Pet-food recall: The first Monday news
By Gina Spadafori
April 9, 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.
Many, many thanks to itchmo, howl911, PetfoodTracker, the Pet Food List and others for keeping on top of it all while we at PetConnection try to meet some of our other editorial obligations.
Thanks, Mike, for the pointer to this piece on action in New Jersey:
In reaction to recent pet food recalls prompted by the poisoning deaths of pets across the country, a state lawmaker has announced plans to craft legislation that would hold responsible companies that distribute tainted foods.
Under the proposal, pet food manufacturers would be required to certify with the state that their products are safe and free of contaminants.
In the U.K., the Guardian tries for an overview and does pretty well.
USA Today runs an editorial wrapping up most of the elements of this story in a very tidy fashion, but wimping out on any need for true reform in the interests of both animal and human health:
The best hope could instead lie in finding a better way to discern patterns when illness strikes, fashioned on the government reporting system that detects food-borne illnesses in people. Doctors and hospitals report suspicious illnesses to local public health authorities, which then send the data up the chain to federal authorities. Last year, when a database showed several cases involving a certain strain of E. coli, alarms sounded. Questioning victims helped pinpoint bagged spinach as the cause, and it was pulled from the market. Still, it caused 200 illnesses and three deaths, but it could have been far worse. Veterinary and animal welfare groups might consider financing a similar system for pets.
Menu Foods got its first complaints about sick pets on Feb. 20. It did not recall any pet food until 24 days later. If the industry can’t do better than that, a national reporting system is the best hope to save the next Jasmine or Brutus.
But why on earth would financing a tracking system be left to veterinary or animal-welfare groups? If there was ever a job for a competent federal government working in the interests of the people it’s supposed to be serving, this is it.
By the way … I’m also getting dozens and dozen of pitches from people trying to capitalize on this story by selling you something. Not inclined to post any of them, although they’re welcome to post themselves in the comments. You’re welcome.
Go to the latest blog post | Go to the PetConnection home page
|Technorati Tags: pet food recall, dogs, cats,veterinarian, veterinary
Concerning the piece on “action in New Jersey:”
“Having pet food producers officially declare pet food safe for consumption’ sets a legally binding standard,” said Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, D-Mercer County, who is proposing the legislation. “If producers fail to live up to their declarations, then the state has a clear course of legal action to hold them accountable.”
Thank you, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora! This is what we need!
Comment by Pam Williams — April 9, 2007 @ 10:16 am
Gusciora has the right idea. Every state should begin the process of legislating this law now.
There is no escaping the long list of astounding and staggering revelations about the Pet Food Industry since March 16.
How many more pets have to die and get sick before enough is enough?
Comment by Steve — April 9, 2007 @ 10:30 am
My homecooked pet food looks so good that my friends want to eat it - that seems like a good test to me.
My son even says the dogs eat better than he does. Pet food should at least be suitable for human consumption - and maybe that should be on the label also.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 10:33 am
JUST RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM SEN DURBIN’S OFFICE. THE HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 12 AT 2:00 PM. BELIEVE THIS WOULD BE WASHINGTON DC TIME.
Comment by VJ — April 9, 2007 @ 10:36 am
I hope we can have television covereage of the hearing.
Is this a special hearing with selected members, and if so do you know which ones, or is this a hearing in front of everyone?
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 10:43 am
There is to be several panels. FDA Dr. Sundluf on one panel. Dr. Claudia Kirk Pet Food Industry on another. With all the negative comments regarding the PFI, do you think pet owners will achieve the results we have been hoping for? The person I spoke with was Erin. When I asked if it would be televised, did not receive a definitive reply.
Comment by VJ — April 9, 2007 @ 10:50 am
Vaccine for Canine Melanoma:
(got this from Itchmo) http://www.itchmo.com/read/dog-vaccine_20070409
The US Department of Agriculture has conditionally approved the first ever therapeutic vaccine — and it is for canine melanoma. The vaccine can double a lifetime of a dog diagnosed with melanoma to an average of 400 days. 1 out of 140 dogs is affected by skin cancer (time to get some doggie sunscreen) and chemotherapy and surgery have not been effective. The vaccine will be available in about eight weeks.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 11:03 am
I think a vaccine that will help dogs with Melanoma is wonderful. I have one dog with light skin, pink nose and she never goes out in the sun without sunscreen. Many people don’t know that pink nosed dogs can get skin cancer.
