That is no small blip.
Stay strong and fight the good fight, Itchmo and Howl911. Kudos to all of you fighting the good fight.
Comment by Laurie — April 3, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
Comment by Nancy Nielsen — April 3, 2007 @ 4:51 pm
Nancy, that’s awesome! :) I’m so glad to hear that he’s remembering how to eat. Crossing my fingers that it sticks!
Comment by Laura — April 3, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
I am ready to do some battle!!!
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 6:55 pm
Everyone should read the ChemNutra press release posted in full on the Itchmo site. Menu Foods and ChemNutra knew about the problem at least by March 8, and knowingly let people continue to use tainted products for nearly 3 weeks before the recall.
Comment by Pam — April 3, 2007 @ 6:56 pm
I wish Pet Connection good luck on Anderson Cooper. Thanks everyone for sending your requests that they cover it. I know I spammed the sh*t out of them. Next one should be NPR and Front Line.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
Jackie and others, Im not looking for someone to tell me its OK to feed Nutro. Our cat died in March & we had suspected a food problem back in January & had tried to report it to Nutro back then. But her food is NOT on the recall list, it is Nutro Max Cat California Chicken Supreme, 3 oz cans (with wheat gluten). Im just trying to understand if the letter sent by Nutro tells me that this food didnt play a part in her death if they are saying that they didnt get their wheat from China and did not use the same manufacturer….does that mean this food that we have didnt kill her? Or is there another way they could be using tainted wheat gluten in their food not on the recall list that I dont understand….I could use some help in trying to figure this out…..thanks again
Comment by Sandi K — April 3, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
Comment by Laurie — April 3, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
I just scratched Blue Buffalo off my list. No way I’m investing my money into that company or feeding it to my pet. The Lawyer misrepresented who he is really with apparently. Despicable.
Party over for these types of companies who can’t back what they advertise.
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 7:10 pm
I think tomorrow I’m going to try to put info from various news reports into some kind of a time line. I honestly can’t keep it all straight anymore. So, U.C. Davis knew before the NY lab announced the rat poison finding that melamine was in the food? So, that was hidden for days.
“U.C. Davis researchers beat the Food and Drug Administration in identifying the suspect ingredient in tainted pet food.
New York Health officials were announcing the culprit was rat poison when this lab already determined that was probably wrong.
Dr. Birgit Puschner: “Within the first screening technique on the first couple of days, we had already hit on melamine.”
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/st.....id=5180633
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 7:10 pm
Comment by Sandi K
Howl911 does list that nutro food as suspect.
http://www.howl911.com/petfoodrecall_list.htm
“Nutro Max Cat California Chicken Supreme, 3 oz cans, “use by” date 05-16-09. (not on Menu Foods official recall list, but is suspected of causing same symptoms as the recalled food, resulting in death.) “
There obviously are many other pet owners that have had serious problems with it.
Comment by Laurie — April 3, 2007 @ 7:12 pm
I have no confidence in any pet food company and I don’t believe the FDA. If ChemNutro new back on March 8th - I’d like to know how they found out and who notified them?
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
Comment by Steve
Get the feeling that they are starting to run scared when their cages are rattled? They should realize by now that we are not stupid :)
Comment by Laurie — April 3, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
Comment by Laurie — April 3, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
No doubt about it. Like I said. No Blue Buffalo for me. Forget it. Easy come easy go. I don’t even touch a can of their stuff now.
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
Comment by Steve
Same here. Not a dime of my hard earned money will go to them thanks to that genius PR move.
Comment by Laurie — April 3, 2007 @ 7:20 pm
Thank you Jackie. I knew that a Vet Lab had told the FDA about it and the FDA then searched for it, but I didn’t have the name of the lab.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
My vet was talking about this today - and he said that the last studies on the effects of digesting Melamine on cats came from the 1940’s - we have no current information or studies on the effects of eating it - and not on dogs it appears.
The FDA has it listed as a substance not allowed in food.
But it can be in packaging, as someone pointed out here on another thread.
My vet shrugged and said he hopes it doesn’t get into or isn’t in the human food supply. He didn’t feel there was an easy solution.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
This is interesting.
Nutro Products operated as a family-run company from its founding until its eventual purchase in 1976. Bain Capital announced in late 2005 that it is buying Nutro.
http://www.hoovers.com/nutro-p.....heet.xhtml
http://www.baincapital.com/
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 7:38 pm
I want heads!
Iams dry wasn’t on the recall lists however my cat monkey got sick during this time we took him to the vet and switched food immediately. He appears fine but is still puking more than usual. We took him back to the vet and his blood is fine again.
Where do you live Linda? What region? I would look into a local pet food company, one you can actually talk to. I live in Colorado so if you are near there let me know. I will be glad to help.
I am just tired of seeing people sad loosing a part of the family in a horrible death due to negligence.
We don’t have kids and don’t want kids so pets have taken place of real “children”.
This has hit home for me pretty hard, for people reading this saying “this dude is crazy” I really am not I am actually a well paid professional and a typical american with two cars a garage and 1.5 kids, the only real difference is that my kids have four legs. There are alot of us like this in the US.
