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Pet-food recall: What’s new on the recall lists
By Gina Spadafori
May 2, 2007
- If you have a sick pet or a question on your pet’s health, call your veterinarian.
- If you’re new to the site, please check out our general information page (includes information on recalled foods).
- If you want to report a sick or deceased pet, click here.
Kim of Pet Food Tracker and Therese of The Pet Food List have spent the last two hours working together going over the expanded Menu Foods recall, comparing the old with the new and noting the differences.
Here’s what they found: There are 20 19 new brands of cat food, and 10 of dog food.
And while we’re on the subject of recall lists … a lot of opportunists have placed Google ads and others to get people to go to their sites for recall information (and ad revenue). Problem is, their information isn’t kept current. And that’s deadly, with these waves of recalls.
The official list is the FDA’s. But the agency is often slow to update, which is why you should also check the lists on Itchmo, The Pet Food List and Pet Food Tracker. (Heck, these three are posting accurate recall information when the FDA is telling the media they aren’t expecting any more recalls. This has happened twice, with last Thursday being the most recent example.) Ben, Therese and Kim have been working almost 24/7 since the first recall was announced on March 16, and they have consistently posted accurate information well in advance of the FDA’s. The AVMA has also been good with updates, but not as quickly as the bloggers mentioned here.
While you’re visiting those three stellar blogs (The Pet Food List, Pet Food Tracker and Itchmo), why don’t you throw some money into the tip jar for these folks? They have been working over and above their daily obligations as a labor of love for pets and the people who care about them. No one has worked harder than these three on behalf of animals. No one.
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It’s time someone posted a list of EVERY damn product Menu makes…recalled or not. You have to believe that nothing they manufacture is safe… Pet owners deserve a list of everything they make…NOW
I’m sure P&G and Purina don’t want a list like that to come out.
Comment by DaveyD — May 2, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
Gina,
My vet left me a message saying that she found cystals in my cats urine. Can all vets ck for Melamine? Or should i have her send the sample somewhere?
Comment by Keryat — May 2, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
You’ll have to talk to your veterinarian about the specifics of your cat’s case, sorry. But we are all here hoping for a good outcome for you both.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 2, 2007 @ 7:43 pm
Thanks, I will do that but I am afraid that they are not up to date on what is going on based on questions that i have already asked. But I will pursue it.:)
Comment by Keryat — May 2, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
Keryat—I don’t believe she can absolutely tell what the crystals are under a regular office microscope. I would have her send it to the outside lab. Probably Antech because they know what they are looking for.
Comment by Shawn — May 2, 2007 @ 8:02 pm
Thank you Shawn! I will do that. :)
Comment by Keryat — May 2, 2007 @ 8:11 pm
Keryat, you can print out these pages and bring in for your vet to look at as well:
http://www.antechdiagnostics.c.....mation.pdf
Comment by The OTHER Pat — May 2, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
This is off-topic, sort of, so if it shouldn’t be posted here I will certainly understand. My husband and I learned earlier today that one of our dearest and best friends, age 52, was diagnosed with bladder cancer yesterday. He’s a non-smoker, exercises regularly, and doesn’t engage in any risky behavior. A few minutes ago, I got a call from another friend. She was diagnosed with kidney cancer today. She is a long-time vegan and a “health nut” and has always eaten those foods that contain lots of vegetable proteins. My brain tells me these are just coincidences, but I can’t help but wonder if the melamine that has been added stealthily to food imported from China for the last 15 years might have something to do with this. Of course, the focus for my friends is survival, not cause or blame, so I kept these thoughts to myself, sharing them only with my anonymous friends here.
Comment by Pam — May 2, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
The Oregon Veterniary Medical Association website has information on testing urine of live animals and tissue of deceased ones, as well as food samples of animal, and where & how to send samples. Also has guidance for veterinarians dealing with exposed animals.
http://www.oregonvma.org/news/menufoodsdvm.asp
The VIN site also has info on where to send food or urine for testing, Click on the UC Davis link - it tells exactly how to submit samples for testing.
http://www.vin.com/Promo/MenuRecall.htm
Comment by Marcia — May 2, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
Here is a link to the UC Davis testing lab. Your vet can contact them to test for melamine.
http://cahfs.ucdavis.edu/
Comment by Tim — May 2, 2007 @ 8:37 pm
Thank you..The Other Pat and you have drawn a scarey conclusion Pam. I also eat chicken and vegi thinking they were safe. Now i am afraid to eat anything! Hope my garden grows quickly! :)
Comment by Keryat — May 2, 2007 @ 8:41 pm
I didn’t refresh to see the other posts from Tim and Marcia before I sent the last message.
THANK U ALL! Thsi is great info!! I will make sure that my vet is UP TO DATE!!
Comment by Keryat — May 2, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
This should probably be on the other blog, but I figured most people look at the top one, and I need some feedback.