Slather up the sun screen everyone summer is almost here.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 11:05 am
Go to http://www.durbin.senate.gov for more information on the senator’s recall investigation set for this Thursday, April 12 at 2PM
Comment by VJ — April 9, 2007 @ 11:08 am
Thank you VJ. I will.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 11:11 am
Linda pure coconut oil as a sunscreen is far safer than store bought sunscreen which has known carcinogens in the ingredients.
Comment by VJ — April 9, 2007 @ 11:12 am
Pure coconut oil is a sunscreen? Thanks, never knew that. I was using sunscreens made for babies -
Thanks.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 11:18 am
You’re welcome Linda. Here’s more info.Made by Nature’s First Law. http://www.rawfood.com Either “The Rawest Organic VIrgin Coconut Oil” or “Coconut Oil Butter”. Can eat, cook, or slather it on body.
Comment by VJ — April 9, 2007 @ 11:28 am
Sounds good to me VJ. Thanks much.
Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 11:31 am
Wouldn’t putting pure oil on your skin just make it burn faster? I don’t see how it would block any of the sun’s rays.
Comment by Elaine — April 9, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Being lazy I didn’t read the whole USA Today article. But from what was posted above, all I can say is, cripes WAKE UP! Why is it they still don’t get that this isn’t only about pets? I already pay taxes and fund all sorts of things I don’t want or need (but I won’t go there). Some of my money should go to insuring the safety of the food of this country. PERIOD!
Obviously they haven’t done their homework and don’t understand that these systems should already be in place - at the order of the President WRT Homeland Security. BTW what color is our security today? It should have bumped up a couple of weeks ago, don’t you think? Oh, that’s right, it’s only about pets…….
Comment by CathyA — April 9, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
If these guys had alerted the public when they first became aware of the problem my of friend Brandy would still be at my knee tonight begging for morsels off my plate and asking me to have her ears rubbed for twenty minutes before she settled down to bed.
Now I have to content myself with visiting her grave. But at least I have a place where I could bury her and go to remember. Most dont have that.
Tomorrow I go to the humane society to pick up Scout - a rambunctious young spaniel. But he wont be my old friend. At least not for some time.
Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — April 9, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
Very nice blog but you can visit this blog
cat’s food recipes
it is very nice blog that gives you cat recipes
that are not affordable in any other site
Comment by moh — April 9, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
Elaine
My holistic doctor told me about this. Talks about it in lectures he gives. He uses it. I put it on when going out to sunbathe and never burn. Gives a nice tan.
Comment by VJ — April 9, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
Bernard, He won’t be your old friend, but YOU will be HIS new friend, instantly! Thank you for adopting and good luck tomorrow.
Comment by Karla T. — April 9, 2007 @ 3:45 pm
Pure Coconut Oil as Sunscreen?????
Coconut Oil does not block UVA & UVB rays so if you are at high risk of skin cancer (light skinned caucasian or white dog/cat or previously had malignant moles removed) you should use sunscreen or cover up by wearing clothes, or stay out of the sun.
Comment by catlover — April 9, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
I always thought it just made a tan nicer -
Comment by Linda — April 9, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
I guess that’s true for dark skinned people who tan. It is not recommended for people who burn. There is no safe tan according to my dermatologist.
PS I live in FL, the skin cancer capital of the US.
Comment by catlover — April 9, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
Maybe you can cover up your pet when outside, by using a cute Tshirt or something? That way you don’t have to worry about them licking off the sunscreen.
Comment by catlover — April 9, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
Someone was asking about The Good Life cat food?
I haven’t found the recipe,but it’s a Purina product.Have seen comments about it containing a lot of fillers(surprise),corn etc.but haven’t seen the label myself.
Lorna
Comment by Lorna — April 9, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
Comment by Lorna — April 9, 2007
Hi Lorna,
Honestly I would not use any Purina product at this time….. Just my opinion.
Comment by marcy — April 9, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
Dermatologists are in the medical field you want to stay away from. All they know is drugs and surgery. Coconut oil WILL protect your skin so as not to burn.
Comment by VJ — April 9, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
The Good Life was making my cats sick about 6 weeks ago. They were on their 2nd bag & started avoiding or puking, so I switched.
