Pet food recall: Looking forward, looking back
By Gina Spadafori
April 15, 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.
ConsumerAffairs.com has put together a very thorough overview of the entire pet-recall situation, putting a strong focus on future actions by pet-owning consumers for change:
But the consequences of this incident are far from simple. For thousands of pet owners, they’re intensely personal. Because of that contamination, and the lag time before the tainted products were removed from shore shelves, a beloved member of the family is dead or seriously injured.
“We lost our three-year-old cat, Timber on Nov 17, 2006 due to liver failure,” said Jen Hoeflein, of Bastrop, Texas. “He was consuming Hill Country Fare’s canned cat food on a regular basis. He rapidly became ill and in horror, our family watched him slip into a near-death stage. As soon as the vet’s office opened the next morning, he was put to sleep to end his suffering.”
Hoeflein responded by forming a group called Pets Need a Voice Too, or PNV2. She says she was determined that the tragedy that befell her family would go no further. She led efforts to organize a nationwide memorial march for April 28, to memorialize pets who died and to call attention to what she sees as an outrageous situation.
[...]
Hoeflein describes her group, PNV2, as being in its infant stage, but representing a collective group of average citizens directly affected by the tainted pet food event either through the loss of a beloved pet, the illness of a pet or the overall concern for the quality of products purchased with a blinding degree of faith by consumers. But make no mistake, she intends to bring about some changes.
“I think Americans have forgotten how powerful their individual voices are when it comes to protecting their families and in many American households, pets are considered members of their families,” Hoeflein said. “This event has created a passion-driven response, an outcry for accountability and the demand for the meeting of product quality standards.”
I’ve been trying to catch up on other deadlines and commitments this weekend. Oh, you know, little things like laundry and scrubbing out the parrot’s cage and the litter boxes, plus reminding my aging parents that I do love them even though I skipped Easter dinner with them.
Anyway … rest assured we’re working on more stories. This week we’ll post plenty more, along with links to all the good stuff elsewhere. In the meantime, keep us posted on what you find, and don’t forget to stay active on this. Read our call to action if you need a place to start.
Another recall today: Itchmo is reporting that Natural Balance has pulled two of its dry varieties – Venison and Brown Rice Dry Dog Formula and Venison and Green Pea Dry Cat Formula.
Bringing up from comments: ChemNutra’s letter to pet-owners:
We are appalled and distressed that Menu Foods took so long to recall its products, although it clearly suspected there was a problem for weeks prior to the first recall. And it wasn’t until eight days before they issued their first recall that Menu Foods told us that wheat gluten was one of many ingredients it was investigating.
So … let the lawsuits begin.
And what, exactly, is the deal with the picture of the happy, arm-wrestling businessmen on this we’re sorry for your loss/we’re victims, too, letter? Yeesh.
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Here’s the link to ChemNutra’s apology letter to pet owners from the Newspaper that Sharon posted earlier today,
http://www.chemnutra.com/chairman’s%20letter.htm
I still don’t believe they knew about the problem and did anything on purpose, but that’s just me.
Linda MS.
Comment by Linda — April 15, 2007 @ 7:34 pm
Last week we purchased 2 bags of Natural Balance Venison & Pea dry cat and dog. We noticed Menadione on 1 pkg and Vit K supplement on another. We spoke with Natural Balance 3 times and were told to “trust the ingredients listed on the website”. The ingredients on their site did not list Menadione. They said that at one time Menadione was added but we must have old packaging and the ingredient WAS NOT in the food. The expiration dates on the packages were MAY & JUNE 2 0 0 8 !
Comment by elliott — April 15, 2007 @ 8:12 pm
Elliott,
Re:menadione:
I found menadione in my cat’s canned Artemis. I emailed them asking why they’re still using it. The response I got was along the lines: “where do you see menadione listed and in which products?”. It’s all on their website as well as on the cans I have at home, so I found their question strange. Anyway, I did email them back with a list of their menadione guilty products; I have yet to hear back from them.
Comment by Julia — April 15, 2007 @ 8:28 pm
Confirmed via phone moments ago with the Petco at 1685 Bryant Street, San Francisco. Venison and Brown Rice is being pulled. JFC.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 15, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
BTW, the first person I spoke to told me to check the Menu Foods web site, I told her, they do not manufacture their foods there. Let me speak to someone else.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 15, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
Maybe I’m being overly optimistic about ChemNutra - I just don’t want to believe the world is so evil that they or anyone would poison our pets on purpose, and besides we wanted some kind of an apology from Menu that didn’t come, and ChemNutra gives it and nothing is good enough and maybe that is just it - nothing can take away the pain or the distress or give us hope that we can trust again. But what is a person to do really? Life has to return to some sense of normalcy and I hope it is soon.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 15, 2007 @ 8:50 pm
The dumbing down of America is showing, it’s the ugly truth.
Comment by DeeAnn — April 15, 2007 @ 8:51 pm
Linda, if they were sorry, it would have shown a long time ago. The truth is, there is evil disguised as men. They don’t care a flying bleep about pets dying. The ONLY thing they are sorry about is getting caught with their corruption. That’s it.
Comment by Gary — April 15, 2007 @ 8:56 pm
Linda, they could have not poisoned our pets on purpose, but still have done something shady/or not. Remember, the substance it’s self was not known to be toxic and it’s still not conclusive that it’s the problem. They could have bought altered grain, or they could have been lax on their QC and be innocent on the knowledge of what is wrong with the grain. Either way, they are still in this, imo. If they don’t have their own QC in place, they shouldn’t be importing from China of all places.
I hope they are giving all companies involved a very thorough investigation. Something broke down big time and they need to know exactly what happened. New regulations won’t do a lot if they don’t know what really happened, imo. Too many holes in the system including the fact it took them so long to figure out where it all is, if they actually have.
