Pet-food recall: The Gray Lady steps up and Monday open thread
By Gina Spadafori
April 30, 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).
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All along, I was waiting, hoping and praying for the media that sets the trends — primarilly the New York Times — to realize that this wasn’t “just” a pet-food story, that it had bigger implications for the human food supply, for global trade, international relations and more.
More than six weeks after the first recall, it’s finally there. The aforementioned New York Times piece (the now you see it, now you don’t … oh, look! it’s back story) is back, and on the front page. No matter the changes from first version to last: It’s still a dramatic and important piece on the decisions we have to make as a country to ensure our food supply is safe, both from people who operate with a bottom-line priority and those who would exploit the flaws in our inspection system and regulations to harm us intentionally.
As a story with greater ramifications, this is moving beyond the scope of a pet-care Web site and blog. We’ll continue to report on the impact for pets and those who love them, but I suspect in the days and weeks to come we’ll see this move into the media big-time as the larger story it always was.
Here’s the New York Times piece (final cut; the “directors cut” is here) and here’s their timeline of events and of all their coverage.
Update: Adding a link to David Golstein on Huffington Post:
In a fit of reverse-homeopathy the [FDA-USDA] press release steps us through the dilution process, tracing the path of melamine-tainted rice protein through the food system. The rice protein is a partial ingredient in pet food, we are told, which is itself only a partial ingredient in the feed given to hogs, who then “excrete” some of the melamine in their urine. And, “even if present in pork,” they reassure us, “pork is only a small part of the average American diet.”
How comforting. But the press release reaches its Orwellian best in its insistence that there is no evidence of any “human illness” due to melamine exposure:
“While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention systems would have limited ability to detect subtle problems due to melamine and melamine-related compounds, no problems have been detected to date.”
Translation: “We are unable to detect such problems, but don’t worry, no such problems have been detected.”
Adding: The Reuters version:
Melamine, used in making plastic and fertilizers, was blamed for killing pets in the United States and South America last month after it was found in wheat gluten and rice protein exported from China for use in pet food.
More than 100 brands of pet food were recalled, triggering a round of finger-pointing among pet food suppliers in the U.S. China last week said it would ban melamine-tainted protein products from export and from domestic markets.
Melamine scrap is believed to be commonly mixed in animal feed in China to artificially boost the protein level, especially in soymeal, tricking feedlots and farmers into paying more for feed for chickens and pigs.
What a mess this is.
Update: It appears last week that I overlooked this letter from the Pet Food Institute:
Washington, DC, April 26, 2007 – The Pet Food Institute (PFI), which represents U.S. pet food manufacturers, today announced it asked the U. S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab and the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration Andrew von Eschenbach for swift action to answer questions about how melamine, a substance foreign to pet food, ended up in specific ingredients from China.
In a letter delivered Wednesday from PFI President Duane Ekedahl to Ambassador Schwab and Commissioner von Eschenbach, the industry urged the two officials “to use all means at your disposal” to determine how melamine, an adulterant apparently imported into the United States from two Chinese companies, found its way into simple ingredients for pet food.
The Pet Food Institute said it has been “heartened” by reports the Chinese government is actively investigating the two companies implicated in the shipment, but expressed frustration that it has taken so long for U.S. inspectors to gain access to Chinese facilities.
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Here’s one I posted earlier this morning on another thread (I’m on Eastern time). Not only is the NYT story on page one but it’s THE headline story at that.
I include this again as there’s an entire online page devoted to back issues of NYT articles and a prominent box with links to petconnection.com and others:
More great news about the NYT escalating the story. When you go to nyt.com (registration free for most news stories less than 1 wk old), note that under the tease for the story there’s a link that says “Time Topics: Pet food recall”. Click on that and lo and behold here’s a whole page of links to articles, AND a link to petconnection.com, howl911.com and others.
This article is already #3 in most e-mailed stories today! This is huge. I suspect you can blog about this on the NYT. Look for that feature and register (don’t know if you have to be a subscriber).
Comment by Maureen — April 30, 2007 @ 7:01 am
Here’s the link to the online “Time topics” page that’s associated with the NYT headline story today. Note you have to register for NYT news stories but it’s free for most of them. Gina has the link to the news story in her intro.
http://tinyurl.com/2eljz2
Comment by Maureen — April 30, 2007 @ 7:08 am
We’re Making NEWS!
Per Amee Moir
Producer- Today In L.A.
What China has been doing to the feed will be broadcast this morning.
The note she sent to me is:
“Thanks for the email. This story is actually in our show coming up this morning!”
I had sent them the entire story of what had been removed, etc. that we had been finding.
It’s being broadcast on -
Amee Moir
Producer- Today In L.A.
KNBC- Los Angeles
NBC Universal, KNBC
It was also on the radio this morning, WTOP !!!!!
Keep up the fight!
Comment by Shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 7:19 am
I contacted many, many major news networks with the story yesterday, all over the country. I haven’t been through our blog yet today but I wanted to get some info up. Wanted until I verified some activity WILL take place before mentioning anything since we are clearly being monitored.
Exactly who I contacted I’m not disclosing at this time. But the news should be getting out today. (All who read or knows about the initial story we had discovered on IHT / NY Times yesterday is familiar with which story I’m referring to!)
Comment by Shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 7:22 am
Also on CBS site as breaking news - and they DON’T parrot the FDA number, either. They just say “an unknown number” - glad to see that change.
Find it here -
http://preview.tinyurl.com/2aqscu
And it’s AP, so we may see it showing up in other papers as well…
Comment by Laura — April 30, 2007 @ 7:23 am
just one comment (a line from an old country song) ….thank god and greyhound!
Comment by GingerTom — April 30, 2007 @ 7:27 am
You bet you’ll see it in other papers girlfriend. You bet. It will be on your television too. I worked the entire United States. Everyone wants the story first now.
Can’t wait to get home after work, to watch the NEWS!
Comment by Shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 7:27 am
The Chinese Communist Party has banned melamine as an additive. It’s important to note they didn’t outright ban the use of chemicals to artificially boost protein count, only melamine. You can bet they’re looking for a replacement adulterant and as one feed producer stated, it’s just the way business works in China.
Comment by Frank — April 30, 2007 @ 7:27 am
Great thought Frank.
Next we’ll work on banning food from China. Next as in, today. Work work work.
Comment by Shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 7:29 am
Rocket Fuel Chemical Found in Food, Water Supply
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/stor.....amp;page=1
The story first came out in 2005. Two studies revealed high levels of Perchlorate may be contaminating the nations lettuce supply. The Bush Administration imposed a gag order on the EPA from publicly discussing it despite the studies.
I would really like to know which 25 states it was found it. I don’t know why they didn’t list them. Of course people want to know!
Comment by Tammy — April 30, 2007 @ 7:33 am
One of the parts that isn’t in the final version - the “wheat, corn, soybean or other proteins’ part.
Most local feed companies do not admit that they use melamine. But last Friday here in Zhangqiu, a fast-growing industrial city southeast of Beijing, a pair of animal feed producers explained in great detail how they purchase low-grade wheat, corn, soybean or other proteins and then mix in small portions of nitrogen-rich melamine…
Comment by Kim — April 30, 2007 @ 7:41 am
The story from Amee Moir
Producer- Today In L.A.
KNBC- Los Angeles
NBC Universal, KNBC
aired this morning on Today in L.A. at 6:25!
Comment by Shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 7:41 am
My advise to the Pet Food Industry is rather then working 24/7 to cover up this fiasco and continuing to do the same thing, actually CHANGE.
Imagine That. What a novel concept.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 7:46 am
Well, it made it onto Fox:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,269198,00.html
The “spin” downplays the risk. That’s discouraging.
Comment by Pat — April 30, 2007 @ 7:50 am
And here’s the USAToday “version”. Unfortunately they’re still painting it as an “accidental” contamination:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/.....usat_N.htm
Comment by Pat — April 30, 2007 @ 7:55 am
Some of these may be careful with their wording until such time that they can really unload what they know. We’ll need to keep watching how this plays out. They know the truth now, as far as we know it anyhow. There isn’t any major network in the U.S. nor any of their affiliations that are not aware of this story.
Comment by Shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 7:58 am
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 7:46 am
“Imagine That. What a novel concept.”
Yeah, but that would entail having an IQ of at least 52.
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 7:58 am
The only recent thing I could find on CNN that was KIND of relevant was an article bemoaning China’s failure to keep its promises relating to improvements in human rights issues as a “condition” for hosting the Olympics. Hmmmm . . . . do you suppose selling UNtainted food might POSSIBLY qualify as a “human rights” issue??????
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/.....index.html
Comment by Pat — April 30, 2007 @ 8:01 am
Be prepared for the worst. These PFI is up to their noses in their own s**t.
So, who in the PFI stepped up to the plate today?
Duane Ekedahl?
Oh, lets see, we did have one brand say they would not use Menu anymore. That was about what 4 weeks ago? Wonder how thats going.
Caveat emptor
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 8:01 am
So, what is “melamine scrap”? Is it melamine that is not pure enough for industrial use? If so, is one of its contaminants cynauric acid?
Comment by David — April 30, 2007 @ 8:02 am
Comment by David — April 30, 2007 @ 8:02 am
David, does it matter? One cheap filler is the same as another in their eyes. As long as it’s the status quo dontcha know. Even better if it can be used to manufacture all sorts of oddities non related to food stuffs kiddies.
Oooh lookie: we can use this new poisonous filler for pet food, human food and wow! - even toilet seats & recylable Depends™. Such a useful commodity, innit? Kewl!!!
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 8:07 am
REUTERS
http://tinyurl.com/2sod9x
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 8:12 am
The New York Times Story is in most major newspapers today.
Comment by Mary Ann — April 30, 2007 @ 8:12 am
David Goldstein makes no bones about it. HUFFINGTON POST:
http://tinyurl.com/2ll2o6
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 8:18 am
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 8:12 am
I cringe to think of what the next few months is going to bring.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 8:19 am
Ally,
It matters because that would explain why cyanuric acid is in the grain proteins and pet food along with melamine. It appears that the interaction of cyanuric acid and melamine is causing the kidney problems (the reaction produces a crystalline precipitate).
Comment by David — April 30, 2007 @ 8:22 am
Comment by Maureen — April 30, 2007 @ 7:01 am
Maureen - I checked on the Viewer Comments Section on NYT last time to see what everyone else was saying. Once you get to that section there’s a comment that most of their boards have been removed. If you want to comment on opera, you’ll find it listed there :(
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 8:24 am
CHOICE QUOTES FROM REUTERS ARTICLE:
On melamine in animal feed:
*********START OF QUOTES FROM ARTICLE*********
“It is a very popular business here. I know people have been mixing this since 1991.”
“Fake” soymeal products were widely sold in Hebei and Shandong provinces, the manager said.”
“I never heard of this stuff. But in general, chemical products shouldn’t be put in animal feed, that’s very dangerous,” said Xie Hong, executive vice president of Sichuan Southhope Industry Co., China’s biggest feed producer and controlling stakeholder in Liuhe Group, the country’s largest poultry producer based in Shandong.
Beijing has issued no regulations to ban the use of the chemical in feed, said a China Feed Industry Association official. He denied any knowledge of use of the additive in feed.
But an official at the Shandong Mingshui Great Chemical Group, which produces urea for fertilizer, said all of its melamine scrap was sold to companies to boost the nitrogen content in their feed products.
“They add very small amount of melamine scrap to the feed, which does not lead to mass deaths of animals. But a few here and there might react,” said the manager at the Shandong feedmill, who had not heard that the product had been linked to pet deaths overseas.
“It might be another story for pets though.”
*************END OF QUOTES****************
http://www.reuters.com/article.....geNumber=2
Comment by petlover — April 30, 2007 @ 8:25 am
Comment by Shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 7:29 am
I’m already on it…
*** It’s a MOVEMENT ***
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 8:28 am
“Melamine is so popular as a protein lookalike feed additive that at least one Chinese manufacturer is believed to have torn down buildings to get to leftover scraps, industry officials said on Monday.”
I don’t need to read any further than this first paragraph. It’s this sort of visual that makes an impression on the reader.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 8:29 am
The lone “pink bag” of melamine was the dead giveaway and” needs to be held as evidence of intentional use. The entire U.S. pet food industry has known all along since melamine spiking has been in use in China from 1991. I’d like to see ALL of their lab tests for tolerance.
And for those pet food companies that claimed their additives were NOT from China, more than likely their melamine was from right here in the U.S. We one of the largest(if not the largest) manufacturers of melamine.
Wish the rest of the bunch from the PFI would come forward with their admissions already. I can’t wait.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 8:33 am
“Translation: “We are unable to detect such problems, but don’t worry, no such problems have been detected.”
how much does this sound like AG Gonzales: “I don’t remember why I fired the AAGs, but I’m sure the reasons were legal”
beyond Orwellian…
Comment by pitbullEmily — April 30, 2007 @ 8:33 am
How many lives has the PFI destroyed. Are we keeping track of that?
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 8:36 am
Comment by David — April 30, 2007 @ 8:22 am
David, I hear you. My point is in relation to that now you see it, now you don’t, now it’s back again NYT article stating the Chinese have no problems using such a substance as a filler. Sure, with all the hooplah, they’ll most likely pull it from usage in pet food. For a bit. Until all the shit hitting the fan calms down. But you bet your booties they’ll find something else to replace it with. Or even worse, bring it back when they think everyone’s forgotton or aren’t looking.
Sadly, time does amazing things to people’s memories. Look what happened in the case of 911. As heinous as that event was in everyone’s eyes, the fact remains that as time’s gone by, the impact of that atrocity has faded. Sure there are people who will never forget (they would be inhuman or insane to do so), and I highly doubt a pet owner who has lost their fur kid will ever forget this debacle. But agree or disagree with me, my current feeling is as time goes by, people’s memories of this recall will begin to fade. Not all by any means will forget, but some. Perhaps it will be those who didn’t lose a pet or have one become ill. But I do think some will move on with their lives as other urgent situations arise and replace in the news this current catastrophe. In that regard, and without keeping an eye on what’s being used by China (or another source of cheap supply) 24/7, I do think something along these lines could happen again.
