Pet-food recall: Senators say second batch of tainted rice powder imported
By Gina Spadafori
April 23, 2007
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If you have a sick pet or a question on your pet’s health, call your veterinarian.
- If you want your say on food-safety reform, Sen. Durbin’s office wants to hear from you.
- If you’re new to the site, please check out our general information page (includes links to recalled foods).
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- If you want to report a sick or deceased pet, click here.
Just in from Reuters:
A second company likely imported rice protein from China that was contaminated with a chemical linked to a major pet food recall, two U.S. lawmakers said on Monday.
Rice protein tainted with the chemical melamine was used in pet foods from at least five manufacturers who obtained the protein from one supplier, U.S. officials have said. It also made its way into feed used at a California hog farm.
Now, another company is suspected of importing rice protein from China, Democratic Sens. Richard Durbin of Illinois and Maria Cantwell of Washington said in a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
“We have learned that in addition to Wilbur-Ellis, a second United States company imported a shipment of rice protein from China that is also likely to be contaminated with melamine,” the senators wrote. “We request the FDA identify this second importer as well as those manufacturers to which it may have sold the contaminated product.”
An aide to Durbin said the senators found out about the second importer from industry sources.
If confirmed, that could further expand a pet food recall that so far includes more than 100 brands. FDA officials have confirmed 16 deaths of cats and dogs from kidney failure and have received more than 15,000 reports of illnesses.
The senators’ letter came ahead of a congressional hearing on Tuesday to examine the pet food scare as well as the larger issue of human food safety before a U.S. House of Representatives committee.
Here’s the rest. Here’s the letter to the FDA from the Senators. And here’s information about that hearing on Tuesday.
Update: Here’s the CBS story.
Go to the latest blog post | Go to the PetConnection home page
Immediately PLEASE
Comment by Steve — April 23, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
I thought Royal Canin said the rice protein in their food was contaminated with cyanuric acid and did NOT have melamine in it.
Am I losing my marbles?
Comment by Peg — April 23, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
Comment by Peg — April 23, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
No, they are.
Comment by Steve — April 23, 2007 @ 5:46 pm
“We have learned that in addition to Wilbur-Ellis, a second United States company imported a shipment of rice protein from China that is also likely to be contaminated with melamine,” the senators wrote. “We request the FDA identify this second importer as well as those manufacturers to which it may have sold the contaminated product.”
Your move gentlemen.
Comment by Steve — April 23, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
So, we could avoid the rice protein by reading labels. But the pet food labeling only has to be updated within 6 months of an ingredient change, so the label may not reflect all of the current ingredients. And, 2 manufacturers receiving the earlier shipment of tainted rice protein have yet to come forward. In addition, another shipment of tainted rice protein is known to have been imported, and we can only wait for the manufacturers receiving it to step forward on the honor system.
Kind of feels like the deck is stacked against pet owners.
Thank God for Senator Durbin and the other Senators who continue to press the FDA to act. Thanks also to petconnection, itchmo, and howl911.
Comment by karen — April 23, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
FDA -
NOW! We the Public who employ you DEMAND that you release that information NOW!!
No More STALLING!!! We DEMAND the information NOW!!
Comment by Mary Smith — April 23, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
I’m with you Mary!!! Save our Pets-Save the world!!
Comment by 6catmommy — April 23, 2007 @ 6:05 pm
Basically. Durbin just checkmated them.
“We have learned that in addition to Wilbur-Ellis, a second United States company imported a shipment of rice protein from China that is also likely to be contaminated with melamine,” the senators wrote. “We request the FDA identify this second importer as well as those manufacturers to which it may have sold the contaminated product.”
An aide to Durbin said the senators found out about the second importer from industry sources.
Comment by Steve — April 23, 2007 @ 6:08 pm
What the Pet Food Industry is doing. Is playing super hard ball.
Despite the fact they are hopelessly behind and making themselves look like complete fools.
Comment by Steve — April 23, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
FDA
How about we pet owners of America serve you breakfast in the morning - cans of cat and dog food with labels removed!
That’s how we feel about serving our dearly beloved family members their supper tonight!