Comment by straybaby — April 15, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
gary, u are so right they don’t care about these pets that have died or all of the pets so very sick. all they care about the money,if they cared about the pets there would of not have been a 3 week delayed. this is so sad.my heart breaks for everyone who lost a pet.i pray us pet owners never have to go through this ever again in our life time.
Comment by Marry Ann — April 15, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
Julia, I find it odd that it is only in the canned food and not anything else. I wonder if it was removed and the label/site hasn’t been changed? I’ll be interested to hear what they say. Good catch!
Comment by straybaby — April 15, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
My sweet kitty JuJu lost her valiant battle for life today. She has been fighting for weeks now, and her poor little body gave out. She is now one of the 4,000+ animals who lost their lives needlessly.
I not only blame the pet food manufacturers for selling us “garbage” as premium food…but the government for not having stricter controls on our imports.
What are they thinking? Obviously, they’re not…or are we just pawns in their little international games? I’m fed up with it.
Next election, I will be doing a lot more research on candidates…and especially what they did (if anything) about this tragedy.
Until then, I will be speaking out at every opportunity, about how my JuJu died because of corporate greed and government irresponsibility.
Comment by Marcy — April 15, 2007 @ 9:17 pm
Julia & Straybaby and Everyone Else,
The Natural Balance recall is only dry foods.
Today.
No relation whatsoever to Menu Foods. No wheat gluten, corn gluten, “any” gluten used in any of their formulas.
Is there any end in sight to this?
Does anyone REALLY know the root of this problem?
No?!!!!
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 15, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
I am so sorry Marcy, I know you and your baby fought hard. My heart goes out to you.
Comment by Brenda — April 15, 2007 @ 9:21 pm
Marcy, my sympathies go out to you and your family, we know the terrible heartache as we also lost a pet. May time ease your pain, best wishes
Comment by Sandi K — April 15, 2007 @ 9:25 pm
i think what has alot of us smokeing was the 3 week delayed,so many of the deaths could of of been avoided.
Comment by Marry Ann — April 15, 2007 @ 9:28 pm
Marcy,i’m so very sorry for your lost.oH GOD It breaks my heart every time i read about another poor pet dying.
Comment by Marry Ann — April 15, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
I have a question about the canned Nutro they just recalled on Tuesday. Nutro Products has this written on their website:
“Given this new information and the confusion in the marketplace, Nutro has ordered ALL Nutro wet pouched and canned foods made with wheat gluten be removed from store shelves regardless of the date of production and asks pet owners to stop feeding those products to their pets. Nutro is taking this action even though the Menu Foods press release indicates that only certain dates of production at its plant were affected.”
So they are saying they pulled all products regardless if they were affected or not? While if we are to believe his statement, it would be one good thing they did, but hence you can understand my hesitancy. BUT one thing is if they pulled all products, how does anyone that was feeding their food know if their particular “use-by” date was affected? So once again these schmucks leave the poor pet owner worrying that they fed tainted food when they havent or worrying that they fed tainted food and they have but dont know for sure. Why didnt they say we have tested these dates and they are bad, we are still in the process of testing others. No, instead they leave it up to the pet owner to have their own food tested at their own expense or waiting for Nutro to call them back to see if they will test it…..
Comment by Sandi K — April 15, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
Marcy,
My posting eclipsed yours. My deepest, tear-stained sympathies. The pain is sooooo deep and so unnecessary.
xxoo
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 15, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
I’m so very sorry about JuJu your sweet kitty baby - Marcy. May God cradle JuJu in his arms.
Linda MS.
Comment by Linda — April 15, 2007 @ 9:41 pm
i think all wet foods should be yanked off the shelves.
Comment by Marry Ann — April 15, 2007 @ 9:42 pm
Sandi K,
My policy, although extreme, is once a manufacturer falters greatly on one product, wet or dry, they are terminated. I will use nothing they produce.
A breakdown in quality control that can cause death is no small matter. I will then consider the entire organization suspect, and forever, as far as me and mine are concerned, cut off.
Better safe than sorry.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 15, 2007 @ 9:42 pm
Laura
Thanks for info on ocean fish and mercury. I like tilapia pan fried with cornmeal anyway. Sometimes I grill plain with some seasoning swordfish (just single serving - $$$)
I might just slow-bake the tilapia for Kitty cause you’d never get me to share swordfish anyway.
Comment by Kathi — April 15, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
Marcy,
So very sorry for your loss.
Lois,
The comments I made earlier were in regards to Artemis food(that also contains menadione), not NB. Sorry about the confusion.
Comment by Julia — April 15, 2007 @ 9:44 pm
Marcy, Dear Heart,
JuJu IS in His arms at this very moment and will sleep on His pillow tonight.
That does not diminish the sorrow for those left behind.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 15, 2007 @ 9:46 pm
Julia,
We’re all scrambling just trying not to kill our babies and the babies of our friends who do not have access to this madness. Peace.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 15, 2007 @ 9:49 pm
I hope these Pet FOOD co.’s ARE reading these blog’s every pet that has died they are all to blame for not careing about our pets. i hope they close menu foods down. and make sure they never ever put pet food out there.
Comment by Marry Ann — April 15, 2007 @ 9:57 pm
SYNDROMIC SURVEILLANCE
At the risk of sounding extreme (or completely nuts), I offer the following along with my apologies for being so lengthy.
The National Companion Animal Surveillance System performs Syndromic Surveillance with the Banfield pet database using our dogs and cats as sentinels.
This pet database is being used to help scientists detect outbreaks such as Bird Flu in bioterrorist attacks. Researchers say household pets could provide the first signs of an outbreak, like canaries once detected poison gas in coal mines. Scientists at Purdue University are using Banfield’s PetWare database, which has data on 9 million pets in 44 states. The project is being funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of today, there are still too many unanswered questions about the pet food tragedy. Lag times have been suspicious. The addition of melamine or its affect remains a mystery. Still being mentioned is the possible presence of other toxins that caused pet illnesses and deaths. The reporting of actual numbers has been underreported or squashed. All is too quiet on the Western front. Mystery causes creative minds to work overtime.