I am willing to see this through the long haul to see a change. People with children, this is only the tip of the iceberg as far as the food supply being “tainted”.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 7:41 pm
*** FDA - Emergency Operations*** returned my call this evening
I spoke with a lovely woman who said she was right in the middle of all the action (my words).
She said it was a challenging task, but they were confident that they will resolve the issue. And hopefully soon.
They are working around the clock.
They are not going to stop until they find the cause of the animal deaths.
Emphasized that they are truly concerned.
They are tracing all the shipments of wheat gluten and testing it all which is taking time due to multiple levels of distribution. (i.e., where did it all go? Bad record keeping.)
All FDA agents are currently out in the field investigating.
FDA is not in a position to divulge any information whatsoever about company names, results, etc., until they have absolute proof because of their legal liability. They must consider the ramifications of false information (companies close, people lose jobs, etc.).
Said shipment was labeled from country of origin as pet food (international law to label).
Toxicology research can take years.
I asked about their equipment and set up and she stated that they “are working with what they have.” Their facility is not large.
It is not in the jurisdiction of the FDA to force the distributors (or manufacturers?) to show them records. This would be something that would have to come from either the State level or Congress.
Legally, all they can do is issue a recall. If the manufacturer refuses to comply, then they can take legal action.
The must be sure that what they determine is the absolute truth as their findings will be scrutinized.
Their office is getting five times the normal number of phone calls.
They are definitely testing the human food supply of all wheat gluten and this can take a fair amount of time.
She said to please be patient. They are doing everything that they can. (I’m sure they’d like a new lab though and more funding.)
Well, there you have it folks. If we want action, we must involve the States and Congress.
I’ll be watching TV at 7 p.m.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 7:45 pm
I live in California monkeykitty. I am thinking about making my own - but for now I’m using the Allergy Formula of Natural Balance - no wheat or corn anything and no soy.
After I finish these bags, I’m doing some reseach. Thanks for the offer. I can use all the help I can get in this mess.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 7:46 pm
Good going Nadine. Wonderful questions answered.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
Did you all happen to catch this?
Does FDA spell FEMA?
To the thousands of Americans whose dogs and cats have already been sickened or killed, and the many millions more who rightfully fear for the health of their beloved pets, the recent massive pet food recall already represents a disastrous failure of our food safety systems. But if it eventually turns out that toxic wheat gluten made its way into the human food supply, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) tentative response and equivocating public statements might have set the stage for a collapse of confidence of post-Katrina proportions.
In finally identifying itself today, the U.S. importer of the melamine-tainted wheat gluten — the unappetizingly named ChemNutra — revealed new information that is sure to anger aggrieved pet owners: Menu Foods knew their product was causing problems as early as March 8, a full week before the first recall was made public. And while ChemNutra insists that none of its 792 metric tons of contaminated wheat gluten shipped to facilities that manufacture food for human consumption, one can forgive suspicious consumers for not accepting the suddenly talkative company at its word, especially considering that this assurance directly contradicts an FDA report from earlier today. For whatever the true risk to our food supply, the corporate and regulatory response is shaping up to be a textbook example of failed crisis management.
First it was only “cuts and gravy” varieties from a single manufacturer, then late last week products from three more facilities were suddenly added to the recall, including one variety of dry cat food. And now the FDA not only admits that the recall could widen further, it has also revealed that the melamine-tainted wheat gluten was indeed delivered to processing plants that make human food as well. Still…
“To date, we have nothing that indicates it’s gone into human food,” said Dorothy Miller, director of the FDA’s Office of Emergency Operations . “We have a bit more investigation to do.”
They certainly do. But the FDA should have acted as if the human food supply was at risk from the moment Menu Foods notified it that test animals were dying, presumably sometime before March 8. Tainted wheat gluten was always the prime suspect, and anyone given the facts and a little familiarity with our food processing and distribution system should have heard alarm bells. Yet the federal regulators charged with safeguarding our food supply seemed more concerned with protecting the interests of the corporations involved, then in giving consumers the facts they needed to make informed decisions on their own.
While the FDA focused on pet food, it was left to persistent bloggers and journalists to slowly tease out the full scope of this potential public health disaster. Wheat gluten is not an obscure feed stock, but rather a common ingredient widely used in a large number of processed foods and baked goods. And while federal regulations distinguish between “food grade” and “feed grade,” the overwhelming majority of wheat gluten distributed in this country is sold as the former. MGP Ingredients, the largest U.S. manufacturer of wheat gluten, only produced and distributed “food grade” product, shipping to Menu Foods the same high quality wheat gluten meant for human consumption until 18-months ago, when they lost the business to cheaper, Asian imports. And responding to an e-mail query, a spokesperson for Del Monte Foods quickly confirmed that it was “food grade” gluten that led to its own recall.
The FDA always knew the tainted wheat gluten was sold as “food grade,” but never offered this information to the public. And even now they continue to obfuscate the matter.
According to import records, the wheat gluten was shipped to the United States from Nov. 3, 2006 to Jan. 23 of this year and contained “minimal labeling” to indicate whether it was intended for humans or animals.
