Pet-food recall: China makes an arrest, safe food for everyone and more
By Gina Spadafori
May 3, 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.
Note: Christie will be liveblogging the FDA’s media telebriefing at 4 PM Eastern time here on PetConnection.
Update: Menu Foods issued corrections to last night’s recall notices. Kim at Pet Food Tracker has updates.
China moves to detain a man linked with the recall. From the New York Times:
SHANGHAI, May 3 — The general manager of one of the companies accused of selling contaminated wheat gluten to pet food suppliers in the United States has been detained by the Chinese authorities, according to police officials here and a person who was briefed on the investigation.
Mao Lijun, head of the Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Company, is being held in coastal Jiangsu Province, about 320 miles northwest of Shanghai, though a police spokesman in Pei County declined to say on what charges.
In a telephone interview a few weeks ago, Mr. Mao denied any knowledge of how melamine, an industrial chemical, had adulterated pet food supplies sold under his company label earlier this year. He also insisted that his company had never exported any wheat gluten and that his products were only sold in the domestic market.
Over on Pethobbyist.com (where Christie oversees the forums, content and community), CEO Jeff Barringer wonders what it will take for people to realize this isn’t a story just about pets at all:
Pet owners did not foment this crisis; dead and dying pets, lax regulations, poor systematics, lack of security, and shoddy oversite at the FDA did. Pets, then pet owners, then bloggers, then finally a few mainstream media houses brought this frighteningly huge hole in homeland security to light. It is fortunate, in a sense, that our pets acted as a tripwire to sound the alarm. It is unforgivable that so many had to die and will continue to die over the coming months for playing this role. Who knows what terrible act their deaths might have prevented? Or has their sacrifice already come too late?
Here’s the rest.
We’ll add to this post as needed. In the meantime … open thread.
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In Purina’s FAQ ( http://purina.com/recallFAQs.aspx ) they make it clear that they are committed to using Chinese ingredients. Here is a letter I sent them in response.
——-
You say in your FAQ that you continue to import ingredients from China? Aren’t you paying attention?!?! Aren’t you reading all the articles about how common it is for Chinese suppliers to adulterate food? How proud and righteous they are about it??
You say that the FDA will let you know if ingredients other than wheat gluten or rice protein concentrate need to be tested? Aren’t you paying attention?!?! The FDA has been completely incompetent, and it doesn’t have a fraction of the staff it needs to test these things. You are waiting for the FDA?? Are you nuts???
You say that you are relying on the FDA stopping all ingredients from the two Chinese suppliers at the border. Aren’t you paying attention?!?! It’s HUNDREDS of Chinese suppliers that engage in the adulteration practice.
You are establishing an office in China with a goal of inspecting and monitor plants. Aren’t you paying attention?!?! Cats and dogs are dying right now every day.
You are now testing wheat gluten for melamine. Aren’t you paying attention?!?! The problem is far more widespread than just wheat gluten. Even the FDA is testing many more ingredients than just wheat gluten. What’s the matter with you???
You are implementing additional technology to further screen ingredients. Aren’t you paying attention?!?! The problem with testing is that you need to know what to test for, and no one was testing for melamine because who would have thought it would be in food. It’s not possible to test for all possible contaminants. Once it’s know what you are testing for, the disreputable suppliers will just find some other contaminant to spike the food with.
STOP IMPORTING CHINESE INGREDIENTS. RIGHT NOW. PERIOD. END OF STORY.
You clearly can’t be trusted with my pets’ lives.
Comment by Tim — May 3, 2007 @ 8:13 am
The Castor and Pollux food is on the new Menu Foods list. The confusion is that it’s just listed as Natural Ultramix and not identified as aCastor and Pollux product.
Comment by Kim — May 3, 2007 @ 8:15 am
Tim: I just read the FAQ from Purina. You are right it is really out of date. The answer that really got me was this one:
Okay that’s just bull. More like “Not available in the quantities we need at the price we want.”
Plus your point about testing is important. This is about trust. Multiple companies in China have proved that they can not be trusted. They gamed the system and got caught. They need to pay the consequences.
Purina needs to set up much stronger independent testing for lots of things if they want to keep using China as a source.
Comment by spocko — May 3, 2007 @ 8:33 am
I just finished an extrodinary book “The family that couldn’t sleep : a medical mystery / D.T. Max.” New York : Random House, c2006.
It is about prion diseases (ffi, mad cow, scrapie and cjd) but is has much to say about food safety especially the mad cow chapters, but the whole thing is worth a look.
Book? You know, those things you read when your internet connection is down…
Comment by schnauzer — May 3, 2007 @ 8:37 am
Stop all imports of processed foods originating in China from entering our country. This disaster has surely entered the human food supply for many years……..the only way to correct this problem is to eliminate this problem. We owe China nothing and for our food safety we must take this money making import potential away from them. There are no second chances when it comes to food safety. The FDA must ban all these processed imports immediately.
Obewan
Comment by Lew Orban — May 3, 2007 @ 8:39 am
Comment by Tim — May 3, 2007 @ 8:13 am
WONDERFUL!! NOW SEND IT EVERYWHERE!!! :)
Comment by Kat — May 3, 2007 @ 8:42 am
I find it difficult to believe that educated chemists with PHD’s who have worked in the United States could be involved in a get quick rich scheme by inflating the protein count of these gluten type products. After watching the Enron debacle and the downfall of these CEO’s, I suppose one can never have enough money and it appears the harm of death of people and pets in the process simply makes no matter. Shame on you Mr. Jijun Mao for any involvement in this pet food crisis.
