Comments on: Pet food recall: Welcome to the holiday weekend http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/ Blogging by a team of pet-care experts led by Dr. Marty Becker. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:15:13 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Phyllis http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/comment-page-2/#comment-27845 Phyllis Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:41:24 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/#comment-27845 At the beginning of the recall stores seemed slow to respond...especially Walmart. Gladly, now, stores in my area of the world (S.E. WI/N. IL) for the most, appear to be on top of the recall effort, clearing shelves and posting signs as to the reason for empty pet food shelves. However, there is one local SuperValu in Walworth Co., WI that does not appear all that concerned. On the first Saturday following the recall announcement I found shelves laden with recalled product and brought this to the management's attention. I also provided them with the Menu Foods list of recalled product. 24 hours later I stopped in to check...all food still on the shelves!!! Once again, I spoke to the manager who acknowledged he had received my list and would take care of the food. Several hours later I went to check for myself...FOOD STILL ON THE SHELVES!!! I took a shopping cart, loaded it up, and wheeled it to the back of the store in front of the stock room doors. Several days later, as more product was added, I brought the updated list to the attention of the manager because the dates/codes matched product on their shelves. Once again I was assured it would be taken care of and once again it was not! I filed a complaint against the store with the FDA which ultimately did no good. I continued to assist SuperValu with the recall effort by pulling product for them but often it ended up back on the shelf!!!! I contacted the county humane society who did infact send an officer out to check the Supervalu shelves resulting in remaining recalled product be pulled...finally...that was until Alpo and the other new items hit the recall list. As of yesterday, 4-8-07, recalled cans of Alpo were on the shelves. Once again, I assisted the store by pulling what I knew to be recalled from their shelves (didn't have my list so wasn't sure but better safe than sorry). To date, this store has been completely unresponsive to the recall. The only food pulled has been what whas taken off by request of the county humane officer)...even then only food that was explicitly on the list, nothing else (i.e. codes/dates just prior to, gravy style food, etc.). Every other store in the area has signs posted regarding the recall...not SuperValu! I am at my whits end with this store and will definitely never shop there again. I don't know what else to do. Sorry this post was so long but this has been a frustration for weeks and was much cheaper to vent here than an hour appointment with a therapist...thanks for being such "good listeners" and a place where we can all come to find up to date info and voice our concerns. At the beginning of the recall stores seemed slow to respond…especially Walmart. Gladly, now, stores in my area of the world (S.E. WI/N. IL) for the most, appear to be on top of the recall effort, clearing shelves and posting signs as to the reason for empty pet food shelves. However, there is one local SuperValu in Walworth Co., WI that does not appear all that concerned. On the first Saturday following the recall announcement I found shelves laden with recalled product and brought this to the management’s attention. I also provided them with the Menu Foods list of recalled product. 24 hours later I stopped in to check…all food still on the shelves!!! Once again, I spoke to the manager who acknowledged he had received my list and would take care of the food. Several hours later I went to check for myself…FOOD STILL ON THE SHELVES!!! I took a shopping cart, loaded it up, and wheeled it to the back of the store in front of the stock room doors. Several days later, as more product was added, I brought the updated list to the attention of the manager because the dates/codes matched product on their shelves. Once again I was assured it would be taken care of and once again it was not! I filed a complaint against the store with the FDA which ultimately did no good. I continued to assist SuperValu with the recall effort by pulling product for them but often it ended up back on the shelf!!!! I contacted the county humane society who did infact send an officer out to check the Supervalu shelves resulting in remaining recalled product be pulled…finally…that was until Alpo and the other new items hit the recall list. As of yesterday, 4-8-07, recalled cans of Alpo were on the shelves. Once again, I assisted the store by pulling what I knew to be recalled from their shelves (didn’t have my list so wasn’t sure but better safe than sorry). To date, this store has been completely unresponsive to the recall. The only food pulled has been what whas taken off by request of the county humane officer)…even then only food that was explicitly on the list, nothing else (i.e. codes/dates just prior to, gravy style food, etc.). Every other store in the area has signs posted regarding the recall…not SuperValu! I am at my whits end with this store and will definitely never shop there again. I don’t know what else to do. Sorry this post was so long but this has been a frustration for weeks and was much cheaper to vent here than an hour appointment with a therapist…thanks for being such “good listeners” and a place where we can all come to find up to date info and voice our concerns.