The FDA officials who provided this information either don’t understand our nation’s import regulations, or are intentionally misleading reporters with this “minimal labeling” canard. For as Steve Pickman, VP of Corporate Relations for MGP Ingredients explains, all “edible” imported wheat gluten is meant for both human and animal consumption:
Regarding imported wheat gluten, U.S. Customs allows for two different gluten classifications to come into the country, “Edible” and “Non-edible.” Non-edible product is not considered destined for the food/pet food markets. Product used in industrial, or non-ingestible, applications would be considered non-edible. Both food and pet food products are under the jurisdiction of the FDA. These products must adhere to the same standards. Non-edible gluten would be allowed into applications where no food/ pet food products are made.
Over 70-percent of the wheat gluten consumed in the U.S. is imported, mostly from Asia, and the remaining 30-percent produced domestically is almost entirely “food grade.” There is no separate channel for “food grade” vs “feed grade” wheat gluten, so the FDA should have understood that the Chinese imports involved were always graded for human consumption.
Given the nature of the industry and the scope of the recall thus far — over 60 million units from four manufacturers at five separate facilities — and the three month period of time over which the suspect wheat gluten was imported, it was perfectly reasonable to assume that at least some of the tainted product would make its way to facilities that process human food, and then onto store shelves and into our kitchens and restaurants. It has been at least a month since the FDA was first made aware of a potentially widespread food supply contamination, and yet they continue to hold their information close to their vest as they do “a bit more investigation.” Meanwhile, it only took Nestle Purina four hours to discern that it had a contamination problem after the FDA announced on March 30 that the culprit was tainted wheat gluten from a Chinese supplier — information the FDA apparently had since at least March 8.
The American people have the right to know the facts in a timely manner — all the facts — including the identity of the unnamed distributor mentioned in ChemNutra’s press release, the facilities suspected of receiving contaminated wheat gluten, and a complete timeline detailing what was known, and when. When it comes to issues of public health and safety the best way to avoid undue speculation and give consumers the information they need to properly protect themselves is to be completely and openly honest. ChemNutra was notified that its wheat gluten was killing animals back on March 8. We need to know why contaminated product was still on the shelves as late as March 30.
But there is a larger issue here: the failure of the FDA to keep up with the challenges of safeguarding a food supply that has become so deeply integrated into the global economy. Perhaps us humans dodged a bullet, and the contamination was indeed limited to pet food. But if it had been the other way around, how would we know? Renal failure can be slow and progressive, the symptoms sometimes not manifesting themselves until months after the initial toxic exposure. Our dead and dying pets may very well have saved thousands of human lives, warning us of the poisoned gluten before it inevitably reached the dinner table.
The FDA failed to protect these dogs and cats, but it just as easily could have been people who paid the price. It is time to rethink the laws governing the FDA, and reevaluate the officers running it. As Mike Brown proved at FEMA, it is best to have government agencies run by people who actually believe in government.
[Read more from David Goldstein at HorsesAss.org]
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....44935.html
Comment by Adrienne — April 3, 2007 @ 7:51 pm
I thought it was labled for human consumption - or minimally labled - didn’t the FDA say that earlier this week?
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
I sensed that she would have liked to have said A LOT MORE, but as she said “I work for the government.”
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 7:54 pm
If you are willing to order I will provide you a local colorado person. She is the “bomb”, plus she has been helping people. Let me know and I can give you contact info even though its on the website. She responded to me within 20 min
http:\kumpikat.com
She met my requirements of;
Supporting a local business owner and sourcing ingredients in the US.
I have her word on that, and that is more than I have from Menu Foods or Purina.
Call it an awaking, just took a shock for me to do it.
I bet you have suppliers in California as well.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
Customer service is very important to me as that is large part of my job.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 7:57 pm
Linda, I questioned that but she said it was labeled for animal consumption. I said that the reports were that it was labeled for human consumption. She insisted that it was for pet consumption. She said the labeling requires the ultimate purpose.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 7:57 pm
Have a look.
http://www.petfoodindustry-dig.....ry/200703/
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
“Hint” Pet food makers, stop outsourcing your products.
I will be watching you from now on!!!
Wahhhaaaa
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
http://www.animalhealth.msu.ed.....mpress.pdf
Comment by Barbara — April 3, 2007 @ 8:19 pm
Comment by Georgeann Heckman — April 3, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
Georgeann: Incidently, my dog was on Iams Mini Chunks too, and she had unexplained blood in her urine. It showed up about mid-October 2006 and disappeared about early-March 2007. Urinalysis showed no bacteria, and x-rays showed no stones. I believe it was a bad batch or two of the Iams, but I don’t have any of the food left to test. I do still have the bags though, so I can get lot numbers off the bags if I need to at some point. My second dog wasn’t affected as far as I know.
I have now switched to Abady food.