On Friday, I had bought a can of recalled Paws food at my local Wawa. I called Menu Foods, who confirmed for me that it was indeed a recalled can, since all date codes for that UPC were recalled (date code is 10/09, so its not on the recalled list). I called Wawa, made a consumer complaint, waited to hear back. (also left a message at my local FDA - this is last Friday, I have yet to hear back). After Wawa and I playing phone tag for a few days, I got to talk to some people today. I told the first Quality Control Supervisor that all dates on recalled UPCs were pulled, per Menu Food’s site. She checked the site, said she would talk to her manager. The new manager called me back, said he had gone through it with a Menu Foods rep (told me all the reps are doing is checking the website - so, in other words, Menu Foods’ reps really can’t help us other than looking at the same websites we can all see - isn’t that great?!). Anyway, what they came back with is that Menu Foods had later changed the stuff about recalling all date codes (they recalled everything, while they were trying to figure it out, I was told). Assured me my can, per the rep HE talked to and what they found on the website, was not recalled. Now I see this new recall…this date’s not included there, either. Date’s before and after my can are recalled, though.
Questions: Anyone else noticed this discrepancy? If cross-contamination occurred for cans with expiration dates AFTER mine, wouldn’t that mean all the cans in between are cross-contaminated? Wawa assured me they were trying to stay on top of this - but why was I told my can was recalled, and Wawa told it wasn’t? If I call Menu Foods again, will it be recalled or not? I’m confused, and don’t know what I should do…Should I call Wawa again and point this new info out to them? Menu Foods? What does this mean in general? Don’t worry, it’s dog food and I only have cats, so it’s not like the food’s going to be eaten. I’m just worried because WAWA is a huge convenience chain here, and most of its customers for pet food are looking for emergency food or are elderly, so are probably not well-informed. Furthermore, I think the date codes in the middle issue needs to be addressed. Any thoughts?
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
my apologies if I’m off topic…Anyone hear any news about what may have happened to howl911.com?
Comment by Lori Lee — May 2, 2007 @ 9:17 pm
LoriLee,
Gina commented for me (yesterday, I think) that even she doesn’t know. Personally, I think it’s got something to do with Beneful - on a quick scan of their site, I couldn’t find info on Beneful and the countdown anymore…suspicious to me…hopefully, it’s not Purina trying to shut them down, but the computer crashed or something.
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 9:21 pm
Krystal,
you could take it upon yourself to visit the Wawa again, with recall list in hand and check all the cans in that particular Wawa. If you find recalled food on the shelf, you could, 1)speak to the Store Manager AND Regional Manager; or/and, 2)Buy it all, and seek refund from Menu foods; or/and 3) call your local TV news station’s health reporter. Any of these things would effectively get the products off the shelf.
Comment by Lori Lee — May 2, 2007 @ 9:23 pm
Wawa does seem to be trying: everyone I spoke to was interested in solving this. I am going to keep an eye out. In fact, what you suggested is what led me to the can I have: taking my list into the store. I guess my biggest question is about the in-between dates. It make no sense to me why food with expiration dates both before and after my can are recalled, yet the middle ones aren’t. Unless the cross-contamination isn’t what they’re saying, and they produced new food with another tainted batch after the original recall. Otherwise, wouldn’t cross-contamination get everything in between?
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
Thanks so much Gina for your kind words! We couldn’t do any of it without you guys!
I’ve updated both Recalled Pet Food Lists (printable pdf files)with the new information, they’re at the top of the site.
Comment by Kim — May 2, 2007 @ 9:31 pm
Krystal, thanks for the howl info. One would think howl911 operators would reach out to Pet connection or Itchmo with info;
I found this interesting; (apparently posted prior to recall) http://www.snopes.com/critters.....eneful.asp and this
http://quikonnex.com/channel/item/26568
Comment by Lori Lee — May 2, 2007 @ 9:34 pm
Krystal, If they didn’t clean the machines, then…they didn’t clean the machines…Unless maybe they just remembered they did clean the machines. I’ve been calling the FDA Philadelphia office for 3 weeks and still have not received a return call. Kim and Therese from The Pet Food Tracker/List (above) might have some input for you on this.
Comment by Cathy — May 2, 2007 @ 9:35 pm
thanks Lori Lee and Cathy! I’ll try to contact Kim and Therese. Still interested in any additional thoughts…maybe how long it takes Menu to recall these in-between cans….any bets?
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
“Menu has also revised its estimate of the out-of-pocket costs for the total recall to be from $40 million to $45 million.”
***********************************
I’m guessing this doesn’t include projected litigation and settlements. Of which there will now be more.
Comment by Carole — May 2, 2007 @ 9:47 pm
Cathy, what’s the best way to contact Kim and Therese? Through a comment? or ais there an e-ail I’m not seeing?