Back to your original question - does it matter? Yes, most definitely. My sracastic reaction above wasn’t meant to knock you (apologies if it seemed that way), instead it reflects my feeling that to China, it doesn’t matter. In time, they’ll return to their status quo of what *they* consider as acceptable practice - no matter heinous a route they take to get their money in their hot little hands.
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 8:37 am
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 8:19 am
I like Goldstein’s take on the FDA. Read the blog comments under the article. Everyone is on to what’s happening in government.
All of this just makes me flash back to reading about the fall of Rome in Latin class.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 8:37 am
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 8:37 am
“Fiddling away” . . . Looks like they are bound and determined to risk the lives of us and our pets and they don’t even give s sh*t. Whatever it takes to put the big bucks in their pockets and keep the facade propped up.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 8:41 am
Before I get slammed for my post directly above…..
Trust me people - I am one of those who will NEVER forget what has happened re: this recall. And I’ve been very fortunate not to have lost a pet or have one who became ill. I will not forget.
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 8:41 am
Steve, I’ve been home cooking for Mrs. Murphy since I finished the bag that seemed to be okay. Was afraid to buy another. Are you still on Wellness? Haven’t heard a peep from them.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 8:42 am
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 8:42 am
Yes.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 8:45 am
FWIW, I spoke to my Mom about banning all imports from China, stopping business with them, etc. She was on Cap Hill for many years, working in committees that involve things like this. She said it just won’t happen, ever. So it seems that energy needs to be expended in another direction rather than trying to ban trade with China.
I do think contacting any and all manufacturer’s of foods (human and pet) that have multiple ingredients of unknown origin is the way to go. If we ask each specific questions such as 1) does any of your ingredients come from China? 2) Is all of your product manufactured in the US? etc., If the answer is yes, give them an unequivocable “I’m not your customer anymore and I’ll be passing the word on to friends and family about your products.” Hit them in the pocket book, every time and that should get a reaction.
And also, everyone that’s be on this tragedy, digging and posting and sending e-mails deserves a HUGE kudo! If not for you, this would never have made front page news like it did today. You all carried the flag for so many pet owners who just don’t understand the scope of this.
Cheers to you all!
Comment by Sharon — April 30, 2007 @ 8:46 am
Ally, I agree with your thoughts. No doubt that this will become just another episode in our country’s saga.
Since there are so many now who don’t even give it a second thought, I think it will fade quickly unless there is a catastrophe like 911, and then it will just take longer.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 8:48 am
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 8:41 am
I just hope this is a wake-up call to Americans who would like to extend their lives beyond this year. God only knows what else we’ve been eating. I hate to keep repeating myself, but, in ‘Soylent Green’, the world was out of food. We’ve tainted just about everything we can think of with the glutens. I made a list for all protein uses yesterday but apparently it was moderated.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 8:49 am
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 8:48 am
Carole, thanks for understanding the point I was trying to make. I didn’t want David to think I didn’t think his question was valid - it is. I think I woke up feeling a bit snarky this morning. Somehow it helps me get through reading what appears to be a never ending saga concerning this recall.
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 8:55 am
Nadine … we didn’t moderate your post. We have been getting a ton of spam, and a few comments have been swept away with those even though we try to rescue them.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 30, 2007 @ 8:59 am
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 8:49 am
The U.S. is going to have to change the Life Expectancy. From 75 or whatever it is to 75 with extensive medical care and disease management beginning at 30.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 8:59 am
Gina open a one time Spam Thread and let it fly so we can all see what the trolls and haters are saying.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 9:01 am
It’s not “troll” spam. It’s 99 percent automated porn and drugs crap. Believe me, you don’t want to read it. I never knew so many fetishes existed … but then, I guess I’ve led a sheltered life.
Christie and I *do” try to review the spam quickly and “unspam” the couple of legitimate comments that are in each batch. But in the last week we’ve been getting a couple hundred porn spams an hour. Ick. Ick. Ick.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 30, 2007 @ 9:08 am
Thinking about those crystals they found at Guelph http://www.labservices.uoguelp.....m#crystals
They show up at 400x pretty well.
They sell microscopes at eBay for about $10 - $50
I’m really starting to think about checking my entire family’s urine.
Comment by Peggy — April 30, 2007 @ 9:11 am
Gina—don’t know how you guys are doing all of this anyway. You are both amazing. I ask in all seriousness, were it not for all the efforts by every contributor to the Pet Connection, Itchmo, Howl911, etc., how long, if ever, would it have taken to expose this crisis? There are still people out there who are clueless but it won’t be long now.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 9:16 am
For ALL of the ills and deficiencies of our own government’s handling of this mess - i.e., the FDA, the USDA, the media, etc. etc., I have been closely monitoring the government-controlled, two most popular media outlets in China for the last few weeks. There has not been a single mention, or reference to any of this. Inserting keywords such as “melamine,” “FDA,” “pet food recall,” comes up with absolutely nothing.
It’s rather scary that the largest populated country on earth has no idea of what their country is like let alone what their being fed!
Below are two sites that I have been monitoring daily.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/
http://english.people.com.cn/
Comment by Don — April 30, 2007 @ 9:24 am
Gina - been there, done that on a forum I moderate. You’re right: peops do NOT need or want to see all those prOn ebots!
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 9:26 am
Looks like the University of Guelph is getting closer to a ‘why’:
From today’s Toronto Star:
Guelph scientists may be closer to figuring out why North American pets are dying from contaminated food.
Two of the chemicals U.S. authorities say they’ve found in food additives from China – melamine and cyanuric acid – can react to form crystals that could block kidney function, according to the University of Guelph’s Agriculture and Food Laboratory.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration found melamine, which is used to make plastic, in wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate in some pet foods. They’ve also found cyanuric acid, a chemical used to treat water in swimming pools, in wheat gluten.
http://www.thestar.com/article/208343
Comment by Lisa — April 30, 2007 @ 9:26 am
hello, what about the fact that melamine was used in HUMAN GRADE gluten!!!!
Comment by carol — April 30, 2007 @ 9:27 am
Recall — Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company. This listserv covers mainly Class I (life-threatening) recalls. A complete listing of recalls can be found in the FDA Enforcement Report at: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html
Sierra Pet Products, LLC Issues Nationwide Recall of “Harmony Farms” Canned Dog Foods, “Harmony Farms” Canned Cat Foods and “Harmony Farms” Dog Treats Manufactured at American Nutrition, Inc.
Contact:
Caryn Cox
203-762-2525 EXT. 20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — April 27, 2007 — SIERRA PET PRODUCTS, LLC, Wilton, CT, is initiating a nationwide recall of all canned dog foods, all canned cat food and all dog treats sold under its “Harmony Farms” brand. The Company is taking this voluntary action after learning that the FDA has confirmed the presence of melamine, a substance not approved for use in food, in rice protein concentrate used by the contract manufacturer in the production of some of these products.
It should be noted the “Harmony Farms” canned dog and cat food products were not formulated or labeled to contain rice protein concentrate, and that the manufacturer, American Nutrition, Inc. added the rice protein concentrate to these products without Sierra Pet Products’ knowledge or consent. For this reason, Sierra Pet Products is concerned that it can not have any faith in the integrity, or the accuracy of the ingredient labels of any of its products manufactured by American Nutrition. Therefore Sierra Pet Products is withdrawing all products manufactured by American Nutrition, including products that American Nutrition claims do not contain rice protein. The FDA investigation into the inclusion of the rice protein by American Nutrition in the “Harmony Farms” products is ongoing.
Consumers who have any of the “Harmony Farms” can dog foods, can cat foods, or dog treats that are being recalled should stop using the products immediately, and return any unused or partially used products to the retailer where they were purchased, for a full refund.
Sierra Pet Products has not received any reports of pet illness from any of the recalled products, but consumers are advised to speak with their veterinarian about any concerns for their pet’s health.
The recall includes the following:
* All Cans of “Harmony Farms” dog food
* All Cans of “Harmony Farms” cat food
* All “Harmony Farms” dog treats
NO HARMONY FARMS DRY DOG OR CAT FOODS SOLD IN BAGS ARE MANUFACTURED AT AMERICAN NUTRITION. NONE OF THESE DRY DOG OR CAT FOODS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL.
FDA has been apprised of this action, and Sierra Pet Products will continue to cooperate with the FDA in its investigation of this matter.
Sierra Pet Products has not received any complaints of illness or renal failure associated with the use of any of the recalled products.
Sierra Pet Products has notified its distributors and retailer customers of this recall by phone and letter and is arranging for return and credit for all recalled products.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-808-1664.
####
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 9:27 am
I’ve considered the fact that we, the United States and Our beloved Pet Food Companies, were the ones adding the Melamine for some time - so the Chinese Companies may be adding it (and heaven knows what else) our U.S. companies are adding it - and then playing dumb - and the FDA is playing dumb too and everyone is taking the 5th or will shortly and pointing fingers abroad, and yes I believe the investigators will find some abuse in China, but what about that pink bag - that bag has bothered me for a long time - and now the delay in discovering the truth has given the needed time for these companies to clean up their act, feed the toxic waste to livestock, until next time and then it’s business as usual.
Comment by Linda — April 30, 2007 @ 9:31 am
Gina, just curious, are you using a spam filter service called Akismet? I hear it’s great.
Comment by Gary — April 30, 2007 @ 9:31 am
Judi McLeod knows
Consumers, knowing that some of the recalled pet foods are still available on supermarket shelves and having heard about new recalls only last week, hardly believe that commercial pet food can be purchased with much confidence.
They worry that pet food manufacturers will resume using more cheap Chinese ingredients, which may be contaminated with something else.
“Sorry sir, the smoke screens and mirrors aren’t going to work anymore.” Michael Giacco, of Orlando, Florida wrote in an open letter to Ekedahl, care of Canada Free Press (CFP).
“You’re facing a different consumer mentality now, no longer the pre-March 16 trusting and innocent willingness to believe anything told to us in commercial advertising and food labels.
“Over are the days when consumers like myself, believing I am buying “better” “safer” foods, go out of my way to purchase an IAMS, or a Nutro, or a Science/HillsÉand risk the chance that the same contaminant that makes the 22-cent Special-Kitty toxic to my cat is also present in the 400 percent pricier “name” brand.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 9:33 am
Get ready folks—-here they come!
Recall — Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company. This listserv covers mainly Class I (life-threatening) recalls. A complete listing of recalls can be found in the FDA Enforcement Report at: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html
Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd Issues Nationwide Recall of “Blue” Canned Dog Foods, “Blue Spa Select” Canned Cat Foods and “Blue” Dog Treats Manufactured At American Nutrition, Inc.
Contact:
David Petrie
203-762-9751 EXT. 17
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — April 27, 2007 — Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd, Wilton, CT, is initiating a nationwide recall of all canned dog foods sold under its “Blue” dog food brand, all canned cat food sold under its “Blue Spa Select” cat food brand, and all dog treats sold under its “Blue” dog food brand. The Company is taking this voluntary action after learning that the FDA has confirmed the presence of melamine, a substance not approved for use in food, in rice protein concentrate used by the contract manufacturer in the production of some of these products.
It should be noted the “Blue” canned dog and cat food products were not formulated or labeled to contain rice protein concentrate, and that the manufacturer, American Nutrition, Inc. added the rice protein concentrate to these products without Blue Buffalo Company’s knowledge or consent. For this reason, Blue Buffalo Company is concerned that it can not have any faith in the integrity, or the accuracy of the ingredient labels of any of its products manufactured by American Nutrition. Therefore Blue Buffalo is withdrawing all products manufactured by American Nutrition, including products that American Nutrition claims do not contain rice protein. The FDA investigation into the inclusion of the rice protein by American Nutrition in Blue Buffalo’s products is ongoing.
Consumers who have any of the “Blue” can dog foods, “Blue Spa Select” can cat foods, or “Blue” dog treats that are being recalled should stop using the products immediately, and return any unused or partially used products to the retailer where they were purchased, for a full refund.
Blue Buffalo has not received any reports of pet illness from any of the recalled products, but consumers are advised to speak with their veterinarian about any concerns for their pet’s health.
The recall includes the following:
* All Cans of “Blue” dog food
* All Cans of “Blue Spa Select” cat food
* All “Blue” dog treats
NO BLUE DRY DOG OR CAT FOODS SOLD IN BAGS ARE MANUFACTURED AT AMERICAN NUTRITION. NONE OF THESE DRY DOG OR CAT FOODS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL.
FDA has been apprised of this action, AND Blue Buffalo will continue to cooperate with the FDA in its investigation of this matter.
Blue Buffalo has not received any complaints of illness or renal failure associated with the use of any of the recalled products.
Blue Buffalo has notified its distributors and retailer customers of this recall by phone and letter and is arranging for return and credit for all recalled products.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-919-2833.
####
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 9:34 am
Comment by David — April 30, 2007 @ 8:02 am
They sell scrap melamine on the world market boards, as chunk pieces from broken plates, etc. I don’t know if this is the form that these feed swindlers are purchasing it in.
I’m on & off here as I have other stuff I gotta do. PLUS, San Antonio area has major storms & flooding 1”-3” rain per hr, major flooding & high winds!
I’m not surprised about the AP, LA, etc picking it up — that’s GOOD — just a long time coming for most of the media.
San Antonio KENS5 has yet to mention a word. I guess they STILL have the ostrich-complex. :(
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 9:37 am
**** HEADS UP to the FEED INDUSTRY * GROWERS ****
!! GEAR UP !! BUY U.S.A GROWN INGREDIENTS & SEEDS !!
!!! State COUNTRY OF ORIGIN for your ingredients !!!
Or, you’ll likely have minimal business!
Subsequently going out of business.!
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 9:41 am
This recall is not about pet food, it’s about cheese from Mexico, but there’s an encouraging statement by the State of Florida that demonstrates their willingness and intent to test foods. Good for you, Florida! Now all the others need to step up to the plate.