Comment by Sarah — April 3, 2007 @ 8:21 pm
Back in 2004 because of one cow in the state of Washington infected with BSE, American companies could no longer export cosmetics to China. (Yes, animal componets are in a lot of it).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P04-46
April 21, 2004
Statement on Cosmetic Exports to China
The Food and Drug Administration today announced a successful resolution of an issue arising out of the January, 2004 decision by the Chinese government to suspend on public health grounds the importation of United States cosmetics. The Chinese measure, which was issued after the discovery in the state of Washington of a cow infected with BSE, the so-called Mad Cow Disease, has been estimated by the Department of Commerce to result in the potential loss of $100 million worth of cosmetic exports a year.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/.....01056.html
————————————————————————————————————————
This is crazy. Why is our Goverment in bed with China? Why can’t we do the same with their dangerous business practices?
My take on that article, ALL American made cosmetics were banned on fear without any incident occurring. What is up with this one sided stuff going on—yet we are the ones with proof!!!!!!!
Comment by DeeAnn — April 3, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
I think you did fine with your questions. I’dike to know if she has a pet and what she feeds and what the people at the FDA are eating, you know the type of thing.
I think the interview was great and it just confirms what we know already, that they protect big business first.
I’d still like to know how ChemNutro found out on the 8th of March the batch of Gluten was bad - now that question needs answering. Did you talk to Elieen Morrison? I think that was her name.
I’m so glad she called you back. Shows some sense of responsibility.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
Sorry, 8:27 comment was for Nadine.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 8:28 pm
It is shocking to realize that the very entity that is supposed to be protecting us and our pets – The Pet Food Industry – is the very thing from which we need protection.
Comment by Steve — April 3, 2007 @ 8:29 pm
Its a one way trade agreement. We get the short end of the stick.
I used to make fun of my father for checking the Made from label.
Now I am starting to see his wisdom. Too bad Pet food products and our own food products don’t have the same thing.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 8:31 pm
http://www.stephenvoss.com/sto ries/ChinaRiverPollution/photo 13.html
I have posted this before, but its a good read and please look at the pictures.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
http://www.stephenvoss.com/sto.....tion/photo 13.html
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 8:35 pm
Sorry please cut and paste into your browser, the link is broken, but a good reason to not eat anything from China. Yes I have been there its a huge Superfund Site.
The people are nice, just sick because they don’t have the same environmental values as we do.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
MONKEYKITTY:
You asked where I got the Michigan numbers. They are in the lead article for this thread, and at this link:
http://www.mlive.com/news/much.....amp;coll=8
Comment by Sarah — April 3, 2007 @ 8:41 pm
YOU GO GIRL!!!
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
At least we got the word out. It is rather clear the FDA or anyone else is doing anything about it.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
Linda, the return phone call I mention was in response to my call to Eileen Morrison. It was someone from right there in the midst. She couldn’t give names. I tried. And yes, from her tone of voice, she must be a pet owner. \
Comment by Nadine Long — April 3, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
Sandi K I am sorry for your loss of your cat.first of all I am very dissapointed in Nutro. There food was listed in the recall along with all the other garbage sold to our pets. I can only assume that what we have bought under their label is the same food that you find in the packages of iams,walmart and ect. brands. I owned a natural food pet store for 5 years and have done alot of research on food. for years i fed the grocery store food and looking back my animals were never really healthy. I started a 7 week puppy on natural food and at 5ys old no excess shedding,dry skin,hot spots no money spent at vets for illnesses! Look at the ingredients in your dry & wet food: just some you will find: propylene glycol-chemical used in anti-freeze and solvent in brake fluid-sweet flavor;propyl gallate; chemical to retard spoilage-may cause liver damage; bha-preservative and potentially dangerous to kidneys; bht used to retard spoilage-more dangerous than bha; by-products-feet, beaks,feathers,eyeballs ect plus peanut shells,newspapers. this is just some of the lousy ingreadients in your popular grocery store food. Pedigree is one that irritates me due to their claim to helping shelter animals but yet look at what they are putting in our animal’s food, garbage! and yes i can tell you that the turkeys will probably go into animals food. Everyone needs to start protesting against the cheap ingredients and larger profits the companies are making. Diabetes and diseases and obesity in animals are from all the sugar, inferior grease, and chemicals in the food.It does not surpise me this catastrophy has happened. Paying more for better food is really worth it in the long run and cheaper in the end.
Comment by sharon J — April 3, 2007 @ 8:48 pm
Well, at least they are trying - that means so much in these dark times. A personal call gives us hope - news releases are so “blah!” and unbelievable.
Comment by Linda — April 3, 2007 @ 8:50 pm
One way trade agreement, yes. They make tons of American dollars with their exports and then loan it back to us. We (taxpayers)now pay mind boggling interest to China on those loans. We are ALMOST so screwed—unless we drastically reduce China imports.
We now compete with China for fuel among many other things which have driven our prices up, and we import hidden junk in our food supply chain.
Our middle class is slipping and theirs is rising.
Comment by DeeAnn — April 3, 2007 @ 8:54 pm
Purina in China.Yikes!
Is this old news?
http://news.xinhuanet.com/engl.....688630.htm
Lorna
Comment by Lorna — April 3, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
I believe that there is a contaminant in the recalled wheat gluten since tests have shown that to be the case. But I wonder whether that is actually the cause of the epidemic of kidney problems or just the tip of the iceberg in terms of pet food contaminants causing kidney disease.
