Pet-food recall: Harmony Farms pulls food
By Gina Spadafori
April 27, 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 information on recalled foods).
- If you want to report a sick or deceased pet, click here.
This wasn’t what we wanted for the six-week anniversary of the first recall. But we got another recall anyway:
We regret to inform you that Sierra Pet Products has announced a voluntary recall of its Harmony Farms canned foods and dog biscuits due to product tampering.
Sierra Pet Products was made aware of the product tampering when American Nutrition, Inc. (ANI), the manufacturer of all Harmony Farms cans and biscuits, informed the Company that they had been adding rice protein concentrate to Harmony Farms canned dog and cat foods without the Company’s approval.
It appears that ANI had been adding the unauthorized rice protein concentrate to Harmony Farms products for some time and only told the Company when the FDA was about to conclude that some of ANI’s rice protein concentrate (Supplied by Wilber-Ellis) was contaminated with Melamine.
The entire notice is on a pop-up on the company’s Web site. You have to disable you pop-up blocker to see it. (Thanks to the folks at The Pet Food List and Pet Food Tracker for nailing this one down.)
Update: Here’s the entire list of products from American Nutrition, under voluntary recall The only products not previously noted are Canine Caviar and the Mulligan Stew.
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Sheeeshhh!!! No wonder they (ANI) were so long in outting themselves!!!
Ann
Comment by Ann — April 27, 2007 @ 10:11 am
Nice they took the extra effort to inform the public on the news wires.
Comment by Steve — April 27, 2007 @ 10:15 am
Here’s the URL that takes you directly to the text of the popup:
http://www.harmonypetproducts......popup.html
Comment by Pat — April 27, 2007 @ 10:15 am
I Have a sick feeling today is going to be a black friday !!!! I’M scared to feed my dogs.U don’t know what pet food u can trust now. I’ve just about lost faith in all of them. Gina and Staff God Bless You. All of you At PC have been working so very hard.
Comment by Mary — April 27, 2007 @ 10:17 am
I got this email from Canidae today:
To all our valued customers, retailers and friends,
CANIDAE in no way is affiliated, nor has any common characteristics with the current pet food re-calls. We do not use soy, wheat gluten, rice gluten, rice protein concentrate or corn gluten in any fashion, and we are not produced in any of the recalled facilities. All ingredients are proudly raised and grown in the USA.
We thank you for your business and placing your pets trust with us.
Sincerely,
Canidae Pet Foods
Comment by Bonnie — April 27, 2007 @ 10:23 am
Getting carpel tunnel in my finger clicking on the mouse. Pet food companies enough already!!!! Pull everything, clean everything and start over with fresh, untainted ingredients and fire all the head honchos!!!!
Comment by VJ — April 27, 2007 @ 10:33 am
I just want Canidae to tell us WHO does make their food??? What’s the name of the plant and EXACTLY where is it located??? Their food is the only dry I am still feeding, but I won’t be for long if they keep refusing this information!!!
Comment by FMtz — April 27, 2007 @ 10:33 am
Thanks for the URL Pat…
Comment by Kim — April 27, 2007 @ 10:33 am
Mary,
I think you’re right. I have a feeling there are going to be a lot more recalls coming up because of ANI. I hope the companies that were deceived by them destroy ANI.
Comment by Brandi — April 27, 2007 @ 10:33 am
Getting carpel tunnel in my finger from using the mouse so much. Enough already pet food companies!!! Clean up your suppliers, your machines and processes. Get good, clean ingredients and fire those money-grubbing CEOs.
Comment by VJ — April 27, 2007 @ 10:35 am
I’ve seen it all over the various sites that Canidae is made by Pied Piper in Hamlin Texas
Comment by Bonnie — April 27, 2007 @ 10:35 am
Sorry about the double post. The system seemed to hang up for a while.
Comment by VJ — April 27, 2007 @ 10:36 am
Pied Piper makes Canidae. On Pied Pipers website, it actually says they are a Wheat and Rice Gluten Free Facility.
Comment by Lacy — April 27, 2007 @ 10:36 am
Breakup the Pet Food Cabal.
If they do not provide benefit or break the public trust, their charter should be revoked and their rights as “citizens” stripped.
Comment by Steve — April 27, 2007 @ 10:38 am
I find myself overwhelmingly sad each time another food is recalled and knowing that there are so many people who still do not grasp the magnitude of this situation. While it’s agreed that the FDA is doing a lousy job, they didn’t start this and without new legislation, they can’t end it. What, exactly, will it take to have the leaders in the pet food industry step up? Do none of them have sick or dead pets? Why has not even one whistleblower appeared after all this time? Too many questions with no answers.