]]> By: CatLady http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/comment-page-2/#comment-27497 CatLady Sun, 08 Apr 2007 13:34:50 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/#comment-27497 Interesting comment about Publix. I was in my local Publix yesterday (Saturday) and noticed that they did have a sign up next to the canned foods. The sign did say that "no dry foods are involved" or something like that. I was really steamed until I got to thinking that the only dry food recalled (to date) is the Hills m/d, which Publix doesn't carry. I thought about asking the manager to change the sign, but I decided that I would not only because I figure that when the next shoe drops (next Friday?), I'll be demanding he change the sign then, and I figure he'll be more responsive the first time around. CathyA, if it helps, tell your local Publix that other Publix stores have signs up! The signs I saw were in an Orlando Publix. Interesting comment about Publix. I was in my local Publix yesterday (Saturday) and noticed that they did have a sign up next to the canned foods. The sign did say that “no dry foods are involved” or something like that. I was really steamed until I got to thinking that the only dry food recalled (to date) is the Hills m/d, which Publix doesn’t carry. I thought about asking the manager to change the sign, but I decided that I would not only because I figure that when the next shoe drops (next Friday?), I’ll be demanding he change the sign then, and I figure he’ll be more responsive the first time around.

CathyA, if it helps, tell your local Publix that other Publix stores have signs up! The signs I saw were in an Orlando Publix.

]]> By: CathyA http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/comment-page-2/#comment-27474 CathyA Sun, 08 Apr 2007 12:21:27 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/#comment-27474 Re: Comment by Adrienne — April 7, 2007 @ 6:54 pm Our WalMart response was great. When I wandered in with the Del Monte voluntary recall (before it was on FDA site) he said they had pulled it last night. That they always pull on voluntary recalls too. They had a sign that said wherever there were big red stickers on the shelf the food had been recalled. Good system. Publix still has no signs up nor any indication why there's empty shelf space. Both Winn Dixie and Sweetbay had signs up from the beginning and Albertsons just put them up on the last recall. I'm beyond disappointed in Publix. Their corporate offices will be hearing from me.....if I ever get any time to write letters! Re: Comment by Adrienne — April 7, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
Our WalMart response was great. When I wandered in with the Del Monte voluntary recall (before it was on FDA site) he said they had pulled it last night. That they always pull on voluntary recalls too. They had a sign that said wherever there were big red stickers on the shelf the food had been recalled. Good system.
Publix still has no signs up nor any indication why there’s empty shelf space. Both Winn Dixie and Sweetbay had signs up from the beginning and Albertsons just put them up on the last recall. I’m beyond disappointed in Publix. Their corporate offices will be hearing from me…..if I ever get any time to write letters!