My wonderful cat died two weeks ago (March 20) of kidney disease that developed suddenly in February. He had been fine when I brought him in to the vet’s for routine exam and lab tests less than a month before, and those labs (including BUN and creatinine) were fine. Then in February he suddenly vomited, wouldn’t eat much, and started drinking large amounts of water; I brought him to the vet and this time BUN and creatinine showed kidney disease.
He never ate any of the foods on the recall list, though some concerns are posted on the petsit site whether the food he ate most was processed at one of those plants. To my knowledge none of the foods he ate contained wheat gluten.
I realize his illness might have been a coincidence, but it came on so suddenly and so many cats are ill with kidney disease, I question whether melamine is the true cause of the problem, and whether it’s the only ingredient involved.
Is there any source collecting data on cases such as my cat’s so that all such cases can be used to determine the true cause and extent of the problem and whether multiple contaminants may be reaching pet food?
I don’t want any pet or pet owner to go through what my cat and I went through, and want to make sure this kidney disease epidemic among cats is explored thoroughly. (Even before this latest tragic development, too many cats have been getting kidney disease, as I have now learned.) A central resource for all kidney disease reports seems in order.
Comment by Loren — April 3, 2007 @ 9:20 pm
Nadine, thanks so much for all your work on this, and thank you for posting the results of that conversation. It sounds to me like the gal was very honest with you, including all the limitations.
Comment by Jackie — April 3, 2007 @ 9:46 pm
The letter threatening Howl911 has been posted all over the net, it was not well received.
Henceforth, Blue Buffalo will be known as
BLUE BUFFOON
Probably not the best move a pet food company has made this week but it has provided some fun.
People on one blog are making up lyrics for BLUE BUFFOON, sung to the tune of Blue Bayou and it had me rolling on the floor.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 3, 2007 @ 10:04 pm
Re: Comment by Barbara @8:19 pm
The link provided above is from the pathologist at Michigan State University (Dr. Agnew). The photos are from my 4 month old baby’s necropsy (Pekingese passed away on March 9)! I spoke to Dr. Agnew this evening. he said that he is asking for help from other labs as he cannot make the connection to either melamine or the rat poison. They have been investigating this for more than two weeks and cannot come up with anything! Our pets are not sick and dying from melamine! Please, please, please - If you are in Michigan, I really need to hear from you! We need to unite in this state too! I am getting no where on my own. The media has ignored me. The pet food manufacturers won’t return my calls. Even the FDA cancelled an appointment THEY scheduled to pick up two cans of the tainted food and they are in no hurry to reschedule. My baby cannot die in vain! I miss him so much. I don’t know what to do next?!?! n.sharpes@sbcglobal.net
Comment by Natalie Sharpes — April 3, 2007 @ 10:08 pm
where can I see the letter from Blue Buffalo?
Comment by Brenda — April 3, 2007 @ 10:19 pm
Here is the threat. Posted on Itchmo.com and now pretty much everywhere, it really was a stupid thing to do.
Howl911 Threatened with Lawsuit from Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo just sent the editor of Howl911 a threatening email
asking them to remove the post to Blue Buffalo’s inclusion of
menadione - a substance that’s banned in the UK. Instead of explaining
why this substance would be good for our kids, they threatened to
silence the grassroots blogs because it happens to appear on a page
that has recall news. It’s not known if the original poster on The Dog
Food Project has also been legally threatened. We expected more from a
company like Blue Buffalo. We demand an apology!
Reading Mr. MacLean’s logic, it’s clear that Itchmo can post this news
since we cover much more than the recalls. Shall we temp the law?
Full email from Blue Buffalo’s legal counsel after the jump.
Dear Web Master,
I am General Counsel for Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd, the manufacturer
of BLUE brand cat and dog foods. I am writing concerning the piece
that appears on your web site (http://www.howl911.com/), under the
headline “THE DOG FOOD PROJECT: MENADIONE IN BLUE BUFFALO FOODS” dated
4-2-07.
Virtually your entire web page is devoted to news, information and
links about the recent pet food recalls, except for the article about
Blue Buffalo. While your work regarding the recalls is commendable,
the placement of the Blue Buffalo article in this context is
irresponsible, and leaves the the reader with the impression that the
BLUE products are under recall. The explanation “Unrelated to the Menu
Foods recall” appearing in much smaller font below the headline does
little to reduce the clear association of BLUE products with the Menu
Foods recall, or some other recall, or, at the very least, a dangerous
health issue.
No BLUE products have been implicated in any of the recent recalls,
and there is no reliable scientific evidence that even remotely
suggests that BLUE products are anything but safe and healthy for
pets. For you to suggest otherwise on your web site is defamatory,
particularly in light of the current consumer concerns about pet safety.
That your piece consists almost entirely of quotes from another site
does not shield you from responsibility or liability for this
defamation. Any cursory inquiry by you into the allegations of the
author would reveal that the claims are factually and scientifically
inaccurate, and unsupportable.
This piece does not deserve coverage on any site, but it certainly
does not belong on a site that attempting to provide valuable
information about the recalls to pet parents who are truly, and
deservedly alarmed about the foods that have been recalled.