Comment by Cathy — April 27, 2007 @ 10:39 am
I just called Canidae AGAIN and insisted that they release the name of the plant that makes their food and EXACTLY where it is located. I told them that if they don’t tell me/us I will no longer buy their product!!!
Comment by FMtz — April 27, 2007 @ 10:40 am
I think that Evangers does the canned for Canidae/Felidae. I’ve been using the canned and dry for the last 5 weeks and I just hope they are being truthful. Who knows. I would liek to find a company who does not contract out.
Comment by Robin — April 27, 2007 @ 10:41 am
Thank you Bonnie and Lacy. I have been trying to find this out for over 2 weeks now. I have been checking this blog and itchmo.com constantly, for hours a day. I must have missed it somewhere. Again, thank you.
Comment by FMtz — April 27, 2007 @ 10:42 am
Thank you Bonnie and Lacy. I have been trying to find this out for over 2 weeks now. I have been checking this blog and itchmo.com constantly, for hours a day. I must have missed it somewhere. Again, thank you.
Comment by FMtz — April 27, 2007 @ 10:42 am
At this stage the only news I look forward to on a daily basis regarding this industry is criminal indictments and prison sentences.
Comment by Steve — April 27, 2007 @ 10:43 am
sorry for the duplicate post. Things are slow on my end and don’t appear to be going through every time. I’ll try and be more patient.
Comment by FMtz — April 27, 2007 @ 10:44 am
Fmtz,
Good idea! Thay need to end this double talk and ‘proprietary’ information. Be truthful if you want my business.
Comment by Robin — April 27, 2007 @ 10:45 am
http://www.anibrands.com/index.html
American Nutrition’s website still says they aren’t involved in the recall.
Comment by Maureen — April 27, 2007 @ 10:45 am
The directory of the main suppliers of pet food additives.
http://www.victam.com/directory.php?page=Addi
Comment by Sue — April 27, 2007 @ 10:49 am
The Pet Food Industry doesn’t want to admit they are guilty of gross negligence.
They are backed up against the wall.
Thats the facts.
Comment by Steve — April 27, 2007 @ 10:50 am
Watch out Argentina, you’re next:
http://tinyurl.com/3dffdh
“With growing disposable incomes, consumers are able to treat their pets as if they were children, investing in the highest-quality products for the satisfaction and safety of their pets. As a result, premium products, which are perceived as being more nutritious and tastier than other varieties, saw a significant increase in sales. Among them, wet food and treats were the star performers, as they were positioned as the tastiest of all. “
Comment by Angelique — April 27, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Why would American Nutrition be adding that rice protein to the other products they make but NOT to their own? Esp. when the other products ingredients do NOT call for it.
None of theirs own products have been recalled.
Comment by Bonnie — April 27, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Canidae is not owned by Proctor and Gamble nor is it owned by any other big Manufacturer. I lost my pet feeding him IAMS MINI CHUNKS AND IMAS SAVORY GRAVY SAUCE. HE DIED A HORRIBLE AND CRUEL DEATH. I would rather feed my pet Canidae’s product first and I would use it the next time I get an Airdale again. I know its not owned by Proctor and Gamble. I have not heard of any pets getting ill eating Canidae or Felidae. I heard Purina Pro Choice is good too but this scares me because its a bigger Company.
Comment by Georgeann Heckman — April 27, 2007 @ 11:00 am
Gina/Christie - you guys have email.
http://www.americannutritioninc.com/
The good news, this is it from American Nutrition. The bad news, two flavors each of Mulligan Stew and Canine Caviar are on the list.
Comment by Kim — April 27, 2007 @ 11:00 am
Great question Bonnie
Comment by Kim — April 27, 2007 @ 11:02 am
“American Nutrition’s website still says they aren’t involved in the recall.”
That’s because the pet brands they own are not yet part of the recall, only the ones they manufacture but don’t own.
Comment by Carole — April 27, 2007 @ 11:02 am
As far as I am concerned, ANI’s manufacting plant should have been closed down and they should face a huge fine.
Industry practice…I doubt it.
Comment by Carole — April 27, 2007 @ 11:03 am
I keep seeing lawsuits and dollar figures and the FDA is compensating farmers…but what about the thousands of pet owners who had huge vet bills and lost their pets. No one has said a word about that. I am totally disgusted by the behavior at the FDA. It might as well be an industry lobby group. Protectin companies first. This is Katrina all over again. Only our pets are dying instead. And you know this has been going on a long time.