We DEMAND an AN UPDATE! NOW!!!!
Comment by Mary Smith — April 23, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
The wheat gluten, rice protein (gluten, and corn gluten only have to be on the label if they exceed a certain percentage. I do not know what that percentage is.
The Ol’Roy peanut butter dog biscuits that were recalled because they contained wheat gluten did not list it on the label. The recall said they contained less then 1%.
Comment by Jeanette/Ohio — April 23, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
Does anyone know if that hearing will be televised? I sure would like to sit & watch this one.
Can’t believe the latest news…..on to recall #1,654…..or at least it seems to be.
Comment by Jan — April 23, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
Comment by Jeanette/Ohio — April 23, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
We can’t recall our lost pets. Thats the bottom line.
Your Move FDA. Waiting.
Comment by Steve — April 23, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
Gina, is the hearing tomorrow morning at 9:00 am Eastern time? Does anyone know yet if it will be televised?
Comment by Barb — April 23, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
RUT-ROH, bet their coughing up hairballs now, Scooby!!
Comment by Kathi — April 23, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
Well, I just knew it. Didn’t you. One lie after another and then Congress has to step in to get the truth - why oh why is this happening in America?
Comment by Susan V — April 23, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Didn’t ChemNutra say they had imported it and were having it tested?
Or, am I remembering wrong?
Ann
Comment by Ann — April 23, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Comment by Susan V — April 23, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
It’s the 60’s all over again. With a 2000 twist.
Comment by Steve — April 23, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
Comment by Ann — April 23, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Mr. ChemNutra Miller will tell the Senate tomorrow. Isn’t that right sir? The whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Comment by Steve — April 23, 2007 @ 6:28 pm
I think a copy of this letter should be sent to our local TV stations and newspapers. Seems many of them lost interest shortly after first recall.
Down here their still rattling about the PS3 shooting last Dec and the Duke-Lacrosse thing.
It’s been hard to get their attention.
Comment by Kathi — April 23, 2007 @ 6:29 pm
“ChemNutra also imported rice protein concentrate from China, though from another source. Spokesman Steve Stern said the company is testing those shipments.”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18173908/
These people need to stop with all the behind the scenes and get it out so we know what to feed our furkids! Err, right, reading the labels takes more than a magnifying glass, now we need a crystal ball.
Ann
Comment by Ann — April 23, 2007 @ 6:34 pm
Comment by Kathi — April 23, 2007 @ 6:29 pm
Not enough excitement for the media. The real excitement will begin when subpoenas and indictments start flying. Then the media will be all over it.
Comment by Steve — April 23, 2007 @ 6:36 pm
The list of witness tommorow list some big names as my Michigan congressman website says.
The Pet food guys are Mr. Paul Henderson from Menu Foods
Mr.Stephen S. Miller of importer Chem Nutra
The peanut butter guy is Mr. David Colo of Con Agra foods
The Spinach Guy is Mr. Charles Sweat from Natural Selections
One Question each guys ;Does the buck stop at your table? Your tab for not keeping accurate 24 hrs. traceable records for the FDA 2002 Bioterrorism law could top off at a Billon Dollars after the lawyers get done with you guys.
Comment by William Kanitz — April 23, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
Comment by William Kanitz — April 23, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
My question to all four of them is what size jumpsuit do your wear?
Comment by Steve — April 23, 2007 @ 6:43 pm
It breaks my heart wondering how many more pets must die before they finally release the additional names of suspected tainted food. I can’t even get my brain wrapped around the far reaching scope of this mess. It doesn’t make sense. None of it makes sense.
Comment by Ally — April 23, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
360 on cnn at 10 pm est they are going to do pet food recall - and it enter the human food chain
Comment by MARRY ANN — April 23, 2007 @ 7:01 pm
This is like living in the most horrific nightmare that you can’t wake up from. Every minute you are in it, it gets worse and worse.
And none of it will bring back my Bear kitty. I miss him so much. This is not like having him get sick from some disease and die. He was POISONED by a pet food company and the greedy Chinese merchants.