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 9:51 pm
Krystal, Just go to their sites and there is a Contact click on the first page
Comment by Cathy — May 2, 2007 @ 9:55 pm
Thanks Carole, Menu should be done and it’s principals thrown in jail. (selling stock “just a coincidence”). Of course, some other Thieves & Liars will just snap up the operation, change the name and business-as-usual….
Wouldn’t it be awful if we discover that the recall was delayed only so that the CEO wouldn’t appear to be the criminal he is? Did he not sell his stock just about the same time the “16” animals died?
I have been keeping an eye on Menu stock prices, some days the price has actually gone UP….I don’t get it.
http://tinyurl.com/2e5r84
Comment by Lori Lee — May 2, 2007 @ 9:56 pm
where can I find a list of SAFE DOG FOOD?????? cooking hamburger for my pooch is getting expensive.
Comment by ginger — May 2, 2007 @ 9:56 pm
Just an FYI…
Wal-Mart recalls bibs with high lead levels
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. pulled baby bibs from its stores nationwide after the bibs tested positive for high levels of lead. The bibs, sold under the Baby Connection brand name, came in packs of two to seven bibs, with embroidered prints or images of Sesame Street characters. Some were sold as long ago as 2004.
Comment by Carole — May 2, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
Thanks Cathy. I really think this issue of left out dates needs to be looked at. It’s a common sense one to me, but I guess not to the recall powers that be (Menu Foods, FDA, etc.)
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 10:04 pm
Krystal - email me at pft at playingbig.com :-)
Comment by Kim — May 2, 2007 @ 10:05 pm
Lori Lee, as soon as they start ramping up production their stock goes up. Any long term investor doesn’t flinch when there are recalls because they almost always recover. In the business world, there is a certain amount of this to be expected when you manufacture anything so it normally doesn’t impact the company much.
The only way Menu would go out of business was if they went bankrupt from all the litigation…but that’s not gonna happen here. They’ll come to a nice settlement compromise and then move on.
Comment by Carole — May 2, 2007 @ 10:05 pm
Oh, forgot to post…
The new brands of dog food recalled by Menu Foods today include only CANNED dog food.
The new brands of CAT food recalled today is also canned food only, EXCEPT the Triumph brand also includes pouches.
Comment by Kim — May 2, 2007 @ 10:07 pm
And this is why Blue Buffalo, whether you like them or not, has to be given credit for pulling every single product produced by ANI regardless of date or actual contamination. Odds are a good part of what they pulled isn’t even tainted but they’re not willing to take the risk.
Comment by Carole — May 2, 2007 @ 10:10 pm
Just did Kim, thanks.
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 10:13 pm
Carole,
I agree. I think Blue Buffalo has been one of the most responsible (if not they most responsible ) companies involved. Especially when they said that not to worry if you don’t see their wet for a while, because they are looking for a new manufacturer, since they can’t trust ANI.
Also, I think it’s ludicrous that Ani’s saying, no, we didn’t add anything. Too many companies accused them of it, and I can’t believe ALL of those companies would lie on their labels like that. Too many coincidences.
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 10:16 pm
Krystal, Did you see the NBC10 segment at 11:00 pm on ‘Could Your Pet Make You Sick?’. It was about the increased incidence of leptospirosis in our area. I sent Cherie Bank a response and told her that that’s one of the things my dog was tested for before he died from contaminated food.
http://tinyurl.com/2p87qo
The Springer Spaniel on the webpage looks just like my little guy did.
Comment by Cathy — May 2, 2007 @ 10:18 pm
Thanks for the kudos, Gina, but honestly we’ve *all* been working our tails off. I’m proud to be among the likes of some very dedicated bloggers (and pet lovers!) including you folks & Kim!
Thanks for all you do!
Comment by Therese — May 2, 2007 @ 10:20 pm
Cathy,
I didn’t, but I’ll check it out. I’m responding to Kim now. I’m also trying to piece together what the WAWA guy told me, and am having a problem. I’m seeing “recall all product dates” but nothing saying “hey, if your specific date wasn’t recalled, it’s ok now”. The Wawa guy told me they came to that conclusion earlier. Having fun reading the Menu Foods site (NOT!). In fact, the crazy thing is, the Wawa guy was like, “I have two cats, I feed them Iams dry, I know you’re worries.” I responded, “Well, check out Itchmo and Pet Connection. Iams dry isn’t recalled, but it did make an awful lot of cats sick. I wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole!” His response, “well, I’ve been feeding it to them for 7 years.” And said he had seen these sites.Some comfort, huh?
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 10:32 pm
Carole - FYI
Were those bibs supposed to protect from Kryptonite? 8)
Comment by Kathi — May 2, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
Hey, just noticed something: when Menu updated their website today, did they erase the original recall list? I’m having trouble finding it - I’m only seeing new date codes. Maybe I’m just tired.
