Pet food recall: Mainstream media reports on the numbers
By Christie Keith
May 3, 2007
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The NY Times, LA Times, and Reuters are all reporting around 8,500 reported but unconfirmed deaths of pets from the pet food recall, based on a statement by Michael Rogers at this afternoon’s joint FDA/USDA media conference – which I liveblogged here. (I’ll update with a link to the official transcript when it’s published.)
From Andrew Martin and Ian Austin at the New York Times, “US Investigators Visiting Pet Food Makers“:
Federal officials said they have received about 17,000 calls from consumers worried that that their pets ate contaminated feed; of those, about half said their pets had died as a result. However, officials said they have not confirmed the number of deaths. (Fewer than 20 deaths have been confirmed.)
From Abigail Goodman and Don Lee at the LA Times, with the headline “Reports say pet food death toll exceeds 8,000“:
Consumers have reported the deaths of as many as 8,500 dogs and cats as a result of tainted pet food, federal officials said Thursday.
In the two months since dead pets led to a massive U.S. pet food recall, the Food and Drug Administration said about half of the calls to its hotline were from owners of deceased cats and dogs.
Officials said the agency has not confirmed those reports, but added that the numbers of allegations likely will increase as it catches up with a backlog of calls reporting sick or dead animals.
The statistics came as the FDA tried to reassure consumers about the food supply for both pets and humans: The pet food recall was expanded; food safety agents were dispatched to U.S. food manufacturers for inspections; and Chinese authorities reportedly detained the head of a Chinese company suspected of shipping contaminated wheat gluten to U.S. pet food suppliers.
Canada-based Menu Foods Income Fund, which first identified a health risk in its products in March, expanded its recall list late Wednesday to include 3 million more cans and pouches of pet food.
Susan Heavey at Reuters reports “U.S. pet food recall widens amid cross-contamination“:
A major pet food recall has expanded again as manufacturer Menu Foods Income Fund revealed evidence of cross-contamination by some cat and dog food pulled since March.
About 8,500 complaints of related pet deaths have been reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by Thursday, but the agency said that only 16 deaths of cats and dogs have been confirmed.
Just a reminder: Don’t re-post your comments if they don’t show up. It means they were caught in our spam filters, for reasons that sometimes surpass all understanding. Just be patient. And remember: We delete hate speech, profanity, and death threats. Play nice or play somewhere else.
Gina’s jump-in: I’ve also got a hair-trigger “delete” finger for comment spammers jumping in to pitch their own magic pet foods, detox herbal nonsense and e-books with dirty little secrets about the pet food industry, all yours for a low, low price. Pitch it elsewhere, vampires.
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Thanks so much for all your hard work today Christie - I wish you a peaceful night filled with much sleep. :-)
Comment by Kim — May 3, 2007 @ 9:54 pm
I’m actually thinking of going to bed. What do you think are the odds I will?
Get some rest yourself!
Comment by Christie Keith — May 3, 2007 @ 10:01 pm
Pretty darn low! I could make a bundle off that bet.
Comment by Patricia Hill — May 3, 2007 @ 10:11 pm
From the intro:
….Pitch it elsewhere, vampires.
Who rocks? That’d be you.
Thank you for all your hard work managing this virtual playpen - and the nasty jungle outside of it.
Comment by Laura — May 3, 2007 @ 10:41 pm
You guys are too sweet! And yeah, I’m going to bed… first time before 3 am in weeks, but I can’t keep my eyes open. I’ll just hope nothing breaks and everyone is good. ;)
Comment by Christie Keith — May 3, 2007 @ 10:56 pm
Anyone care to venture what the “magic” number (the number of complaints) might be before Menu decided to give it up?
Any wagers on ANI maybe trying to con us with a similar story of cross-contamination?
I keep thinking about the bean-counters from the auto industry.
Profit $$$ vs. Lawsuit/settlememt $$$ =. 8)
Comment by Kathi — May 3, 2007 @ 11:03 pm
How safe is our human food supply? Maybe it’s time for the scientists at UC Davis to order a couple of pizza’s and some Chinese take out and then take a real close look at their own urine samples.