I have spent the last two days scouring the Internet and reading articles, letters and documentation of every kind, and have been led to pose this question:
Is the current pet food tragedy an experiment by the U.S. Government to demonstrate and affirm the viability of the yet unproven Banfield database surveillance system; thus, becoming the world leader in this area of intelligence?
Is the use of our companion animals as sentinels for disease, vaccines, etc., as well as for bio- and agroterrorism, combined with the Banfield statistical database, a new government toy? I don’t doubt the merit of this system if used wisely, but I do question how some of this valuable data could be developed and verified. Could this be the reason for the horror of our widespread personal grief?
The FDA, CDC, associated agencies and laboratories across the U.S. all seem to have their systems in place, unlike we first thought. Yes, we’ve heard of a lack of funding, poor morale and a change in top management at the CDC in the recent past. Do not be mislead, however, as there’s a much bigger machine in place, even globally. Many other countries are working toward the same goals, even jointly. They’ve all been trying to put systems in place for some time.
A “set-up” by our own government? It may sound pretty much “out there.” Who knows? Could the raw materials that came from China been untainted until “someone” added “something” at the food plant? Could ChemNutra and Stephen and Sally Miller be innocent? Perhaps they were part of the deal and are being protected now. With our suspicion of bogus resumes, these people may never have existed at all. Could the pet food industry not have been aware either? Caught off guard by their own self-regulation or lack thereof? By design, a toxin chosen for its properties, which once ingested would go undetected. Ricin?
Menu Foods’ large-scale manufacturing and vast distribution allows strategic control of toxic product from a central location. Surveillance of the illnesses, deaths, effects, as well as distribution of toxic pet food all can be tracked geographically with the Banfield system. I read that this was one of the particular elements of the surveillance program needing to be demonstrated on a large scale. I propose that Banfield surely has known minute by minute the exact details and all the numbers, based upon their analytical capabilities. Of course, they know the real numbers, but they’re not about to share. They will be in their exclusive findings.
Clearly, this pet food tragedy could serve as a model experiment for the accurate surveillance of the human food supply; thus avoiding the sacrifice of human lives.
I have googled my fingers off and my eyes are bloodshot. I will share below just a few of the interesting reads that I’ve come across, although far more is available on the subject.
http://www.bizjournals.com/por.....tml?page=3
http://www.publichealth.pitt.e.....eature.pdf
http://www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/t060824.html
http://www.research.umn.edu/spotlight/collins.html
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/as.....tannex.pdf
Comment by Nadine Long — April 15, 2007 @ 9:57 pm
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 15, 2007 @ 9:42 pm
I agree with that Lois but it still leaves the pet owner scrambling to get answers. Better to come clean and give specifics. While I wouldnt use the questioned products again either, we still need to know if the specific can dates we were feeding were tainted.
Comment by Sandi K — April 15, 2007 @ 10:00 pm
Ever since this has happened, it seems like some unreal sureal nightmarish dream and I’m hoping to wake up soon. I’ve been obsessed with wanting answers, the truth. We all know that truth won’t be forthcomming, especially with the current administration in office. Somthing strange internationally between US and China is happening or they have been putting this stuff in all along to stretch the profit and somthing went wrong along the way. I can’t believe that China ( the government) did not do this on purpose) My mind keeps comming back to that. AS far as I am concerned I will boycott China as best that I can, considering that this is not easy since they produce so much that we are dependant on. How did we ever get to the point of being dependant on an oppressive communist country??
I am one of the lucky ones and I have not lost my animals. I may not be so lucky next time.
Comment by lori anderson — April 15, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
Just fyi for those of you trying to figure out ‘dates’ on Nutro. I called Nutro twice last week, and two different people told me that the date code is part of the UPC.
The LAST 5 numbers of the UPC codes will change when there is a new, ‘safe’, batch. (This info is in the major brands pet food tracker if you need to find it again and can’t find this particular post)
Comment by Kim — April 15, 2007 @ 10:07 pm
We live in America where even though there is the court of public opinion, I am not so quick to sentence people to the gulag on thin or even non-existent evidence - and I simply do not believe educated and sophisticated chemists would be so reckless as to allow poisoned chemicals into our pet food - and I will say that the news media gets facts all mixed up quite often and I’ve had personal experience with this when trying to help locate a lost child - and the news media not reporting correctly how the child was found.
So that’s my two cents in this matter of ChemNutra. Now it appears that Menu is more responsible and I’d like to know what actually happened. I hope we have our day in court. I have lots of opinions about Menu and have voiced it here, but in reality, everyone deserves a fair trial.
Of course, I’m not buying their products at all ever again, and that’s my way of dealing with it.
I hope people don’t trust the food on the shelves and I agree all wet with wheat gluten or gluten anything should be removed.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 15, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
Marcy
I am so very sorry, Hon.
Comment by Kathi — April 15, 2007 @ 10:14 pm
Gary and all
I think any apology is suspect at this time.
Thirty days late - 30 days and that’s only since they did the public recall.
ChemNutra knew at least 8 days before. Nutro knew something was wrong at least the day of (and possibly before) because Kravis claims he told Menu to “broaden” the recall (according to 10 Apr release) yet he did nothing to alert us of this broader recall. And his “apology” consisted of blaming Menu. Note: when I said broaden, Kravis was referring to the first recall.
I once had a poster on my office wall: Excuses were due yesterday. ie: none accepted.
Comment by Kathi — April 15, 2007 @ 10:27 pm
Sandi,
I’m checking to see if a store owner I know has any of the cans left from last week’s recall or if they’ve gone back yet. If they still exist, I’ll grab them for testing. Did they give can dates or just pull all cans?