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 10:39 pm
Krystal,
They added date codes to almost every brand, so most of them show an update date of May 2nd. And yes, they replace the old version every time they update something. It really makes it hard for us to figure out what the hell they’re doing!
Comment by Kim — May 2, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
Kim, Maybe that’s the idea
Comment by Cathy — May 2, 2007 @ 10:51 pm
I’m sure it is Cathy. I hate them.
Comment by Kim — May 2, 2007 @ 10:53 pm
After posting my last reply to Krystal I realized that Menu Foods updated date codes for EVERY brand today - except Iams and Eukanuba.
Every. Other. Brand.
Gee, wonder what I’ll be doing all day tomorrow?
Comment by Kim — May 2, 2007 @ 10:56 pm
Kim, if you’re still here. I’m going to have to get back to you tomorrow. It’s getting late and my head is spinning.
I’m confused about the changes. So I called Menu Foods (again…into the lion’s den).. My UPC code was affected before, I’m sure of it. After all, I called last Friday. Tonight, I gave them the UPC code only (no date) and now suddenly, that UPC code is clear. I went to the website. Per the site, my date is clear, but the UPC is not. Call back, get the same guy. He starts asking my ?s about my dog (I don’t have one). Maybe I screwed up, but I just want an answer.So I tell him, it doesn’t matter how old my dog is, is this can recalled or not? He goes, well, we need your dog’s age. I say, I don’t have a dog. Is it recalled or not? He shut up pretty fast and said he would pass my info on to Menu Foods. I’m totally confused, looks like I might have to go back to my printouts tomorrow and start comparing notes. I’ll get back to you after my sluething.
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 10:56 pm
Sorry to hear about your headache tomorrow too! I’ll make sure I get everything nice and orderly for you before I e-mail you tomorrow.
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 10:58 pm
AND HOW CAN THE MENU FOODS CUSTOMER SERVICE TELL ME A RECALLED UPC ON THEIR WEBSITE IS NOT RECALLED! That is such b.s.! Absoultely 100%! He wasn’t showing it recalled - but I had the page right in front of me!! OH my God, what are they telling people! I wonder if anyone else were to call with a recalled UPC (not even mentioning date code) would get the same line!
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 11:01 pm
I received a reply from Perdue today reguarding their chicken.
“We feed our birds only the finest natural ingredients, including yellow
corn, soybean meal, vitamins and mineral supplements. We have
periodically included corn gluten meal as a source of protein. Our feed
formulations are developed by our company Nutritionists and all of the
protein ingredients are from the United States…..We have standardized quality control procedures for all of our ingredients
and finished feeds, and have full time feed quality control associates in
each of our feed mills. In light of recent news stories, we have also
begun a program of random sample testing of our feed ingredients to ensure
no traces of melamine are found. Recent news reports have stated that
traces of melamine have been found in the feed given to chicken flocks in
Indiana. Perdue does not have any chicken flocks in Indiana, nor have any
Perdue flocks anywhere been affected.”
I’m waiting on a reply from Butterball in reguards to their ground turkey.
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy's mom) — May 2, 2007 @ 11:07 pm
Krystal,
I hope you get some rest tonight. I look forward to what you discover tomorrow. You’re right, it is screwy that what they tell you, and what they tell you isn’t the same story. Keep Fighting the Good Fight!
Menu Foods; I hate them, too.
Comment by Lori Lee — May 2, 2007 @ 11:19 pm
http://www.labservices.uoguelph.ca/urgent.cfm
At the bottom of this page there are pictures of the crystals that have been found in the urine of pets.
There is also a picture of normal wheat gluten and one of the wheat gluten with melamine.
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy's mom) — May 2, 2007 @ 11:23 pm
Lori Lee,
Thanks, I think I’m going to head to bed, see if I can sleep. Nightmares seem likely. You know, I’ve been following this since the beginning, but tonight is definately a new low. Call Menu Foods to confirm a recall, and find out they can’t even keep things straight themselves. I am completely in shock over this. And all because I thought I saw a single recalled can on a shelf. Thank God for Pet Connection, Itchmo, The Pet Food Tracker, Spocko’s Brain, Howl911, and all the others who are helping us fight this fight. Otherwise I think my sanity would be gone (what precious little of it I have left, that is). I’ll definately post tomorrow about this for anyone who’s interested!
Comment by Krystal Kubichek — May 2, 2007 @ 11:26 pm
A bumper sticker is now available. Suggested by purringfur at itchmo, I have a company printing them now and they should be ready for mailing in about 5-6 days. If you’re interested, they are listed on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA.....0116048314
Comment by Cheryl Hansen — May 2, 2007 @ 11:49 pm
Love those Cheryl! Think I’ll buy one and put it on my forehead.
Going to bed now, brain is fried.