Comment by alex — May 3, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
What do you think the odds are of getting them to shut the door on China?
Hmmm. Might have to pack my bags, huh? 8)
Comment by Kathi — May 3, 2007 @ 11:37 pm
The only good news I saw was the detainment/arrest of Dr. Who!!! 8)
Think he’ll make bail in China or just disappear?!!
Comment by Kathi — May 3, 2007 @ 11:47 pm
Anybody notice the signature on the Purchase Order: ChemNutra, Buyer: Would that be Ms. Q? 8)
Looks like the paperwork kinda stitches up Dr. Who!!!
But the 75% Food grade kinda leaves Miller hanging out on a limb, ya think!!
What does Henderson’s paperwork look like?
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW!!!????
N-E-X-T Rut-roh, gotta go!!!!!! 8)
Comment by Kathi — May 4, 2007 @ 1:01 am
Let’s all apply for a job with the FDA.
http://www.fda.gov/jobs/default.htm
I’m interested in the Consumer Safety Officer position. Especially the part where I would be responsible for initiating actions against violators.
**rubbing hands and laughing evilly MMMUUUUAAAAHHHHAAAAA!**
Comment by Tammy — May 4, 2007 @ 2:12 am
“Any wagers on ANI maybe trying to con us with a similar story of cross-contamination?”
I am afraid that anyone who wagers against that will probably lose. I have been thinking about “cross contamination” and all of the ways it could occur. Even a responsible manufacturer (I’m not making any judgments about how responsible ANI is, mind you) might not have been totally sanitizing large containers that they use to store glutens/proteins between each use. I mean, when I run out of flour, I don’t always run the countertop container through the dishwasher. I sometimes put new flour into it. If they did something like that, cross-contamination is easy to happen between batches of product that were made with different batches with gluten/protien. And if they aren’t cleaning the equipment… Yikes.
My morning news is now doing a story on the expansion of the pet food recall. They are too brief with everything in the morning (focus on traffic and weather), but I do need to contact them to point out that 10,000+ reports of illness is an understatement. At least they’re talking about it now.
Comment by CatLady — May 4, 2007 @ 3:19 am
Menu closed down for a while and supposedly cleaned after each run.
Not buying that story at all.
Anybody have that Emporia article about Menu closing down?? Please put it up to see what was said back then. 8)
Comment by Kathi — May 4, 2007 @ 4:06 am
Why do I suspect Stevie Miller and Ms Q of a little “Shell” game?
You want a product from company “A” but it won’t pass customs. So company “A” has company “B” ship it out as a different product. When shipment arrives it magically has papers with the product of company “A”…
Just a little slight of hand…like the magic shows in…Las Vegas….oh surprise, surprise!!!
Anybody buying Stern’s version??? 8)
Comment by Kathi — May 4, 2007 @ 4:18 am
It reopened on April 2, 2007. Here’s a link to the Emporia Gazette for all the articles about the plant.
http://www.emporiagazette.com/.....food+plant
I didn’t know this but they sold the plant to American Nutrition. Here’s the story about them replacing the equipment recently.
http://www.emporiagazette.com/.....ria_plant/
Hope these help Kathi
Comment by Tammy — May 4, 2007 @ 4:19 am
I’d really like to see Henderson’s papers. 8)
Comment by Kathi — May 4, 2007 @ 4:20 am
Did anybody think to put a hold on some passports? 8)
Comment by Kathi — May 4, 2007 @ 4:21 am
Wonder if there’ll be a sudden population increase in Effem? 8)
Comment by Kathi — May 4, 2007 @ 4:27 am
Recall on Oscar Mayer/Louis Rich chicken strips (not melamine)
http://tinyurl.com/2cvb9r
What ‘Listeria’ is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L.....ocytogenes
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 4:31 am
http://tinyurl.com/ywboxo
Salami recalled - because it failed to list wheat as an ingredient
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 4:34 am
Salami recall - oops, da label, oh ya!