I guess your mother didn’t teach you any better.
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 8:55 am
My off-the-wall thought for the day: You know how people are always looking for some kind of “magic” diet/pill/exercise machine or whatever to lose weight? What if it turned out that consuming melamine laced food ingredients caused people to retain excess pounds? Now something like THAT would really get the general public interested in cleaning up the food system!
Unfortunately, since we don’t know what the effects might be for humans consuming melamine laced ingredients, the FDA and USDA is going with “everything’s fine” and that doesn’t get the general public interested at all.
Comment by slt — May 3, 2007 @ 8:59 am
slt, I afraid that I’ve been wondering the same thing. Obesity is epidemic they say, the reports are amazing.
What if it interferes with our metabolism of proteins so people are always hungry? Or maybe it blocks up the waste filtering and its causing massive fluid buildup???
Everyone I know is heavier than they were 5 or so years ago…
Comment by Peggy — May 3, 2007 @ 9:09 am
This pet food crisis isn’t that interesting to the general public. Because the information on this site and others like it is so good, we realize the dangers and want changes made for the safety of our pets and family members.
Most people are too busy to investigate in depth - they flip on the news or listen to the radio for a few minutes, and then their world is work and daily tasks.
Just the way things are.
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 9:14 am
Comment by slt — May 3, 2007 @ 8:59 am
I doubt it will become popular but the “pet food recall 2007” stress diet has sure melted pounds off me!
I have no idea whether it was the stress of caring for sick and dying pets, cleaning vomit off every surface of my home, lugging many containers of pet food that either were or might be poisoned to the garage, finding out what really IS in the food when it is not poisoned, or shock from the way my government is ignoring this crisis and the mainstream media is covering up the story , however, it is an amazingly effective way to lose weight.
And sleep.
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 3, 2007 @ 9:15 am
I have to go buy food now. How do I go buy poison for my family. How does one actually go about doing that? I can skip the processed food but the carnivores in this family have spoken! They demand MEAT! Their spokesperson, my better half, says that mela-chicken is better than starving. That it is a mixture of both plastic and chicken; at least there is some chicken in it. Stupid Meat-eater, now I’m gonna make them sick if not worse. Thanks FDA & USDA, thanks a whole hell of a lot. Now I’m gonna burn in hell.
Comment by Peggy — May 3, 2007 @ 9:18 am
I posted this under another link, but I think it got buried. Does anyone know which factory was used for the most recent recalled foods? What I’m wondering is could this affect the other premium type foods who have their canned made by Menu? Natura, Wellness, Wysong, etc.
Comment by Joyce — May 3, 2007 @ 9:28 am
Joyce - the press release seems to indicate it was just the plants that were previously affected, which if true would exclude the South Dakota plant (if it’s true it wasn’t affected in the first place.
Natura Pet says their products are made in South Dakota, I think the others might be as well but I’m not sure.
(In other words, we don’t really know.)
Comment by Kim — May 3, 2007 @ 9:33 am
There are so many additives in our food that who knows what may cause added pounds. Also look at the number of human food products that contain sugar or corn syrup.
I spent a month in Australia - the food there was not as sweet and they have stricter controls on it. I lost 20 pounds and ate more.
Our meat is full of growth hormones and antibiotics and apparently melamine too. Nearly everything else has sugar in it. Why? After you eat it, you get hungry sooner and eat more food. It’s all based on profit.
Comment by Kathy — May 3, 2007 @ 9:34 am
Comment by Peggy
the carnivores in this family have spoken! They demand MEAT!
Well, feeding salvaged petfood to ruminants is forbidden (A ruminant is any hooved animal that digests its food in two steps, first by eating the raw material and regurgitating a semi-digested form known as cud, then eating the cud, a process called ruminating. Ruminants include cattle, goats, sheep, llamas, giraffes, bison, buffalo, deer, wildebeest, and antelope.)
so you might be able to avoid worst of the menufoods/natural balence etc. melamine by going with our friend Elsie, but gok knows what is in her feed…
Free range buffalo anyone?
Comment by schnauzer — May 3, 2007 @ 9:35 am
“The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a conspiracy so monstorous he cannot believe it exists” - J. Edgar Hoover
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 9:55 am
“The bald lies of some of the industry’s players would keep the best investigative reporters working 24-7” -Judi McLeod
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 9:57 am
“It takes a hell of a lot longer to get out of mess then it does to get into one” -Steve
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 9:58 am
“Follow the Money”
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 9:59 am
I ran across this page on a website that talks about the wording on petfood labels and International Feed Numbers (IFN). I had never heard of an IFN before. After reading this, I can see that if they were required on pet food labels, it would give us a much clearer idea of exactly what we’re feeding our pets. Of course the rest of the website is trying to sell this guys books but this particular page is worth looking at.
http://home.att.net/~wdcusick/02.html
Comment by Sandy C — May 3, 2007 @ 10:02 am
To “Them”
Oh, cant you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take
Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
We’ll be watching you
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 10:05 am
I read the NY Times article this AM when it was posted on the IHT website. My favorite part is where they say they sometimes add melamine to cake in China. Nothing like plastic to keep a cake light and airy.