Recall — State Press Release
This listserv covers mainly Class I (life-threatening) recalls. A complete listing of recalls can be found in the FDA Enforcement Report at: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html
Bronson Advises Consumers To Check Refrigerators For Potentially Tainted Cheeses
Contact:
Dr. John Fruin
(850) 245-5520
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Tallahassee, FL — April 27, 2007 — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging consumers to check their refrigerators for Ole Mexican Foods’ Verole Queso Fresco Authentic Mexican Crumbling Cheese and Ole Fresco Authentic Mexican Crumbling Cheese. The two products may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria.
The potential for this contamination was determined after random testing performed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services revealed the presence of E.coli bacteria in samples of both of the cheeses.
[…]####
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 9:45 am
is ennova lite cat food safe? i just found out it is made by Menu.
Comment by m stanco — April 30, 2007 @ 9:45 am
“I’m not surprised about the AP, LA, etc picking it up — that’s GOOD — just a long time coming for most of the media.”
They’re here though. They’re here now. We need to encourage further communication and build great relationships within the media industry in order to keep it out there, let them know this is important to us.
Comment by Shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 9:46 am
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 9:34 am
I this NEW? They pulled everything Thurs or Fri(?)
I think it’s the same, just made it to the FDA site. Although this is the first I’ve seent he dog foods on there except for salmonella, etc
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 9:48 am
Just received from the FDA—SmartPak—I guess it’s ‘official’ now.
Recall — Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company. This listserv covers mainly Class I (life-threatening) recalls. A complete listing of recalls can be found in the FDA Enforcement Report at: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html
SmartPak Canine Voluntarily Recalls LiveSmart Weight Management Formula
Contact:
Paal Gisholt 774 773-1100
Consumers:
800 461-8898
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — PLYMOUTH, MA (April 25, 2007) - Wilbur-Ellis, a San Francisco-based supplier of pet food ingredients, has asked all pet food producers that used their rice protein concentrate to recall dog food produced using that ingredient due to a risk that it may have been contaminated with melamine. Melamine is an industrial chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers that can lead to illness or fatalities in animals if consumed.
[…] [Gina note: PLEASE DON’T POST ENTIRE ARTICLES AND MEDIA RELEASES. Just a couple of paragraphs and a link will do. We’re going to start deleting these, without warning. I don’t have time to go in and fix them. So please … be considerate of readers (and copyright, for articles so covered). Post a couple of graphs and a link to the entire article. Thanks.]
Consumers with questions about the pet food they use should visit the FDA Web site at http://www.fda.gov. For more information regarding Wilbur-Ellis’ recall, their press release may be viewed at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmr.....04_07.html
####
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Did something just happen to the blog homepage? The HSUS article is truncated in the center, and none of the righthand column stuff is showing up for me.
Comment by Pat — April 30, 2007 @ 9:54 am
Comment by Shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 9:46 am
I’ve been emailing the media for weeks. Hope others do the same. They now know that we’re not “kooks” or “alarmists” and may be more willing to publish from now on.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Thought for today’s open thread discussion:
I keep wondering who is going to be first to jump on the bandwagon to market an in-home testing kit for melamine and/or insert-tainted-food-poisoning-of-choice here? You know, along the lines of current in-home pregnancy test kits?
The mind runs amok wondering how low people are going to stoop trying to make a buck off of this recall debacle….
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 9:59 am
I’m kind of curious if we’re going to see any recalls now from some of the larger pet food companies that’s been flying under the radar. They keep spouting the rhetoric “Our food is safe” when it has become obvious to many that it isn’t. I want to know where they get those teflon coats cause nothing seems stick to them.
Comment by Sandy C — April 30, 2007 @ 9:59 am
Comment by Linda — April 30, 2007 @ 9:31 am
Apparently, they are continuing to feed those hogs the toxic feed and indicate there will be no change. I’ll surely miss bacon and ham.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 10:03 am
Nadine - and a lot of other stuff too.
Comment by Linda — April 30, 2007 @ 10:05 am
The HSUS post is fixed, thanks Pat.
And everyone: Please don’t post entire articles or media releases. A couple of paragraphs and a link will do. Thanks!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 30, 2007 @ 10:09 am
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 9:59 am
I think I posted the same thing in March. Not only your mind isn’t running amok—-you have company!!!
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 10:10 am
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 10:10 am
Wow. Good to know I’m not alone, Nadine. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for days but forgot to post. March was a little before my time here!
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 10:12 am
Ally,
We could demand that ‘litmus’ test packets be at every restaurant table and hot dog stand, along with the salt, pepper and sugar. Also the contamination test paks can be purchased in bulk at Costco for home use.
I need a break I think.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 10:14 am
I received a two-page questionnaire in the mail today from Hills’ wanting to know about my cat and his death even though the Prescription c/d is not on the recall list. They stated they would also review the vet’s records for consideration of possible reinbursement.
Comment by Janice — April 30, 2007 @ 10:15 am
Ally,
And then, I posted about the little mini-dialysis units that we could strap to our waists like fanny packs, and for our pets, too.
Oh boy creative minds…
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Yes, Askimet is our spam filter. I want to hug the people who made it. They’ve snared more than 32,000 spam comments (mostly icky-icky porn) since we installed in early February.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 30, 2007 @ 10:18 am
Located 4 more safe choices for food.
Wet Noses - http://www.wet-noses.com/
All the Best Pet Care - http://www.allthebestpetcare.com/
Darwin’s - http://www.darwinspet.com/
Mud Bay - http://www.mudbay.us/
Comment by Shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 10:20 am
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 10:14 am
“I need a break I think.”
I think we all do, Nadine. This past several weeks have been intense. I know I need to step away for a bit but keep worrying when I do, that will be the time the food I’m feeding my pets gets recalled & I’ll miss the initial announcement.
But for the sake of my own sanity, which in turn affects my pets, I’m making the effort to take breathers from all this mess. I’m scheduling regular check-ins, but can’t take reading all this 24/7 anymore. I think I’ll abosrb the latest news better by taking the breaks as well. Brain overload anyone?
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 10:20 am
195 melamine fed hogs go to Tyson plant in Nebraska..not being recalled. (check next to last paragraph)
http://tinyurl.com/3bc3ye
Comment by Sandy C — April 30, 2007 @ 10:21 am
has there been any news at all about the second company that wasimporting rice protien the fda did not want to release their name
Comment by linda k — April 30, 2007 @ 10:24 am
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 10:20 am
Ally, I’m waiting for my suspect food to be recalled as well. The wait is nerve wracking. Taking that long break right now.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 10:26 am
How does stating that we do not buy our “rice protein concentrate” from Wilbur Ellis absolve any pet food company from the stain of Melamine spiking?
If it is an industry wide practice, in the U.S. too evidently, then the above statement means only: Since we do not use Wilbur Ellis, your pet will not be overdosed on our toxic poison.
Most of these major pet food companies are trying to dodge the bullet by selling inferior products that test high in protein and are not - no matter what they are doing to the pet food, it surely isn’t good – using scrap Melamine and similar cheap chemical additives.
The sorry truth will come out when they sue each other: distributors, manufacturers, and contracting companies (the pet food brand names) and the likes.
We are experiencing the unjust deserts of a free market system consumed by greed and like a stack of dominoes - tumbling down and crushing the life from our pets.
Let’s hope that all their shady dealings are rightfully exposed and no more pets will have to suffer at the hands of these criminals.
Comment by Linda — April 30, 2007 @ 10:35 am
Comment by Sandy C — April 30, 2007 @ 10:21 am
http://tinyurl.com/3bc3ye
“… 195 hogs that had eaten feed from China that had been treated with the banned chemical melamine did go to a Tyson pork plant in Nebraska. Bond said there is no indication of harm to humans and that the meat was not recalled.”
Check my logic for me folks:
1)It is illegal to sell adulterated food.
2)Melamine is not cleared for use in food.
Therefore: It is illegal to sell melamine adulterated food.
Tyson is breaking the law.
The FDA is allowing it.
Did I miss anything?
Comment by Peggy — April 30, 2007 @ 10:37 am
About the Reuter’s article above:
“Melamine, used in making plastic and fertilizers, was blamed for killing pets in the United States and South America last month after it was found in wheat gluten and rice protein exported from China for use in pet food.”
*** They mention South Africa, but not CORN GLUTEN. ***
Oh, but wait - we’ll have to grant them some leniency — they’re just catching up!
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 10:39 am
I’m a bit confused about this plastic pig deal. Were there not hogs quarantined because they ate the tainted food?? And did I not read yesterday that the hog farmer would be reimbursed for hogs that had to be destroyed because of eating tainted food?? Soooo…some are quarantined to be destroyed? And some are being slaughtered and sent to market. Well…how do they decide which little piggy goes to market?
Comment by Sandy C — April 30, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Backyard gardening, anyone?
I wonder how upset my neighbors would be if I started raising chickens?
Comment by Peggy — April 30, 2007 @ 10:59 am
CFIA on border lookout for plastics chemical that could enter food chain
Last Updated: Friday, April 27, 2007
Canada’s food inspectors have issued border lookouts for vegetable proteins coming from China to prevent melamine — a chemical used to make plastics — from contaminating the human food chain, CBC News has learned.
Inspectors will seize wheat gluten, soy proteins, corn glutens and rice proteins from China — ingredients already found to contain melamine and other contaminants in hundreds of pet-food products. The proteins are destined for human food.
http://tinyurl.com/2os7on
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 11:00 am
Maybe you should ask the question why so much filler is being used in our food. Could it be that our supply of good wheat,corn,rice, and soy are running out. Now you have to use crap from china to fill our bread and pizza dough!! Try to buy bread without wheat gluten added.
Comment by 6catmommy — April 30, 2007 @ 11:06 am
Don’t return any suspected Pet Food. Store it so it doesn’t end up back in some Sunny Natures Farm Brand Happy Pet or cattle feed, and for evidence.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 11:08 am
If it wasn’t for our sick cats and dogs, we would not be any wiser.
Comment by 6catmommy — April 30, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Thanks to Nutro and Natural Balance, I’ve developed a mental block/barrier to any product with the “N”-word so now I can’t seem to recall what was said about Nature’s Variety. The only pet food store in town that sells raw frozen offers NV or the larger sized BilJac. I need the smaller sized medallions for my cat and dog. And I’ve considered the NV Raw Instint Kibble for their munchies.
Anyone care to refresh me on whether this would be a good choice?
My apologies for my “N”-word mental block 8)
Thanks
Comment by Kathi — April 30, 2007 @ 11:11 am
Comment by 6catmommy — April 30, 2007 @ 11:09 am
“If it wasn’t for our sick cats and dogs, we would not be any wiser.”
Scary, isn’t it?
The travesty is that it took the death & illness of defenseless, trusting pets, only wanting to provide unconditional love, to bring this to light.
That is a fact I’ll never be able to forgive. Ever.
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 11:14 am
I only ask because I’m in a hurry here and don’t have time to go back through the comments, not to mention my eyes are still messed up from weeks of staring at this screen.
Apologies again and thanks 8)
Comment by Kathi — April 30, 2007 @ 11:14 am
Steve
You are just so right about that. I was wondering what they were going to do with all that pulled product, you know how they like to profit from scrap materials. Need I say more? 8)
Comment by Kathi — April 30, 2007 @ 11:21 am
Are others here also fed up with the ‘The employees of [insert pet food ‘manufacturer] are animal lovers…. yaddayadda’?
My question is: Did said employees know what *really* went into pet food?
If so, did they *really* feed their animals that stuff?
If so, can we *really* call them ‘animal lovers’?
Still angry and anxious after trying to keep the cats alive for weeks,
MaKo
Comment by MaKo — April 30, 2007 @ 11:22 am
Kathi,
From http://www.thepetfoodlist.com/petfoods_pg2.htm
*************
Nature’s Variety
Brands include Nature’s Variety, Nature’s Variety Prairie, and Nature’s Variety Raw Instinct.
Canned foods made by Menu Foods but not involved in the recall.
Dry foods are outsourced, but not by Menu Foods.
Frozen and freeze-dried raw foods are made in house.
All grains used are of US origin, except flax seed, which they get from Canada.
No wheat gluten is used in their products, or in the plant that manufactures their dry foods.
There is no rice protein concentrate used in any of our Nature’s Variety diets (kibble, cans, or raw). Furthermore, rice protein concentrate is NOT used anywhere within the kibble manufacturing facility. (from website 4/18/07)
*************
I just bought some Nature’s Variety Raw Instinct frozen organic chicken medallions to try with my cats. I don’t like the fact that they have any relationship with Menu, but am somewhat mollified by the fact that supposedly their frozen product is made “in-house”. We are going to try various frozen diets, with the idea of eventually going to homemade. I may not stick with these folks permanently, bot for the time being I feel it is important to get them off the Friskies and Fancy Feast, etc.
Comment by mountainkimmie — April 30, 2007 @ 11:34 am
I believe shelly is using Nature’s Variety and is happy with it.
Comment by Pat — April 30, 2007 @ 11:37 am
RE: Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 10:14 am
Litmus paper test is great idea, Nadine!
I think EVERY CEO/Pres of every single food company in America should do a public service ad — hooked up to a lie detector machine — and tell us just how the have taken care of the problems. Aired each week across America! Prime Time!
Hey! This could be the NEXT REALITY SHOW! Watch ‘em squirm! Watch them compete for better standards! Watch ‘em go bankrupt on national TV! Iiii —- like it!!! :)
Mark Barnett, are you reading??
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 11:41 am
Re: 6catmommy’s comment:”Maybe you should ask the question why so much filler is being used in our food. Could it be that our supply of good wheat,corn,rice, and soy are running out. Now you have to use crap from china to fill our bread and pizza dough!! Try to buy bread without wheat gluten added.”
It is all about money! I bet a lot of our own kidney’s look like a “tupperware party”! This is absolutely shamefull. I will cook for my baby and try to eat as little processed food as possible. BTW I remember Soylent Green, a very scary movie.