Come on, Cudahy ya know better!! 8)
Comment by Kathi — May 4, 2007 @ 4:50 am
Next FDA Conference, I’d like to see more questions to not just state “melamine” but instead include “melamine and cyanuric acid” together every time when addressed to the FDA when discussing concerns related to the safety of the human food supply since it’s been stated over and over that melamine in and of itself seems not much of a concern in low doses, it is clearly the COMBINATION of the two (melamine and cyanuric acid) that is very much a concern.
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 4:53 am
Salami recall - so when you think you’re buying Roseli, you’re actually buying Cudahy?
Roseli is in Maryland and Cudahy is in Wisconsin.
Oh, I think I get it now. It’s kinda like what we’re learning about pet food, right? 8)
Wow, those dates are weird, too. November 2006 to March 2007. Laughing now…
Comment by Kathi — May 4, 2007 @ 5:10 am
Thanks for your hard work, Gina. Go you and your hair-trigger delete finger!
Comment by Katherine — May 4, 2007 @ 5:15 am
Morning everyone.
I swear this is making me so mad. I post on a couple of college sports boards and these people are folks I’ve “known” for 8 years. They are ARGUING with me about the pet foods. I kid you not. More worried about upsetting their cats with a diet change than keeping them alive. I’m pounding them over the head with facts and it does no good. Then someone says something like “I can’t base my decision on something when only a few pets have died.” Argh!!
I guess this is a “you can lead your horse to water” thing. Very frustrating.
OK, I’m done now, Just needed to vent.
Comment by Sharon — May 4, 2007 @ 5:20 am
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opa-appa.html
Food Additive Status List
Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Wonder if we all glow under a black light
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 5:21 am
Comment by Tammy — May 4, 2007 @ 2:12 am
“Let’s all apply for a job with the FDA.”
Well I know how to feed my pets from my kitchen so I will apply for a job tutoring Dr. Sundlof.
Comment by slt — May 4, 2007 @ 5:24 am
I don’t understand this in the least, but it looks like a study on melamine on cyanuric acid. way too techy for me. Maybe somebody can use it.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opa-appa.html
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 5:33 am
typo - “melamine on cyanuric acid” should be melamine AND cyanuric acid”
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 5:33 am
Chinese catfish banned in 2 states:
http://tinyurl.com/yodfcr
Comment by Sharon — May 4, 2007 @ 6:04 am
Re: “Pitch it elsewhere, vampires.” They’ll learn, don’t mess with Gina/Christie and their band of truth-searching deputies. If G/C don’t get you the deputies will!
Comment by Shawn — May 4, 2007 @ 6:07 am
LOL Shawn…..
Reminds me of “Cops”…bad boys bad boys…whatcha gonna doooo…whatcha gonna do when they come for you…bad boys bad boys….
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 6:21 am
I know I’ve said this before but allow me to say it one more time: Gina & Christie, you both rock, big time, even! I’m so thankful I found this website (& don’t even remember how I found it to be honest). I just hope you know that all your hard work & the time you’ve put into this has helped so many of us keep our beloved fur babies alive & well. I know you haven’t been sleeping much but when you do, you should sleep well knowing what great things you’ve done for people & animals alike.
I just found a picture of tainted wheat gluten & it made my stomach turn. A friend has her cat on a “vet prescribed” canned food…..she called & told me there were black flecks in it. I told her to bring it back to the vet. She did & her vet said he had no idea what it was & that he’d contact the pet food company, which he did. They said it was burnt something or other. I told her I didn’t believe it. Now I see the tainted gluten has black flecks in it, which is what I suspected from the start. Mind you, this is for a sick cat, prescribed by her vet….I hate to freak her out but I have to tell her about the black flecks in the gluten. This is just too much for my pea brain….that the vet prescribed diets are even tainted. I’m amazed that her cat is still alive.
I don’t know how we can protect our babies from all these tainted proteins. They seem to be in everything…..I just can’t imagine how dry food has escaped this…..hate to sound paranoid but I think they’re next. This is why I’m so afraid to feed anything commercial. If some dry was tainted, what about other dry food made at the same facility….you know, cross contamination. Unless a company makes their own dry at their own plant, they don’t know for sure exactly what went into their dry food. None of us want to hear how much they trust this facility…..more useless BS.