Comment by CathyA — May 3, 2007 @ 10:10 am
One guy detained. 300,000 to go.
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Ref: Comment by Tim — May 3, 2007 @ 8:13 am
Tim (not to single you out),
after reading your response to Purina’s FAQ I am wondering:
If they are insisting on using certain ingredients that you don’t like - why entertaining them with your view of things?
For me, it is easy: Company X uses stuff that I don’t like, I don’t buy their products. Next!
Besides that, I couldn’t care less if the questionable ingredient/s is/are from Mars, China or Twohorseville, Indiana. As a producer the company is responsible for the product. There is no need for a producer to point to the FDA or the man in the moon to clear their raw materials or test them: it is their product, they profit from it, and *they* are responsible for it.
So if a pet food makes my cats sick or causes their deaths then the producer is the guilty part of the equation and responsible.
Remember, neither you nor I are a Court Of Law - I don’t need ‘proof beyond reasonable doubt’.
I am consumer, and for me, suspicion is enough.
And there is enough suspicion.
Comment by MaKo — May 3, 2007 @ 10:21 am
Just focus in on “the newly enriched, Starbucks-sipping, apartment-buying, car-driving denizens” of the large cities over there guys.
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 10:24 am
Thanks Steve, another one to add for the soundtrack!
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 3, 2007 @ 10:25 am
You should know. How all the pros play the game
You change your name
Like a gangster
On the run
http://tinyurl.com/26cqdy
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 10:27 am
Steve - only 300,000 more to go?
Surly there must be more.
Comment by Ally — May 3, 2007 @ 10:28 am
This is from the AVMA website within the last hour.
Please note the phrase “please be advised that the Menu Foods list appears to be changing throughout the day”.
Breaking news
May 3, 2007 (11:25 am CDT)
Menu Foods adds to recall list
Menu Foods has previously recalled wet cat and dog food produced with adulterated wheat gluten supplied by ChemNutra Inc. Menu Foods is now expanding the recall to include cuts and gravy and select other products which do not include ChemNutra wheat gluten but which were manufactured at any of Menu Foods’ plants during the period that ChemNutra wheat gluten was used at that plant, to the extent they have not already been subject to a recall, due to the possibility of cross-contamination. Menu Foods has received a report from a customer and has received study results, both of which indicate cross-contamination.
Menu Foods currently lists at least 220 products being added today to its existing list of recalled products as of 11:25 am CDT. Please be advised that the Menu Foods list appears to be changing throughout the day; concerned pet owners should check either the Menu Foods Web site or the AVMA Web site frequently for updates to this information.
For more information, see the Menu Foods press release at http://www.menufoods.com/recal.....22007.htm.
Comment by Carole — May 3, 2007 @ 10:29 am
After talking with local people(woodstock,ny)
and watching reports of deaths in vegetarians
i’ve come to the conclushion, the cancers, bladder, kidney and some other odd cancer are likely conected to chinese imports? many are
strict vegetarian, consumed soy, wheat and other
grains.. i’ve called my senator and told him..
i intend to keep pushing this! it’s way beyond
16 pet deaths (a lie) and melamine in grains.
it’s dam diabolical? we needs to track cancer
deaths that are so numerous, and varied.
Comment by johnypaycut — May 3, 2007 @ 10:44 am
“after reading your response to Purina’s FAQ I am wondering:
If they are insisting on using certain ingredients that you don’t like - why entertaining them with your view of things?”
I can’t speak for Tim, but I posted a copy of my email to Wysong a couple days ago, so this email applies to me, too.
By and large, I am voting with my wallet. But in some cases (like Wysong’s incredibly insulting Menu FAQ page), I felt the need to point out that what they were saying was not just being “swallowed hook, line, and sinker” by their consumer base. Will my telling them that being talked to like a wayward third grader will make a difference in the way they continue to try to sell the party line to the public? Maybe not. But a well-reasoned letter saying “you need to address the facts, and until you do, my dollar is going elsewhere” is a reasonable response that in some industries makes a difference.
Comment by CatLady — May 3, 2007 @ 10:45 am
Yes indeed the Marketing Evangelists and Barkers sure had us all fooled there for while didn’t they?
Step right up to the greatest show in town!
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 10:47 am
After the Triumph pouch recall i called Triumph.
it seems the employees don’t evven know their
own product? i was told “no wheat gluten” in the pouch food, i had to point out?it’s on the label, and then a heard a long silence?
i pressed ‘em about menu foods,’cause i was mad
i had assumed they didn’t use menu foods? well
i AM sure they do , or did? evolve also a product of triumph is canned at menu foods
so add that to the list? (of foods produced by menu foods, it’s not on it !)i also explained
that if they use menu foods i’l never buy from anyone who uses a facility that looks like a
“latrine” ! and they shoulda gone to look
at the “facility” before they chose to produce
their food there.
Comment by johnypaycut — May 3, 2007 @ 10:54 am
So, like who’s protecting the Millers? The guy lied to the Senate last week. Who’s running the protection racket?
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Just an FYI
I sent an email to the people at Instinctive Choice and Life’s Abundance. My cats are thriving on these foods and the Evanger’s wet food.
Instinctive Choice is NOT manufactured at Menu Foods and is in no way connected with Menu.