Comment by Sandra — April 27, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Comment by Bonnie — April 27, 2007 @ 10:23 am
Every so often I read about someone feeding Candidae & getting sick. There were a couple of people on here last week. I have no idea which string it was on.
Comment by Kat — April 27, 2007 @ 11:19 am
Harmony Farms, Singapore, also makes fruit drinks!
http://www.harmonyfarms.com.sg/
Here are snack foods, trail mixes, etc:
http://www.harmonyfoods.com/index.html
Comment by Kat — April 27, 2007 @ 11:22 am
So, let’s see - ANI uses the crud in everyone elses’s product, without their permission, but then doesn’t use it in their own. And they have the nerve to say none of their stuff is being recalled???
Comment by Jenny — April 27, 2007 @ 11:22 am
Sorry if I missed this, but does anyone know the entire list of brands that ANI does the manufacturing for? Not just those that have been recalled, but all of them?
Comment by Lisa C — April 27, 2007 @ 11:25 am
I am freaking out about Canine Caviar. It is supposed to be just meat and water according to the label. No additives. After last week’s recall of the Natural Balance Venison & Rice dry food, I thought, okay, I have to make sure I read the label every time I buy a food. Now I guess even reading the labels is not enough, since it could really be anything inside.
Comment by Monica — April 27, 2007 @ 11:26 am
Re ANI. How interesting and convenient that they did not use it in their own brands, only those they were subcontracted for. The Brooklyn bridge for sale comes to mind. I ,for one, donot believe it. But then lately, I donot believe anything anymore.
Comment by Serijna — April 27, 2007 @ 11:28 am
How terrible of Harmony Foods too. Their recall message is a popup that didn’t even appear until I disabled my popup blocker. If not you just get this lovely page that tells you how safe their food is. How could they do this as a POPUP? What kind of notice is that? Shame on you Harmony Foods.
Comment by Sandy — April 27, 2007 @ 11:31 am
When are criminal charges going to be brought against all these people? When is the ceo of Menu going to be brought up on insider trading charges? If any of us, as normal citizens of the US or Canada perpetrated these crimes, we would be in a cell right now. I guess we need to add American Nutrition to our class action law suit.
Comment by Joyce — April 27, 2007 @ 11:39 am
Monica,
I think that Canine Caviar is made by Pied Piper, the same place that does the Canidae?Felidae dry. I’m sure that I saw that someplace.
Comment by Robin — April 27, 2007 @ 11:41 am
Comment by Monica — April 27, 2007 @ 11:26 am
‘I am freaking out about Canine Caviar. It is supposed to be just meat and water according to the label. No additives.’
Is that so? Hmmm, I would be interested to hear the explanation for how contaminated rice protein concentrate got into that food. Maybe it’s a case of failing to clean equipment between runs?
Comment by slt — April 27, 2007 @ 11:42 am
Well, Canine Caviar changed their website in the last few minutes. Earlier today their website said they were not affected and they don’t use ingredients from China. I can understand that American Nutrition might have screwed them over and substituted ingredients and/or ordered from China without telling Canine Caviar…. BUT.. Canine’s website, until 5 minutes ago anyway, specifically stated they were in NO WAY affiliated with ANY FACILITY involved in the recall. That is a lie. I feel there is no other way to interpret that portion of their earlier statement.
Comment by Christi Alcox — April 27, 2007 @ 11:44 am
If the Canidae/Felidae folks are reading this, why not just publish where and by whom, both your canned and dry are made? Also are you or are they responsible for buying the ingredients. And don’t forget to tell us the source of the ingredients. The trust game is over. The entire industry has proven that. Cats and dogs are dead. Come clean or loose my business.
Comment by Robin — April 27, 2007 @ 11:51 am
The Canine Cavair is produced by American Nutrition. . . it says so on their recall sheet. They list it as one of their recalls.
Comment by Bonnie — April 27, 2007 @ 11:55 am
See. . . here is the list that includes Canine Caviar. Its all from AN:
http://www.americannutritioninc.com/
Comment by Bonnie — April 27, 2007 @ 11:56 am
Canine Caviar has posted a statement at their website:
http://www.caninecaviar.com
Comment by Jackie — April 27, 2007 @ 11:58 am
FMtz, I was going to put my dogs on CANIDAE, but i got the same answer u got when asked where the food was made. Thats why i went with california natural. i wonder if their food is made at diamond food plant like natural balance is.