Where do we go from here?????????
Gina…..I was off my computer all day yesterday (first time in eons)…..did you get results back on Heather? Everything ok?
Comment by JanC — May 4, 2007 @ 6:23 am
Shelly—I looked at the link you posted from fda.gov. It’s about food additives. It does have various derivatives of melamine and cyanuric acid listed, but not together that I could find.
Comment by Lisa C — May 4, 2007 @ 6:24 am
Lisa -
which one are you referring to? (time post)
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 6:27 am
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 5:33 am
Though, it’s interesting to read what’s allowed in our food in some quantity, even small
Comment by Lisa C — May 4, 2007 @ 6:29 am
Oh I think I see. You posted the same link in an earlier post. Was there supposed to be a different link in the 5:33 post?
Comment by Lisa C — May 4, 2007 @ 6:31 am
Lisa -
Only posted the link one time, but followed it stating I had made a typo (typo was significant - “on” should have been “and”)
#
I don’t understand this in the least, but it looks like a study on melamine on cyanuric acid. way too techy for me. Maybe somebody can use it.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opa-appa.html
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 5:33 am
#
typo - “melamine on cyanuric acid” should be melamine AND cyanuric acid”
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 5:33 am
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 6:35 am
Lisa -
Wait - I see what you’re talking about
Yes, there is a different link
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 6:36 am
Lisa -
This is it
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/ve.....r_fang.pdf
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 6:39 am
Kat, comment 3/3 9:15 pm
Re: Catfish imports
How enlightening! If the USA bans antibiotics in food animals, why weren’t imports containing them banned also? The two southern states are ordering a “stop sale” on imported catfish from China and wants country of origin listed for catfish sold in restaurants as the antibiotics were found in the Chinese imports. Fourteen out of Twenty samples tested positive in the Chinese catfish imports. Why wouldn’t the FDA treat this as a national alert? It appears that the two states are proposing legislation to reveal the “country of origin”. Something is wrong with this picture. Why aren’t we banning food imports from other countries containing drugs that are illegal in our USA food sources? Then there would be no need for the two states’ catfish producers to fight for changes of legislation. Our “home-grown”, drug free catfish industry can begin to thrive again.
Did I read something about a ban on our imported beef due to Mad Cow Disease? (or something like that). Correct me if I’m wrong…wish I had saved that reference.
Comment by MySimon — May 4, 2007 @ 6:51 am
Very interesting link shelly. It’s about using urea as an alternative fuel, I think. The pdf is from a presentation in which they’re trying to figure out how to make it more efficient. All it really says is what we already know, that melamine and cyanuric acid can be formed by reactions involving urea.
Comment by Lisa C — May 4, 2007 @ 6:55 am
Where is the Pet Food Cabal?
Anyone seen them? We know Kravis went to “planet mars” thats obvious.
How bout the Millers? How come they get to slide when any other person would probably be in handcuffs for pulling this stuff?
Comment by Steve — May 4, 2007 @ 7:00 am
MySimon-
NO -
No mad cow in our beef - there is mad cow in Canada
There is an issue with some beef here though, I’ll go get the specs - but it is NOT mad cow (currently) in the US
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:00 am
Re: Catfish imports
Country of Origin is implemented for fish, so the catfish was labeled that it came from China, and was tested and found to contain antibiotics that are not legal in this country.
The legislation was to extend the COOL requirement to include fish served in restaurants in that state.
Comment by Elaine — May 4, 2007 @ 7:01 am
Lisa C-
When I come across more whacked out stuff like that you’ll be able to decifer (sp) it for us?
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:01 am
I don’t think Wilbur-Ellis is getting their share of attention in this tragedy.
They imported the Rice Concentrate Protein.