Oh please, someone make this stop. All the poor pets who have died, it just tears my heart apart. I wish I could have been on the witness list. I would give them a day by day account of little Bear’s life slipping away from him and me not being able to stop it. I have to stop now because I am crying again….
Comment by Lil Bear's Momma — April 23, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
Its not listed on the fda site but… Sensible Choice came uptoday recalled for the rice protein or should I say went belly up. the facts are on the Sensible Choice web site. And like we all know there will be more to follow.Tomorrow should prove interesting.
Comment by Jan — April 23, 2007 @ 7:11 pm
The FDA just sits there and plays Russian Roulette with our pets.
Comment by Robin — April 23, 2007 @ 7:11 pm
Do we know that this second shipment of rice protein went to pet food manufacturers only and not human food makers? I don’t see where they indicate it’s pet food related only.
Comment by slt — April 23, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
Lil Bear’s Momma - Crying with you. Bear kitty is with many,many friends now..my Thomas kitty is one.
Comment by elliott — April 23, 2007 @ 7:18 pm
Comment by William Kanitz — April 23, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
Ok I am bummed, how come FDA isnt on the list for the hearing tomorrow, I would love to see all 3 of these folks there together.
Comment by Sandi K — April 23, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
The march on teh 28th that is to honor the pets who have been poisoned. . . maybe somehow they could also be a PLEA for full disclosure?
Comment by Bonni — April 23, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
Comment by Sandi K — April 23, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
Is there even an FDA?
Comment by Steve — April 23, 2007 @ 7:21 pm
Exactly what IS the penalty for lying to the Senate?
Dare I hope for something kind of ..medieval?
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 23, 2007 @ 7:22 pm
360 Did Not Do Story Yet on pet food recall
Comment by MARRY ANN — April 23, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
Lil Bear’s Momma,
I’m so sorry for what you are going through.
This never should have happened. Unfortunately, things tend to get worse before they get better. It seems so deliberate, what they have done! It makes me beyond angry! I sure hope these b*st*rds pay!!! Maybe they should eat the recalled foods while behind bars! Sure wish the media would do more to alert people. How much more can we take before this country falls apart? We’re already crumbling thanks to the idiot in the White House. Nuff said…I’ll stop there.
Comment by Anonymous — April 23, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
Well whether the local media acts on this or not, at least they now have a copy of Durbin’s letter.
Don’t worry Steve, I’ll be in their face if they wait for heads to roll before they start to take interest again.
RUT-ROH!
Comment by Kathi — April 23, 2007 @ 7:32 pm
http://www.drudgereport.com has a link saying “China yields to inquiry on pet food” but the link isn’t working.
Comment by Sharon — April 23, 2007 @ 7:32 pm
Comment by Sandi K;how come FDA isnt on the list for the hearing tomorrow.Good Question,Maybe they got all of the ******** they need at this moment ? The Spinach guy and the peanutbutter guy are being hammarered hard too. Course WalMart sold Peanutbutter flavored dog snacks TOO.
Comment by William Kanitz — April 23, 2007 @ 7:33 pm
Remember what Bernie said - “It wasn’t in the product, it was the product”.
Comment by elliott — April 23, 2007 @ 7:33 pm
PET FOOD RECALL IS ON NEXT ON CNN-360
Comment by MARRY ANN — April 23, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
According to the Sacramento Bee, there could be other ingredients shipped from China that are contaminated. It suggested whey and soy proteins could be contaminated.
The article is at: http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/158442.html
Comment by Jeanette/Ohio — April 23, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
Watching 360 as we speak! Way to go Anderson Cooper!!!!
Comment by Hermes Momma — April 23, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
CNN NOW — Anderson Cooper on the hogs
Comment by michelle — April 23, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
Now Dick Durbin is on CNN
Comment by michelle — April 23, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
durbin is now on cnn
Comment by MARRY ANN — April 23, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
360-ON CNN will re AIR this show at 1AM
Comment by MARRY ANN — April 23, 2007 @ 7:45 pm
Right Now He Is The Only One i Trust. God Bless Sen. Durbin For Caring About Our Pets.
Comment by MARRY ANN — April 23, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
I’d say the emails to 360 are working!
Keep pushing people.