Comment by Mary — April 27, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
KAT,I ALSO READ THAT PETS SICK ON CANIDAE, plus the runs
Comment by Mary — April 27, 2007 @ 12:07 pm
I’ve been reading these blogs very closely and don’t recall any post saying animals were sick from Canidae products..maybe I missed them. But I can say once again that I have been feeding Canidae All Stages Dry dog food for the past year and a half to my two dogs and have had absolutely NO PROBLEM.
Comment by Barb — April 27, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
CANIDAE - I just tallked to the company. They verified. . .wet food made at Evangers. Dry at Pied Piper in Texas. They have their own equipment at the Pied Piper facility. All batches of their food are always tested prior to release, too. Said there were working on putting together a new quality assurance piece to put on their website.
Comment by Bonnie — April 27, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
Does anybody know who makes Life’s Abundance foods?
And is American Nutrition inc that makes human supplements the same as the ones that made the recalled pet foods?
Comment by betty — April 27, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
“The FDA is investigating the use of rice protein, an ingredient found in a number of canned pet food products and baked pet food treats to fortify protein levels, after a portion of Wilbur-Ellis’ rice protein supply was found to be contaminated with melamine. American Nutrition immediately discontinued the use of rice protein after learning of the melamine contamination.”
This makes me sick. They post this as if the RPC was supposed to be in there to begin with.
Comment by Carole — April 27, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
I have switched my dog to Merrick foods after studying the list on itchmo. They make their own food in their own plants with all US ingredients. Has anyone heard of any problems with Merrick?
Comment by chris — April 27, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
I am petsitting two cats who eat Fancy Feast (Purina), a product yet to be recalled. Both cats are fine, but I’m down to my last can and need to purchase a new batch today. With all these new recalls I’m very fearful of ANY ‘new batch.’ Please, if anyone reads anything regarding a Fancy Feast recall, please post it.
Comment by Barb — April 27, 2007 @ 12:17 pm
So ANI only added RPC to two of Blue Buffalo’s cat foods? Why those two? No wonder BB is pulling all of their food.
ANI should also have their website updated to show that BB is pulling everything, not just those specific products and dates.
Comment by Carole — April 27, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
Anybody familiar with the Larry Joe Taylor song “Second Wind”?
Chorus:
When the season comes
And the sky is blue
Someone drops a bomb
Right on top of you
Hounds are on your trail
Clouds are rollin’ in.
Set another sail
Catch your Second Wind.
2nd Verse:
There were devils in the sky
Takin’ angels through the walls
As fate would have it
Three would fly
One was bound to fall.
There were rights & there were wrongs
We’d been told a bunch of things
If this is the same ol’ song,
Then I don’t want to sing.
back to the chorus…
(I think I’ve deciphered the lyrics correctly…)
Anyway, his music is coastal/western… Great music.
Every time I hear that song now I thirelate to the big pet food fiasco!
Hounds are on their trail…we’ve been told the same ol’thing
This song is one of my favorites…
Comment by Kat — April 27, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
thirelate? ooops! think & relate into one word…sorry…
Comment by Kat — April 27, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
THANK YOU whoever posted the info about Canine Caviar, my dogs have been getting the Venison as a Kong treat but I just bought and FED two cans of Turkey in the last two weeks for some variety. Ugh.
Comment by Angelique — April 27, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
Consumer Notice
Canine Caviar is recalling less than 1500 cans in circulation nationally (not cases) and expects to have this collected within 48 hours of April 27, 2007. This unexpected situation is due to the fact that our canned food co-packer was using ingredients that were not authorized by Canine Caviar. Our canned foods have not officially tested positive, but we are recalling the following three can SKU’s: 13.2 oz Gourmet Turkey – UPC 674555222134, 13.2 oz Gourmet Beaver – UPC 674555221328, 5.5 oz Gourmet Beaver – UPC 674555221557.
All of the Gourmet Duck and Venison Tripe in the 13.2 oz cans are made to our standards and do not have any grains in them and are not part of the recall.
During the next few weeks, Canine Caviar will be out of stock on these three cans and recommends using the canned duck or venison tripe.
NONE OF CANINE CAVIAR’S DRY FOODS, TREATS OR SUPPLEMENTS ARE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. THESE PRODUCTS ARE PACKED AT A DIFFERENT FACILITY. WE HAVE WRITTEN DOCUMTATION PROVING THESE PRODUCTS ARE MANUFACTURED TO OUR STANDARDS.
Please return all cans of turkey and beaver to your store for a full refund. Please email Canine Caviar at info@caninecaviar.com for free dry food and treat coupons for this inconvenience.