Thank goodness
Comment by Peg — May 3, 2007 @ 11:03 am
The people who are lying to us and covering up the scope of this problem have enemies.
People just as rich and powerful as the folks we are fighting.
THOSE enemies need to become our friends and they need the info we have.
Wink wink nudge nudge say no more.
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 3, 2007 @ 11:03 am
Let me see, I have choice. I can get the Menu produced Store brand Cuts and Gravy for 53 cents or the Premium “private label” brand Cuts and Gravy for $1.29.
Decisions Decisions!
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 11:05 am
Oh wait, they are both made by Menu? Same ingredients??? What the!!!!!!
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 11:07 am
Crooks and Liars
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 11:08 am
There are small newspapers not yet “mobbed up” by the big media of the infamous changing headlines and it is just a small matter for confused and hysterical pet fanatics and after all only 16 animals died and we are not going to cover this anymore than we have to, THAT big media.
These folks seem NOT to be our friends.
There are smaller papers and radio stations who are fighting as hard to survive as we are to protect our pets. And now ourselves and our country.
These smaller papers and radio stations might LIKE to be our friends. We might LIKE them better than big media.
Just a thought.
It is insane to keep banging heads against a wall that does not even know we are there.
But you can tunnel UNDER a wall, go OVER a wall or find a few friends to help you push the wall DOWN.
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 3, 2007 @ 11:19 am
CatLady,
I see your point :)
Perhaps, if they get enough letters, emails and calls that say: ‘Thou shall not spin, and btw, my money goes somewhere else’ they will learn.
But I wouldn’t bet on that - my experiences with the upper echelons of big companies is that they only realize that something is not right when the stock/profit plummets.
And even then they often enough have no clue.
Comment by MaKo — May 3, 2007 @ 11:26 am
I wonder what cross-contamination really means. What does it mean when Menu recalls foods because of cross-contamination?
They don’t clean their equipment - or their storage - seems like a neat catch phrase that could mean almost anything?
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 11:28 am
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 21, Volume 6]
[Revised as of April 1, 2006]
[CITE: 21CFR573.220]
TITLE 21–FOOD AND DRUGS
CHAPTER I–FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SUBCHAPTER E–ANIMAL DRUGS, FEEDS, AND RELATED PRODUCTS
PART 573 — FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FEED AND DRINKING WATER OF ANIMALSSubpart B–Food Additive Listing Sec. 573.220 Feed-grade biuret.
Percent
Biuret…………………………….. 55 minimum.
Urea………………………………. 15 maximum.
Cyanuric acid and triuret……………. 30 maximum.
Mineral oil………………………… 0.5 maximum.
Total nitrogen (equivalent to 218.75 pct 35 minimum.
crude protein).
Percent
Biuret…………………………….. 55 minimum.
Urea………………………………. 15 maximum.
Cyanuric acid and triuret……………. 30 maximum.
Mineral oil………………………… 0.5 maximum.
Total nitrogen (equivalent to 218.75 pct 35 minimum.
crude protein).
The food additive feed grade biuret may be safely used in ruminant feed in accordance with the following prescribed conditions:
(a) The food additive is the product resulting from the controlled pyrolysis of urea conforming to the following specifications:
(b) It is used in ruminant feeds as a source of nonprotein nitrogen.
(c) To assure safe use of the additive:
(1) The label and labeling of the additive and that of any feed additive supplement, feed additive concentrate, feed additive premix, or complete feed prepared therefrom shall contain, in addition to other information required by the act, the following:
(i) The name of the additive.
(ii) The maximum percentage of equivalent crude protein from nonprotein nitrogen.
(2) The label shall recommend that the diet be balanced to provide adequate nutrients when equivalent crude protein from all forms of nonprotein nitrogen exceed one-third of the total crude protein in the total daily ration.
[41 FR 38652, Sept. 10, 1976, as amended at 68 FR 27904, May 22, 2003]
http://tinyurl.com/34y3vz
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 11:29 am
Can someone please explain to me why “cyanuric acid” is even on that list Steve posted above?
Comment by Ally — May 3, 2007 @ 11:32 am
I hope these pet food and people food poisoning issues will stay in the news and that Congress is willing to take charge. At some point citizens must trust that the food they buy is safe. Otherwise, all is suspect. And I didn’t like the arsenic in the chicken feed story at all. I won’t even buy a chicken anymore. I sure hope hamburger is safe or at least safer.
Comment by Terry — May 3, 2007 @ 11:34 am
Thanks Carole comment today 10:29. I couldn’t get to these new recalls. I just know this is the one I was waiting to hear. 220 more products, there goes all the dry food off the shelves. If anyone finds this info. Carole’s link was taking me to yesturdays recalls. I am off hunting for them again.
Comment by Maudigan — May 3, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Steve’s List is fortunately copied here. It’s gone from FDA’s site:
There is no CFR Record with
Citation = 573.220://
They have the NYT “VIRUS”
Now you see it-now you don’t
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 11:39 am
United States Patent 4008234
What we claim is:
1. A process for the preparation of melon which comprises heating solid, formed mixtures of at least two compounds selected from the group consisting of dicyandiamide, melamine, urea, biuret, triuret and guanidine carbonate at a temperature from 450.degree. to 600.degree. C, whereby these mixtures must contain at least one compound selected from the group consisting of dicyandiamide and melamine.
http://tinyurl.com/yovv5w
View patents that cite this patent
http://tinyurl.com/yoolf7
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 11:42 am
Comment by Terry — May 3, 2007 @ 11:34 am
I sure hope hamburger is safe…
I’m not so sure. April 20th saw the USDA issuing a recall on ground beef:
http://tinyurl.com/2kybk6
Comment by Ally — May 3, 2007 @ 11:42 am
Doesn’t Mexico have issue with our beef at present? We found it a couple days ago when we found out other countries were blocking our food?