Comment by straybaby — April 15, 2007 @ 10:27 pm
lori a.
I agree with the possibility that this may have been going on for awhile and this batch just got messed up in production (in China?) some how. With all the bio stuff going on involving grains, it lends some thought to the situation. Don’t know if their government is involved, but I sure wouldn’t put it past greed. Raising the protien level to make the gluten more expensive sounds plausible. But of course, this concept can change when they identify the other toxins . . . OY!
China product is so out of my pantry and fridge, as is any thing from large, multi-layered corps. I may now be as healthy as my pets ;)
Comment by straybaby — April 15, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
Comment by straybaby — April 15, 2007 @ 10:27 pm
Straybaby, Nutro’s wesbite just lists the UPC code and says “all dates”. Our UPC codes match from each case but we have use-by dates of Nov, May, June, Sept, the whole gammit. They pulled ALL cans no matter of the date involved.
Comment by Sandi K — April 15, 2007 @ 10:41 pm
I think each day of delay starting weeks ago should subject whoever is still selling recalled food to a huge fine, loss of business license and jail time. Including these companies that continue to come out with yet another product to be recalled.
Very unfortunately, people cannot be trusted to do things on their honor. They have to have the threat of a huge monetary loss and jail time to keep them in line. People are louts.
Left to themselves, they will start to steal, take everything for granted and soon total loss of control.
Comment by Gary — April 15, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
I keep comming back to the culture, the culture of punishing their people to gain control. We owe soooooo much money to China now , it is unbelievable. Maybe we haven’t been paying our bills on time? It seems to me that a business would not want to blow it so bad to cut off their profits, this just does not make sense to me. So many batches of the stuff kind of points to a deliberate poisoning to me.
Comment by lori anderson — April 15, 2007 @ 10:48 pm
Well, as I posted some time before on this BLOG, (I gave advice on the wonderful possibilites of dehydrating), my sister-in-law and I are tomorrow, undertaking (bigtime) dehydrating human grade meat of various varieties to make “crunchies” for our beloved felines.
My heart cannot take anymore of this madness. I am no longer a “Spring Chicken.” I have done it in the past, I know it works, and it is a bit of a pain in the butt, but I know it won’t kill them when done properly, which is more than I can say for opening a can or bag.
This Natural Balance recall was the final straw.
Clearly the real problem has NOT yet been identified and there is no end in sight. Recall dates/batches/astrological signs/favorite colors/fragrances are the least of my concerns. I’m betting this goes on for at least a year or more.
And another “Bite me!” to the entire pet food industry.
Shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, and more shame on you!
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 15, 2007 @ 10:57 pm
Well I do blame all involved because many of us complained something was wrong with the food back in at least Jan and certainly Feb and we weren’t calling Menu because we didn’t know about Menu. We complained to the brands companies. Whether this turns out to be China or not is irrelevent. No one stepped forward. No one took any responsibility for alerting us. They all failed to do their part. Sadly our countrymen have drifted away from personal responsibility. It shows in all our lawsuits, whether the manufacturers are negligent or the consumer is just reading (instructions) challenged. The last statement refers to frivolous lawsuits like not putting the bicycle together properly.
Comment by Kathi — April 15, 2007 @ 10:58 pm
It still astounds me, a company like Menu didn’t take one cup of the tons of imported wheat and tested it. How much could that have cost? $100? they can probably even do it in house. Now, that’s absolute stupidity and beyond reason. Seems someone there must have known the consequences if anything like this did happen. Like I said, without a heavy hand over them all the time, this is what they degrade to.
Comment by Gary — April 15, 2007 @ 11:15 pm
What dollar value can make you whole?
Yes, it can recover lost financial damages, but how do you mend a broken heart, and the loss of a dearly beloved, innocent, trusting companion?
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 15, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
Gary
And remember, too, they said it (melamine) was visible by eye.
Comment by Kathi — April 15, 2007 @ 11:22 pm
No one in their right mind ever (!), in their wildest imaginings, would have thought they were KILLING their dearly beloved companions by feeding them their carefully chosen daily food.
In this life, or the next, there will be a great reckoning.
Good luck to all.
Comment by Lois Kimball — April 15, 2007 @ 11:22 pm
You can tell the way things are going in all of society today you know? This disaster is a harbinger of a dying society where the dumbest things are suggested by people in high positions and put into law. This country is hopelessly drowning in political correctness and is so afraid of offending anyone or anything that they get stepped on and laughed at. Look at the Imus thing or scraping crosses off of statues to name just one of ten thousand things.
Comment by Gary — April 15, 2007 @ 11:33 pm
This may be off topic but it just seems there are a lot of recalls lately that aren’t pet food as well.
We had a nearly empty jar of the recalled peanut butter. I am fortunate that none of my children became ill. Then my daughter’s Easy Bake oven that she got for Christmas was recalled. Just a few days ago I had to throw away my children’s mouthwash due to a recall. And let’s not even get me started on the pet food recalls…
So both my four-legged and my two-legged kids are in danger all the time. It’s really getting old. I found myself afraid to buy anything at the grocery store today.
Comment by Andrea — April 15, 2007 @ 11:33 pm
Comment by straybaby
re: nutro recall cans
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmr.....04_07.html
All the newest nutro recalled foods and their UPC’s. I bet all would test positive for melamine, not just the 3 types on the list that the CA pet owner had tested and came back positive. Unbelievable situation!
Comment by Laurie — April 15, 2007 @ 11:34 pm
The madcow is being hushed by the government itself who is being pressured by the beef industry. Notice the strange silence recently about madcow? we’re going through this pet food disaster now and I ask, do you think this government can catch all the madcow? they don’t have a clue where it is, enuf said! I haven’t had any red meat in ten years now because I’m convinced madcow is circulating around disguising itself as Altzimers (sp?). Then there’s a daily ecoli infection, salmonella and that’s only what they catch.