We apologize and have taken steps to increase quality control to guarantee that correct ingredients go into each can.
Comment by Kat — April 27, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
Somebody’s gonna go to jail at ANI!
naa-naa-naa-naa-doo-doo! :) !
Comment by Kat — April 27, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
“Why would American Nutrition be adding that rice protein to the other products they make but NOT to their own? Esp. when the other products ingredients do NOT call for it.”
This question made me wonder… what’s the relative cost of rice protein vs. rice flour? I mean… are they profiteering by putting in a cheaper ingredient and then charging the brand-name folks (and by extension the consumer) the premium prices?
Comment by CatLady — April 27, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
Is this the same Merrick?:
http://tinyurl.com/ywrsfd
http://tinyurl.com/3ctjuf
Comment by Melissa — April 27, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
re BARB! Comment by Barb — April 27, 2007 @ 12:17 pm …
we have something in common, the question and the name :) i thought i saw something about FF and pets’ illness on itchmo or howl911 and lost the thread. if you find more, please post. we are in the meantime, adjusting to organic raw. i cannot keep up with the updates, don’t know how i’ll afford it - except maybe have their leftovers for dinner myself. Natura swears their products are double checked, inspected products and only from the US - we use their kibble, no probs for about a month now… Natura are very nice on the phone. for raw we’re using Primal - very helpful folks there too.
love you guys, and thank you everyone for all the info. i would never be so educated if i relied on the media and government.
i don’t know how purina is managed to stay out of this, or is someone not talking yet??
Comment by barbara — April 27, 2007 @ 1:23 pm
I have taken my DOgs off of Canidae Do to Sickness Dry & Wet Food.
I have called, emailed and have recd the same email non stop
They finially after I asked them about Pied Pipper in Texas said Yes. They would never admit that befor
Comment by Mary L — April 27, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
I keep getting that same Email from Canidae
Guess they cannot answer questions especially why are my PETS SICK
Comment by Mary L — April 27, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
I was just checking out Merrick: http://www.merrickpetcare.com/#
Their ingredient list is suspicious, but that’s my nature these days. Many of the ingredients I’ve seen listed on the Alibaba & Made-in-China world market sites.
But, they say nothing is imported from China. But, who knows where they really get the stuff.
I’ll continue to make my own, thank you.
Comment by Kat — April 27, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
Comment by betty — April 27, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
‘Does anybody know who makes Life’s Abundance foods?’
I wrote to the company and asked. They said:
Menu foods for the canned cat food – North Dakota. Ohio Pet Foods – The dry foods.
When I explained why I felt unable to financially support Menu Foods in future and hoped they would let me know if they decided to make a change in their business relationship with them, I rec’d a short reply:
We won’t change.
So unfortunately, although their food “sounds” good, it’s not on a list of ‘potentials’ for me due to the Menu Foods relationship.
Comment by slt — April 27, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
Mary L.
They told me right off about where made, etc. What sort of illness do your pets have? And what particular product are you feeding? I have show dogs and many breeders feed Canidae and have heard of no problems. But if you have info, please do share.
Comment by Bonnie — April 27, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
BARB,THERE was alot of comments that canidae made pets sick on PC AND ALSO I google it and there was a rate it web site and there were lots of good and bad comments about this food.
Comment by Mary — April 27, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
has you pet been diagnosed with kidney trouble, Mary L? thanks.
Comment by Bonnie — April 27, 2007 @ 2:21 pm
“If Blue Boy gets on the news and says he was as badly betrayed as we were, if he tells just a teensy bit of OUR story and gets in some quotes about how many deaths there REALLY are, and the stuff about what pet owners need to know about drinking too much water being a really bad sign, some combo of say, two out of three of those things, the too much water stuff HAS to be said, then *I* will fight tooth and nail for the guy and his company.”
While I will agree that the story needs to get out, I do not agree that Bill Bishop should be speaking to the amount of deaths - after all he only knows what he reads and hears. It is the FDA’s place to address the full impact - just like it is the AVMA’s place to address the medical implications of this. Again, Bill Bishop can only repeat what he hears and reads.
Just like I wouldn’t expect the FDA or AVMA to tell me how to best market pet food. It’s not what they do.
As for getting own on one’s knees, I’m guessing he’s a little busy trying to figure out how to keep his business above water.
Comment by Carole — April 27, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
Has anyone thought of using Bil Jac dog and cat foods. They are a private dry pet food maker that makes food for only themselves.
“We’re a family owned and operated pet food company, since 1947. In over 60 years of business, the manufacture of pet food is our only business. Word of mouth recommendations continue to drive our success.”