]]> By: Adrienne http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/comment-page-2/#comment-27309 Adrienne Sun, 08 Apr 2007 00:54:45 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/#comment-27309 Spocko - you were asking for experiences that we had with stores. I had an interesting one on the Monday following the recall with Walmart which is where I purchased all of my cat/dog food. I live in Valdosta, Georgia. When I went into the local Walmart and went to the pet food section, I was appalled to see that most of the same products that I had bought were still on the shelf. Mind you, this was the Monday following the recall. The department manager who happens to know how much food I buy was back there trying his best to pull the products but they still weren't off the shelf. I asked him what the problem was and he indicated that he had been on vacation until that particular day and when he came in, he was greeted with the recall information. From that, I am going to ASSUME that they hadn't attempted to pull anything off the shelves until he got there that day. Anyway, I was furious. I asked him who the manager was and he directed me to customer service. When I got up there, I asked to speak to the manager who wasn't available right then so they sent up some extremely uneducated person (sorry but that is putting it nicely). I proceeded to explain to her what was taking place back in their pet department and that the products were still on the shelf. I liked the department manager and found him to be very helpful and very apologetic so I didn't want to get him into trouble because it wasn't his fault at all. He was really trying to do his best. I asked the person who I was speaking with if a sign could be posted back at the pet food section to inform consumers about the recall and that I thought also that one needed to be put on the doors/windows at the entrances. She was quick to point out that absolutely not, no signs could be put up anywhere. By this time, I was literally steaming mad and asked her to please get whoever was in charge of that store up there that instant. In the meantime, the pet food department manager came up with the manager of the store and we spoke at length about what was taking place. He assured me that he would have a sign made up to announce the recall and that the products would be removed immediately, he would even go and help. I calmed down a bit but was still pretty angry when I left the store. When I got home, I called the corporate office and asked to speak with someone who could give me information about the recall. I explained what had happened and also explained that I just spent $1000 on my cat who ate their poisonous food and that I wanted the products off the shelves NOW. He said they were working on a system whereby to have all the scanners catch the products if they were attempting to be sold. I told him that was fine and good but that it still didn't excuse the fact that there was no notice or anything up in their pet food department instructing people why the products were no longer available. He said that was something they would work on as well. I made it a point the next day to go back by the store to see if any signs had been put up and also to ensure the products were off the shelves. I was pleased to see that both had taken place. I apologized to the dept. manager for showing my butt but explained to him how important the recall was and how they should have never waited until he returned from vacation to get those products off the shelves. Everytime I am in there I go back to make sure I don't see anything that shouldn't be there. If I see people pick up anything labeled Ol Roy or Special Kitty, I discourage them from buying it. Half the time, the people look at me like I have two heads. I am honestly surprised I haven't been escorted out of the store yet. I have checked with our other stores here, and have been pleased with the response that I saw with Publix and Target both. Both stores had all of the affected products removed with signs indicating that there was a recall and the Menu Foods number posted on it as well. By the way, sorry this post was so long. Spocko - you were asking for experiences that we had with stores. I had an interesting one on the Monday following the recall with Walmart which is where I purchased all of my cat/dog food. I live in Valdosta, Georgia. When I went into the local Walmart and went to the pet food section, I was appalled to see that most of the same products that I had bought were still on the shelf. Mind you, this was the Monday following the recall. The department manager who happens to know how much food I buy was back there trying his best to pull the products but they still weren’t off the shelf. I asked him what the problem was and he indicated that he had been on vacation until that particular day and when he came in, he was greeted with the recall information. From that, I am going to ASSUME that they hadn’t attempted to pull anything off the shelves until he got there that day. Anyway, I was furious. I asked him who the manager was and he directed me to customer service. When I got up there, I asked to speak to the manager who wasn’t available right then so they sent up some extremely uneducated person (sorry but that is putting it nicely). I proceeded to explain to her what was taking place back in their pet department and that the products were still on the shelf. I liked the department manager and found him to be very helpful and very apologetic so I didn’t want to get him into trouble because it wasn’t his fault at all. He was really trying to do his best. I asked the person who I was speaking with if a sign could be posted back at the pet food section to inform consumers about the recall and that I thought also that one needed to be put on the doors/windows at the entrances. She was quick to point out that absolutely not, no signs could be put up anywhere. By this time, I was literally steaming mad and asked her to please get whoever was in charge of that store up there that instant. In the meantime, the pet food department manager came up with the manager of the store and we spoke at length about what was taking place. He assured me that he would have a sign made up to announce the recall and that the products would be removed immediately, he would even go and help. I calmed down a bit but was still pretty angry when I left the store. When I got home, I called the corporate office and asked to speak with someone who could give me information about the recall. I explained what had happened and also explained that I just spent $1000 on my cat who ate their poisonous food and that I wanted the products off the shelves NOW. He said they were working on a system whereby to have all the scanners catch the products if they were attempting to be sold. I told him that was fine and good but that it still didn’t excuse the fact that there was no notice or anything up in their pet food department instructing people why the products were no longer available. He said that was something they would work on as well.

I made it a point the next day to go back by the store to see if any signs had been put up and also to ensure the products were off the shelves. I was pleased to see that both had taken place. I apologized to the dept. manager for showing my butt but explained to him how important the recall was and how they should have never waited until he returned from vacation to get those products off the shelves.

Everytime I am in there I go back to make sure I don’t see anything that shouldn’t be there. If I see people pick up anything labeled Ol Roy or Special Kitty, I discourage them from buying it. Half the time, the people look at me like I have two heads. I am honestly surprised I haven’t been escorted out of the store yet.

I have checked with our other stores here, and have been pleased with the response that I saw with Publix and Target both. Both stores had all of the affected products removed with signs indicating that there was a recall and the Menu Foods number posted on it as well.

By the way, sorry this post was so long.

]]> By: Gina Spadafori http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/comment-page-2/#comment-27261 Gina Spadafori Sat, 07 Apr 2007 22:05:52 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/#comment-27261 I just put a couple new links in the above post. They're items that didn't really seem worth a post on their own, but all seem worth putting in the mix. Just FYI, all. I just put a couple new links in the above post. They’re items that didn’t really seem worth a post on their own, but all seem worth putting in the mix. Just FYI, all.