Comment by Kathi — April 23, 2007 @ 7:51 pm
From the CBS article linked above:
“[snip]…the FDA isn’t just under fire for how it handles food – the drug part of its safety mission is also under attack in Washington – and for the same reason: The agency doesn’t take action until after someone gets sick or dies.
“There is a saying: ‘The history of the FDA is written in tombstones,’” says Bill Vaughan of Consumers Union.”
Truer words were never spoken. But what do you do when you can’t even trust them to count the tombstones?
I’m with everyone here - I truly want the FDA to FORCE these manufacturers to cough up the info. But honestly, I’m starting to wonder whether if they have the power to force anyone to do anything!!
If they don’t, who does? Surely Congress should be able to force the FDA or other involved parties to disclose the info under oath, right?
Unless, of course, they’re not there to be questioned. Maybe that’s why the FDA isn’t invited to tomorrow’s party. :( I sure hope I’m wrong.
Comment by Laura — April 23, 2007 @ 7:52 pm
By the way, I sent an email to Hills today, telling them as a longterm customer that I’m disappointed that they’re marketing themselves (on their front page, even) as “100% produced in America” - a lie made clear by their involvement with Menu Foods and its Chinese wheat. I also told them I’ll be switching foods immediately unless they answer two questions for me:
1. Do any of your ingredients come directly or indirectly from China? If so, do you test them?
2. Have you tested your corn gluten?
If the answers were no and yes, respectively, it would have been an easy reply to write. But as of tonight, no word.
If anyone wants an update, let me know and I’ll post when (if?) I get one. Somehow, I don’t think I’ll hear back.
Comment by Laura — April 23, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
Comment by Laura — April 23, 2007 @ 7:52 pm
The woman that I spoke with from the FDA said that the first step is that the FDA issues a recall which is voluntary (they give the company a chance to take back their goods). If they do not comply with the recall, then the FDA can take legal action against the company.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 23, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
360 and JOE JOHNS Have really been on top of this story. where the hell is the reat of the news media. this is the biggest pet food recall in HISTORY !!!! LETS ALL E Mail 360 and thank them .
Comment by MARRY ANN — April 23, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
i meant rest of the news media
Comment by MARRY ANN — April 23, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
OK how many people want to place bets on a very late Monday night or very early Tuesday morning recall drop? Get it over with BEFORE the hearing’ kind of mentality maybe?
Comment by Sandi K — April 23, 2007 @ 8:12 pm
Comment by Nadine Long — April 23, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
Did the woman say how long the FDA typically gives manufacturers to initiate a voluntary recall? They’ve had a few days now.
I suspect a lot of people would be aghast at the FDA’s deference to manufacturers. And I wonder if the feds act faster when human food is involved.
Comment by Laura — April 23, 2007 @ 8:22 pm
Wouldn’t surprise me. Senator Durbin always seems to have a couple of good tricks up his sleeve.
Comment by Lynn — April 23, 2007 @ 8:22 pm
RE: Comment by Nadine Long — April 23, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
LOL - I don’t want to even think how long it would take the FDA to institute legal action against those companies that don’t do a voluntary recall.
Comment by Lynn — April 23, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
How about some quick calls to major television affiliates to tell them they’d better “get with the program” and listen up!
Comment by Lynn — April 23, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
I hope Durbin has a sledgehammer up his sleeve.
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — April 23, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
“The woman that I spoke with from the FDA said that the first step is that the FDA issues a recall which is voluntary (they give the company a chance to take back their goods). If they do not comply with the recall, then the FDA can take legal action against the company”.
This is true. The FDA can only mandate recalls if it involves certain products, such as medical devices. The FD&C act does not give them the power to mandate recalls, but it does give them the ability to take legal action against the company, using this same act.
As to length of time for a company to recall, it has generally been defined as ‘a reasonable length of time’.
Comment by Carole — April 23, 2007 @ 8:39 pm
Because the FDA can seize the questionable product and get an injunction against a firm who does not recall, it would be pretty stupid for a major company to push the FDA to this point.
Comment by Carole — April 23, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
Laura,
the FDA issued a warning to Iams (i think that’s who) about an ingredient in their RX weight loss formula in early Jan. as of the March recall, hadn’t been complied with . . .