They state
“We actually go to nearby Chicken processing plants to carefully select the fresh REAL Chicken we use in our products.
Bil-Jac has installed special equipment in these federally inspected plants of our suppliers. Upon processing the chicken, it is immediately chilled to less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and is then processed in our plant within 2 hours.
What we don’t select goes off to the rendering plant to be used by our competition.”
They state that the only grain they use is locally US grown corn.
Now I’m torn because they use Chicken by products but state that these by products are (Organ Meat Only)and are transported chilled where they are processed right away.
They also don’t seem to add any Animal Fat to their foods.
I’m hoping to get an opinion from those who know more than I do about Bil Jac.
I called and actually got the magnesium info on their cat food and I’ve switched my cats to this food last week at least for now. I’m trying to be confident that with local chicken, corn and no rendered fats etc that it might be safe. The cats were not crazy about it at first but now seem to really love it.
I think I’ve reached my low point today. I’m sitting here thinking with the home made dog food and the Bil.Jac cat food that we are maybe safe for the time being but I still just want to put my head down and cry.
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy's mom) — April 27, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
Somebody’s gonna go to jail at ANI!
naa-naa-naa-naa-doo-doo! !
Comment by Kat — April 27, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
Now this is one CEO that no one wants to be. He makes Paul Henderson look better.
Comment by Carole — April 27, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
“What we don’t select goes off to the rendering plant to be used by our competition.”
It’s statements like these that turn me off to a company. It’s self-serving and their food should sell itself.
Comment by Carole — April 27, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
To Barb- RE: Fancy Feast
I, too, use Fancy Feast. I e-mailed Purina and yesterday a woman from Purina called me on the phone. She answered all my questions quite completely and honestly. Most of what she told me can be found on the Purina website under their frequently asked questions. It seems that the company is taking great precautions to make sure that what they produce is a safe product. So far, I have had no problem with my cat eating the Fancy Feast, but as an added precaution, I am feeding only the flavors that do not contain any grains. That is the Gourmet varieties. Hopefully, this woman has not lied to me, but at this point, I think she was sincere and truthful and I am not willing to put my cat through changes from food to food when I have not had any problems. Ironically, I did try one can of a different food at the beginning of the recall. It was a Natural Balance canned. Glad I didn’t continue, but also glad that there so far has been no adverse effects from that little experiment!
Comment by Linda P. — April 27, 2007 @ 2:48 pm
Catlady—If I was writing a book of fiction it would go like this: The Chinese added the melamine etc. to increase the apparent protein content and thereby to get more money for it. Sold it to companies doing business in the good ole USA. It was purchased by various companies because it was so darn cheap compared to domestic produced protein. Most of the effected products had labels that contained RPC. And this is where it gets real cute in my movie script. However, another unnamed company decided to save even more money by purchasing the RPC from China to add to the contract work it was doing rather than add the more expensive protein source that was required by their contracts. It was a beautiful plan. No one would have ever figured it out except this time the RPC was tainted with poison and the FDA caught them. In my movie script the movie goer surmises that this was not the first time that the manufacturer had played fast and loose with the brands that they contracted with. Had it not been for the Chinese they would still be making substitutions unknown to the brands.
Comment by Shawn — April 27, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
the pied piper pet food plant>http://www.piedpiperpetfood.net
looks ok ? i’d give canidae a try it’s got
good feedback from a lot of people on the web.
i’ve been looking at dry food for my cats.
feildae is one of the few i’ve found that has
good nutrition in it’s ingredients.
the others are>innova evo, wellness core, natures variety raw instincts,timber wolf organics, kumpikat, solid gold, orijen,
most of the above are either without grains,
or very well designed nutrition.
many other brands
have several items i find on a list of
ingredients (honest kitchen.com)
that are not healthy? peas , tomato
pomace, beet pulp,plasma proteins ,medadione sodium bisulfate,
usually there’s several items (
or in a few as many as 6? i guess you might get away with 1 nasty? but 2 or more is definatly
dangerous.
Comment by johnypaycut — April 27, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
Comment by slt — April 27, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
“When I explained why I felt unable to financially support Menu Foods in future and hoped they would let me know if they decided to make a change in their business relationship with them, I rec’d a short reply:
We won’t change.”
——
Apparently they trust Menu not to screw things up again. I certainly don’t, and like you I won’t do business with any company having the poor judgment to continue using Menu (or ANI) after the dust settles.