Comment by Shawn — April 30, 2007 @ 11:41 am
That Reuter’s article is sickening!
And, EYE-OPENING FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.
We NEED to send these articles to everyone in our address books!
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 11:45 am
Well it’s obvious by now the Pet Food Industry has made ZERO changes and are going to plow ahead doing the same old thing. People will continue to catalogue these crimes of trade, finance, and greed across the blogosphere. With any luck at all justice will be served.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 11:46 am
Big Thanks to mountainkimmie and Pat. 8)
I thought they had positive results but that darn “N”-word with Nutro and Natural Balance was skewing my memory.
I’m also making them home-made chicken “soup” with sweet potato, broccoli and carrots. I know Anna (Peke/Chi) will eat it but Beans (cat) will no doubt give me that “look” again.
Anna usually sits on my lap and helps me eat my plate of food. She’s definitely not a kibbler.
Again thanks for the fast response. Gotta go get chow now.
Comment by Kathi — April 30, 2007 @ 11:51 am
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 11:41 am
I wish.
Thank you for that image, even if it never comes true I shall implant it in my brain tonight before sleep and have very sweet dreams!
Every lie gets a shock that makes em twitch like a spastic chihuahua. I like it very much.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 30, 2007 @ 11:52 am
Blue Buffalo just issued a second recall.
Comment by Eva — April 30, 2007 @ 11:54 am
Quick note for Steve. Do you have handy that page with the member list from several weeks back? I thought I saved it but can’t find it now. It was maybe the AFI or one of those company membership dealies. Natural Balance was one of the companies listed.
I’ll check back here later if you should happen to post it again. And thanks, all. 8)
Comment by Kathi — April 30, 2007 @ 11:57 am
Comment by Kathi — April 30, 2007 @ 11:57 am
Did you mean this?
http://www.petfoodinstitute.org/
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 11:58 am
Eva, where did you see that?
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 11:58 am
Eva,
Unless I’m missing something, I think that recall of all their canned goods occurred last week.
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — April 30, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
Never mind, I see what you are talking about. From all appearances, I don’t believe anything new has been added. I believe this is the FDA’s way of saying that they confirmed melamine in the food - something that had not yet been confirmed last week.
Good thing some of these companies started pulling these products last week, before final test results.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
it’s 3pm here in Mi and the FDA’s 3 bulletins 2 dated Apr 27 & one for Apr 25 recalling foods has just hit my emails. What a sorry state of affairs this is.
Comment by VJ — April 30, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
I have to admit, I like Blue Buffalo’s reaction. I think their approach should be used by everyone with contaminated food. Recall everything to be safe (at least until it’s tested), and make it the main page of your website, so that you cannot avoid seeing it. Plus, looking for a new manufacture that they can trust. I think they’ve handled this right. Wish more companies would follow their lead. IF I were to ever use a formally recalled food again, I’d probably look at them, for the simple reason that they seem to actually care.
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — April 30, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
Krystal, when I talked with Blue last week they did tell me that the FDA was doing further testing on food even though a lot of it had come back negative.
Now we are seeing the results of their testing.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
Steve
Yes, thank you and that was quick. I saved it in my special folder this time. 8)
Now I really gotta get going here. Thanks again.
Comment by Kathi — April 30, 2007 @ 12:07 pm
Although I feel this country is bogged down with frivolous lawsuits, I wouldn’t hesitate to sue some of these manufacturers had I been duped by their unethical practices.
As for Blue, when they return with a new manufacturer they won’t have any problem building their customer base.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
Have not been able to keep up with all the blogs everyday. Please update any info on Friskies and Fancy Feast that my cat owner friends are still feeding> you folks are GREAT!
Comment by Karen — April 30, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
These ‘protein powders’ and their various forms are a staple food for me since I don’t eat meat. There is some form of (and often many forms of) soy protein or wheat gluten or whatever else in snack bars, powdered drink mixes, “fake meat” products - on and on - all of which I eat regularly. I wonder what the long terms effects on a human might be from ingesting melamine?
That’s the bad news for me. The good news: I’m now slightly less worried about poisoning my pets (cos I’m now worried I’ve been poisoning myself). Um, ha ha?
Comment by slt — April 30, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
Is the concern with Friskies dry or wet? We’ve been feeding Friskies dry to our extended family outside and they all seem great.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 12:14 pm
China quickly banned American beef after Mad Cow Disease is discovered, (I think ban is till in place since 2003).
Why can’t we ban inported Chinese wheat, rice, soy, fat, fish, and pea (powered) products? (These are main protein powdered additives available from China.)
http://tinyurl.com/2ljdky
Comment by Rose L — April 30, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
I have been reading all this and was waiting for it to hit the human food chain, and it has. This article lists more pet food brands that were added this week, remember, the 5 new brands that we were waiting for:
Salt Lake Tribune, Mon April 30
Samples of rice protein from an Ogden pet-food manufacturer were positive for the industrial chemical melamine in federal testing, and products made by American Nutrition, Inc. (ANI) are now part of a nationwide pet food recall.
Those companies are:
Other companies making similar allegations are The Blue Buffalo Co., Natural Balance, Canine Caviar, Diamond Pet Foods and Mulligan Stew Pet Food.
It looks to me that even the Organic Brands, that claim to be healthier, are going to have to face a stricter guide. And yes, how far does the pet food have to be to qualify for Organic, much less the human Organic foods…just because it’s american, doesn’t mean 3 steps back foreign sources weren’t used.
Comment by janetc — April 30, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
Where is the new info about Blue testing positive for melamine?
Comment by slt — April 30, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
Heather is beautiful. I hope everything is fine with her. I know as soon as anyone here sneezes or hits the litter box or the back yard an extra time I’m in a panic.
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy's mom) — April 30, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
It’s the Friskies and Fancy Feast wet cat food.
Comment by Karen — April 30, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
There is a new release at the AVMA which indicates that the FDA in Denver confirmed melamine in the products from Blue, Kirkland, etc.
This is also the first time the FDA has officially “urged” ANI to recall.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
SLT: “whole” foods safer for protein. Try nuts. Organic Goji berries (gazillion amino acids).
Comment by 4lgdfriend — April 30, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
DITTO ROSE L: China quickly banned American beef after Mad Cow Disease is discovered, (I think ban is till in place since 2003).
Why can’t we ban inported Chinese wheat, rice, soy, fat, fish, and pea (powered) products? (These are main protein powdered additives available from China.)
http://tinyurl.com/2ljdky
Comment by 4lgdfriend — April 30, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
janetc, these companies issued recalls last week.
I think it will be confusing for some folks because these were recalled last week however the FDA just issued their recall announcement today.
Shows you why it pays not to wait on testing from the FDA.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
RE:Get ready folks—here they come! BY NADINE
Recall — Firm Press Release
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html
This drug recall is rather interesting:
RECALLS AND FIELD CORRECTIONS: DRUGS — CLASS III
___________________________________
PRODUCT
50% Urea Ointment In a vehicle containing Vitamin E, Lactic Acid and Zinc, Rx Only, Net Wt. 1.5 oz (45 g), NDC 68032-130-45, Recall # D-782-2007
CODE
Lot numbers: 5553, 5554 and 5555
RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER
Recalling Firm: Rivers Edge Pharmaceuticals, Suwanee, GA., by letter/email on October 16, 2006.
Manufacturer: Sonar Products, Inc., Carlstadt, NJ. Firm initiated recall is complete.
********************************
REASON
Crystallization; Urea crystals are forming in the ointment base.
**********************************
VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE
1,524 units
DISTRIBUTION
Nationwide
Comment by mal — April 30, 2007 @ 12:37 pm
Quagmire
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
Comment by 4lgdfriend — April 30, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
The organic nuts and seeds I have in my cupboard right now are labeled as if they come from a local farm. I only recently noticed (in small print on the label) they are in fact from China. : (
Comment by slt — April 30, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
I believe I read somewhere that Tyson also does private label cold cuts.
Comment by petlover — April 30, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Maybe we need to have a site such as this to help us keep track of contaminated foods.
http://foodsafetynetwork.ca/
Comment by petlover — April 30, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
The FDA’s Pet Food Recall page now has (RICE GLUTEN) mentioned beside the ever increasing list of pet foods:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/.....ecall/#All
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Just a reminder:
you can add your lost or recovering pet’s pic, plus a few words to a map that is ‘in process.’ New pets are being added daily.
You can access it at Pets Need a Voice Too
http://www.pnv2.com
or at my own website:
http://www.alphava.com
This map helps to put the faces with the numbers. It also helps to identify that there are more than “16.” Our pets count!
Comment by Marcy — April 30, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Comment by slt — April 30, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
Welcome to the club. People are being screwed blue by global economic pillage, and it is marching in our direction this time.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Has anyone found out if Dennis Stupak will be holding another House committee meeting this week with the FDA called in to testify. Didn’t he say in the previous meeting there would be a meeting with the FDA in about 2 weeks.
Comment by VJ — April 30, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
“Why can’t we ban inported Chinese wheat, rice, soy, fat, fish, and pea (powered) products? (These are main protein powdered additives available from China.)”
Because we have a touchy-feely government that doesn’t want to disrupt relations with China. We want to be amicable, they could care if we fell in the ocean.
It’s obvious we need them more than they need us. Given their standards and conditions, I don’t think they’re too picky about eating food that doesn’t come from the US.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
The new - FDA BIG LIST - now has 5630 line items: ALL UPC & date code batches.
ANI is listed, so this appears to be up-to-date -although they lag behind usually.
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
1) How did IAMS know before anybody that it was Melamine that was contaminating the pet foods? They were the ones, weren’t they, that told the FDA?
2) How are Nestle & Mars escaping virtually unscathed from most of this?
Ann
Comment by Ann — April 30, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
Comment by Sandy C — April 30, 2007 @ 10:21 am
“195 melamine fed hogs go to Tyson plant in Nebraska..not being recalled. “
Someone please tell me that this meat was exported to China…
Comment by David — April 30, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
We’ve gotten hit hard with rain this afternoon — nearly 3” in a 90 mins!! blurp!!
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
There’s a recall in there (FDA site) about Ben & Jerri’s Ice cream being recalled.
Ok. Now I’m REALLY mad. Don’t mess w/ a girls ice cream, or her chocolate.
Have you guys seen Ben & Jerry’s website recently? Here’s the link. They’ve taken up the cause against cloning. You’ve gotta see their singing/dancing cow:
http://www.benjerry.com/
Comment by shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
“2) How are Nestle & Mars escaping virtually unscathed from most of this?”
Comment by Ann — April 30, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
Because recalls are volunatary. They can kill you but they don’t have to get in trouble unless they’re in the mood.
Comment by shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
I am way behind with the news & reading this blog —
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 9:01 am
I’m STILL emailing that CNN video to all the spammers. If I don’t have time when they come in, I’ve created a special folder for them & will send it later.
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
Re: Ben and Jerry’s
The voluntary recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product, which contains wheat, was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat on the ingredient label.
Sound familiar? Wonder how many folks will start calling ice cream companies before they eat it.
And their timing couldn’t have been worse…wheat product on March 16.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
Pet Food Institute (PFI) — SHOVE IT!
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 1:23 pm
The government has long been a supporter of lobbyists in the food industry.
Sadly, that is the reason the FDA is so pitiful. But, maybe they know and expect the outrage- by now they have pretty thick skins.
Where is that going to leave the issues of our pets and the pet food industry?
Maybe we’re fighting something Americans can understand - imports & danger to humans. Then again, maybe that’s not enough.
What happens when they smile and say all is well?
Then, we find that not a heck of a lot has really changed.
http://tinyurl.com/2fykkz
Will our pets canaries again?
I think from some of the topics we’ve discovered that are many issues impacting the pet food industry - our vigil isn’t over, even after the melamine.
Ann
Comment by Ann — April 30, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
Shame Ben and Jerry’s sold to giant global conglomerate Unilever. I wonder if they regret it.
Doesn’t take much to destroy your name.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
Comment by Ann — April 30, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
Nothings changed at all.
Hows it changed? Someone want to enlighten us?
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
Ann,
IAMS conducted internal tests and found something wrong with their products. They forced the recall with Menu Foods by threatening to do their own recall if Menu Foods did not.
Comment by Jeanette/Ohio — April 30, 2007 @ 1:30 pm
Comment by shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
I think that Mars is also Master Foods. I guess they own Royal Canin. Maybe just don’t want the Mars name to be associated with them, to keep the Mars name clean.
Three years ago, Pedigree had recalled product in Asia. They were having problems with animals developing kidney failure. Maybe they already knew something that the other companies didn’t know yet (2007).
Comment by Stephanie — April 30, 2007 @ 1:32 pm
Just for your infomation……
Proceed with caution……
I just came from a Petco here in NY. A very well dressed gentleman asked the manager if the Science Diet food, canned and dry, he was buying for his 12 week old puppy was safe. The manager said yes, BUT, just to be on the safe side, the customer should buy the food, take it home AND check the Science Diet web site for additional “security”!!!!!
I bit off my entire tongue and then approached the manager with the following question,
“Why would you advise buying the food and then checking web sites for each manufacturer?”
His reply, “We don’t have the codes or the lot numbers.”
Me, “Available on many web sites. I’ll be happy to write some down for you.”
Him, “We can’t take the time to go through everything.”
Some woman in Petco called me a nut. I didn’t raise my voice once, although I wanted to shreek like a banshee. Someone else asked me why was I only buying cat litter. Am I a nut or should I plan on notifying the FDA about my neighborhood Petco? Folks, I await your feedback. This is why this thing will not go away for a VERY LONG TIME…..
Comment by Peg — April 30, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
So, where will the melamine soaked organs from the hogs go? Back into the pet food? or into hot dogs for kids?
If the FDA wouldn’t mind using their collective half-neuron to think about the potential chain of events, I would really appreciate it.