Signs of the times.
Comment by Gary — April 15, 2007 @ 11:51 pm
I guess we’re all afraid of the next shoe-dropping news. It’s probably time to just get back to basics. I’m old enough to remember what life was like when commercial dog food was considered a luxury item and Ma and I would spend the morning shaving soap flakes to do laundry. One item I changed several years ago was toilet cleaner. Pain old ordinary bleach does a better job and way faster than the brand cleaners.
Now Im going to work on a doggie and kitty meatloaf. And try to make a wheat-free and flour-free treatm maybe using oats.
Comment by Kathi — April 15, 2007 @ 11:53 pm
Thanks! Didn’t even think to look there, lol!~
Hopefully the store hasn’t returned them yet. I was there on Wed I think it was, and she had them pulled, but if the rep hasn’t been by they may still be there. Would love to go beyond the *precautionary* and get a real answer. Early on pulling all would have been precaution, now it’s reaction, imo. There should be mandantory testing of the batches. I thought earlier, as this was just getting out of hand, they were trying to get a legal action in place so the recalled food wouldn’t be destroyed right away. I hope that happened. We need answers.
Comment by straybaby — April 15, 2007 @ 11:54 pm
Marcy,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your JuJu. My heart aches for you and I too am crying for another innocent life lost to this horror.
Marcy, a paw print has been left on your heart and it will never go away.
Comment by Peg — April 15, 2007 @ 11:56 pm
Gary
you might be right about the connection. I’m curious about all the autism. I think the numbers are something like 1 in 150 or so births? How can that be? One of my adult sons has Asperger,s (a form of Autism). I was made aware of it back in 1974 and it was reported in research back around the forties but I’d never met anyone with it except my son. And all the ADD cases. What’s with that?
Comment by Kathi — April 16, 2007 @ 12:04 am
Please call local retailers who may not hear about the Natural Balance withdrawal of the venison/rice dry dog food and the venison/pea dry cat food. I called some Petco’s to day that ‘didn’t check their emails yet’ at five pm. I am concerned for the smaller stores carrying it. If you get in touch with smaller stores, they often are not buying direct and letting them know asap helps. The stories on Itchmo are compelling and scary about these foods specifically. Most small pet stores have not heard and are grateful for the feedback. Can’t be too safe.
Comment by Evy — April 16, 2007 @ 12:16 am
Y’all are cracking me up who actually “cook” your dog’s food. I can’t remember the last time I saw a Wolf, Coyote, or Fox out in the woods cooking up their dinner over an open fire. Can someone explain why you cook the food rather than feeding it raw? I realize you may want to keep it from spoiling, but why not just make big batches and freeze them in individual serving sizes in ziplock baggies?
Also, for the socks-in-knots as chew toys: Another good option, especially with pups who are teething, is to wet the socks and put them in a ziplock baggie and freeze it. Then take it out of the ziplock baggie and give it to the pup. They enjoy the coolness, and if they are teething, it feels really good on their gums. Just be careful with them getting their tongues stuck to the ice… the way to avoid that is to run it under water before giving it to the dog/pup.
I always like to caution when it comes to home-made chew toys. Lots of dogs have died when they eat fabric and it causes blockages in stomach or intestines… So always monitor a dog when you try out a new chew toy and never leave them unattended. If they are actually chewing it to pieces and ingesting it, then you need to remove it and try something different.
If you can handle the noise: An empty 1/2 gallon or gallon milk jug is a fun toy for some dogs to bat around and carry around like a prize.
Another fun treat for dogs, especially teething pups: Freeze an individual size yogurt and give it to them. I take the lid off but leave it in the plastic… but my dogs don’t eat the plastic; always monitor your dog so they don’t eat the plastic, or remove from plastic completely. It can get messy, so give in their crate or outside.
And if you have a dry food that you trust, Buster Cubes are always fun for dogs. Loud for us though (if you have wood floors), but fun for the dogs. Or you could use small carrot chunks in the Buster Cube.
Comment by Sarah — April 16, 2007 @ 12:19 am
I’d suggest we demand stopping trade with any country when it comes to food and limit other countries whose standards of safety are lower than ours on non-food items (like the lead bracelet alert, from China, for children). But as citizens we rarely get to vote or decide on such critical issues.
Comment by Kathi — April 16, 2007 @ 12:21 am
Thank you all so, so much for your words…
I am sad for all of us, as this should not have happened.
I subscribe to the belief that “what comes around, goes around (or you shall reap whatsoever you sow)…and everyone responsible will receive their just reward. They can’t escape that.
Yes, she and all of our babies are with Him right now…and romping in fields of green grass and flowers. I believe that we will see them again. :)
Comment by Marcy — April 16, 2007 @ 12:23 am
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
Comment by Marcy — April 16, 2007 @ 12:27 am
Are those Nylabones any good? Problems? I’ve got a real chewer here. 4 1/2 # Peke/Chi. Already tried knotted socks and knotted washcloths. She manages to pull the threads. My big dogs just tossed them around and played catch.
Comment by Kathi — April 16, 2007 @ 12:34 am
Marcy
That’s beautiful and again I’m sorry. Some days I feel Chelsea Leigh near me. When that happens the cat stares at the very place where I feel her. My daughter has visited me many times as well, as does my father. There is but a thin veil between us both here and on the other side.
Comment by Kathi — April 16, 2007 @ 12:44 am
*Comment by Kathi ? April 16, 2007 @ 12:04 am*
**”Gary you might be right about the connection. I?m curious about all the autism. I think the numbers
are something like 1 in 150 or so births? How can that be? One of my adult sons has
Asperger,s (a form of Autism). I was made aware of it back in 1974 and it was reported in
research back around the forties but I?d never met anyone with it except my son. And all the
ADD cases. What?s with that?”**
I can assure you that ADD and ADHD have been around since the 40’s, but the schools did not
recognize it as such. They just thought that we were all just naughty children who would not
pay attention to what teacher was saying. The reason I say this is that I was one of those
children. It always took me double time to complete assignments, but when I asked
for more time I was always told that it would not be ‘fair to the other children’.