Wilbur Ellis has had its own share of citation/warnings
http://tinyurl.com/3d9o92
Representatives from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Utah Division of Animal Feeds (UDAF) inspected Knox McDaniel Company in Ogden, Utah on May 8, 2002. The inspection was in follow up to the recent deaths of several dairy cows at [redacted] Utah, due to acute selenium poisoning (selenosis).
Note: Wilbur Ellis purchased Knox McDaniel who also sells processing equipment.
Also:
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/FdaVetFirst2006.htm
Warning Letters were issued to -Herbert B. Tully, president, Wilbur Ellis Company, San Francisco, CA, regarding the companys licensed medicated feed mill known as Knox McDaniel Company in Ogden, UT, and to Bryan K. Draper, owner, Western Ag Industries, Genola, UT, regarding the companys medicated feed distribution business because investigations of both establishments revealed that on several occasions they sold a Category II, Type A medicated article (Amprolium 25%) to a firm that does not have a Medicated Feed Mill License. A new animal drug is deemed unsafe, and, therefore, adulterated if it is removed from a distributors establishment for use in the manufacture of animal feed, unless at the time of such removal the distributor has an unrevoked written statement from the consignee of the drug, or notice from the Secretary of the Health and Human Services, to the effect that, with respect to the use of such drug in animal feed, such consignee (1) holds a license issued under section 512(m) [21 U.S.C. § 360(m)] and possesses current approved labeling for such drug in animal feed, or (2) will, if the consignee is not a user of the drug, ship such drug only to a holder of a license issued under 512(m) [21 U.S.C. § 360(m)]. The firms had no such written statement on file from the feed mills to which the Amprolium 25% was sold. In addition, Western Ag Industriesown-label medicated feed Western Ag Industries Amprolium Crumblesis being manufactured by a firm without a Medicated Feed Mill License, and is unsafe under the Act, and therefore, adulterated.
April 20, 2005
EPA Fines Fresno Company for Selling Misbranded Pesticides
EPA fined Wilbur-Ellis Co. of Fresno, California, $4,400 for the alleged sale and distribution of a misbranded pesticide in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. EPA cited the company for failing to properly label a bulk tank of Superior Spray Oil, a pesticide product used to control insects on fruit trees, that it sold to a Turlock, California, retailer for repackaging purposes. More specifically, Wilbur-Ellis failed to provide any labeling to this bulk tank of pesticide, resulting in the absence of all required information, including most importantly directions for use necessary to protect health and the environment.
Ann
Comment by Ann H — May 4, 2007 @ 7:05 am
My Simon -
http://tinyurl.com/2kybk6
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:06 am
So let me guess. No Pet Food Brands are using Menu Foods now, have dropped China, and they mysteriously discovered a new source of pure wholesome ingredients and 60 million cans and bags to hit market this month will be Safe!
Trust us!
Comment by Steve — May 4, 2007 @ 7:09 am
Oh. Here we go. An import alert w/out physical examination on baby formula.
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/o.....a4005.html
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:10 am
Interesting article this morning:
Imports Erode U.S. Wheat Gluten Industry
“Even as fears grow over contaminated imported wheat gluten in recalled pet food, U.S. production has been so eroded by low-cost imports that it can no longer supply domestic demand, domestic makers say.
Only four domestic gluten manufacturers, including two in Kansas, have survived the flood of foreign wheat gluten bought here in the last decade at prices cheaper than U.S. producers can make it.”
http://www.ibtimes.com/article.....-scene.htm
Comment by Aunt Granny — May 4, 2007 @ 7:10 am
I am a rancher and follow the Mad Cow issue closely, we don’t want Mad Cow in the U.S. herds.
Many consumers have the misperception that the USDA inspection sticker on products means the item was produced in the U.S.
Not So! the USDA inspection sticker is placed on all products, imported or domestic, and some imported beef actually is marked with the USDA quality grade stamp.
Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) is an essential imformational and educational tool for those of us who are particular about the food we feed our families. (furkids, as well!)
Senator Byron Dorgan from North Dakota has introduced COOL legislation recently. Call your Senators and ask them to support this.
COOL is an important first step to begin fixing the food safety issues—we could then vote with our dollar.