Comment by Kat — April 9, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
This probably has been posted & discussed today, but here it is again:
http://www.ozarksfirst.com/con.....p;cid=6295
Senate To Investigate Tainted Pet Food
04/09/2007 08:07am
(Washington, DC) — A Senate panel is expected to question FDA officials as early as this week on their response to tainted pet food.
Illinois Senator Richard Durbin has called for a hearing aimed at finding ways to ensure that pet food is safe.
Last week, Durbin criticized the federal inspection process for both human and pet foods saying that the system had “broken-down.” He wants to see the FDA set national standards and inspection rules for pet food manufacturing facilities.
The “Los Angeles Times” reports Durbin would also like to see federal law changed to allow the FDA to order a recall of food intended for human or pet consumption rather than rely on companies to do it voluntarily.
The agency has confirmed about 15 animal deaths from poisoning — although the number could go much higher.
More than 100 brands of pet food have been recalled since March 16th.
The FDA has determined the pet food was contaminated with melamine, a chemical used to make plastic products, which was found in wheat gluten.
Comment by Kat — April 9, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
Bernie: Good luck tomorrow with your FUTURE best friend! :)
Comment by Kat — April 9, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
Here’s what Iowa Farmer Today says about growing local wheat:
http://tinyurl.com/3432og
“Maintaining and improving a domestic food supply system and the infrastructure that goes with it is essential both for the American economy and for our national security. Wheat growers understand the importance of trade - we export half of what we grow. But we also understand the importance of having a supply of food right here at home, one that we can regulate, track and depend upon.”
Also, Monterey County Herald has an interesting article:
http://tinyurl.com/2sj8xr
“U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, said the system needs fixing, and this week the Senate is set to begin hearings that will include testimony from the FDA.
“The uncertainty about what is safe to feed their pets has gone on too long,” Durbin said in a release announcing the hearings. “I want to hear how the FDA is going to work to resolve the current crisis and ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
Durbin is demanding that the FDA work with states to establish standard regulations and inspection requirements, which presently don’t exist.
“Where there should be federal regulation, there is instead a patchwork of state inspection systems and voluntary guidance,” Durbin said.
“
Comment by Kat — April 9, 2007 @ 5:38 pm
Here’s a link to news & video of PETA’s request for recall of dry food, from 3-30-07. Audio is terrible…
KDKA.com: http://tinyurl.com/3x7llw
They also show the IAMS Cruelty video on this segment.
Comment by Kat — April 9, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
I have read this entire forum and I say emphatically if you have any kind of Hill Science
Diet Dry throw it away. My cats have been on “sensitive stomach” for a year and the new bag that I bought in February has made them sick since day one. After $1,000 vet bills I switched my cats to something else and now they are happy and fine. My two cats were throwing up within 15 minutes of eating. Fluids, blood work, xrays, antibiotics, overnight stays all ended with my vet saying “it must be a virus. There’s a virus going around”. Nonsense. I think Hill Science substituted the “expensive corn gluten” with wheat gluten or it was contaminated and they didn’t change the bag label. They will never admit to this. The bag label is their story and they are sticking to it. They are probably the “one” that the FDA has hinted is not voluntarily recalling their product. Imagine, the product producer gets to voluntarily recall a deadly product? What happens if a money grubbing corporation—doesn’t want to..? Nothing. I am angry that so many animals and families have suffered because of the all mighty corporate profit. Food producers are kept honest by inspection. Sad to say that people who are watched are forced to stay honest. This is true.
Congress mandated the FDA to watch our food and our animals food. The FDA cries because they don’t have enough money in their budget to do their job. Well, folks, get your Congressman to quit porking his favorite voters and building “roads to nowhere” and FUND the FDA. This is not only a pet food disaster but a people-government disaster. Speak up! Get angry! But do channel that anger in the right direction. There will always be money grubbing corporations and people..ie..Menu Foods CFO who said selling his stock before the bottom fell out was a “horrible coincidence”. You ELECT your government and hold your representatives accountable for funding, watching, and making laws that protect you. Make it your business to know how your government is protecting you, your pets, your family, your life. I wish there were another way but there isn’t.
My heart goes out to all of you who have lost beloved pet-companions.
Elaine
Comment by Elaine Derrick — April 10, 2007 @ 12:30 pm