Comment by Cynthia — April 30, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
Tomorrow/TUESDAY on CSPAN3
HOUSE HEARING on the Food & Drug Administration (10am ET) - LIVE
This just came in an email alert from CSPAN. Note that CSPAN3 may not be on all cable networks. In my area you have to subscribe to more than basic cable to get it.
It’s probably available through the House webcam system. Hope someone tracks that down.
Comment by Maureen — April 30, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
Nestle just gets breastfeeding moms hooked on formula in third world countries….too busy for recalls. Their rice protein is probably in the formula, not in their pet food.
Comment by Joyce — April 30, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
Here is a link for the 2004 Asian Pedigree Recall.
http://tinyurl.com/2k4s7f
I can’t find any info as to whether they ever found a cause.
Comment by Stephanie — April 30, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
Melamine SCRAP
I think the word SCRAP maybe the most important indicator.
I worked for a manufacturing company for 14 years. SCRAP is not a CLEAN piece of melamine or any other substance. It can be contaminated by rat droppings, pesticides (rat poison,etc), fertilzer, industrial solvents, lubricants or cleaners. It gets dropped, or thrown on the floor, in a dumpster, out the back door, etc. Basically, it is TRASH that someone has “salvaged.” This may explain why rat poison was found in some pet foods and not in others (the melamine SCRAP came from multiple sources).
If they are allowed to put any kind of SCRAP in any food, we (and our pets) could be eating anything.
Comment by Jeanette/Ohio — April 30, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
Question - ChemNutra imports wheat gluten, rice protein along with other amino acids and minerals. I know taurine is now in most dog foods. Should we be concerned about the quality of other ingredients like taurine?
Comment by Donna — April 30, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
Itchmo has a link to this very interesting article about a US firm that spiked wheat with urea to increase nitrogen. Old news by now, but particularly relevant as it illustrates what now appears to be an industry-wide problem:
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-9246932.html
Comment by mountainkimmie — April 30, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
First of all, let me emphasize that I am VERY thankful for everything that petconnection.com has done to inform us about his tragic situation. I am certain without them many, many more pets would have died unnecessarily, possibly even my own. That being said, why has petconnection moved this story to the bottom of their blog page? Hardly anyone is commenting about he other stories listed above this one. How can we expect the main stream media to put this at the top of the news if petconnection does not continue to do the same?
I am not attacking anyone here, just being honest.
Comment by FMtz — April 30, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
Tammy
In response to your question about the location of perchlorate contamination sites. I will post a link.
http://www.epa.gov/fedfac/pdf/percrele0403.pdf
This is a map as of 2003. Can’t find a more recent one.
One of the reasons my cat drinks purified water.
Comment by MySimon — April 30, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
Comment by Donna — April 30, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
ChemNutra Inc.
We import raw materials from China for distribution to the energy drink and nutritional supplements industries.
http://tinyurl.com/2jarqo
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 1:48 pm
I personally have stopped going to Petco. This is ever since the first recall, when they didn’t take the recalled items off the shelves, they just put plastic over them, and put up a sign that they had been recalled, and weren’t for sale. Go to your smaller, independant stores.
Comment by Joyce — April 30, 2007 @ 1:48 pm
Peg,
If what happened to you at Petco happened to me, I’d sit down and write a blistering but civil letter to that store’s manager, and send copies all the way up the management chain to the top of the corporate ladder. I would also copy the local newspaper. And I would indicate in my letter that I would no longer be doing business with them and would be discouraging friends and family from doing business with them as well. It might or might not do any good, but it would at least communicate to Petco that customers are watching how they handle this situation and expecting a higher level of reponsibility from them. I don’t like Petco very much. I’ve never had good experiences there or gotten a good feeling about them. PetSmart seems better.
Comment by mountainkimmie — April 30, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
So, where will the melamine soaked organs from the hogs go?
Comment by Cynthia — April 30, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
Yum, pork kidneys soaked in melamine with a light cyanuric acid sauce…
Comment by slt — April 30, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
Re: Story placement on the blog. Web logs ALWAYS put more recent entries at the top. It’s the way they work.
On our home page, the recall is still on top.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 30, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
“I can’t find any info as to whether they ever found a cause.”
Comment by Stephanie — April 30, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
There was mold in their silos.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 1:48 pm
This is what we’ve feared since Day One when we found that company on the Internet.
God help us all.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
Statement by the pet food inst. just kills me. They just can’t wait to get back to buying the cheapo poison from China again. Any of them who puts the china stuff in the bag or can can keep it. How could they ever trust these suppliers again? All these jerks care about is the bottom line.
Comment by Robin — April 30, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
Mold in their silos by whose account? Guess. Yeah right. A little too much spike maybe.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
Re: recent posting re: CSPAN3 alert that they are webcasting the House Hearing on the FDA tomorrow at 10 a.m.. It’s not on the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations schedule online. I also called the DC committee’s office and they don’t have it on the schedule. So perhaps it’s another FDA hearing…sorry to alarm or excite people unnecessarily. However, there should be another hearing by Rep. Stupak coming up with the FDA soon, as he announced.
Comment by Maureen — April 30, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
Comment by Robin — April 30, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
They didn’t stop. That crap is going into new manufacturing runs right at this minute.
Reptile Capitalism.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
I hope that pet food companies are wise enough to realize that “the jig is up”. Not only do we no longer trust the safety of the foods they produce but we no longer trust the labels to be honest reflections of what ingredients are included. Relationships are built on trust. With the pet food industry the trust is gone. GONE. With, or without government intervention the pet food manufacturers who make immediate pro-active changes in their formulas, ingredients and their marketing as a result of this catastrophe will thrive. Others, not so much.
Comment by elizabeth R. — April 30, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
The more I learn about all of this, the deeper my grief goes for not only my own best buddy, but for all the cats and dogs who have been sacrificed in the name of world *progress*.
It’s one thing to guess at theories, to discuss and contemplate all of it, and wonder what the facts truly are. It’s another thing to finally know the truth.
Today, I am struggling with the shock of the enormity of lies and betrayal. Lots of tears in Heaven. Not a good day at all. Anyone else?
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
Mold in their silos by whose account? Guess. Yeah right. A little too much spike maybe.
Yeah, I wonder about that now with the new info coming out. The first South African recalls were blamed on ethylene glycol.
Comment by Stephanie — April 30, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
Comment by elizabeth R. — April 30, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
The whole industry is affected. From Pet Foods to Veterinarians to Pet Stores, etc, etc . . . .
The whole industry has collapsed into a seamy heap of fear, mistrust, backstabbing, misinformation, spin and malfeasance.
Translation. Dysfunctional to the point of being dangerous.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
“The whole industry has collapsed into a seamy heap of fear, mistrust, backstabbing, misinformation, spin and malfeasance.
Translation. Dysfunctional to the point of being dangerous.” Comment by Steve
They CAN’T be in their right minds. They’re going to kill us all, and themselves.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 2:23 pm
The usual pablum. Self-serving blah, blah from the PFI. The Chinese government saying they are banning melamine for food purposes is a joke. It only means, if anything, that some higher up officials will get bigger bribes to look the other way.
It is up to the FDA and the rest of the US Government to ensure food safety and not rely on hollow promises from a government that has a long history of making promises they don’t keep.
Comment by MFEMFEM — April 30, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
Mold in their silos by whose account? Guess. Yeah right. A little too much spike maybe.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
Animal health specialists and veterinarians were the ones who figured out that the illness was caused by toxin emmitted by mold in the factory’s corn and rice bulk supplementary storage area.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 2:23 pm
Perhaps there is no better example of a society caught in the stranglehold of greedy government and corporate institutions than our own.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
Quote:
It is up to the FDA and the rest of the US Government to ensure food safety and not rely on hollow promises from a government that has a long history of making promises they don’t keep.
Comment by MFEMFEM — April 30, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
—————————-
I would like to respectfully contradict that statement:
it is up to us.
We are the ones who decide.
We are the ones who can vote with their wallets.
We are the ones who are responsible for the lives of our pets.
It is in our hands.
I learned my lesson, I will draw my consequences.
Comment by MaKo — April 30, 2007 @ 2:34 pm
“Maybe we need to have a site such as this to help us keep track of contaminated foods.
http://foodsafetynetwork.ca/
Comment by petlover — April 30, 2007 @ 12:45 pm “
Excellent idea, along with alternative foods to fill in the gap for both humans and our pet companions.
We just purchased Kal bone meal from an organic/whole foods store and hope it’s ok for supplementing their home - cooked meals. We humans are definitely eating healthier too..we’ve made good healthy food a priortiy -
Thanks to all you folks and Pet Connections for all the support..I’m crying now for Mitzi’s memories - then, the Lord and the new Pups just tap me on the shoulder and say “Mitzi’s here already Mom”. I just apologize, say I’m sorry, and thank the Lord for our memories & the relationship with her - It’s just we miss so much our conversations and plain ‘ole fun together…she was my girlfriend and Daddy’s little girl….
Comment by Bee — April 30, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
Mold in their silos by whose account? Guess. Yeah right. A little too much spike maybe.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
Independent studies were conducted by animal health specialists and veterinarians who found that the illness was caused by toxin emmitted by mold in the factory’s corn and rice bulk supplementary storage area.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
My best guess is that the major players that say they do not use the rice protein, really do. They hope theirs isn’t spiked too much and they will dodge the bullet.
They are doing just what NB did, using it without listing it as an ingredient.
I am still suspicious of web sites that claim they do not use it, and if they are caught, they can, just like all the others, claim - oh, we didn’t know.
Comment by Linda — April 30, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
What have learned since March 16. That the Pet Food Industry is willing to go to ridiculous and sometimes criminal lengths to get what they want because they are backed by enormous money and influence to make up for their shortcomings?
Apparently
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
wonder how upset my neighbors would be if I started raising chickens?
Comment by Peggy — April 30, 2007 @ 10:59 am
Peggy I thought about that too but unfortunately the eagles here will carry them off for their food unless of course the poor things stay in the coop 24/7….
Comment by Sandi K — April 30, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
Comment by Sandi K — April 30, 2007 @ 2:39 pm—-and Peggy, too
You are not the only ones giving thought to that! Half-humorously my husband already asked me what kinds of chickens would I like; we’re checking into the city ordinances just for the heck of it.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
Any predictions on when we can expect the next the next “shearing”?
Certainly, semi truck loads of “fresh n’ natural” pet foods are going to start being unloaded at the nations stores and warehouse loading docks. To replace the bad stuff.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
Has anyone heard of this? Sat. night My dog was sick and vomiting. there is no recall on Her food. But yesterday, I noticed She was eating some of the chicken food I threw out for the chickens? Could that have made Her sick? Now that We know it’s also in chicken food. Thanks, Trudy
Comment by Trudy Jackson — April 30, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
Nadine, your comment:
It’s one thing to guess at theories, to discuss and contemplate all of it, and wonder what the facts truly are. It’s another thing to finally know the truth.
Today, I am struggling with the shock of the enormity of lies and betrayal. Lots of tears in Heaven. Not a good day at all. Anyone else?
Yeah, me too. Until today there was that teeny tiny bit of hope we were wrong. But now we *know*. It’s horribly sad, and horribly wrong.
Comment by Kim — April 30, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
With this being such a long-term thing, it really makes me think even more that Menu Foods and others who imported this, knew that melamine was going into gluten ingredients for a long time. For petes sake, if all we as bloggers had to do was go to Alibaba and see companies that dealt in wheat gluten for pet foods also dealing in melamine, why would it take a rocket scientist to put 2 and 2 together? Why wasnt FDA testing these incoming ingrendients long before now? Im not a conspiracy theorist, but I think this whole thing is a big cover-up from China, to the FDA to the pet food companies. Menu Foods wouldnt want to put out the bucks for pure wheat gluten now would they?
Comment by Sandi K — April 30, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
Steve - You said “What have learned since March 16. That the Pet Food Industry is willing to go to ridiculous and sometimes criminal lengths to get what they want because they are backed by enormous money and influence to make up for their shortcomings? Apparently “
Let this be a point in question for all industries, not just pet food. It is no secret that they know the customers rule—-the very reason they go to such lengths to hide out, especially behind elaborate and manipulative advertising campaigns and expensive packaging done down to a science to gain ‘customer confidence.’
We need to demand honesty.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
Has anyone heard of this? Sat. night My dog was sick and vomiting. there is no recall on Her food. But yesterday, I noticed She was eating some of the chicken food I threw out for the chickens? Could that have made Her sick? Now that We know it’s also in chicken food. Thanks, Trudy,magesticats@net-change.com
Comment by Trudy Jackson — April 30, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
My best advise to concerned citizens is to go to work locally. If you focus on your town or city or neighborhood. You’ll stand a better chance of making an impact. Don’t underestimate the impact a couple of dedicated people on a mission can make at the local level. If everyone across the country does this the Pet Food Cabal will feel it.
Question Everything.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
Have any of you people heard of this organization?
http://www.nasc.cc/Index.aspx
If so, are they as full of crap as the pet food companies?
Be safe not sorry!!
Comment by CCnDuke — April 30, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
Exactly. Like I said a month ago when I used to attend marketing meetings the marketing evangelists were basically clueless about the product. All they were concerned about was acquiring mind share. Once time I asked “what do you know about our product?” And the reply was “it’s the best, what else is there to know? We’re not selling a product, we’re selling a lifestyle.”
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 3:01 pm
Trudy,
i would question the folks that make the feed as a starting point. you need to ask them if the feed conatins any GM/NPN/Bio/Monsanto/Etc Grains and where all the ingredients in the feed were grown.
watch out for feel good but mean nothing phrases from them and try to keep them to yes/no answers :) *I* will not buy meat/poultry/fish any more unless i know the food chain. same with everything i purchase going forward.
Comment by straybaby — April 30, 2007 @ 3:04 pm
For those many stores we’re incontering with managers that don’t have time to take food off shelves. How about one of these ideas modified to fit your personal style?