Comment by Elaine — May 4, 2007 @ 7:12 am
Comment by Sharon — May 4, 2007 @ 5:20 am
“I can’t base my decision on something when only a few pets have died.” Argh!!
I’m argh-ing right with you, Sharon, and everyone else who feels like they’re banging their heads against a wall. The FDA and mainstream media are FINALLY starting to report numbers that reflect the TRUTH of this situation. I hope it’s the beginning of a trend.
Many journalists still don’t get it, though, and there’s one in particular that has continued to report the “16 or 17 confirmed” deaths. Today she has an article about the latest Menu Foods recall, and this is her penultimate paragraph:
“Since the pet food recall began on March 16, the FDA has received more than 17,000 calls from consumers, said Michael Rogers, director of FDA’s division of field investigations. ‘As many as 50 percent of the calls allege an animal death.’”
That paragraph is fine, as it reflects the information that the FDA has been receiving all along but has refused to communicate to the media.
Then she indicates her skepticism in this dubious closing sentence:
“Dr. Acheson noted that those numbers represent unproven allegations.”
Argh again! So most people reading will be likely to revert back to their “only a few pets have died” denial.
Here’s the link to the entire article:
http://tinyurl.com/35leop
At this point, I find this kind of “reporting” not only inaccurate, but irresponsible. Anyone else is frustrated by this article? Please contact Ms. F and tell her so. Her contact info is at the end of the article.
And please share any response you receive. She was arrogant and snippy when I shared this website and others back in the early days of the recall. Oh, and do be sure to mention that the websites she sneered at were recommended as resources by THE NEW YORK TIMES in THEIR pet food recall coverage. Here’s the link to that the NYT article that does so:
http://tinyurl.com/2eljz2
Comment by cerridwen — May 4, 2007 @ 7:12 am
Anybody drink bottled water? I do. So do my animals. Heck. Even that’s been recalled. Arsenic.
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/o.....a2902.html
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:14 am
Hi. I’ve been scouring this site everyday for recall info since this whole debacle started but never posted before. Thank-you to all of you hardworkers at PetConnection!
In my quest for a “safe” food, I noticed many of the “grain-free” foods contain Tapioca. Since I’ve become paranoid about any ingredient, I googled it and discovered some not so good things about it. First, if you search for it on alibaba.com, guess who happily exports it! CHINA! It’s a nice pretty white powder great for mixing with melamine! But…probably even more of a concern is the natural properties of the root it comes from and what it turns into in the stomach!
Below is a bit of information I found when I googled “Tapioca”. I want to say up front that I have no idea whether this information is true but I have no reason to doubt it. Also, I have no connection to Wysong and do not feed it (I feed Natural Balance & Royal Canin at the moment). I just thought it was some info worth further research. Below is the link:
http://www.wysong.net/controve.....tml#claim7
Comment by BengalMom — May 4, 2007 @ 7:16 am
Cough Syrup. 105 deaths in the U.S. (Renal failure - go figure)
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/o.....a5502.html
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:16 am
I’m beginning to believe we don’t have a need for global trade. We’ve got all we need right here.
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:16 am
Nestle again!!!! Grrrrrr. (infant formula maker)
jacka**es
Comment by Kim — May 4, 2007 @ 7:16 am
Shelly - last week I found an import alert for bandages (you know, the things you put on open wounds?) The reason? BACTERIA. On bandages!!!
I had no idea so many people/companies/countries cared so little about quality control. NO idea.
Comment by Kim — May 4, 2007 @ 7:18 am
shelly:
Thank you for the link. This is very helpful.
Elaine:
Thank you for this information. This clarifies many issues.
Comment by MySimon — May 4, 2007 @ 7:21 am
Oh HECK. China contaminating our food is old, old news. The general public just didn’t know about it. FDA did. Our government did. I’m just speachless on this find. The dates too are just - well, here:
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/o.....16130.html
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:21 am
I’m confused, are there two different Emporia plants? One owned by Menu, and one owned (now) by American Nutrition?