Comment by Kim — May 2, 2007 @ 11:56 pm
Maureen (Lilly and Lucy’s mom),
thank you for posting the Perdue info. it differs from mine, which was answered before the news hit about chickens eating feed . . .
mine was
“Our birds are a special breed and they are fed a completely
natural-ingredient diet. This diet is specially formulated by us. It
consists of yellow corn meal, corn gluten, soybean meal and marigold
extract. To supplement this diet, we give our birds vitamins and minerals
to meet their daily growth requirements.”
“natural-ingredient diet” was a red flag for me. doesn’t say they are feeding natural ingredients or where they are from.
If “Our feed
formulations are developed by our company Nutritionists and all of the
protein ingredients are from the United States” is true, why would they say this?
“In light of recent news stories, we have also
begun a program of random sample testing of our feed ingredients to ensure
no traces of melamine are found.”
not feeling bad at all for throwing out the contents of my freezer tonight.
Comment by straybaby — May 3, 2007 @ 12:10 am
Wysong’s pet food recall page is now “Under Construction”. That’s scary.
http://www.wysong.net/ and then click on the “Further Reading” link.
Comment by Tim — May 3, 2007 @ 1:35 am
GOOGLE -
Gina, et al - Google is a pet-friendly workplace…okay maybe pet fanatic workplace — they encourage their employees to bring their pets with them to work. If you have concerns about the accuracy/safety of Adsense ads and/or the sites behind the ads you are seeing, drop them a line with examples of inaccurate and examples of accurate - contact info is here:
https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/topic.py?topic=8424
Comment by gingertom — May 3, 2007 @ 4:01 am
The Wysong “further reading” link may be under construction, but their deplorable defense of Menu Foods is still available by the direct URL: http://www.wysong.net/menufoods.shtml
Anyone who googles “wysong menu faq” can find it.
Comment by CatLady — May 3, 2007 @ 4:06 am
Google…
>>If you have concerns about the accuracy/safety of Adsense ads and/or the sites behind the ads you are seeing, drop them a line with examples of inaccurate and examples of accurate - contact info is here:
Comment by Pat — May 3, 2007 @ 4:09 am
What are people asking the human food companies?
Could we compile a standardized list where all companies be asked the same things?
Any of us lil muckrakers keeping a list of foods questionable vs. some that aren’t?
Here is what I asked Seneca Foods of New York.
Senaca Foods
http://consumer.senecafoods.com/
Since the pet food supply is completely tainted and now the human
food in question, I need to verify that:
1. You grow all your own foods in the US.
2. You do not use any seeds from Monsanto “roundup” seeds that kill bees.
3. You do not use any wheat, corn, rice, or soy in you foods.
4. Butchered animals to make food are produced in the United States then processed at your own company facilities and are free from any
adulteration.
5. You do not use any food or ingredients from outsourcing sources.
6. You do not import any foods or ingredients from China.
I would appreciate any information you could send on your food sources and processing operations.
——
I asked for some other questions I could ask from an investigative food group. Here is a response:
1. Do you own your own production facilities?
If not, how are you certain that the facility you use is not adding unauthorized ingredients to your products?
2. What inspection procedures do you use to assure the food production faciilies are both sanitary and producing the proper product?
3. What testing of ingredients do you do to assure there is no contamination?
4. What testing of finished product do you do to assure that it is both safe and made to your specifications?
5. How often do you change the ingredients in your product and how quickly do you reflect that on your product labels?
Comment by Pat — May 3, 2007 @ 4:23 am
>>diagnosed with kidney cancer today. She is a long-time vegan and a “health nut” and has always eaten those foods that contain lots of vegetable proteins.
Comment by Pat — May 3, 2007 @ 4:39 am
Not all comments made it the first time.
Repost
>>diagnosed with kidney cancer today. She is a long-time vegan and a “health nut” and has always eaten those foods that contain lots of vegetable proteins.
Comment by Pat — May 3, 2007 @ 4:39 am
ARGH!
Many vegetarian and vegan diets depend upon soy. We have uncovered soy to be adulterated. It even contains hair to give it a dark color. Most soy comes from China.
No doubt they eat lots of wheat, corn, and rice. All three we now know mostly come from China which means they are poisoned.
Comment by Pat — May 3, 2007 @ 4:41 am
Thanks folks for all your hard work…
I like Pat’s list of questions regarding investigation of foods. Does anyone know if there exists an investigative service that covers all the food and/or other products we consumers purchase..like a Consumers Report for Food products that includes answers to the questions Pat posted.
Comment by bee — May 3, 2007 @ 5:26 am
No wet food is safe in my opinion.
Comment by Terry — May 3, 2007 @ 5:28 am
Most of the media has not yet reported on the new recalls. Grrrrr.