*twitch* un-F’n- Believable.
Comment by straybaby — April 23, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
China gives in?
http://tinyurl.com/2nlmau
Comment by Brenda — April 23, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
Comment by Brenda — April 23, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
China gives in?
How much ya wanna bet all the evidence has been destroyed?
Comment by Ally — April 23, 2007 @ 8:51 pm
yup. they be done cleanin’.
so is this what Durbin is talking about, or did I miss something:
“In its news release over the weekend, the F.D.A. also identified a second Chinese company that had exported animal feed tainted with melamine to American pet food and animal feed suppliers.”
Comment by straybaby — April 23, 2007 @ 8:54 pm
The pet food industry and FDA are looking both foolish and sinister right now.
How can the FDA stand by and not release the names of companies that they KNOW are using tainted ingredients in the pet food they manufacture???
So far no one else has stepped up to the plate and ‘fessed up. So what does that mean?
People are still buying the tainted food…playing ‘Russian Roulette’ with their pet’s lives!!!
Disgusting and inexcusable…
Comment by Marcy — April 23, 2007 @ 8:58 pm
Straybaby,
The FDA’s letter to IAMS urged them to remove this ingredient but stopped short at mandating it or recalling their products. The FDA allowed IAMS to respond with some sort of backing for using this product.
IAMS actually did decided to remove this ingredient because they did not want to do additional animal testing to support their position.
So, they will put out a new formula but they will also let their current supply run its course.
Interesting enough, IAMS disputes the fact that this letter from the FDA was a warning letter and claims the first time they heard it referred to as such was when it was posted on the FDA website on March 29..
Comment by Carole — April 23, 2007 @ 9:01 pm
Comment by Carole — April 23, 2007 @ 8:39 pm
“Reasonable” to whom? That’s what I’m wondering.
And re your follow-up post, see straybaby’s comment at 8:45 - three months is not reasonable in anyone’s book. And then there’s the FDA’s reported non-action on spinach and peanut-butter contamination. Why WOULD any company submit to a voluntary recall if they knew the FDA would not or could not follow through?
Comment by Laura — April 23, 2007 @ 9:02 pm
Whoops, sorry, Carole. Cross-posted you.
But - re Iams v FDA, The simplest explanation is that Iams had something to lose on this, and the FDA didn’t. So I’m not about to take Iams word for it.
Comment by Laura — April 23, 2007 @ 9:04 pm
thanks Carole!
so they urge before warn?! mmmK! nothing like a little cancer agent to add to your day . . .
I thought I saw a doc with the Jan. date on it? no matter, we still are stitting ducks either way at this point . . .
Comment by straybaby — April 23, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
By the way, Carole, do you work for Iams? Don’t get mad - I’m just asking because you seem to know a lot about their side of this. If you’ve found an article or some other sort of documentation on this, please pass it along. I’d like very much to see both sides of the story!
Comment by Laura — April 23, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
I agree that ‘reasonable’ is not a length of time. I would have to guess that they base reasonable on what steps the company has to take to determine if they are affected, which includes testing.
Given Blue Buffalo’s ability to turn this around in one day it does seem odd. But then again we never know who knew what and when they knew it - and did they inform the manufacturer before the pet food company?
It’s been too long, I agree. But technically the FDA is supposed to monitor and assess recalls, and I can only hope they are in the process of dealing with some of these companies.
Comment by Carole — April 23, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
The FDA takes the ‘slow boat to china’ in dealing with these companies. Letting us play Russian Roulette with our pets lives. They are worthless. They should put out release warning poeple not to use the products from the two nameless companies until they are proven safe.
Comment by Robin — April 23, 2007 @ 9:17 pm
Laura, no offense taken. I don’t work for IAMS or for any other pet food company. In fact, IAMS owes me almost $800 for my tree cats to be tested.
Personally I don’t care if the letter was titled warning - it’s an irrelevant fact and I think they were probably annoyed that the FDA posted it for the public. It’s somewhat petty on IAMS’ part to even mention it.