If the resistant person is the head store manager, then write managers name down and time and tell them you as a consumer find it unacceptable that this store is not willing to check for all recalled pet food items on a ongoing basis… and tell them you are contacting your local media and telling them what happened and there is a story to follow up on here, including local newspapers, radio stations, colleges with journalism classes, NEXT you will be contacting ALL your friends who volunteer at different local animal shelters to spread the news on their networks of volunteers what this manager has said.
After that you could say is they still look resistant, I will be sending the parent company’s entire board of directors a report of what you have said and why you think their stores are not safe places to purchase pet food.
Then, you could ask this person, do you think you have the time, right NOW?
I don’t know, maybe one of these ideas will help… good luck.
Comment by Rose L — April 30, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
Marketing. Did she research pet food or buy on “image”?
http://tinyurl.com/384vcz
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
Comment by Rose L — April 30, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
And if you catch stores bending the rules or breaking them or just acting like they don’t give a damn call your local TV station and say you have an interesting scoop. Would they be interested in covering it? Most local stations have an action team doing stories for the local news.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 3:01 pm
It’s called “brainwashing.” That’s why I left the advertising field many years ago. My conscience wouldn’t let me deceive.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
LOL I hear you. I decided not to sell my soul either just like. Our choice in path isn’t for whimps. Thats for certain.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
Just an FYI-
Natura has made some changes on the ingredient lists on their website in the last week. I haven’t seen rice protein or wheat gluten added, but I think they may have added a corn gluten to one of the cat foods. (It may have been there before, but I didn’t notice it and I can’t find a cached version of that page)
This may be nothing. It may be that they just forgot to update the site and in light of what is happening, they decided to make the fix.
Comment by Stephanie — April 30, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
Nadine I decided becoming “all seeing” was more important then racing around after the “almighty buck and stuff”.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
Comment by Stephanie — April 30, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
Anyone for a Picture Caption Contest?
http://tinyurl.com/ys8jz2
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
Comment by Kim — April 30, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
And it’s just the beginning. I pray the world comes to their senses and the madness stops.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
April 02, 2007
Until Natura begins its canning operation, it will have one of their own Quality Control employees on-site in Menu Foods South Dakota plant to oversee the production of its products.
I’ll consider when they have a plant of their own. Maybe.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
I’m with you on that. I did the same. ‘All seeing’ is a gift that no amount of money can buy.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
Oh, hows Naturas relationship with the Pet Food Institute?
Must be a drag belonging to that when your foes are your partners.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 3:32 pm
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
You got that right. And there is no turning back when that revelation hits you.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 3:34 pm
“Anyone for a Picture Caption Contest?”
Steve, that made my stomach convulse. There is no heart in that advertising.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
Steve,
You know the two paths in Don Quixote? Well, I’ll never regret taking the one that has a heart. No matter what.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
From the beginning of this I’ve tried to remain calm and reasonably objective, and I think I’ve succeeded fairly well. It was only after the scope of the problem kept relentlessly expanding that I became really concerned. But just now I’m squirming with discomfort after mentioning my concerns about the pet food recall and my choice to try and change our cats’ diet, only to receive a withering look of pitying scorn in response (this from a friend, by the way, not a random co-worker). Although to be fair there have been a couple of other folks at work who seem concerned, the general reaction of disinterest is really depressing. I haven’t exactly been a pet-food-recall-awareness evangelist at work, I’ve just mentioned it to a couple people who I know have pets with a suggestion they give the recall lists a quick glance. I should add here that I am aware that it is possible to drive oneself into a frenzy about the problem to no good purpose. But I think there’s a world of difference between that and maintaining a state of caution and awareness, and trying to educate oneself about the situation. I think its telling that even a casual mention of the subject can evoke a powerful reaction that as much as says “don’t trouble me with the facts.”
My heart goes out to everyone who has lost a pet, and to those who have met with the stonewall of indifference and even scorn when trying to offer a short, calm mention to friends, family, vets, the media and pet food stores about the situation.
It is really wearying to hear how often the usual platitudes get repeated . . .”the vet wouldn’t have recommended it if it wasn’t safe . . .” “commercial pet foods have been on the market for years and tons of pets have lived on them in perfect health” (oh, have they?). “I want to keep my cat on only dry food so his waste will be smaller and less smelly,” “Your cat died of renal failure but after all she was 20 years old, wasn’t she?” (She had actually just turned 17, and I never argued that she definitely died as a result of bad food, only that I can now never know for sure what caused her illness or if it would have happened regardless of what she ate).
I still believe there are quality commercial pet foods out there, but I also now believe that there is a lot of garbage and advertising hype that goes into much of what we buy. I guess my coping strategy is to discuss it with like-minded individuals, try to get issue covered in the media and mention it to others who should be made aware, but don’t try to convince any pet owners who don’t want to be convinced. It just doesn’t work. In the meantime I’ll rely on my own instincts and some careful research to guide me in making careful changes to my beloved kitties’ food.
Guess I just needed to vent for a minute. Thanks for listening.
Comment by mountainkimmie — April 30, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
This is a travesty. Scrap melemine, could be anything, it’s dirty, scrap. Unusable for any other purpose, but it’s nitogien content.
During these past few weeks of all that has happened since my hero dog got sick suddenly and had to be put down 4/9/2007, kidney’s failed. BUN #’s 163, normal 6-25, Creatinine 13.5, normal 0.5-1.6. This has been a roller coaster ride that is endlessly going with no end.
Yesturday it hit me about the crystals of melemine/cyanuric acid. So I asked my boyfriend about something I said that last time I cleaning the floor of vomit. “This is wierd it looks like it has salt in it.” He too remembered this. So all you super slueths I couldn’t find anything about seeing these crystals with the naked eye. I looked for hours and I am not so handy on this computer as most of you.
Comment by Maudigan — April 30, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
Yes indeed I’ve fenced with a few windmills in my time seeking the ultimate commodity.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
My heart and thoughts are with you mountainkittie. So many people if they are not directly affected don’t care, don’t want to hear it, don’t want to listen. Just keep burying your heads in the sand people with your backsides exposed because someday it will affect you one way or another. Hang in there mountainkittie. A hug for you.
Comment by VJ — April 30, 2007 @ 4:00 pm
Comment by mountainkimmie — April 30, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
Thats the key. Developed Discernment. The act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 4:01 pm
Comment by mountainkimmie — April 30, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
It is disheartening when you know ‘what’ is staring everyone in the face and they ignore. The rampant apathy about this ordeal is very troubling to me. I hear the same comments as you. A neighbor actually laughed at me. Imagine?
You are in the right place. This is Vent City!
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 4:02 pm
Does it seem strange to everyone that the senators, representatives and even the companies seem to be unusually quiet the past few days. Hmmm
We have to send the Energy out there folks that this will be resolved in a positive way mainly for our beloved pets as well as us pet parents/consumers/taxpaying citizens.
Comment by VJ — April 30, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
Comment by VJ — April 30, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
Bureaucratic malaise. You have to keep after these guys in order to get things done.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
Where’s the Miller’s? Anyone heard a peep from them? Spotted a private jet leaving the country?
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 4:16 pm
Here’s a smart guy.
“Our company has not been affected by the recall.”
Yet. You forgot to say “yet.” Your gluten-filled food is processed by one of the affected factories. Say yet.
“All of our OTHER products are safe.”
That’s what you said last month. Then you issued a second recall.
“None of our OTHER flavors have been affected by the recall.”
Yes they have. Once you recalled the first batch of tainted food, we lost faith in your company. Thus, we’re staying away from all of your crap, recalled or not.
“None of our products have been recalled and WON’T BE.”
Really? Won’t be? No matter what? You use grains and contract out to one of the plants that is at the center of this fiasco. Are you saying that under no circumstances will you recall a product? Ever? Ummmmm….
“Our food is 100% guaranteed. Return recalled products to the store for a complete refund.”
Great. A new pet-sized urn costs about the same as 100 cans of refunded pet food.
“We use only human grade ingredients.”
Zippity freaking doo dah. Almost every pet food company claims this. Human grade food can be contaminated too, or haven’t you noticed?
“It’s not our fault! We didn’t know rice protein was in our food.”
You claimed you inspected your own food before, during, and after processing. If that were true, you would’ve noticed the addition of rice products, poisoned or not.
“But we didn’t know!!!”
It’s your responsibility to know what’s in the food you sell. Your whining is unimpressive. Have fun pointing fingers and suing the other guy. In the meantime, we entered into contractual relationships with YOU when we bought your food that you advertised as safe and healthy. You let us down.
“Ignore the ingredient list on your bag’s label. The correct ingredient list is on our updated website.”
WHAT?Huh
“We have 6 months to update our labels.”
No you don’t. Please, show us, in writing, what regulation says you’re allowed to do that.
“We are a self-contained company.”
You contract out your food to different plants in different states and/or countries, and refuse to tell us who your supplier is. Define “self-contained.”
“All of our ingredients are inspected.”
By whom? For what? How? When?
“We will be looking for a new plant to manufacture our own food.”
OK, that’s a good start. But while you’re looking, don’t expect us to buy products that you’ve already had made for you at affected plants.
“[We] have no plans to alter [our] relationship with Menu Foods.”
You win the prize for stupidest reply to a customer’s question.
“That flavor has not been recalled. Your pet must be sick from something else.”
Just…shut…up!!
“The FDA has reported 17 or 18 deaths…”
Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.
“[Grain] gluten is a healthy, ideal source of protein for pets.”
Correction: Gluten is a CHEAP source of protein used in pet food. So is melamine.
“Menadione is a healthy source of Vitamin K activity.”
Pssst. We’re not that gullible.
“We’ll be removing [specific ingredient] later this year.”
Why not now?
“Made in the USA.”
Translation: “This product is packaged in the USA. Ingredients may come from anywhere, but we’re not advertising that. Don’t worry your pretty little head about this. Just sit back and enjoy the picture of Old Glory printed on our label.”
“The only ingredient we outsource is lamb from New Zealand.”
I guess you don’t consider it outsourcing when you hire an American supplier to import your ingredients from other countries for you. But while we’re on the topic, can’t you find any good sheep in America?
“Our [specific ingredient in a specific flavor of pet food] is from our certified organic supplier in Pakistan”
You HAVE to be kidding. (Thanks Howl911 for that tidbit!)
“Only a small percentage of our food comes from Asia.”
You know what’s fun? Buying American. Give it a try. You might like it.
“We feed it to our pets too!”
Have you reported your own pets’ deaths and illnesses to the FDA?
“We recalled all our products VOLUNTARILY. We’re not like other companies.”
Shut up. The FDA doesn’t have the power to recall pet foods involuntarily. EVERY pet food recall has been “voluntary.” You didn’t bother to recall your products until after the FDA informed you that they were poisoned. Stop praising yourself and acting like you behaved in an extraordinary or altruistic manner. You’re in the same boat as all the other pet food companies whose products were recalled.
“As soon as we learned there was a problem, we issued a recall.”
Not quite. You received customer complaints last year and/or at the beginning of this year. Your recall wasn’t issued until a few weeks ago, and only after the FDA informed you of what was in your food. You operated with virtually no quality control and ignored earlier warnings that customers gave you.
“Due to the heavy volume of email, we may not be able to reply immediately.”
It’s been 6 weeks. Perhaps you might get around to answering my email today.
“Due to the heavy volume of calls, you may want to hang up and try your call again later.”
Here’s a newsflash: Customers have lost faith in you. Your company is in trouble. Get your act together, put in some overtime, hire more customer service reps, and pick up the freaking phone.
“Someone will call you back tonight.”
It’s been 2 weeks. I’m still waiting for that return call.
“I can’t give you that information. It’s proprietary.”
So is this cash in my wallet. Next!
“I don’t have an answer to that question.”
You are the customer service guy who picks up the phone when consumers call the toll-free number printed on your products. Your only job is to answer callers’ questions about your food. Perhaps you should get that information. Go ahead. Do it now. Stand up, walk over to your boss’s desk, tell her that customers are angry because you can’t answer the questions. Go on. You can do this.
“It was a clerical error.”
Give me a break.
“We have hired [crisis management/spin doctoring/PR firm] to deal with customer complaints.”
You know what’s even better than spin? Honesty. How about you just answer our questions honestly? Let the NY Times interview your plant workers.
“We are based in California.”
Your CEO has an office in California, but your food is made elsewhere. Why?
“We are deeply saddened…”
Apparently not sad enough to come completely clean.
“We are committed to pets.”
You are committed to profit.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 4:19 pm
Comment by mountainkimmie, Nadine Long -
I know exactly how you feel. I think my DH also thinks I’ve gone off the deep end a little. I say very little to the people I work with now - except to keep in mind they all seem to use Purina so if I hear something more concrete to let them know.
Comment by Jenny — April 30, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
Sandy K,
Missed you on yesterday’s thread, my e-mail is lnclnhill@aol.com
Comment by Patricia Hill — April 30, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
Send that to their e-mail Steve. Over and over again until you get a response.
Comment by Maudigan — April 30, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
One month later
Dear Ms. Hoeflein:
Thank you for contacting me regarding pet food safety. I appreciate having
the benefit of your comments on this matter.
As you may know, recent events have revealed toxins in some pet foods that
have caused health problems and death of many beloved family pets. These
events resulted in the recall of those foods by the companies that produce
them.
The United States has the safest and most plentiful food supply in the world
because our food safety policy is rooted in sound science and supervised by
the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. You may be certain that I
will continue working with my colleagues to ensure that the production,
transportation, and marketing of pet food is held to a high standard.
I appreciate having the opportunity to represent you in the United States
Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
517 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 228-2856
http://www.cornyn.senate.gov
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 4:38 pm
Guys a real intellectual giant isn’t he?
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 4:41 pm
Responding to comments made a LONG way back regarding human food: I’ve emailed both Kraft and Rice a Roni to inquire whether they use any ingredients from China.
Kraft replied specifically stating that they do not use ANY ingredient sourced from China.
Rice a Roni sent the following reply (in part):
“Thank you for contacting us about the wheat gluten that is present in Rice-A-Roni. Our ingredients are sourced from all over the world. The specific country sources are considered proprietary information and are not available for us to share.”