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 11:44 am
HELP!!!
I’ve had my 3 1/2 pound maltese on a raw diet for almost 3 weeks, but yesterday she had some Canidae dry. Last night she ate a little bit of Force dehydrated and threw it up. Then, about and hour and a half ago she threw up two more times and had diarreah. Just now she had more diarreah and it was bloody!!! I’ve called the vet and my husband and son are on their way home so one of them can stay with my Bambi, who just had surgery yesterday (the vet found a cyst they sent for testing), and the other one can drive me to the vet, because I’m shaking and really freaked out and I don’t think I can drive. Isn’t bloody diarreah on of the symptoms?!?!
Comment by Bambi'sMom — May 3, 2007 @ 11:46 am
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 11:29 am
One heck of a find. Not just the acid either. Steve’s on another run
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 11:47 am
Diarreah and vomit are symptoms. She should go to the vet ASAP. In the meantime ensure she has access to water and try chicken broth too if she’ll drink it.
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 11:48 am
Not so nice e-coli scare regarding beef:
“E. coli fears spur California and Pennsylvania beef recalls”
http://tinyurl.com/38wb24
Since the chickens ate tainted food in February, and this report about beef being recalled is only from April 21st, it kind of makes one go “hrmmm” don’t it?
Comment by Ally — May 3, 2007 @ 11:49 am
Bambi’sMom - she’ll know you’re upset; stay calm. Keep us informed. Go take care of her.
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 11:49 am
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 11:47 am
I wonder which “lobby group” had that revision made under the cloak of darkness.
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 11:50 am
She seems fine otherwise. She’s right here by me right now, running around playing.
Comment by Bambi'sMom — May 3, 2007 @ 11:52 am
Steve-
You mean the deleting?
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 11:52 am
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 11:52 am
No this.
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 21, Volume 6]
>>>>>[Revised as of April 1, 2006]
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 11:54 am
Comment by Bambi’sMom — May 3, 2007 @ 11:52 am
She’s not ok if she’s vomiting and has bloody diarreah. My dog acted ok but had the classic symptoms, took him to vet and he wasn’t ok. Cats are even more sensitive. You need to go to the vet, go today.
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 11:54 am
Steve-
Link you gave isn’t giving me that-show your link again (don’t copy from above!)
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 11:56 am
That’s frozen beef products that were recalled. Don’t buy those, thank goodness. As to the rest, it is all a dice throw these days.
Bambi’s mom - don’t think the worst, it could just be the change of food.
Can you imagine that our U.S. meat is blocked from sale in other countries - what does that tell us…..
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 11:56 am
To all of the pet food companies out there (and I know you know who you are) Those of you who thought we were causing “hysteria” by refusing to use any products from recalled pet food companies, and that Menu Foods had merely made a “mistake” I suggest you brush up on your Greek Mythology.
Hubris
From Wikipedia, Hubris or hybris according to its modern usage, is exaggerated self pride or self-confidence (overbearing pride), often resulting in fatal retribution. In Ancient Greek hubris referred to actions taken in order to shame the victim, thereby making oneself seem superior.
In its modern usage, hubris denotes overconfident pride and arrogance; it is often associated with a lack of knowledge, interest in, and exploration of history, combined with a lack of humility. An accusation of hubris often implies that suffering or punishment will follow, similar to the occasional pairing of hubris and Nemesis in the Greek world. The proverb “pride goes before a fall” is thought to sum up the modern definition of hubris.
Comment by Joyce — May 3, 2007 @ 11:56 am
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 11:56 am
“Missing Document”
See it, study it, absorb it
THINK ABOUT IT
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 11:59 am
There is no CFR Record with
Citation = 573.220://
What do you think Dr. Watson?
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
What do you think Dr. Watson?
Gremlins run amok.
We are being watched…..
Comment by Ally — May 3, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
Comment by Ally — May 3, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
I agree Sherlock. I agree.
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 12:06 pm
The plot definitely thickens.
Thick as thieves takes on a whole new meaning.
Comment by Ally — May 3, 2007 @ 12:07 pm
What is going on? I guess if the blog master detectives find anything, copy it with all references and then post it. I wouldn’t even trust posting it just on the blog. Some computer experts could swipe it, and like the other day, hack in a virus.
Well and while they are reading, couldn’t you nice people at the FDA do something to make our food safe? It doesn’t seem right that in America we are afraid to feed our pets or to shop at the supermarkets.
Maybe we need a constitutional amendment - the right to the pursuit of happiness…..and add the right to eat food free of poisoned imported ingredients.
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
Shelly,
I agree. Even though she seems fine I am worried sick and we are leaving for the vet as soon as my husband gets home, which should be in the next 10 minutes. What specific tests need to be run by the vet???
Comment by Bambi'sMom — May 3, 2007 @ 12:14 pm
So , the big boys are watching us here and “poof” documents mentioned vanish.