Comment by Kim — May 4, 2007 @ 7:24 am
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:14 am
It’s no wonder they want to force mandatory health insurance on everyone.
Comment by Steve — May 4, 2007 @ 7:25 am
“In general, medical foods are analogous to infant formulas, in that the technology base is similar for the manufacture of both products. Adulterated medical foods may constitute short and long-term health hazards to the susceptible populations who consume these products.” - (Just wanted to point that out)
“MANUFACTURER/
SHIPPER FEI#: See Attachment” - where the heck is this attachment - - looking for THE country - don’t like another mystery!
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/o.....a4103.html
Misbranded / adultered products are rampid within these imports. I’ve noticed that it’s not always in the description title - but if I open the document anyhow, it’s right there.
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:34 am
I have at least TWO problems with this one.
1. It’s a recall on candy, for lead poisoning, coming from the wrapper.
2. So, we recall candy, because of possibly there being too much lead in the wrapper. ok. (why lead is in there in the first place…no idea) But, back to my thought. We recall this, but we don’t recall food that has Melamine and Cyanuric Acid BOTH confirmed within the human food supply. That we have confirmed kills RATS which are used as the species of choice to use as test sources as opposed to humans, for human medicine. And of course, we know it will kill a 160 lb Great Dane. No recalls on that, but we’ll recall candy, because there’s more lead than usual in the wrapper. We have more Melamine AND Cyanuric acid than usual in our food, since we’ve never had it in there ever before, right?
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:40 am
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/o.....a3310.html
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:40 am
NATIONAL PET WEEK IS MAY 6 - 12, 2007
Comment by petlover — May 4, 2007 @ 7:45 am
Scroll to the bottom of this one, it mentions co’s & assoc. countries known to misbrand their seafood products
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/o.....a1604.html
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:46 am
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:34 am
aaahA - if I had only gone down to the very bottom of my own link, the attachment is on the bottom of the page!
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:48 am
Sorry, I don’t know how to use tiny url. I’m a Techno-Geezer…
Comment by Aunt Granny — May 4, 2007 @ 7:55 am
This is a recall on Allergy patches. ‘Tis the season, and so many have allergies. Here is the recall so you can avoid the product in question. Gosh knows, it will be on the shelves for …how long now? Ugh
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/o.....a5715.html
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:58 am
Whew - who did that to the blog ?
Granny -
Go to http://www.tinyurl.com
copy/paste your url there as opposed to here, then they will give you a shorter one. Copy/paste the new shorter one here. Other wise the blog will get out of whack. I learned the hard way too :)
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 7:59 am
GINA-
Blog needs fixing - We’re wide - Long URL has been posted
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:00 am
Shelly—I’m happy to decipher anything that I can. I’m amazed at how much info all of you have managed to find!
Comment by Lisa C — May 4, 2007 @ 8:02 am
Aunt Granny, I guess I am a techo-geezer, as well, so I uderstand it can be something real simple we miss! I guess you mean how to open one of the tiny url? If that is it, point your mouse to the tiny url, then move the mouse to the pop-up window and click! Voila! there is the page.
Comment by Elaine — May 4, 2007 @ 8:02 am
Lisa-
My hope is it gets in the hands of the media and whomever else will put it to good use.
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:07 am
Thank you for the help on using Tiny URl. So sorry to have messed up your blog.
Comment by Aunt Granny — May 4, 2007 @ 8:07 am
shelly comment: TWO problems
Wow…you have just presented an excellent food for thought” topic. I didn’t put “2 and 2” together until you mentioned “it will kill a 160 lb Great Dane”.
All medicines are prescribed by patient’s weight. Of course, infant milligram dosages are not the same as adults.
So I can assume these contaminated additives can be just as lethal to any living thing at least up to 160lbs.
Rice protein, glutens…oh my! Are they SURE it wasn’t sold to other food manufacturers that used imported sources?
Comment by MySimon — May 4, 2007 @ 8:08 am
Whew - I can’t read this thing - you guys are wide too, right? (Refresh your browser)
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:08 am
Wonder if the PFI realizes people have discovered some pet food produced in 05 in the back of their cabinets or in the basement food storage areas.