Isn’t that about what the pet food companies said BEFORE they got recalled? Just my opinion, but that response yells “China” to me.
I intend to reply to Rice a Roni, but is anyone interested in also emailing them, to maybe make the point that we actually do have a right to know what is in the food they want us to buy and eat?
I intend to continue emailing every human food company that uses suspect ingredients. Anyone else interested, and does anyone know of a separate blog to post this information so this one stays mostly pet-related?
Comment by carly — April 30, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
Tell me a little lie to remember you by. Just a little one to believe in.
Some customers praise melamine
However, Kaiyuan Protein Feed’s Wang said his customers either don’t know or aren’t concerned about the melamine.
“We’ve been running the melamine feed business for about 15 years and receiving positive responses from our customers,” Wang told The Associated Press.
http://tinyurl.com/yv78uv
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 4:55 pm
How did the postcard blitz work? when do you think We’ll know?
Comment by Trudy Jackson — April 30, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
http://tinyurl.com/2r5s86
Anyone in Detroit? This TV station says: “Rescue 4 Undercover exposes what the pet food company executive did in his mansion just hours before the recall became public. It will shock you. Find out what it is tonight on Local 4 News at 11 p.m.”
Comment by Pam — April 30, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
The Buck Stops Here - Senator Patty Murray of WA State!
Your pets were poisoned thanks to unrestricted trade with China and now our human food supply is tainted, too. Who is the biggest promoter of free trade in our government? Senator Patty Murray of Washington state. Check it out on her own website. All that seems to matter to her is the huge amount of money free trade with China brings to the elite of Washington State. (Don’t blame most of us WA state residents: the money does not trickle down!) And don’t blame the average Chinese citizen, either. They are being poisoned, too, and their honest exporters’ websites had warnings about cheap, contaminated grain proteins as far back as 2005. The ethical Chinese business people are being hurt, too, by the criminals that have taken over our foreign trade system.
Here is a link to Senator Murray’s web page about her position on free trade:
http://murray.senate.gov/trade/trade-work.cfm
And here is a link to e-mail her and let her know how trade with China is currently impacting you:
http://murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm
Let Senator Patty Murray know that we demand safe trade!
Comment by Grace — April 30, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
Anyone here tired of losing VITAL links & information getting buried in the blog comments? Don’t stop commenting but please consider also starting a topic (or adding to one) at Itchmo’s new “Making A Difference” forum here:
http://64.79.216.38/~itchmo/fo.....board=64.0
Those of us who have been following this story for weeks know all too well how difficult it is finding anything once the comments get buried in the blogs. You might as well give yourself a labotomy than try spending countless hours searching through old comments and blog entries for something you thought important.
Please, for the sake of your pets, consider it? Comment away if that’s your preference but also post the info on the forum. It only takes a couple more minutes of your time. Is that really asking so much?
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
Actually us regulars here are having a pretty good time.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 5:15 pm
I too can’t believe the apathy, telling people what happened and why I am home cooking for my dog. They look at me like I’m Nuts! Up until today, I thought just maybe, it couldn’t be. Now, I can’t believe this has happened in our great nation.
Katie
Comment by Katie — April 30, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
Sigh
My post got lost in cyberspace. Someone has to watch the Detroit news tonight and let us know what it was about. My money is on either A) called his broker, or B) made his pet homemade food.
Comment by Joyce — April 30, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
Comment by Pam — April 30, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
I’m on the West Coast. Let us know what you learn.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
Steve ya not so little stinkpot…….I AM a regular ya doofus! :-P
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
Just teasing ya.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
Comment by Katie — April 30, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
There are many like-minded people who feel let down by our great nation. It’s surreal.
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
Poisoned food, poisoned air, poisoned water, no worker safety. Bush and the Repubs have destroyed government and it’s oversight duties to it’s citizens. All we have now are unscrupulous corporations doing whatever they please with zero government oversight. This is what you get when you elect Repubs. The Return of the Dark Ages and the Wild West, where you are on your own and you better be quick with the trigger because everyone is armed to the teeth.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
Me too.
Gawd knows we all need your warped sense of humor these days….
Comment by Ally — April 30, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
Actually, I’m in Mississippi, so I won’t be able to watch Channel 4 in Detroit tonight. I thought someone on this blog might be there and could report to the rest of us.
Comment by Pam — April 30, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
I didn’t see this posted yet. If it was already posted I apologize:
38 poultry farms in Indiana given contaminated feed
WASHINGTON, April 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. government said on Monday 38 poultry farms in Indiana were given contaminated feed in early February containing melamine, with some of the animals likely to have entered the food supply.
The U.S. Agriculture Department and the Food and Drug Administration said there was a “low-risk” to humans and no food recalls were expected at this time. They are uncertain how many animals were involved or entered the food supply.
Pet food tainted with melamine, a chemical used in plastics and fertilizer, was found in feed given to hogs. Last week, USDA said around 6,000 hogs in six states — California, Kansas, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Utah — may have been given the contaminated feed.
http://tinyurl.com/3ausra
Comment by mal — April 30, 2007 @ 5:29 pm
Comment by mal — April 30, 2007 @ 5:29 pm
Yeah the whole food chains messed up. You don’t need to be a Rhodes Scholar to figure that out.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
I am surprised there is nothing in the news today about American Nutrition. Since Blue Buffalo, Costco, Diamond/Chicken Soup, Harmony Farms and Natural Balance all claim ANI added rice protein without their knowledge I would have thought there would be some news coverage on it.
Comment by Terry — April 30, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
What is more worrisome is the Powers That Be apparently don’t know the whole food chain is totally messed up. They just take it for granted that everything is safe. Which is the whole problem.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 5:40 pm
American Nutrition, Inc. Responds to Criticism
“To set the record straight, American Nutrition did not engage in any deliberate or intentionally wrongful conduct relative to the inclusion of rice protein in certain products it manufactures”, according to Naomi Keller, a company spokeswoman.
http://www.pr.com/press-release/37367
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 5:41 pm
Just found a troubling (to me at least)section on Wysong at the end of their Menu and Recall information page.
http://www.wysong.net/menufoods.shtml
Misinformation, Incompetence and Hysteria
The Internet is now humming with misinformation from people who would prefer to create demons and promote savior products rather than help concerned pet owners with responsible information.
We have gathered some of this irresponsible information and provided straightfoward responses to help clear the air with reason and fact.
“9. Menu foods should be boycotted and blackballed.
But that is like saying any company or person that ever makes a mistake, or is the victim of sabotage, should be boycotted. Attacking Menu means destroying the company and the living of hundreds of people. That does not seem to be the fair or appropriate response at this point. No company is more careful in its production or selection of ingredients. We must also keep in mind that life is filled with dangers. The way to protect oneself is with intelligence and information, not myth, emotion, and hysteria.”
All righty then!!!!
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy's mom) — April 30, 2007 @ 5:43 pm
Thanks for posting that info mal, I’ve been wondering where the ‘poultry’ mention went. Something else to blog… sigh.
Comment by Kim — April 30, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
Dozens of Chicken Farms Fed Toxic Pet Food
April 30th, 2007
38 poultry farms in Indiana were given melamine contaminated pet food in early February. Plus the number of pigs that may be tainted is now at 6,000. It keeps going, and going and…
(Thanks KatieKat)
http://www.itchmo.com/
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 5:45 pm
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy’s mom) — April 30, 2007 @ 5:43 pm
I’ve been waiting for their attack.
Bring it on!
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 5:46 pm
At least five companies claim ANI added rice protein to their foods without permission. I tend to believe the five companies versus one ANI. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
Comment by Terry — April 30, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
RE: Comment by Nadine Long — April 30, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
I read awhile back & posted here that they spike the grain if it’s of poor quality: ie: molds. They chemically treat or heat treat to kill the molds, then add in the boost.
SICK!
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
Holy toledo, that Wysong page is indeed troubling. I have a much more negative feeling towards them after reading it - really stupid of them in my opinion.
(shaking my head in frustration)
Comment by Kim — April 30, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
yup Wysong sure didn’t give me any warm fuzzy feelings after reading that!!!
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy's mom) — April 30, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
LOL check out this one. Who the hell did Wysong hire to spin this garbage?
8. There is therefore no reason to trust or believe that anything Menu produces is safe.
wysong There is no food anywhere that can be totally trusted. The most sure bet is to grow all your own food in your own yard. If that is not possible there is no choice but to trust. Every person and animal is at risk every time they consume a food from a package. Such risk is the price of modern food dependence.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
Thats the most despicable piece of garbage and propaganda I’ve ever seen.
Does Wysong really thing people are that stupid?
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 5:56 pm
“RE:Comment by Steve LOL check out this one. Who the hell did Wysong hire to spin this garbage?”
Every person and animal is at risk every time they consume a food from a package
Not something I would ever put in print if I were in a business. It really helps build “confidence” on their products doesn’t it.
Glad my home cooking for my “kids” is working out after trial and error. I will be looking around for local producers of EVERYTHING I CAN POSIBLY FIND for my foods too!!!
Comment by mal — April 30, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
Is Wysong that stupid that people would buy the crap that the price of modern food dependence is to pay premium prices with no guarantee of quality or even safety??
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy's mom) — April 30, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
Comment by mal — April 30, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
My question is what in the h*ll are these guys smoking to put something like that out?
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 6:01 pm
RE: JOHN CORNYN United States Senator
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 4:38 pm
Pretty poor, in many so ways! I haven’t read — has Cornyn been in a COMA?
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 6:01 pm
Yes, the Wysong page disturbed me. How professional was that?
Comment by Stephanie — April 30, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Just a little note: if any of your friends respond to you passing along information about recalls with “don’t worry about it, I already get e-mails about it”, make sure they’ve signed up for Itchmo’s recalls. Pet Foundation sends me a recall update supposingly within an hour, but it is never that way. Itchmo is (as many of you know). I just received an e-mail today fron Pet Foundation regarding the Canine Caviar recall - and not even mentioning Mulligan’s Stew. Both products were listed in my Itchmo recall letter from yesterday. Just a suggestion, in case your friends sign up for recall e-mails other than Itchmo.
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — April 30, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
Steve:
Maybe they should give all of us the same s**t they are smoking..maybe it would make us all forget about this debacle and go away. LOL
Comment by mal — April 30, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
DOG AND CAT FOOD RECIPES:
Lots of free receipes here. Some sound pretty good:
http://www.cooksrecipes.com/ca.....cipes.html
Comment by mal — April 30, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
At least five companies claim ANI added rice protein to their foods without permission. I tend to believe the five companies versus one ANI. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
Comment by Terry — April 30, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
It took BB a matter of hours to put out a statement. It took ANI four days to come up with one - and the wording is incredibly careful and intentional.
Not buying the whole thing about using something from the same family of ingredients.
I assume ANI reads labels - rice protein is not whole brown rice, unless of course they have been using rice protein the entire time. Either way, they’re not done explaining.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
Along with Pam’s post,
More of what is to be discussed on the News4 in Detroit:
“Only Rescue 4 exposes the alleged secret lack of inspections, false advertising and executives that were slow to inform the public of potentially poisonous pet food.
Do consumers know everything they need to know about the company that makes the food being fed to family pets? If you have doubts, watch tonight on Local 4 News at 11 p.m. and see what Rescue 4 has uncovered now.
Rescue 4 uncovers shocking details, including some of the ingredients found in pet food.
Watch Tonight on Local 4 News at 11 p.m.”
Comment by shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 6:19 pm
I wish I got Rescue 4; however, I noticed it is affiliated with NBC. I will watch the local NBC channel and hope they show what their sister station reported.
Comment by Jeanette/Ohio — April 30, 2007 @ 6:23 pm
18. Above all, do not support Menu foods in any way, shape, or form. Send your message with your wallet.
Yes, by all means. Let’s lynch Menu, their employees, and all of the thousands of companies that have ever done business with them. In other words, “string ‘em up,” react with emotion, not with fairness or intelligence.
************************
This is my personal favorite. Are they sure someone didn’t hack into their site and post this? I have never seen such an unprofessional and ill-written grammatical nightmare. They cannot seriously think this is going to help them.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
I thought it might be fake too Carole! Then I went to their main site, and linked right to it. Idiots!
Comment by Kim — April 30, 2007 @ 6:28 pm
RE: News Channel 4 @ 11:00 (East Coast Time)
In the Philadelphia area it is NBC Channel 10 and in the South Florida area it is NBC Channel 6. Los Angeles, CA area it is Channel 4, and Detroit, Washington DC, etc. it is also Channel 4.
I do not know if they will be showing it on all of these stations, but I do know all of them have been contacted.
Comment by shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 6:35 pm
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy’s mom) — April 30, 2007 @ 5:43 pm
If it was one honest mistake, I’d agree with Wysong about Menu Foods. But it was a string of what appear to be outright lies, coverups and greed motivated actions. I won’t support Menu and Wysong’s arguments only reinforce what I was already thinking - most of these pet food companies are in it together.
Comment by slt — April 30, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy’s mom) — April 30, 2007 @ 5:43 pm
Just catching up now and read the Wysong link and I’m sick to my stomach over these comments!
Comment by Nabiya — April 30, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
“This isolated incident is not a reason for panic about all foods humans and animals eat.”
lol!~ I’d like to see them explain that this is an isolated incident now . . . .
Comment by straybaby — April 30, 2007 @ 6:40 pm
Wysong would have been better off not making their statements the way they did, if at all IMO. Their placement on the front of the site stating they’ve not had any recalls would have been plenty, especially while this is still hot. Just IMO!
Comment by shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 6:40 pm
It is the strangest thing I’ve ever seen. It really could be hacker got in and did that.
I can’t imagine any company putting something like that out and expect to be taken seriously.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 6:42 pm
CNN posted, didn’t see CNN on it earlier:
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WO.....recall.ap/
Comment by shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
At the same time being caught with their pants down using Menu Foods could have knocked Wysong into a temporary state of insanity. That could explain it.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
This is from the Pets Need a Voice Too website. I had been to the site many times but had not seen this part.