Menu demonstrated its irresponsibility by delaying the recall for at least three weeks, and then proceeded to demonstrate its incompetency by failing to realize that it was still using the tainted wheat gluten in its Canadian plant weeks later. Why in the world would any company want to continue a business relationship with an irresponsible, incompetent partner that shattered the trust of its customers?
It will interesting to see what the “landscape” of pet food brands looks like a year from now.
Comment by David — April 27, 2007 @ 3:24 pm
David,
“Why in the world would a company…”
I agree, why would a company want to continue a relationship with Menu? other companies are quickly trying to distance themselves from Menu and ANI… maybe they think they have such a great product or due to brand image they think they are immune -
Not getting one cent from me! I vote for the small guy who is listening and willing to make changes for a better and tightly controlled product. My dog and future pets will no longer be “walking landfills”!
Katie
Comment by Katie — April 27, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
Many people are reporting Canidae (or whatever the name) is causing sickness in their pets.
Comment by Kat — April 27, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
Before I go ballistic…….
I want to know the name of every single company, brand or whatever that is even remotely connected to Ani or Menu and Diamond and Sunshine or any or screwed up……can’t say it here…… I don’t care if they’re on the stupid list or not. I know and I always know because I trust my gut, this goes way..way..way back and others here have said the same thing.
Ok, better yet…make it simple…who is not even remotely connected in any fashion shape or form to these…..can’t use that language here…..cretons.
Now that the stink is out of the bag..this tells me one thing…ALL those connected are INFECTED…..REPEAT…ALL..CONNECTED..ARE..INFECTED….PERIOD 8)
I don’t care if it comes in a bag..a box..a can..a pouch..whatever…..count on it being in there.
Comment by Kathi — April 27, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
I’m not a lawyer…but isn’t food tampering a crime possibly a Federal crime or Homeland Security crime?
I’m trying to calm down…I haven’t read any comments yet except the lead-in story above…I finally turned off my computer just before dawn and went to bed..hadn’t been to bed in more than four days. Finally slept for six hours..carefully avoided the urge to check here so I could get some much neglected work done and find a new blender..will have it by Monday. Sat here and wrote down some potential recipes….fed the babies again…and now I find out this dirty little secret…shoot I forgot to take my blood pressure pills.
Comment by Kathi — April 27, 2007 @ 5:11 pm
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy’s mom) — April 27, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
After a *lot* of research on the part of myself and a friend, and a lot of time on the phone with Bil-Jac, I am feeding my dogs and cats Bil-Jac. They answered all my questions to my satisfaction. They acted as if they had nothing else to do but stay on the phone with me until I was done. They have an excellent reputation in the “dog-show” crowd, especially in the East. There are a lot of reasons why I chose to go with them, but am I still concerned for my pets? In the current situation, you bet I am! I guess I feel as good as I can feel about my choice, but I still have all my fingers, and toes too, crossed every time I feed my pets. Oh, and I essentially switched them all “cold-turkey” and not one had any stomach upsets, and they all dove right in.
Comment by Marilyn — April 27, 2007 @ 5:18 pm
Comment by Kat — April 27, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
“Many people are reporting Canidae (or whatever the name) is causing sickness in their pets.”
I only just started using Canidae (Chicken & Rice) for my dogs, and so far they seem their normal, healthy selves. Believe me - I’ve been watching like a HAWK. A good friend has been feeding her 11 month old dog Canidae (All Stage) her entire life with no problems whatsoever.
I really, really hope this remains one of the safe foods. At the rate
the recalls have been comng in for the past 48 hours, I’m not holding my breath. To be prepared, I just came home from buying foods in case I need to home cook for my dogs. If that’s what I end up needing to do, then so be it.
My dogs are the light of my life. For all their unconditional love, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them healthy & safe.
Comment by Ally — April 27, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
Kat:
Can I ask where the information is regarding many pets getting sick on the Canidae? I just switched to this 2 weeks ago because it looked reasonably safe and I didn’t see many negative comments. Right now I’m feeding a combination of the Canidae, Flint River Ranch and homecooked. So far both dogs appear to be doing well but, like everyone else, am concerned I made another mistake.
Comment by Jen — April 27, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
Kathi
Just looked this up.
Product Tampering, the unauthorized altering of a consumer product without the knowledge of the product’s owner or eventual user, is almost always treated as a threat to human health or safety, because it typically changes the contents of ingested products, such as foods or drugs, in a harmful manner. …..
Congress responded with the Federal Anti-Tampering Act of 1983, making it a crime to tamper with products or to make false claims of tampering.