You are correct about January, the original letter was sent on January 8. IAMS issued a response on March 30 but I don’t think it got noticed too much - I have posted it below. It is a .pdf so I cannot link it.
Response from Iams/Eukanuba Regarding the FDA Letter
March 30, 2007
Linda Workman, MS, DVM, CVA, CCRP, Veterinary Advisor at the American Animal Hospital Association spoke with the Iams/Eukanuba External Relations Manager Kurt Iverson to obtain information for AAHA members regarding the company’s recent FDA “warning letter” concerning the use of chromium tripicolinate in Eukanuba Veterinary Diets - Restricted Calorie, Optimum Weight and Senior Plus.
Iverson offered the following information:
This is not news. We agreed with the FDA earlier this year that we would simply not include chromium tripicolinate in our new veterinary therapeutic diet upgrades in 2007.
After a couple of years of routine correspondence with the FDA on this topic, we elected to agree to take it out of the formula for a new upgrade, instead of doing additional animal safety testing which was not aligned with our internal animal research policy.
Chromium tripicolinate is commonly used as a food supplement for people and swine in the U.S. It enhances the action of insulin for utilization of blood sugar and is commonly used as a supplement by obese people at risk for diabetes.
We never received an FDA warning letter on this topic. The original January 8, 2007, letter mailed to us is not titled as a warning letter.
The FDA website posting of this letter on March 29, 2007, as a warning letter was a surprise to us.
We are working with the FDA to resolve this discrepancy in communication.
This issue does not affect any Iams or Eukanuba products sold without a prescription in retail stores.
These Eukanuba Veterinary Diets are sold only with a prescription from a veterinarian and have very limited distribution.
The affected EVD therapeutic diets involve Restricted Calorie, Optimum Weight, and Senior Plus.
These EVD products are not being recalled.
According to Iverson, the chromium tripicolinate will be present in those specific Eukanuba Veterinary Diets until the current inventory is depleted. He could not say when the new veterinary therapeutic diet upgrades without the substance would be available.
Comment by Carole — April 23, 2007 @ 9:17 pm
Before anyone asks me about ‘tree cats’ - it was supposed to say three cats…LOL.
Comment by Carole — April 23, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
Thanks for posting that, Carole! It’s enlightening in terms of how seriously the industry *isn’t* taking the FDA. The whole “warning” letter thing is such an obvious dodge. I’d think anytime a company got a letter like that from the FDA, they’d notice. But I’d be wrong, clearly.
And I’m glad you didn’t take offense. None was intended. :)
Comment by Laura — April 23, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
Comment by Laura — April 23, 2007 @ 8:22 pm
Laura and Carole,
Just got back online. Thanks, Carole, for answering.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 23, 2007 @ 9:29 pm
Thanks for the posting Carole!
I missed this earlier when I first became aware of the issue:
“After a couple of years of routine correspondence with the FDA on this topic, “
and then it’s always *fun* to see we fall into the same catagory as swine, lol!~ ;)
“Chromium tripicolinate is commonly used as a food supplement for people and swine in the U.S.”
Comment by straybaby — April 23, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
Peg-
I’ve copied below what you probably saw about cyanuric acid. All along, although melamine has been found in the contaminated products, the kidney failures in cats and dogs are not the kind of damage that melamine is expected to cause. Melamine is not terribly toxic, but in large doses can lead to tumors, reproductive problems and kidney stones, at least in rats. They’ve been testing for melamine because they know to look for it (that’s what they mean when they say melamine is a ‘marker’), and it is someting that is obviusly not supposed to be there, but there are other crystals present that nobody has been able to identify, and because of that, they can’t test for.
Cyanuric acid does cause severe kidney damage. After reading the story, I expected that cyanuric acid was the actal poison in all of the contaminated foods, but I have not heard it mentioned since - but then, six weeks into the story, I’m also still hearing that only 16 animals died.
One question I have - if Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development was advertising that it wanted to buy ‘scrap melamine,’ what exactly IS scrap melamine? What would be wrong with it to make it no longer usable? Is the melamine contaminated, does it break down in some way, was it stored improperly, is it defective, or what?