Comment by Kim — May 3, 2007 @ 5:32 am
I have been in an email battle with local media for several weeks. I emailed over a month ago asking that they actually do some “investigative reporting”. They simply ignored me. Emailed again stating how disappointed I was and that I will no longer rely on them for information - I will go out and find the info for myself. (Thank God for PC, Itchmo, Howl, and the others!) Finally received a response from one General Manager saying what is your problem, we’ve had news stories about this?! I emailed again saying yes, but minimizing the problem. Do you want to eat plastic and pool chemicals for dinner? Now I get an auto-reply that he is out of the office for many days without access to email. HMMMM……having any health problems, got a pet that’s ill and can’t come to work, or simply sick of hearing from me?
Comment by PJ — May 3, 2007 @ 5:53 am
Not only is most wet pet food not safe, and I don’t trust any of it either, it seems to me that most glutens laced human food products need or should be avoided as well as most imported food products from China.
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 5:55 am
We need an pet food insider….there must be a least one pet food employee or executive who truly got into the business to help pets and now is frustrated with what he/she sees. It happened at Enron as the big executives started to squash some finacial analysts about what was really going on. It is time someone on the “inside” comes “out of the closet….ummm make that the dog pen”.
Comment by Dave — May 3, 2007 @ 5:55 am
Haven’t heard a word in local media about ANY of the last 4 or 5 recalls, may be more!!!! Pathetic, disgusting, lazy…..I can think of a whole list of things I’d really love to say to them!
Comment by PJ — May 3, 2007 @ 5:56 am
Yes, someone who actually SAW Paul Henderson shredding! Come on down…..because if it all falls apart, do you really think they will protect you? Every man, woman, child, cat, dog, bird, and bee for him/her self!
Comment by PJ — May 3, 2007 @ 6:00 am
No one wants to think about or dwell on poisoned foods/pet foods etc. I tell my friends and they just shrug their shoulders and order up a plate of the usual.
Life must go on.
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 6:07 am
Comment by DaveyD — May 2, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
I too would like to see a comprehensive list of Menu’s foods. Since they now are saying “cross contamination”, it seems wise to at least know what products they make.
Comment by slt — May 3, 2007 @ 6:12 am
ChemNutra, Steve Miller, Chinese Connection
No nice guys among robber barons in pet food industry.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
The robber barons of the $15-billion-a-year pet food industry are not nice guys. . . . . . .
http://tinyurl.com/2fgsxv
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 6:18 am
BUSTED!
China detains exporter of gluten
Mao Lijun, head of the Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development, is being held in coastal Jiangsu Province, about 500 kilometers, or 310 miles, northwest of Shanghai, although a police spokesman in Pei County declined to say on what charges.
http://www.iht.com/articles/20.....s/food.php
Comment by Mike — May 3, 2007 @ 6:22 am
Comment by Cheryl Hansen — May 3, 2007 @ 6:34 am
Cheryl use this to shorten long links. Long links throw off the page wrap and it affects everyone who uses the thread.
http://tinyurl.com/create.php
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 6:48 am
Just went to get coffee & when I walked back into my computer room, I heard that some turkey has been recalled for wisteria (sp?). WTF!
I went to get some ground turkey for my pooch yesterday but it was pretty expensive, thank God. So I chose hamburger for her….I haven’t heard any complaints from her!!!! Bet me it tastes better than cardboard pellets laced with who knows what.
I feel for those of you who have numerous animals to cook for…..it’s a pain in the butt for me & one dog…..until I look into those brown eyes full of love & trust. Then it’s no longer a pain, it’s a labor of love.
I agree with all of you that MF should shut down ALL plants, clean (I mean REALLY clean) all their equipment, recall everything within that period of time & then start out fresh. Anything less than that is not good enough. They owe us that much.
Not to change the subject but who is writing those lunatic raves from Wysong? I cannot believe what I read in their defense of MF & the way they talked down to pet owners. Just exactly who do they think their customers are?
Comment by JanC — May 3, 2007 @ 6:53 am
These latest recalls are because of “cross contamination” they say.
And yet, I am sure we are STILL not to worry about the chickens or hogs or baby food because we eat a varied diet!
Hmmmm—I thought babies drank formula all the time, just as dogs eat dog food all the time! I think I would worry if I had a baby drinking formula.
Comment by Elaine — May 3, 2007 @ 7:02 am
MIKE: MAO LIJUN, XUZHOU ANYING BIOLOGIC TECH. DEV. DETAINED IN CHINA
They got him even on holiday! It’s a start.
Good find, Mike!
***********from Mike below*************
BUSTED! China detains exporter of gluten
Mao Lijun, head of the Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development, is being held in coastal Jiangsu Province, about 500 kilometers, or 310 miles, northwest of Shanghai, although a police spokesman in Pei County declined to say on what charges.
http://www.iht.com/articles/20.....s/food.php
Comment by petlover — May 3, 2007 @ 7:05 am
RE: Jan on turkey recall for listeria
I didn’t hear this, but here’s a reference on listeria/listeriosis.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd.....htm#howget
I wonder if the recall is really due to listeria or melamine/cyanuric acid contaminated poultry feed that the turkeys ate…
*******from Jan below*******************
Just went to get coffee & when I walked back into my computer room, I heard that some turkey has been recalled for wisteria (sp?).