So yes product tampering is a felony. It is now up to the DOJ to pursue this. Civil suits aside this may be why American Nutrition waited so long to reveal themselves. Someone there is going to do jail time.
sam
Comment by sam — April 27, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
I’m trying to calm down…I haven’t read any comments yet except the lead-in story above…I finally turned off my computer just before dawn and went to bed..hadn’t been to bed in more than four days.
uhmmm…you need to lighten up, or get some professional help 4 days without sleep?….i have a dog and don’t have a prob finding food for him, infact she’s eating the same food she’s always eaten (pedigree small chunks)…its not rocket science…of course iam not paranoid.
Comment by mark — April 27, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
My cat has been diagnosed with CRF. I did research on foods for CRF: Hills, Royal Canin, Eucanuba and Purina. I chose Purina because they manufacture their own foods. I got home and looked at the label on the wet food. It says “Distributed by Purina” rather than “Manufactured by Purina”. So I guess their Veterinary Diets are manufactured by someone else.
I intend to contact Purina on Monday to try to find out who manufactures their prescription diets.
Does anyone have information on this?
Comment by Janet — April 27, 2007 @ 6:57 pm
Hi Mark
I guess you’re not familiar with my twisted humor. Sometimes I forget to explain that.
I was just expressing my usual frustration at the crappy Friday news reports.
Some of us say weird stuff to blow off steam.
If you happen to read some of my other comments you’ll see I’m not paranoid.
Oh, rest assured I not offended. I get that a lot until people get used to my blowing off steam mode.
This is hoping your baby stays safe, too.
Kathi 8)
Comment by Kathi — April 27, 2007 @ 7:22 pm
Thanks Sam
Yeah, the Tylenol tampering case. I thought it was but wasn’t sure if it would also include animals like pets. Food or feed animals for certain. Hopefully companion animals are also included.
Kathi 8)
Comment by Kathi — April 27, 2007 @ 7:27 pm
re - Canidae
my experience with it - Anna was having less-formed stools. Didn’t want to deal with that so I switched. I’m saying the canned stuff, lamb.
Comment by Kathi — April 27, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
I want to know why ANI’s plant is still open. That seems like a no brainer that the FDA should have shut them down until this was resolved.
Comment by Carole — April 27, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
Re: Purina
I know that they make some of their prescription food however I can’t say they make all of it.
I used some of it for a few days during the transition period to help my cats adjust, and my vet uses it for his own dog because his dog has a very sensitive stomach and can’t really eat anything else.
I haven’t heard much negative about it thus far. I’m been using their ProPlan wet, but only the two flavors that contain no wheat, rice, soy or corn. So far we’ve had no problems.
Comment by Carole — April 27, 2007 @ 8:19 pm
“After a *lot* of research on the part of myself and a friend, and a lot of time on the phone with Bil-Jac, I am feeding my dogs and cats Bil-Jac.”
I was also very happy with the people on the phone and how they provided answers to all my questions. I also switched my cats cold turkey from Purina One Urinary Health to the Bil.Jac and besides a couple of turned up noses at a different food the first day we’ve had no problems. Down the road there’s a possibility I’ll add some of the Bil.Jac dog food to my dogs home cooked meals.
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy's mom) — April 27, 2007 @ 10:14 pm
I wish that every pet owner would boycott every brand of dog and cat food. definitley bring them to their knees!! let them lose sleep and be stressed out!! i have not fed my two dogs, pom and greyhound dogfood for almost 2 months. my cat is off of cat food also. i prepare homemade meals for them. i know it is costly and time consuming, but it’s worth it!! i had to take control of the situation, the petfood companys were not going to run my life!! good luck to every pet owner out there!!
Comment by ann gates — April 28, 2007 @ 6:22 am
If you go to http://www.Purinavets.com technicians you will find a note about their diet food . It says that it is not involved in the recall. I hope this will Help.
Comment by Jill — April 28, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
I have fed Canidae for quite some time and my dogs, show dogs, do very well on it.
Not all foods are right for all dogs but one thing I’d like to tell people who are trying Canidae for the first time is you should start off with a much smaller feeding portion of Canidae than your regular food then work up to an amount that maintains your animal well.
Most pet foods contain additives to help with firmer stools and canidae does not. So you may see soft or unformed stool when fed eaqual amounts to your previous food.
For example my Stud Dog was getting fed just about double the amount of nutro food that I currently feed him Canidae and he’s still in great condition and just loves his food. No more begging him to finish up.
Good luck to all of you and hopefully your dogs are doing well with what your currently feeding. My dogs and I are happy with Canidae.
Comment by Julie — May 4, 2007 @ 8:25 pm