All I wanted them to do was to give me the assignments early. But they choose to blame
rather than help. Sorry it’s off topic. I just couldn’t help commenting on the ADD issue.
Comment by Mary Smith — April 16, 2007 @ 1:04 am
Mary Smith
I am aware of Autism and ADD, but it’s the large numbers that baffle me. Around the forties, pollution of rivers was becoming a bit of a problem from factory runoff especially with metals like aluminum. And there was a large increase of births showing signs of retardation, severe retardation. Many of todays diseases have always existed. What concerns me is when the numbers spike.
Comment by Kathi — April 16, 2007 @ 1:23 am
Speaking of tilapia…
Ref Kathi’s comments on tilapia:
“I might just slow-bake the tilapia for Kitty cause you’d never get me to share swordfish anyway. “
No one loves to eat this particular fish more than my family and as such I’d serve it at least two or three times a week. I’d buy it at the local A&P.
If you know tilipia, sometimes the filets are small, sometimes medium and rarely large. Country of origin is listed in the fresh fish case and up until about 2 months ago, the fish were from South America.
In early March 07 I noticed the tilapia filets in the fish case were huge in size, so much so that I questioned the fish man. He advised the store is now importing tilapia from China. I bought some but got to thinking about what could they possibly be putting into this fish to make it so large. I had an uneasy feeling.
A couple of weeks passed and the pet food recall started and within a few weeks the China connection was identified. As I became more aware of the poor controls relating to Chinese food imports, I tossed the tilapia into the trash.
I then notified A&P customer service via their website that I, a consumer who typically purchased 6 or 7 pounds of tilapia on a weekly basis, would no longer buy any fish from them imported from China.
Comment by Lorraine T — April 16, 2007 @ 4:57 am
If we don’t have the means to inspect these foods and goods properly then we shouldn’t allow them in our country. Period!
http://tinyurl.com/2vwc7o
Comment by Mary — April 16, 2007 @ 6:07 am
Comment by Kathi — April 16, 2007 @ 12:34 am
re Nylabones
Hi, Kathi. I’ve had pretty good luck with Nylabones. I too have a power chewer in the house, a sweet but neurotic little terrier guy who can literally destroy any toy - even the “supertough” ones - in a matter of minutes. The only things that have survived him are nylabones. I always keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t break off a chunk or anything, but so far, he hasn’t managed to. And that’s saying something!
Comment by Laura — April 16, 2007 @ 6:25 am
Comment by Sarah — April 16, 2007 @ 12:19 am
‘Y’all are cracking me up who actually “cook” your dog’s food. I can’t remember the last time I saw a Wolf, Coyote, or Fox out in the woods cooking up their dinner over an open fire. Can someone explain why you cook the food rather than feeding it raw?’
There is more than one view among vets, nutritionists and pet owners regarding the best way to feed dogs. I don’t have to feed a wolf, coyote or fox so can’t speak to that. But I do respect each person’s decision to feed the way they feel is best for their dog(s).
Comment by slt — April 16, 2007 @ 6:48 am
If Natural Balance has pulled 2 pet foods, why have they not announced it on their website:
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/ Instead they claim they’re not involved in any recall and none of their products are recalled.
The FDA doesn’t have it either. I got the impression that companies were required to report to the FDA.
These things have to start happening simultanesouly. Surely Natural Balance should realize how important instant, upfront communication is. They’re had a month to study the results of poor communication.
Comment by CathyA — April 16, 2007 @ 6:48 am
IT’s not a recall. They are voluntarily pulling products after reports of some sick aniimals - just affects this weeks food - so there is no recall.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 16, 2007 @ 6:50 am
I find this interesting.
The FDA warning to Iams about chromium tripicolinate used in their products for overweight pets came out and was largely lost in the midst of the Menu Foods recall.
http://tinyurl.com/33pzrw
However any of the links to the warning letter from the FDA are not longer working and a search on the FDA site brings up nothing. I specifically remember reading the letter on the FDA site yet now is has “disappeared”.
Also I can find no news on the Natural Choice voluntary withdrawal.
AND all the symptoms of pets in South Africa sounds amazingly similar to the symptoms in North America.
Too many questions and still no real answers.
Comment by mal — April 16, 2007 @ 7:00 am
I still cant believe we are how many weeks into this recall, four ?, and no word on the other toxin they are testing for, let alone where the mystery aminopterin and melamine came from and how it all got into the wheat gluten? I agree with Marys comment above, if we dont have the means to properly inspect things and in a timely fashion, we shouldnt be importing anything. You would think Homeland Security would be very worried. Leave it to our pets that love us, alive and deceased, to be looking out for us and trying to tell us all of the shortcomings that exist out there.
Comment by Sandi K — April 16, 2007 @ 7:26 am
Someone who works at Natural Balance made a phone call and Itchmo confirmed it with another phone call to this Natural Balance employee - it probably on the QT but not for long.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 16, 2007 @ 7:27 am
I have to add…..if my sweet girl is truly up there watching all of this unfold, look out PFI, Menu Foods, and everyone else that may be involved, you really dont want to be messing with my kitty when she has her temper going. She was truly something to reckon with! Go get them sweet girl! (-:
Comment by Sandi K — April 16, 2007 @ 7:30 am
The Natural Balance foods are still available on the internet. I found both the dry Venison recipes in stock and available for purchase at several online stores….
http://www.petfooddirect.com
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.arcatapet.com
http://shopping.msn.com
But the PETCO sales sites read “Sorry, that product is no longer available” so I guess at least that chain was asked to remove the products?