I am still crying!! If we could get this picture/music remembrance out to the general public I dare even those with a heart of stone not to be reaching for a kleenex within 30 seconds!!!
http://pnv2.com/page5.html
Comment by mal — April 30, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
Washington Post!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....01479.html
Comment by shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
I sent this comment to Wysong’s customer service contact…
After reading the Internet Claim and Rebuttal Statement on your website, I can only assume that your website has been hacked. It seems that someone has gone to great effort to post this very disturbing statement on your website, knowing that anyone who reads it will be appalled by the arrogance, insensitivity, and poor attempt at sarcasm. They certainly have succeeded in making your company look bad. I only hope you will be able to remove this statement before your other customers read it not realizing that your company would never issue such an ill-written statement to the public.
Comment by Carole — April 30, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
have to agree Steve. they’ve seemed like such a reputable company in the past, hard to imagine they would put something like that on their site.
Comment by straybaby — April 30, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
Did you notice on that recall notice on their front page they keep linking you to more products they would like to sell you?
Sheesh, does it ever end?
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
Dammit Mal
I’m awful now
Comment by shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
It’s STILL loading.
It’s a heck of a lot more than
!!!!!!!!!!!!! 16 FDA !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
Comment by straybaby — April 30, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
Yeah everyone “seemed” reputable until March 16.
When they hit the wall.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 6:53 pm
Comment by mal — April 30, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
Oh too funny mal!! Pass that pipe!
I knew there was a reason my cat didnt like Wysong, I just didnt know how intelligent my kitty was. Gosh if Wysong is trying to win customers, they could use some ‘book-learning’ on how to do that……
Comment by Sandi K — April 30, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
RE: Comment by shelly
All the little faces and the love shining in their eyes. These are not casual numbers. These are beloved pets who were butchered by the greed of pet food companies. That memory page has affected me more than anything else in the last 6 1/2 weeks.
I am still crying and hugging my “kids” and telling them how mucg I love them.
Comment by mal — April 30, 2007 @ 6:56 pm
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 6:53 pm
very true.
Comment by straybaby — April 30, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
I am still crying and hugging my “kids” and telling them how mucg I love them.
Comment by mal
Add another tearful reader to the list :*
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy's mom) — April 30, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
“I can’t imagine any company putting something like that out and expect to be taken seriously”
I can’t either,Steve.But aside from having a good laugh over the exerpts being posted here,I can’t shake the feeling that Wysong has the jitters.
Is it possible that even just one company is beginning to understand the depth of the wrath felt by those whose pets were killed,whose pets are still trying to get better,and even those not personally affected but enraged just the same?
Maybe I’m just being way too optimistic.
I do think the writer has definitely come unstrung.
Comment by Lorna — April 30, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
See ya, I’m going over to the new Monday night open thread.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 7:04 pm
and another (tearful reader). Goodnight, going to go to sleep, fortunately with my doggy wrapped in my arms, as always.
Love to all, keep at it.
Mal-thanks for the sleeping pill. Crying does it for me everytime.
Comment by shelly — April 30, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
Comment by Lorna — April 30, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 7:09 pm
Carole, I would have thought that Wysong could make their own excuses but it is very nice to know that you were kind enough to provide them with one that you thought would fly.
Too bad that it won’t work, but nice try!
Well played, a professional spin doctor could not do it better.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 30, 2007 @ 7:22 pm
And Steve, that wysong page NEEDS to be saved for posterity, it just cries out for a home where it can be displayed for a long long time, don’t you think? Hate for it to vanish.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 30, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 30, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
Mission Accomplished
http://tinyurl.com/2g9656
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 7:27 pm
Re: 39 Poultry Farms
So now the media is starting to dig, and finding more farms where poisoned ‘salvage’ pet food was fed. Goldstein earlier made a good point: that menu had been getting melamine gluten since Nov, and presumably selling salvage pet food with melamine to farms as livestock feed since then as well. So when the pet food recall broke, does anyone think they stopped selling salvage feed to farms? Why didn’t the fda start testing livestock then? And apparently china has been adding melamine for years, so any meat we’ve imported from them these past years could have been contaminated. (Do we import livestock feed from china?) So one way or another, thru poisoned gluten or meat that ate poisoned gluten, I’m pretty sure Americans have been consuming melamine for a while, and the fda knows this and is trying to keep it quiet. As a side note, and not knowing how melamine affects humans, End Stage Renal Disease has been dramatically rising in humans over the last several years, for unclear reasons.
Comment by Nancy — April 30, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
I just went over to the WYSONG website. I cannot find the link to the MenuFoods page that is circulating around. The front page has a link to something completely different & civilized.
Main page: http://www.wysong.net/
I did find this in
Main POSTS log: http://www.wysong.net/new/
DentaTreat problem:
http://www.wysong.net/dentatreat.shtml
Euthanized pets in food response:
http://www.wysong.net/controve.....zied.shtml
Personally, I think he’s a mad-man…
Heaven help his employees!
Quite disturbing website!!!
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
About the Detroit TV clip @ 11 pm:
Any of us should be able to watch it some time later. Might not get it live, but it should show up at some point.
Go to website:
http://www.clickondetroit.com
then in left column, click: Rescue4 undercover
I don’t know how soon they’ll update the site with the story. It will air 11 pm EST. 8)
Comment by Kathi — April 30, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
You are completely right, Nancy! They’ve thought renal failure to be caused by increasing numbers of adults with diabetes. Maybe there needs to be biopsies at death.
And, urinalysis for the living…
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
I just read the Wysong page. You have got to be farking kidding me!! In life, whether in regards to personal or business issues, none of us can control what happens to us, but we can certainly control how we react to what happens to us. I understand they are trying to say that it could have happened to anyone… BUT… my issue with Menu is they waited so damn long to do anything about it.
Comment by Christi A. — April 30, 2007 @ 7:41 pm
Comment by Nancy — April 30, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
Yes, we have quite the collection going of info on the rising rates of kidney failure and all these “unexplained” problems and “unexpected” results.
It’s a mystery.
Well, it is to SOME people.
Some of those are links on the net that are being watched to see how fast they get vanished and some are hard copies that have been placed in safe hands, and all of it, ALL of it has been copied, archived and tucked away.
Things get “lost” so often these days, it was just common sense to keep it all safe.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 30, 2007 @ 7:41 pm
Maybe after this expose tomorrows headlines will be Pet Food Executives jumping out of windows instead of more pet food recalled.
Rescue 4 Undercover exposes what the pet food company executive did in his mansion just hours before the recall became public. It will shock you. Find out what it is tonight on Local 4 News at 11 p.m.
sponsor
Only Rescue 4exposes the alleged secret lack of inspections, false advertising and executives that were slow to inform the public of potentially poisonous pet food.
Do consumers know everything they need to know about the company that makes the food being fed to family pets? If you have doubts, watch tonight on Local 4 News at 11 p.m. and see what Rescue 4 has uncovered now.
Rescue 4 uncovers shocking details, including some of the ingredients found in pet food.
Watch Tonight on Local 4 News at 11 p.m.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
Dear Kathy:
Thank you for contacting me about pet food safety issues. I appreciate hearing from you.
I understand your concerns about pet safety. As you may know, the Food and Drug Administration is conducting an investigation into the deaths and illnesses of cats and dogs affected by contaminated wheat gluten. I hope their investigation is robust and thorough, and that it results in policies that prevent a similar catastrophe from occurring in the future. In addition, should legislation regarding the safety of pets come before the Senate, please rest assured that I will keep your concerns in mind.
Again, thank you for taking the time to write to me.
Sincerely,
Ken Salazar
United States Senator
Sounds like I need to email Mr. Salazar again!
Comment by Kathy Thompson — April 30, 2007 @ 7:46 pm
Here is the original site page for Wysong
Internet Claims and Rebuttals
http://tinyurl.com/yoorhf
Took me a while how to figure out capturing it. 8)
Comment by Kathi — April 30, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
Here’s an update to the 38 chicken farms:
…”We haven’t completed counting yet,” said USDA spokesman Keith Williams.
In a joint statement, USDA and FDA said “all of the broilers believed to have been fed contaminated product have since been processed. The breeders that were fed the contaminated product are under voluntary hold by the flock owners.”
Birds that were given the contaminated feed will not be allowed to enter the U.S. food supply. Farmers will be compensated if they destroy the birds that consume the feed.”…
http://tinyurl.com/yw7uu8
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 7:52 pm
“Birds that were given the contaminated feed will not be allowed to enter the U.S. food supply.”
little too late . . .
Comment by straybaby — April 30, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
Maybe Wysong can regain credibility by revealing who all the suppliers for their ingredients are and country of origin.
Comment by Steve — April 30, 2007 @ 8:03 pm
I just read the “wysong” thing and while looking through their site I happened upon the “How to apologize to your pet” pamphlet. I apologize if I offend anyone who loves their products but I kept waiting for the punch-line. I thought is was a very long joke - especially starting on page 17. Just drink this kool aid and all will be well - you like grape. . .right?
Comment by Chelsea — April 30, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
The farmers who got poisoned hogs and chickens seem to be making out a whole bunch better than the pet owners who alerted the country to the situation, and paid a pretty high price to do it.
They can’t even bother to count our dead and yet the piggies are worth counting, paying for and all those free urine tests!
Don’t you just wish you had known this , oh, say, two months ago?
All we had to do was offer to sell the flesh of our pets, eureka!, the entire mighty force of the FDA would have been there to help us.
Hint to those with sick pets, price em by the pound and you MIGHT get some help from the FDA.
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 30, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
Here’s CNN’s spin:
…”Xuzhou Anying managers have said they have no idea how the melamine got into the gluten, which they claim was acquired from other firms and sold to a third company which exported it to the United States.
However, suspicions were raised when the company was found to have posted an online advertisement in March seeking to buy melamine.”…
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/.....recall.ap/
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 8:21 pm
Also - that comment about setting my cats free to eat what nature intended them too - well they would just be on my front porch starving to death and meowing for food. They are domesticated and have been for many generations I’m certain -hello!
Comment by Chelsea — April 30, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
Steve: I kinda got the feeling he collected his inventory on his way to work. He probably even pays his (poor) kids to run ‘em over.
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 8:26 pm
Here’s FOXNEWS spin:
…”Xuzhou Anying was found to have posted an advertisement on the Web site of online market place 999ce.com in March seeking to buy melamine. Other online searches for companies seeking to buy melamine were linked to companies in the chemical industry.
Xuzhou Anying’s ad did not say what it intended to use the melamine for and managers have said they don’t know how melamine came to be in the contaminated wheat gluten, which it claims to have purchased from another supplier.”…
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,269198,00.html
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 8:37 pm
There is not 999ce.com. It’s just a Google AdSpace URL
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 8:41 pm
Unless they took it down:
Domain Name: 999CE.COM
Registrar: DOMAINDOORMAN, LLC
Whois Server: whois.domaindoorman.com
Referral URL: http://www.domaindoorman.com
Name Server: NS-1.HOBARTIT.COM
Name Server: NS-2.HOBARTIT.COM
Name Server: NS-3.HOBARTIT.COM
Status: ok
Updated Date: 30-apr-2007
Creation Date: 30-apr-2007
Expiration Date: 30-apr-2008
Comment by Kat — April 30, 2007 @ 9:05 pm
I couldn’t get to the Wysong link quoted above either. Maybe they were hacked. But it does all come back to me, I chose not to change to Wysong because they had products made my Menu. Greed makes for strange bedfellows.
Comment by joyce — April 30, 2007 @ 10:08 pm
Joyce
Did you try my tinyurl at 7:49 pm above because I can get to the page we were discussing. And you can get back to Wysong home page at the bottom of the page.
Here it is again.
http://tinyurl.com/yoorhf
It comes up as a pop up page. 8)
Comment by Kathi — April 30, 2007 @ 10:40 pm
Yup I found the Wysong and Menu page link on the main Wysong page. I don’t use a pop up blocker and maybe the little window that opens at the top of the main page is blocked by a pop up blocker. It simply states “No Wysong pet nutritional products, dry or canned,
are part of the current recalls.” Then there is a link to Further reading. At the bottom of the Further reading page is this second link.
“Misinformation, Incompetence and Hysteria
The Internet is now humming with misinformation from people who would prefer to create demons and promote savior products rather than help concerned pet owners with responsible information.
We have gathered some of this irresponsible information and provided straightfoward responses to help clear the air with reason and fact.
Further reading: Internet Claims And Rebuttals with a link to click. This is where the 18 pearls of wisdom are found. Looks to me that they are from early on when the contamination was thought to be aminopterin.
Here’s the link to the 18 statements and Wysong’s answers!
http://www.wysong.net/menufoods.shtml
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy's mom) — April 30, 2007 @ 11:09 pm
Ooh I read it now. I think that guy’s smoking crack, not ganja! That part about picking carcasses made my skin crawl. I’m from Michigan originally, lots of road kill in rural areas :>( If we all returned to our “natural state” what would the average life expectancy be, maybe 30-40 years tops? Really weak argument. Guess he felt the need to justify his ongoing association with Menu. Maybe felt the pressure applied by Natura who has made the decision to severe ties asap. (although I’m not going to hold my breath). Keep Wysong on my boycott list.
Comment by joyce — April 30, 2007 @ 11:43 pm
Wysong - thou art ordained
and full of it, too. 8)
Comment by Kathi — May 1, 2007 @ 5:31 am
Rescue 4 clip is now online.
site is clickondetroit.com
Nothing new except:
Menu Foods stock sale is being investigated.
Menu Foods knew THOUSANDS of pet were going to die.
Video of Menu Foods executives mansions.
Really disappointing after all their hype.
Comment by Jeanette/Ohio — May 1, 2007 @ 7:06 am
Comment by E. Hamilton — April 30, 2007 @ 7:22 pm
Nice try, but apparently you don’t recognize sarcasm when you see it.
It’s obvious their site wasn’t hacked and I am guessing they WILL recognize the sarcasm in my message.
LOL
Comment by Carole — May 1, 2007 @ 3:39 pm