My client demands that you immediately remove the BLUE article from
your web site, and refrain from any references to BLUE products on any
page of your site that references the recent recalls. If this is not
done within 24 hours, we will assume that you are intentionally
creating an association of BLUE products with the recent recalls, and
we will take immediate action accordingly.
Respectfully,
Richard E. MacLean
General Counsel
Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 3, 2007 @ 10:23 pm
Can a disclaimer be added to the Blue Buffalo report on that web page. You know most companies have theirs in teeny tiny letters but that is all it takes to be in compliance.
Disclaimer—I am not an Attorney.
Or perhaps add some other stuff to the web page so that Blue Buffalo will quit having a temper tantrum.
Blue Buffalo, I will return my purchase pronto.
Comment by DeeAnn — April 3, 2007 @ 10:45 pm
I am glad they are taking the “high road” on this.
LOL, ya lets just sick the attorney on them.
Thats good PR!
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
Release the hounds!!!
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
I bet that attorney can barely even use the internet, let alone know its true power.
Typical, actually menu foods is scared to even go into public anymore afraid they will do more damage than they already have done.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 10:54 pm
I will print it out and let the better half give it a look. See what she says about it. From what I see its a matter of opinion.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 3, 2007 @ 10:59 pm
My random thoughts here…hope it makes sense…
I wonder, was it really Melamine-poisoned wheat gluten?
The FDA has been quoted in the media as saying “It (Melamine) has a very low toxicity, at least in rodents. The problem is, we don’t have information in cats, and that seems to be the most susceptible species.”
(* note: for decades animal scientists have understood that cats are far more vulnerable than dogs in regard to most all potentially harmful subtances. How the FDA missed that, I don’t know.)
But… from everything I’ve read, Melamine and Melamine resins have a very low toxicity to humans and animals.
For humans, the Pesticide Action Network database under the title “Signs and Symptoms of Melamine Poisoning” reads “Acute systemic toxicity is unlikely unless large amounts have been ingested.” And the first aid instruction for ingestion is simply “Rinse mouth“.
There have been no recent studies done on cats or dogs but there have for rats. In rats, the LD50 dose (the amount required to kill half the members of a tested population) was in amounts that seem to me to translate to an 11-pound cat eating 2-3 pounds of raw melamine per day to even begin having the same mortality rates as rats. But I’m no scientist. I digress.
But really, who here believes that scientists at Cornell University and the New York State Food Laboratory mistook Melamine for Rat Poison? I don’t.
I do believe that Melamine was found, I just don’t believe it’s killing pets.
So I‘ve been wondering, how would traces of Melamine end up in canned pet food?
I was reading (link below) a publication titled “Influence of Heat and Cure Preservatives on Residues of Sulfamethazine, Chloramphenicol, and Cyromazine in Muscle Tissue.”
In this, they administered melamine residues to cattle and then subjected the muscle tissue to the cooking process required for canning. In part, the document reads. “In canned product, melamine was present at 1 ppm for the dosed and nondosed tissue. The melamine contamination may be due to the melamine-formaldehyde resin in the can lining.
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/ab.....sid=6006l3
Melamine residues in can linings? Canned pet food “poisoned” with Melamine?
So, I looked for more information and learned that the canning industry regularly uses Melamine (or Melamine/Formaldehyde, aka MF Melamine) as a coating on the interior surface of cans. Apparently the cans are coated to prevent corrosion of the can and metal contamination of the food in the can.
So, I started looking for companies that manufacture MF Melamine (there are many)and I learned that the world’s biggest Melamine manufacturer is DSM. You remember DSM right? They are the company that made a big announcement last week swearing that its product could not possibly be linked to the pet food poisoning; they said “Melamine manufactured by DSM is not used directly or indirectly in any application that could be linked to these claims,”
Hmmm…
I read more carefully through their website and discovered that DSM is also a manufacturer of Can Coating Resins, one of which is MF Melamine (Brand name Uramex MF). Here’s a link to that sales site. http://www.dsm.com/en_US/html/dcr/can.htm.
Interestingly, DSM Nutritional Products, a Division of DSM/Melamine, is a member of the Pet Food Institute (PFI is a lobbying group representing pet food makers). DSM is listed on that site as a member/supplier.
Also, one of the companies I found using this MF Melamine can-coating was a company called Crown Holdings (aka Crown Cork & Seal Company and renamed “Global Closure Systems” in April, 2006) which manufactures cans for the food canning industry. Their clients include pet food manufacturers Heinz, Mars, Nestle and MENU FOODS.
again, hmmmm….
There is a lot more info available about the canning industry and Melamine can-coating resins. None of it seems too sinister to me. After all, our soup and beer cans are lined with it, right?
Makes me wonder, is Melamine just a normal by-product of the canning industry but a chemical name unfamiliar enough to most Americans to make us believe it could kill our dogs and cats?
I guess a chemical used to make “plastic kitchenware” and “fertilizer for your garden“ is a lot less sinister than a Rat Poison that was once used for abortions and has been banned in the United States since the 1950‘s.