Comment by Joy — April 16, 2007 @ 7:33 am
RE: Linda MS: IT’s not a recall. They are voluntarily pulling products after reports of some sick aniimals - just affects this weeks food - so there is no recall.
Nutro voluntarily withdrew all it’s canned products with wheat gluten and we all called it a recall. The letter Itchmo posted said they recommend not to feed it. How are people supposed to find out - ask the great Carnak? When they go back in to buy more food? If people are complaining, there’s food out there in homes right now. Let’s not quibble about words. Natural Balance just doesn’t want to use the word recall. In effect it’s the same thing. I think it’s a good thing they responded to complaints about the food and withdrew it to be cautious. But…….one on one communication instead of a general announcement won’t cut it at this late date. And if they changed the formula and took advantage of that 6 month lag in changing the label, well that must just stop this very instant. How bout it pet food companies? Who is going to step up to the plate FIRST and tell us you’ll no longer take advantage of this giant loophole? Who is going to be honest in their communications with their customers? How many times must you be reminded it’s not the deed but the coverup that gets you? Do you want to borrow Menu Foods shovel and keep digging the hole deeper?
To the Natural Balance Co - the net generates rumors faster than wildfire. The longer you wait to change that huge red statement that there are no recalls WRT your product, the more customers you’ll lose. That’s the bottom line.
Comment by CathyA — April 16, 2007 @ 8:02 am
Cathy A -
I’m not defending Natural Balance - just offered an explantion as to why it’s not on the FDA recall page. Maybe it will show up later.
They also said that there were no serious problems - no need to think that it’s serious if it is not with Natural Balance.
Not every problem is life threatening lies.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 16, 2007 @ 8:07 am
On another note, I tried to post this and it isn’t accepted - can’t figure out why but here it goes again - third time is the charm.
A Dutch company has made a dog food called Energinque where the dog will only have one little rabbit like BM once a week - it’s expensive - funny idea. I’m not posting the link because maybe the link is part of the problem with posting this comment.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 16, 2007 @ 8:11 am
Re: Sandi K: So they are saying they pulled all products regardless if they were affected or not?
Yes, that’s exactly what they did. Because there were so many items in the Menu Foods recall and stores were not getting the stuff they needed to off the shelves, they decided to pull it all……in an overabundance of caution. Which is what they should have done in the first place. Then again this was (is) the largest pet food recall in history and they had no idea how broken down communication is and the difficulties in the actual mechanics of pulling and checking so many UPC numbers, not only for stores but for owners. If you didn’t have a list off the net and the store didn’t have a list, how would you know which cans you had at home were affected? The response would be not to feed any of it.
Plus the issue at that point wasn’t entirely settled as to how far this went, how many shipments of wheat gluten, etc. So rather than risk any animal eating a product they weren’t 100% sure of, they pulled it. This is responsible behavior. You can say they did it too late - OK. But such a general recall looks bad for a company and they sure as heck probably didn’t want to. At least they did it - out loud - through the FDA. Whereas if Natural Balance is actually telling people not to feed a certain food because there have been reports of gastric upset - through individual communications only, well……what can one say? Any other time, they’d probably publicize this issue. Now, however, on top of everything else, they don’t want to cause a stampede. Who is more responsible?
I’m not for or against either Nutro or Natural Balance. But if people are asking for transparency and honest communication with the customer, all companies must be held to the same level of corporate responsibility.
Comment by CathyA — April 16, 2007 @ 8:27 am
Last week, I read an article online that said, according to a poll, 100% of pet owners know about the pet food recalls. This is ridiculous! We need to keep telling people about the recalls.
When I first heard about the recalls, I called family members to let them know. None of them were feeding the recalled pet foods or knew about the recalls. Then Alpo canned was recalled. My parents were feeding some of the Alpo canned to their dog so I had to call them again.
Last week, I went to my sister’s house and she gave my dog and hers a “treat.” The “treat” was an Ol Roy peanut butter dog biscuit. She did not know this recall had been added; fortunately, her bag of “treats” was outside the code of those recalled. She has now purchased another brand.
Then my 17 year old nephew heard us talking about the recall. He did not know about it either; fortunately, his dog (at his father’s house) is eating Pedigree.
It seems like people don’t know about the recall unless they know someone who’s pet died from the POISONED pet food.
We still need to let people know about the pet food recalls.
Comment by Jeanette — April 16, 2007 @ 9:30 am
GRRR!!! After doing weeks of research, I JUST switched my cats to Natural Balance Venison and Green Pea.
God, I hope they’re going to be ok. :(
Comment by Andrea — April 16, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Kathi:
With a small dog, Nylabones will prob. be fine.
Caution to everyone about a related product called GUMMABONES:
My Shepherd was able to bite off and ingest chunks of those, and the pieces created a blockage and caused him to vomit. It was nearly surgical. Fortunately, he finally vomited up a bunch of the stuff, and that cleared him up.
This relates to GUMMA-anything. The thing my dog ate was something like a knobby gumma-football.
Comment by Sarah — April 16, 2007 @ 10:04 am
Comment by slt — April 16, 2007 @ 6:48 am
“There is more than one view among vets, nutritionists and pet owners regarding the best way to feed dogs. I don’t have to feed a wolf, coyote or fox so can’t speak to that. But I do respect each person’s decision to feed the way they feel is best for their dog(s).”
I wasn’t disrespecting anyone. You missed my point. My point was not about home-preparing of foods, it was about cooking of said foods. Baking, frying, boiling, broiling, stewing, bar-b-queing, etc. Wild canids don’t cook their food, it comes to them fresh off the hoof or paw at about 98-100 degrees, raw and bloody. So I’m curious, simply CURIOUS, why people cook their dogs’ food. No disrespect, just curiosity.