Here’s the quote about cyanuric acid, from April 20:
Federal officials confirmed Thursday they are investigating whether pork products intended for humans are contaminated with the same industrial chemical that prompted a massive pet food recall and sickened cats and dogs nationwide.
Researchers also have identified three other contaminants in the urine and kidneys of animals sickened or killed after eating the recalled foods, including cyanuric acid, a chemical commonly used in pool chlorination, three researchers told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Cyanuric acid is what most likely sickened pets, one researcher said.
Melamine previously was found in the recalled pet food and two ingredients — wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate — as well as in the urine, blood, kidneys and tissues of infected animals.
Researchers and U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials said since it was discovered in the pet food, wheat gluten and in animals’ urine and kidneys, they did not believe it was what sickened the animals.
Comment by Paul — April 23, 2007 @ 10:32 pm
Just curious if anyone knows if the Rice Flour listed in Hill’s foods is the rice flour described in asian markets sites as a flour that is used to make cakes or if it is “glutinous rice flour” mentioned again in the asian market sites as something that shouldn’t be confused with the cake flour type rice flour.
There are many Hill’s Science Diet foods that simply list rice flour as an ingredient.
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy's mom) — April 23, 2007 @ 11:07 pm
WOW! LOTS OF STUFF STARTED HAPPENING TONIGHT! I’ve been plastering/painting a room tonight & just catching up!
Powerful letter by Sen. Durbin & Sen. Cantwell !
“3. The FDA has engaged in significant testing and sampling of wheat gluten. Given we now know contaminated shipments of both rice protein concentrate and corn gluten have also been exported from China, we ask the FDA to begin comprehensive testing and sampling of rice protein concentrate and corn gluten immediately. “
YIPPPEEEE! CORN GLUTEN TOO!!
Since the FDA can’t seem to run the show right, it takes an ACT OF CONGRESS!!
Comment by Kat — April 23, 2007 @ 11:54 pm
My current line of thinking is getting them for animal cruelty, with intent! If your nieghbor did this to your animal you could this. Cousin who a lawyer thought this idea has merit. Since it appears they knew something prior to the first recall, now the by-product has been recalled by Wilbur/Ellis and still silent killers stock our pet food supply. They know…..
Comment by Maudigan — April 24, 2007 @ 5:32 am
It’s probably the Royal Canin corn gluten supplier and it is also in the U.S. We knew this and why did it take so long to hear about the testing? It’s about time.
Comment by Sara J. — April 24, 2007 @ 5:56 am
Hey FDA and our elected officials - just a silly notion. Why don’t we pay our farmers to produce wheat, corn and rice to put in the human and pet food supply and ban all imports?
According to what we are finding out, soon there will no longer be owners to care for the few pets left.
Comment by Pat — April 24, 2007 @ 6:14 am
With the hearing only fifteen minutes away, the link for streaming coverage above isn’t working. Does anyone know where else I can listen to this most important hearing? I want to listen and I’m confident that the news media isn’t going to cover this event.
Comment by Larry — April 24, 2007 @ 6:18 am
For those who live in Michigan and can get WXYZ, Ch 7 at 11PM tonight they are doing a story on feeding your pets BARF. FYI
Comment by VJ — April 24, 2007 @ 6:31 am
Beneful has not been implicated yet………..Corn gluten is the third ingredient. But there are letters on Doggy Bling saying many animals died as a result of eating that food….Purina, fess up!!!!!!!!
Comment by Gail Duboe — April 24, 2007 @ 7:00 am
Will we be able to hear the livecast again later on?
Comment by VJ — April 24, 2007 @ 7:01 am
They keep saying they have no authority to do anything. Why did Congress pass the Bioterrorism Law of 2001 if the government itself is not going to adhere to any of it’s provisions?
Comment by Sharon — April 24, 2007 @ 10:58 am
Tonight my dog ate rice, chicken livers with sweet potatos and carrots. His treats were some whole grain mini wheats. NO it’s not a great, well-balanced dog food. I was feeding him Purina Dog Chow…. Have I killed my baby?When will Purina tell me the TRUTH?
Comment by Falcon — April 24, 2007 @ 4:20 pm