Comment by petlover — May 3, 2007 @ 7:11 am
Petlover:
Thanks for correcting me…..can’t seem to keep up on all these things contaminating our food & that of our pets. I’m in So Calif…..not sure if this is local but I did hear it a second time. Just glad I didn’t buy it yesterday for my dog.
Comment by JanC — May 3, 2007 @ 7:19 am
Aw, Geez! The Queen of England is here.
I really hope we don’t feed her any nasty, contaminated Mela-Chicken, Mela-Pork or Mela-Protein Shakes!!!
Comment by Peggy — May 3, 2007 @ 7:19 am
Catlady, I noticed Wysong’s message as I was about to order some dog food. I was stunned when I read it.
At a time when all pet owners are desperately searching for ANY reassurances that the food they feed their pets is safe, this is the message that Wysong chose to say to their consumers? Not only was it condescending and insulting, it lacked even an iota of compassion.
We are not hysterical, and we are not idiots.
Needless to say, I found another brand of dog food to purchase.
Jill
Comment by Jill — May 3, 2007 @ 7:20 am
Now you know that trade secrets, intellectual property, or proprietary information is sometimes information about frauds and corruption schemes.
Time to take this information shove it in the shredder.
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 7:26 am
China needs to take a firm stand against these criminals otherwise their future economy is in question. Who wants to buy or eat tainted products?
And from what I’m reading about arsenic laced chicken feed and now melamine and pool chemicals being the mainstay of our animal feed programs, what can a person eat with confidence these days?
Most frightening is the impact of the veggie and health food industry. People for years have been buying soy and glutens thinking they were safer. What a rude awakening all this is. Even our best attempts fail us.
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 7:29 am
Might not be the place to add this but just wanted to share some good news. Had my eskis to the vet last Saturday for yrly heartworm tests and blood work. My girl eskie has been getting blood work done every 3 months for about a yr as her alkaline phos has been high. Vet keeps thinking something wrong with her liver. In March she was at 250. Today down to 176. Normal is 150. If it hadn’t been for all the information I’ve learned here on PetConnection that made me change their food, might not have had this good news. Vet kept wanting to do liver biopsy and I kept rejecting him. Never felt in my gut that she had a problem. So big smile today.
Comment by VJ — May 3, 2007 @ 7:30 am
Ginger (and others looking for safe food),
I think it has become obvious we can’t trust supermarket pet food. My link goes to a site where you can buy (and read info about what to look for in a pet food) holistic human grade pet food, formulated by Dr Jane Bicks. She is VERY involved in the quality control and formulation of this food, I am feeding it exclusively to my cat now and all my friends and family are feeding it to their pets. I trust it!
Comment by Joanne G — May 3, 2007 @ 7:34 am
The truth is always wherever you find it throw back the curtain see whats behind it.
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 7:40 am
Info on the turkey recall…not related to the pet food recall
North County markets pull turkey products
http://www.nctimes.com/article.....5_2_07.txt
Comment by Mike — May 3, 2007 @ 7:42 am
Comment by Joanne G — May 3, 2007 @ 7:34 am
Dr. Bicks (Life’s Abundance) uses Menu for the canned food and when I inquired if she might change in future and explained my reasons for not wanting to support Menu, she replied “We won’t change.”
Comment by slt — May 3, 2007 @ 7:42 am
Mike, I posted that last evening. The FSIS recalled this stuff Tuesday. Here’s what it impacts:
6-7 -pound approximate weight plastic-wrapped packages of “HERBED OVEN ROASTED TURKEY BREAST.” The label bears a “Sell-by” date of “5-28-07.”
6-7 -pound approximate weight plastic-wrapped packages of “CHIPOTLE PEPPERED TURKEY BREAST.” The label bears a “Sell-by” date of “5-28-07.”
6-7 -pound approximate weight plastic-wrapped packages of “Naturally Smoked Boneless TURKEY BREAST.” The label also a “Sell-by” date of “5-28-07.”
6-7 -pound approximate weight plastic-wrapped packages of “PEPPERED OVEN ROASTED TURKEY BREAST.” The label bears a “Sell-by” date of “5-28-07.”
6-7 -pound approximate weight plastic-wrapped packages of “Naturally Smoked, UNCURED, TURKEY BREAST WITH PASTRAMI SEASONINGS.” The label bears a “Sell-by” date of “5-28-07.”
1-pound approximate weight plastic-wrapped packages of “Uncured Turkey Breast with Pastrami Seasoning.” The label bears a “Sell-by” date of “5-23-07.”