One of the reasons commercial pet foods are made the way they are is to make them “palatable” to the HUMAN EYE. Fillers are added to make them hold a kibble shape, to suit the convenience factor for humans to pour into a bowl. Fillers are added to make the dog’s stool form firm stools (because there’s so much other junk in there that dog stools would be soft without it), and that’s for the human factor, not for the dog. And of course preservatives are added for human convenience to make the food last in a bag on your shelf for over a month. All that crap in commercial foods are for HUMANS, not for dogs.
So I wonder what percentage of humans COOK their dogs’ food because it’s what HUMANS would want done to their own food. We don’t eat a raw cow leg, so we think our dogs shouldn’t or wouldn’t like it. But believe me, our dogs would LOVE nothing more than to lay down with a big old raw cow leg, and eat on it for a week or more. We probably don’t want one in our living rooms though, so we buy smaller portions.
So I’ll ask again, can someone tell me why people COOK their dogs’ food?
Comment by Sarah — April 16, 2007 @ 10:15 am
Many of us have been saying that this was never just a wet food problem. I lost two cats to the wet and have a dog recovering (I hope) from whatever was in the dry food.
I do not think melamine was the only contaminant and I am not even sure it can be called a contaminant because as widespread as this is, as fast as it has been covered up and as many big money liars have been involved, I DO think it might have been intentional.
Dry food is making dogs and cats sick, wet food is deadly and treats that were sent out to other countries are fatal too.
It really chaps me when the only focus is terrorists because who needs terrorists to fark it up when we have the fine folks in charge already who are doing a wonderful job of terrorizing us!
I digress.
I know that my dog almost died from eating a premium dry food and it STILL is not being recalled, I think they are waiting until it all gets eaten and the evidence is buried. Really buried.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 16, 2007 @ 11:39 am
So I’ll ask again, can someone tell me why people COOK their dogs’ food?
Comment by Sarah — April 16, 2007 @ 10:15 am
Most likely because they feel more comfortable cooking it. Many people are worried about bacterial and parasite issues. Quite frankly, it’s none of my business. The over riding issue is not to get everyone to feed their pets raw. Even among raw feeders there’s varying points of view. You can lead a horse to water, but if you dunk his head in he probably won’t drink.
Comment by CathyA — April 16, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
My dogs for the most part guard the raw bones and meat - which creates problems of territory and raised hackles. One ignores it and shakes his head no. Now, I suppose I could starve them and insist they eat the raw meat and bones - but really. They are alive, healthy, and happy. That counts too.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 16, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
Kathi - I kind of believe that also…but have never actually seeked it out.
I believe that they are close, but as you say there is a veil between us.
Comment by Marcy — April 16, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
Marcy, I am SO sorry for your loss.
Comment by Elizabeth — April 16, 2007 @ 2:15 pm
Lori Anderson’s question, posted above, “How did we ever get to the point of being dependant on an oppressive communist country??” is a very good one. How did this happen? Unfortunately, as a culture, we’ve decided that you can’t be critical of any other person, culture or value system. So,that opens us up to all kinds of things. We can’t be suspicious of differences, or critical of oppressive cultures (such as Islam or China). Where does it get us? 3,000 American lives lost in a day; 4,000 pets lost in a few weeks. When will we learn? When will we learn that our grandparents were right to be less accepting of everyone else. Maybe we should try to be more careful of who we open ourselves up to.
Comment by Elizabeth — April 16, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
Comment by CathyA — April 16, 2007 @ 8:27 am
Well Cathy, Im not asking to know what cans are tainted for the purpose of feeding. Our cat is dead. My point is that while it is good they withdrew all their food, if they know certain batches are tainted, it would be nice to know for people like me whose cat ate their food. So to know for sure, I have to either call Nutro who I have called and left 3 messages with no response or get it tested myself.
Another thing about Nutro, while they FINALLY did the right thing in pulling all of their wet canned food I had contacted them back in January after our cat first became ill and then again 3 times right after 3-16 to let them know there was something wrong with their food. They never responded and still have yet to return any phone calls or e:mails. It shouldnt have taken a lady and her vet in California to have food tested that wasnt on the recall list that people had been trying to tell them was bad. Nutro should have done the testing, they had plenty of phone calls to clue them in. So while I am glad they finally pulled their food as of 4-10, they should have pulled it 3-16 or how bout in January after my complaint. So to me its a little too late to have any good feelings about Nutro. And I might add that the news on the Nutro wet food came from a news article published in a California newspaper on the evening of 4-9 before it was ever mentioned by Nutro or FDA.
And as far as transparency and honest communication, why did Nutro send an e:mail on 4-3 telling everyone their food currently on shelves was safe to eat and then on 4-10 recall it all. I dont feel this is transparent at all nor honest. I dont expect everyone to have the same feelings towards Nutro as I do and your points are well taken however I just cant conjure up a warm fuzzy feeling for Nutro ever again.
Comment by Sandi K — April 16, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 16, 2007 @ 11:39 am
I know how you are feeling, it took over 3 weeks after the recall for our cats food to be officially recalled. Not to mention the time in-between Jan and March when we had suspicions about the food. Is there any way you could ask the Berkely Veterinary University to do testing on it? I have read somewhere they are willing to do testing on other food not on the recall list just as they did for the Nutro Max Cat food that they tested and revealed melamine.
Best wishes and I hope your dog is recovering.
Comment by Sandi K — April 16, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
Thank you Elizabeth…it’s a little bit better today. My other two babies are staying close to “mom”…as they seem to sense that something bad happened to their friend.
One thing that all of us can do, is to not forget what has just happened…don’t ever let it sit on the “back burner.” It’s a warning.
Something has broken down in our whole system of “safety” in this country. We need to take responsibility for our own (and our animal’s) health and what we eat…because it seems that no one else cares. We must be wise consumers.
Comment by Marcy — April 16, 2007 @ 4:42 pm