What does that tell you?
Oh yeah, what I said a while ago but there is MORE.
Are the big boys getting the story out about what pet parents need to know?
Seen any on TV? Me neither.
Are you seeing blinding spin? Yeppers, on a DAILY basis.
Are documents vanishing? Yes.
THINK
ABOUT
IT.
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 3, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
To Bambis’ Mom,
My prayers go with you. I pray it’s “just” an upset tummy from the change of foods. Please let us know how your wee one is. We care.
Comment by Priscilla Patterson — May 3, 2007 @ 12:17 pm
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 3, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
Trust me, E. I have thought about it. As I’m sure others have to.
I’ve been thinking about it so much nothing else in my life’s getting done.
Comment by Ally — May 3, 2007 @ 12:17 pm
what ally said
and, E., what do we do?
BTW, just back from buying poison for my loving family…You better believe me, I want to do something!!!
Comment by Peggy — May 3, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
To Bambis Mom,
Definitely a urinalysis and blood work to check liver and kidney function. Perhaps meds to calm tummy and intestional tract such as Reglan etc. Bland home cooked diet such as , plain brown rice, plain non-fat yogurt and boiled hamburger or turkey.
Good Luck
Comment by Priscilla Patterson — May 3, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
One expects these tactics in Communist controlled countries, but surely in America such duplicity is shunned and possibly even illegal.
Truth - honest dealings - especially not lying to its citizens - these are the cornerstones of our democartic processes and instutitions.
I’m losing what little faith I had in our governmental agencies. Shame on all of you out there that are trying to deceive us, hiding the truth, erasing documents and the likes, and meanwhile our pets die and we suffer mental anguish. Shame shame and I hope Congress forces the truth from each and every one of you.
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
Melamine is produced from urea, mainly by either of two methods: catalyzed gas-phase production or high pressure liquid-phase production.
Melamine is produced from the heating of dicyanodiamide, which is prepared from the polymerization of cyanamide
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
All those vanishing documents and the eyes that watch us here and then change headlines and cover up the story?
Think about who might want to hear about all these dirty tricks.
THINK, you know the answer. And there are a LOT of answers, your answer may very well be different from mine, I hope it is.
How long would the watergate cover up have lasted if there were a THOUSAND deep throats?
Or five thousand?
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 3, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
The page with the FDA list Steve posted is still there.
Try this http://tinyurl.com/2ntkwz
Comment by Kim — May 3, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
Finally we are getting somewhere! This is exactly as I have been posting since late March.
“Controlled release urea-based products” for “controlled release urea-based feed supplements for ruminant animals.” http://www.patentstorm.us/pate.....91454.html
Whose name is on it? Why “chairman” Mao himself!
See more details here… http://www.haloscan.com/comments/crooks/100115919
Sometimes it takes an old farmer to recognized a stockman’s trade secrets…
CSI Wisconsin: Another case closed with the suspect in custody.
No real satisfaction though. My Brandy is still dead. And Menu is STILL pulling product going all the way back to NOVEMBER! Brandy’s lot was Oct 25. It aint over yet folks! It aint over yet!
Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — May 3, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
Comment by Peggy — May 3, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
We and the guests had Kidney Failure Sauteed’ Chicken in lemon butter last night. And Melamine Crepes Suzette for desert.
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
SmartyPants aka Steven :)
I was referring to THIS!
No this.
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 21, Volume 6]
>>>>>[Revised as of April 1, 2006]
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 11:54 am
Where are you seeing that?
I’m seeing this at the link you provided:
There is no CFR Record with
Citation = 573.220://
(and now along w/ Dr. WatsonL :)
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
Maybe the post card push drew enough concern that the FDA was forced to up the deaths of pets. Thank goodness for freedom of speech or at least the right of citizens to gather and unite in mass mailings.
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
And note that it says ‘may be used in ruminant feed’, not pet feed.
As Bernie and others posted extensively on in the past few weeks, because ruminants (cows and others with more than one stomach) have a totally different digestive system, some things are safe to give to them, this whole urea/npn thing is an example of that.
Comment by Kim — May 3, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
TADA…….
SD Trib had a huge piece, actually starting on the first page, about chemicals mixed in with ingredients & shipped to the US. First time I’ve see anything even remotely connected to this in any paper or on the news.
The thing that I had to share is this…..
“The FDA said it has received reports that more than 4,000 cats & dogs died as a result of eating pet food that may have been laced with melamine.”
Reports = postcards……what do you think?
NO MORE 16 or 18 DEAD ANIMALS….thanks to all of you.
Now to get the powers-that-be at the pet food companies some serious prison time…..
Comment by JanC — May 3, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
This is the link of Steve’s I’m referring to:
http://tinyurl.com/34y3vz
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 11:29 am
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
P.S. (Bernie’s point being while it’s safe for ruminants, it should never have been in pet food. So this particular paperwork on the FDA site isn’t a smoking gun…)
Comment by Kim — May 3, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
Shelly - THIS link works.
http://tinyurl.com/2ntkwz
Comment by Kim — May 3, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
What’s going on? The page Steve posted was not removed afterall?
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
Why is Kim’s link working and Steve’s is not?
What is my tired addled brain missing here?