Comment by Joy — April 3, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
Golly, everyone needs to take a doggy downer or a chill pill. I don’t find the Blue Buffalo email “threatening” in any way. The author of the email is RIGHT - that in light of the current and valid concerns of so many pet owners, anyone publishing information should make sure it (a) is factual, (b) can’t be inadvertently misconstrued, and (c) doesn’t unnecessarily fan the flames of an already explosive situation.
Comment by Sarah — April 4, 2007 @ 1:00 am
Recall — Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company. This listserv covers mainly Class I (life-threatening) recalls. A complete listing of recalls can be found in the FDA Enforcement Report at: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html
ChemNutra Announces Nationwide Wheat Gluten Recall
Contact:
Devon Blaine/Lisa Baker
310-360-1499
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —Las Vegas, NV — April 3, 2007 — ChemNutra Inc., of Las Vegas, Nevada, yesterday recalled all wheat gluten it had imported from one of its three Chinese wheat gluten suppliers – Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. Ltd.
The wheat gluten ChemNutra recalled was all shipped from China in 25 kg. paper bags, and distributed to customers in the same unopened bags. The bags were all labeled “Wheat Gluten Batch No.: _______ Net Weight: 25 kg Gross Weight: 25.1 kg Made in China”. The batch numbers included in the recall are 20061006, 20061027, 20061101, 20061108, 20061122, 20061126, 20061201, 20061202, 20061203, 20061204, 20061205, 20061206, 20061208, 20061221, 20070106, 20070111, 20070116, and 20070126. Each ChemNutra shipment had the certificate of analysis information from the supplier, including batch number and the supplier’s content analysis and test results. ChemNutra shipped from its Kansas City warehouse to three pet food manufacturers and one distributor who supplies wheat gluten only to the pet food industry. ChemNutra’s shipments commenced November 9, 2006 and ended March 8, 2007. ChemNutra did not ship to facilities that manufacture food for human consumption, and the distributor ChemNutra shipped to supplies wheat gluten only to pet food manufacturers. The total quantity of Xuzhou Anying wheat gluten shipped was 792 metric tons.
ChemNutra learned on March 8 from one pet food manufacturer that the wheat gluten it had sold them – all from the Xuzhou Anying - was among ingredients suspected as a potential cause of pet food problems. ChemNutra immediately quarantined its entire wheat gluten inventory and assisted this customer’s investigation.
After that manufacturer issued a pet food recall, the FDA immediately commenced a thorough investigation of ChemNutra’s wheat gluten, including documentation analysis, inspection, and laboratory testing. ChemNutra cooperated fully with the FDA and immediately notified its other three wheat gluten customers about the FDA’s investigation. Those customers had all purchased smaller amounts of the Xuzhou Anying wheat gluten commencing in January, 2007.
On Friday, March 30, the FDA announced they had found melamine in samples of the wheat gluten ChemNutra had imported from Xuzhou Anying. The FDA did not inform ChemNutra of any other impurities in the Xuzhou Anying wheat gluten, nor of any impurities in the wheat gluten from ChemNutra’s other two Chinese suppliers.
The toxicity of melamine is not clear. However, since melamine is not approved by the FDA for pet food, it should absolutely not have been in wheat gluten. ChemNutra is extremely concerned about the purity of all of its products. The company is particularly troubled that the certificates of analysis provided by the above-named supplier did not report the presence of melamine.
ChemNutra wants to ensure its products are safe. Consequently, in addition to its ongoing cooperation with the FDA, ChemNutra will be conducting its own independent, analytical tests of wheat gluten from all of its suppliers.
Yesterday ChemNutra sent recall notices to all four of its direct customers. If any other company received bags of recalled wheat gluten from the lot numbers referenced above, please call ChemNutra at 702.818.5019.
Consumers who have questions about the pet food they should go to the FDA’s website at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/.....01590.html. This website lists all brands of petfood involved, with links to the manufacturer who should be contacted with questions.
####
FDA’s Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts Page: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html
___________________________________________________
Comment by Brigitte — April 4, 2007 @ 5:01 am
Im sorry, Im just not buying this. My old pal Brandy died after eating Sprout Beef Cuts & Gravy for the first time with an expiration date of Oct 25 09 produced well before the supposed ship date of Nov 3rd for the specific lot in question.
Yes, she may well have been sick from something else. My vet shouted me down when I requested a post mortem after discovering the recall the next day. I reported her death to the FDA which indicated that they were going to pick up one or more of the remaining cans for testing. But, to date I have heard nothing since.
Beyond that, it is not at all clear that melamine would even cause these deaths or the symptoms identified by reporting vets. Let us not forget that the original analysis showed aminopterin and not melamine and the symptoms Brandy exhibited were consistent with aminopterin poisoning including blood in her mouth after she died.
Finally, releases made by Menu Food, the FDA and Chem Nutra are all in regards to lots dated AFTER Nov 3rd 2006 or new product made after March 6th with absolutely no reference to anything prior to that.
I think we are dealing with multiple contaminations here and at the very least there is no evidence to refute that what so ever, just alot of statements that do not fully explain the events or cover the range of possibilities.
No sir, I’m just not buying it. It is certainly not the whole story.
Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — April 4, 2007 @ 8:06 am
Can we trust the word of the FDA at all? It seems strange how they are making such definitive statements how ChemNutra has followed the letter of the law in everything, on just ChemNutra’s word. Something seems awfully suspect here.
Where are the original, complete shipping manifests of all those shipments in March and months before? Some shipper must have the record.
Comment by Gary — April 4, 2007 @ 8:30 am
http://www.chennaicustoms.gov......6_2004.htm
They have dumped melamine in other counties in the past. If it’s stored out in the open at the exporter’s site almost anything could get in it, including carcinogenic aflatoxin. What else could they be dumping and it’s getting thru because of lack of regulation and inspection? We should elevate the status of pets to more than worth their ‘property value’ to protect ourselves! Fraud and misrepresentation damages are not so limited. Let’s get some legislation on this going! This would put more teeth in it! Also, accountability in the reporting systems to back it up. 16 dogs? Yeah.
Comment by Sue Dunn — April 4, 2007 @ 8:54 am
Yes Gary, that is precisely my point.
Beyond that, melamine is a relatively inert substance. It is the primary component in the old 1950s era plateware known as Melmac(tm). I still have the old set my mom had and infact was using one of the plates to feed Brandy. We still use them in emergencies - you just cant put them in the micro-wave.
While pure melamine will break down it does so very slowly and as had been demonstrated by other bloggers here it is in fact used routinely in can processing and other places. It is not in fact all THAT toxic (although we do not know what concentrations are involved here). It’s uses have been described as a slow release fertilizer mostly used in forestry. That would tend to mean that it is releasing nitrogen (or maybe phosphorus?) over long periods of time. As an X farmer this does not sound like something that could cause the acute symptoms observed.
My vet initially described Brandy’s symptoms as “Red Herrings” for her old bladder problem. (i.e. something meant to distract). I think that is what we are dealing with here - a distraction in the absence of facts.
Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — April 4, 2007 @ 9:06 am
Here’s a little evidence to back up my claims:
Link to original: http://www.pesticideinfo.org/D.....9#Symptoms
Melamine is a Triazine compound.
Symptoms of Poisoning with Triazine Compounds
Find Products Containing this Chemical
Acute systemic toxicity is unlikely unless large amounts have been ingested.
- Irritation of eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
Just as I predicted, melamine is not considered acutely poisonous.
So….. WHY ARE WE LISTENING TO THIS??????
My old pal Brandy knew alot of tricks but she would never roll over and play dead for anyone!
Neither should we!
Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — April 4, 2007 @ 9:17 am
Before this recall Vets were blaming the sickness of cats and dogs on eating rat poison. Cat deaths especially were just chalked up by eating rodents that had eaten rat poison even though some of them weren’t outdoor cats.
Something else is going on here without independent research I personally think we will never find the true root cause, not from the FDA at least.
This whole time the FDA has been reactionary not proactive in finding the true cause.
In response to the CNN Anderson Cooper 360 they published this report since now they are being investigated by Congress.
In response to the CNN Anderson Cooper 360 they published this report since now they are being investigated by Congress.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 4, 2007 @ 9:48 am
Here’s a little more…
I cannot find a single poison control or information site that describes sysmptoms of melamine poisoning consistent with those described as affecting dead or sick pets.
Most notably absent is any reference to kidney failure or any kind of urination problem. Neither is there any reference to loss of apetite or anything else on the vin list or in my experience with Brandy.
The only reference I can find to any accute symtoms of any kind in association with melamine is that it gives off HCN (Hydrogen Cyanide) but only when burned! HCN was not identified by the FDA and as it turns out this is common to alot of plastics related products including polyurethane foam.
The ONLY places I find those kind of allegations are in press reports in association with the pet food recall. So, WHERE are they getting this information on symptoms??? Press releases from the company or FDA?
Whats up with this and why hasnt anyone else questioned this?
I’m looking to be proven wrong here so any additional information is welcome!
Bernie
Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — April 4, 2007 @ 9:50 am
CNN International is doing a segment on China and the poisoned ingredients. It would appear that they are going to the actual source of the contaminated ingredients.
FYI
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 4, 2007 @ 10:03 am
Joy
It’s crossed my mind several times that maybe there is something involved with the cans and pouches. What are they—tin, aluminum? The pouches have aluminum foil inside. Wonder if anyone is checking on that aspect. Have to commend all of you out there. Have been following this website since the beginning of the recall and you know your stuff and how to find information. Keep up the fantastic work. Also, yes, let us not let this be swept away. If Blue Buffalo doesn’t like the comments then they should be forthright in reporting ALL the suppliers of their products and ALL the ingredients that go into the final product.
Comment by Valarie — April 4, 2007 @ 10:12 am
That would have been more meaningful to pets and their familys rather than sending an attorney after howl911.
People need reassurance not threats of litigation.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 4, 2007 @ 10:15 am
Television news shows continue to show cat food products that are
not on the poison list as they report about wheat gluten problem.
CNN and NBC affiliates are leading us down the wrong path? Is this
irresponsible reporting or a warning to consumers???
Comment by Addison — April 16, 2007 @ 3:50 pm