Comment by Carole — May 3, 2007 @ 7:54 am
Comment by VJ — May 3, 2007 @ 7:30 am
VJ, that’s great news!! Congrats to you and your Eskie both.
Comment by Laura — May 3, 2007 @ 7:54 am
Gina - have you heard anything on the five non-recalled foods Dr Pion was having tested due to the number of reports received on animals getting sick after eating them? I tried to email him at VIN, but since I’m not a vet, the site won’t put the message through. Perhaps you could inquire.
Thanks for everything, and I mean everything you have been doing. Not just the information, not just the blogs, but helping us to form a community of concerned pet owners.
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — May 3, 2007 @ 8:09 am
“Dr. Bicks (Life’s Abundance) uses Menu for the canned food and when I inquired if she might change in future and explained my reasons for not wanting to support Menu, she replied “We won’t change.”
***************************
Perfect example of why Menu will never go out of business, or even take a major hit. Too many companies rely on them and unless there is some magical solution to who is going to manufacture their food.
Comment by Carole — May 3, 2007 @ 8:24 am
Comment by Joanne G — May 3, 2007 @ 7:34 am
Dr. Bicks (Life’s Abundance) uses Menu for the canned food and when I inquired if she might change in future and explained my reasons for not wanting to support Menu, she replied “We won’t change”
The pet food list says, “Life’s Abundance by Healthy Pet Net (verified by company 3/28/07) One product manufactured by Menu Foods but not in the suspect facility”
http://www.thepetfoodlist.com/petfoods_pg2.htm
I wonder what reasoning L.A. could have for the continuance of only ONE product being made at Menu Foods?
Comment by Mike — May 3, 2007 @ 8:25 am
That should have read:
Too many companies rely on them and unless there is some magical solution to who is going to manufacture their food, they are not going to take production down time to find another company or build their own plant.
Comment by Carole — May 3, 2007 @ 8:26 am
Mike, several companies are like that. They use Menu for a limited amount of products because Menu has the capability to manufacture just about anything. A good example of this is companies who used them for pouch dog food - their own plants couldn’t support it. And it is more cost effective for them to contract it out than to install that capability.
Comment by Carole — May 3, 2007 @ 8:30 am
Comment by Mike — May 3, 2007 @ 8:25 am
I don’t know but when I wrote to Dr. Bicks and explained my reasons for not wanting to support Menu financially, I was hoping for a reply a little more detailed than “We won’t change.” If she does have what she feels is/are valid reasons for continuing to support Menu, I was open to hearing them. But the “We won’t change” reply unfortunately just sounds like the pet food industry circling the wagons to me (a la Wysong and others).
Comment by slt — May 3, 2007 @ 8:31 am
The Queen’s a dog lover - she’s got corgis. I hope she didn’t bring them with her.
(Sorry if I didn’t do this quoting thing right.)
Aw, Geez! The Queen of England is here.
I really hope we don’t feed her any nasty, contaminated Mela-Chicken, Mela-Pork or Mela-Protein Shakes!!!
Comment by Peggy — May 3, 2007 @ 7:19 am
Comment by Debra — May 3, 2007 @ 8:33 am
In their minds they don’t need to change. Recalls are part of business and they’re banking on it blowing over.
You also have to remember that there are millions of people still purchasing pet food, so when they look at their ledgers it tells them they don’t need to change.
Comment by Carole — May 3, 2007 @ 8:34 am
“arsenic laced chicken feed and now melamine and pool chemicals being the mainstay of our animal feed programs”
I just had a crazy crazy thought. I wonder, just wonder, if all these whacked out ingrediets in the chickens feed is why they still run around all over the friggin’ place after their heads have been chopped completely off.
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 8:36 am
Just got this in an FDA email this morning -
the FDA has launched a new website:
http://www.fda.gov/consumer/
Comment by Kat — May 3, 2007 @ 8:36 am
Comment by Pam — May 2, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
One thing I thought of when reading your post Pam is, if they still have the biopsies, have them tested for melamine & cyanuric acid. I know you don’t want to worry your friends, but that is something that might need to be addressed.
Comment by Kat — May 3, 2007 @ 9:23 am
New email just in - FDA’s new Meat, Poultry & Egg Inspection Directory:
These are large pdf files. The alpha directory is 4.5 MB -
http://tinyurl.com/yr6bey
Comment by Kat — May 3, 2007 @ 11:16 am
Davey D You said: “It’s time someone posted a list of EVERY damn product Menu makes…recalled or not.”
I said the same thing over a month ago on the MSNBC Blog. Who has the authority to summons MF’s records and have their client’s published?
Comment by SMITH111 — May 3, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
Do you have to have the urine tested to know if they had melamine poisoning? I had my cat get blood tests she was eating the Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food. Blood test came out good according to the vet.
Comment by suzy — May 4, 2007 @ 10:25 am