Comment by Ally — May 3, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
Re: the manager arrested by the Chinese government. While I don’t feel sorry for the guy, you all do realize that this is a typical communist government type of reaction? Find a scapegoat, pin it all on him, execute him (or have him die “mysteriously” in prison) and all the other guilty parties get to go on merrily committing the same crime. I have a hard time believing it will all lead to sweeping reform of Chinese exports.
Comment by Joyce — May 3, 2007 @ 12:37 pm
http://tinyurl.com/2ro4w3
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 12:37 pm
Yes, I’m able to get to Kim’s.
Maybe Steve is messing w/ my head. OUR head.
Steve?
Dr. Watson?
Seeing it, studing it, absorbing it
Thinking about it
;)
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
Anyone besides me remember the episode of X Files where they kept blowing themselves up because they were all in Hell and had to keep doing it over and over until they finally got it right? I don’t remember the details, watched this one of the 3 or 4 times over the last 10 years that I was trapped into watching TV——
Wonder what we have to do to get it right?
Comment by Kathy Thompson — May 3, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
comment by Tim 8:13am
Excellent letter, Tim.
Comment by VJ — May 3, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
Oh gross. If I can’t pronounce it, I is not aloud in my ‘animals’ food!
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
http://itchmo.com/wp-content/u.....suzhou.pdf
Kewl
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
E., not to be snarky, but that’s not a lot of help. Are you saying to go to the press?
But these huge multinational conglomerations already own and control the press. That is part of the whole problem!!!
Steve, your right it is in the cows food they are ruminants; they have bacteria to digest it. They know it is in the cattle that is how they know they can let us eat it in the chicken and pork, cause we’ve already been eating it in the beef and milk. Low threat to them, no surge in kidney problems that we can track to find them out. Not enough people reacted to it, nobody was able to tie the pieces together, yet.
But now is different!
Now, they went too far and added cyanuric acid, that is what is different now, that is what is killing the pets, and maybe more of us, too. This is why they are starting to come clean. But they are spoon-feeding the info to us, more tomorrow, then little bit more next week. Plus this gives them time to, HOPEFULLY, clear out the bad foods, time to restock the shelves, in a hurry so they don’t get caught. Can’t be saying that the Whole Food Supply is contaminated. That would create a panic. No, it is better to spoon-feed this to us, or so they think.
Remember Katrina, most of us observed from the outside. But now we are like the ones at the convention center and superdome, no power, no radio or TV, no outside info. We have no info, here, we are on the inside and are being manipulated! and lied to and deceived!
Comment by Peggy — May 3, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
Believe me. This line of work is not for those who are easily rattled.
I think the original document itself should be thought about. I mean this is a major find with major clues to this whole fiasco. The whole industry has been spinning out of their _____s saying they know anything about these ingredients or how they got into our pets food.
http://tinyurl.com/2ntkwz
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
What does 75% food grade mean exactly? And what exactly is “cross contamination” help!
We use 100% food grade so does 75% food grade mean that it is 25% non-food grade or 25% poison toxic junk?
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Comment by Kathy 9:34am
…..”you get hungrier and eat more….”
BINGO. You get the prize for the best observation of the day. That is exactly what the food manufacturers who are also owned by the big-pharma guys want us to do and then go and use their poison meds.
Comment by VJ — May 3, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
Did ChemNutra buy 75% (25% poisoned) wheat gluten?
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
“…this is a major find with major clues to this whole fiasco.”
Steve, just how did you stumble upon that vast gem of valuable info?
Comment by Ally — May 3, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
Maudigan, I didn’t bother to click on the link provided in AVMA’s release. I just looked at Menu’s website to see the updates for May 3.
Comment by Carole — May 3, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
I’m not sure I completely buy the cross contamination theory Menu is trying to pitch.
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
Analyst name is Tang Cunlong. Would like a chat w/ him, too.
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Comment by Ally — May 3, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
The same way I always do. You get what you need when your not looking for it.
It’s almost a gift. One I sometimes wish I didn’t have.
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Comment by Steve - May 3, 207 @ 12:55
Steve, do you think Menu Foods just used contaminated ingredients without the pet food company’s knowledge and that’s why they are now first being recalled? Do you think that Menu Foods is now recalling additional foods because of the new congressional bill just passed that has fines and penalties for not notifying the public timely?
Comment by Nabiya — May 3, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
Steve - I hear ya.
Still…….stellar sleuthing dude. Thanks.
Comment by Ally — May 3, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
The catch-word phrase just seems to be a way of saying we kept using poisoned ingredients and we need some excuse - so we will call it “Cross Contamination.”
This is just a guess on my part - do we really know what it means to cross contaminate thousands of cans of pet food? That’s some might big dirty equipment there.
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
Interesting tidbit maybe - w/ Crohns disease - can’t eat red meat, wheat, dairy, gluten; I can (could?) eat chicken …
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
And doesn’t ordering 75% human grade wheat gluten really mean cut it with anything you want but no more than 25%?
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
Maudigan: There are NO DRY foods that were added to the recall yesterday. 19 new cat food brands (2 from Europe, 1 from Canada) and 9 new dog food brands (1 from Canada). More brands had new flavors added, and all brands had additional date codes added.
The vast majority of the brands were private Store brands that Menu made.
Comment by Kim — May 3, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
Anyone seen this story?
http://www.thenewstribune.com/424/story/51202.html
It’s really scary how pervasive and for how long this has been routine in China. Know what melamine is made from? Coal. Had any coal lately?