]]> By: Serijna http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/comment-page-2/#comment-27200 Serijna Sat, 07 Apr 2007 19:37:25 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/#comment-27200 Questions, questions. Is there a time limit as to how fast retailers/distributors/manufacturers must act on a FDA recall. In other words, could there be fines involved due to criminal negligence? Is a voluntary recall handled as a different animal? Like we get tuit it when we get tuit. Is there a difference in the law when pet food as opposed to people food?. Either in FDA recall or voluntary recall? Should our laws be changed to force recall compliance by retailers within a realistic time frame? Inquiring minds want to know Questions, questions.

Is there a time limit as to how fast retailers/distributors/manufacturers must act on a FDA recall. In other words, could there be fines involved due to criminal negligence?
Is a voluntary recall handled as a different animal? Like we get tuit it when we get tuit.
Is there a difference in the law when pet food as opposed to people food?. Either in FDA recall or voluntary recall?
Should our laws be changed to force recall compliance by retailers within a realistic time frame?
Inquiring minds want to know

]]> By: CathyA http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/comment-page-2/#comment-27192 CathyA Sat, 07 Apr 2007 19:20:19 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/#comment-27192 Spoko: I'm in the far South. I don't think we got as much of the tainted food around here, probably because of distribution - KS plant stuff goes West, NJ plant stuff goes East. Though no states in the South seem to be doing any numbers. One other point about retail outlets. Other than company intranet, they have no internet access and have no way to check anything. Apparently they don't feel compelled to pick up a phone either and call higherups. Though one did (Publix) and his distribution warehouse guy had heard nothing, which apparently didn't prompt HIM to pick up the phone either. The overwhelming attitude was - the FDA notifies us and until they do it ain't real. So people please add to your letter writing to see if a better system can't be set up by corporate retail headquarters. Here's what the World Wide Pet Industry Assn has to say about the recall - same complaints: http://www.wwpia.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=742 Spoko:
I’m in the far South. I don’t think we got as much of the tainted food around here, probably because of distribution - KS plant stuff goes West, NJ plant stuff goes East. Though no states in the South seem to be doing any numbers.

One other point about retail outlets. Other than company intranet, they have no internet access and have no way to check anything. Apparently they don’t feel compelled to pick up a phone either and call higherups. Though one did (Publix) and his distribution warehouse guy had heard nothing, which apparently didn’t prompt HIM to pick up the phone either. The overwhelming attitude was - the FDA notifies us and until they do it ain’t real. So people please add to your letter writing to see if a better system can’t be set up by corporate retail headquarters.

Here’s what the World Wide Pet Industry Assn has to say about the recall - same complaints:
http://www.wwpia.org/i4a/pages.....pageID=742

]]> By: Carole http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/comment-page-2/#comment-27171 Carole Sat, 07 Apr 2007 18:47:24 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/#comment-27171 Thanks Carole: Itchmo, Petfoodtracker, Howl911 and I are working on a forum that would include info like this right now. Drop me and Itchmo a line so we can include you in the project. LLAP Spocko spockosemail at gmail.com tips at itchmo.com On its way... Thanks Carole: Itchmo, Petfoodtracker, Howl911 and I are working on a forum that would include info like this right now.
Drop me and Itchmo a line so we can include you in the project.
LLAP
Spocko
spockosemail at gmail.com
tips at itchmo.com

On its way…

]]> By: MonkeyKitty http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/comment-page-2/#comment-27170 MonkeyKitty Sat, 07 Apr 2007 18:46:16 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/#comment-27170 Everyone should print out the most recent recall list and keep it in their cars. If you stop anywhere for food or gas please look for recalled products on the shelves. Everyone should print out the most recent recall list and keep it in their cars. If you stop anywhere for food or gas please look for recalled products on the shelves.

]]> By: spocko http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/comment-page-2/#comment-27167 spocko Sat, 07 Apr 2007 18:41:53 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/07/pet-food-recall-welcome-to-the-holiday-weekend/#comment-27167 Cathy: Thank you! That is some incredibly valuable information! May I ask which part of the country you live? LLAP, Spocko - Cathy: Thank you!
That is some incredibly valuable information!

May I ask which part of the country you live?
LLAP,
Spocko -

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