Here’s just the last 3 short paragraphs from this article:
Last Friday in Zhangqiu, a fast-growing industrial city southeast of Beijing, two 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 scrap.
Melamine is the new scam of choice, they say, because urea – another nitrogen-rich chemical – is illegal for use in pig and poultry feed and can be easily detected in China as well as in the U.S.
“People use melamine scrap to boost nitrogen levels for the tests,” said the feed factory manager. “If you add it in small quantities, it won’t hurt the animals.”
Yep, doesn’t hurt ‘em a bit.
Comment by stephen — May 3, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
Why is Kim’s link working and Steve’s is not?
**************************
There is a simple explanation for this. The url of Steve’s link contains // at the end. The correct link does not. If you open Steve’s link and back out the // at the end, his link works fine.
It simply was not recognizing the location the link was pointing to.
Comment by Carole — May 3, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
Carole - Ah. Thanks.
It was making me nuts wondering what was up!
Comment by Ally — May 3, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
I thought we used coal for diamonds and fuel.
I should have saved my dog’s crystals. Could have been a gazillionaire.
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
Look at the link to the ChemNutra invoice and tell me what you think?
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
I’m still studying it.
Clearly they were invoiced by Suzhou, but the analysis report came from Anying. Tank Cunlong ran the analysis
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
(Anying also is the manufacturer, which they had always denied)!
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
I have a thought—-why not just feed the cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs, etc what they would normally eat???????? Would that be too easy? Do they really need to eat any of this junk? Chemical soup anyone?
Comment by Kathy Thompson — May 3, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Just found something else:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroo.....owder.html
Please take note of how many melamine and urea formulations there are in white powder form. One of them, for example, is melamine formaldehyde (MF). I can guarantee you that formaldehyde is deadly, probably in about any dose.
So, is it not possible that instead of just plain old melamine, a batch of melamine formaldehyde was added to “fortify” some protein product.
I have not read anything about these various melamine formulations, all available from your friends in the People’s Republic of China.
Comment by stephen — May 3, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
This can help to understand the invoicing:
http://www.fda.gov/ora/import/FDAManufacturer.html
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
Comment by Nabiya — May 3, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
We’re going to find out. Soon or later.
Comment by Steve — May 3, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
“Often the manufacturer & shipper info provided on an invoice is NOT the same as info provided on the bill of lading” (emphasis mine) Why the heck not?
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 1:26 pm
The invoice is for “Vital” wheat gluten. Also known as “gluten powder” and “gluten flour”
google what it is used for - you’ll have yet another bad day
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 1:32 pm
Anyone have a very close relationship with their Dr. or maybe a Dr. or Medical Lab person in their family? Would be very interesting to see if melamine showed up in a humans urine. I think that in itself would stop this insane assumption that “Well, no one has died from it (even though we haven’t tested anyone) mentality. The best way to stop the importation of Chinese items is to just not buy it…period. The demand goes down, so do the imports. We know alot now about who imports these kinds of ingredients. Use that knowledge!!!! And it doesn’t stop at food. Anything that says “Made in China” must be left on the shelf or you risk contamination from various other things. Lead paint on dinnerware, on child lunchboxes, in vitamins. Just say NO!
Comment by Sandy — May 3, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
I brought up the idea of not buying China and got shot down immediately.
Comment by shelly — May 3, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
Shelly
Sorry to hear that. Then that is their right. I just don’t want to stress over whether my coffee cup was painted with lead paint, or my childs lunchbox has lead or even the vitamins I might take. Much easier if I just don’t buy China stuff. Not that I can avoid all bad things. But then I can’t just ignore what I know either. Just visit the FDA website and go to imports then buy country. Choose China and see what they HAVE caught. Oh, and India is just as bad. I never knew spices could have salmonella contamination. I am an equal opportunity boycotter. LOL
Comment by Sandy — May 3, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
Steve - *chuckling* rare talent, that. you’ve gotta be a reference librarian.
Comment by GingerTom — May 3, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
The invoice reads Wital Wheat Gluten, 75% food grade.
It does not read 75% protein, which one might expect.
75% food grade implies that 25% is not food grade substances doesn’t it?
Comment by Linda — May 3, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
What is this comment that this is not toxic to humans? I have not seen one study about the effects of slow long term poisoning of melamine and a human. Do we think we are so special…believe me if your dog is effected be consuming melamine….so are you….you are an animal too! There are not tests available…please produce them before such a flippant comment is made. Here is the deal …do you see the N in the above formula….this will cause a spike of this nitorgen to the immune system and an automatic antigen response is required by the human immune system.
Look at any animal and or Bovine study reagrding improper food with a high nitrogen content…all the animals are sick. This is a huge problem for the world due to global warming and weather pattern changes now occurring. We were not poisoned by mother nature we are being poisoned by the Chinese……. the doctors are laughing all the way to the bank as all your friends are diagnosed with auto immune diseases like diabetes, cancer, lupus etc….should I go on? Humans are dumb animals!
Obewan
Comment by Lew Orban — May 3, 2007 @ 3:30 pm
If guilty, he should be forced to eat melamine for 12 weeks.
Sorry, but he makes me angry, and teary-eyed for all the cats and dogs who have died.
Comment by leek — May 3, 2007 @ 5:53 pm