Whats this doing here?
Be interesting to see what the test results show when they come back from the lab.
Comment by Steve — May 4, 2007 @ 8:11 am
My Simon -
Karen from the Pittsburgh Tribune mentioned it to the FDA yesterday during the conference. (160 lb great dane vs. a child) FDA’s come back was something to the effect of the dilution effect - that we wouldn’t sit down and just eat a plate of chicken so-to-speak. But this stuff isn’t just in chicken. And if it were, so what, it’s still unknown, if it is dangerous and they need to error on the side of caution as opposed to $$.
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:12 am
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:08 am
No kidding watch your links people!
Comment by Steve — May 4, 2007 @ 8:12 am
Steve -
I don’t think we are being moderated - this blog has been messed up for a while now - I emailed :)
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:13 am
Steve -
She’s new, she didn’t know. I showed her. BE NICE.
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:14 am
Actually Mozilla needs to get it’s act together on this wrap problem there is no excuse for this other then they are being LAZY.
Comment by Steve — May 4, 2007 @ 8:14 am
MySimon -
The contaminated feeds went to over a hundred places where our food supply is fed (chickens, hogs, etc). We also worry about our energy drinks, energy bars, etc. The situation is ridiculous.
Notice the HUGE sales at the supermarket? Don’t buy that stuff! (IMO)
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:17 am
Steve -
You’re right -
Now I’m in IE and there’s no issue. It’s only in Mozilla.
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:19 am
Back to sleuthing :)
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:21 am
Again, I’m so sorry for messing up your blog. A special apology to the person who has to take time to fix it!
Grany
Comment by Aunt Granny — May 4, 2007 @ 8:22 am
I use Opera and it’s w-i-d-e for me too.
Comment by slt — May 4, 2007 @ 8:24 am
Comment by Steve — May 4, 2007 @ 8:11 am
I had those black flecks in cans of Prescription I/D in March 2006!
Still have my three Hills and Euk from March to August. Just waiting…
Comment by Nadine Long — May 4, 2007 @ 8:25 am
itchmo reporting new SmartPak recall
http://www.itchmo.com/read/new.....4#more-619
Comment by slt — May 4, 2007 @ 8:26 am
oops, now I just added a link without remembering to go to tinyurl… {bonks self on head with bag of melamine}
Comment by slt — May 4, 2007 @ 8:27 am
Go to Itchmo - there is another recall at SmartPak - this one states they (shouldn’t have) had any of the suspect ingredients. Heard that before? Lawyers are going to be so rich w/ that one.
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:28 am
No worries Granny - I did it when I first joined too. I didn’t know about TinyURL.
slt - YOU are not new. :) :)
Those girls are taking a much needed break. Good for them!!
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:30 am
Barbaro- The movie on Barbaro now will be ..on NBC Sat At 8 pm.
Comment by Mary Ann — May 4, 2007 @ 8:31 am
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:30 am
“slt - YOU are not new.”
Can I get a pass for being blonde?
(Note to self: dye hair blonde) ;-P
Comment by slt — May 4, 2007 @ 8:34 am
China sending misbranding drugs, that aren’t approved in the U.S. -
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/o.....a5716.html
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:42 am
Sure you can slt - I’m blonde too! (well, used to be)
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:43 am
Thanks Mary Ann!
Hopefully there’s no friggin’ hockey game this time!
Comment by shelly — May 4, 2007 @ 8:43 am
Excerpt LAST FEW PARA. from the LA Times (above)
….Chinese authorities have detained the head of a Chinese company suspected of shipping melamine-contaminated wheat gluten to pet food suppliers in the U.S., according to a report in the New York Times.
The arrest of Mao Lijun, which police officials declined to confirm, came after he repeatedly denied in interviews that his company exported wheat gluten. Mao is the general manager of Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co., based in Jiangsu province, north of Shanghai.
Until a few days ago, Xuzhou Anying’s website said that the company’s products included wheat gluten and ESB Protein Powder, an additive for animal feed that artificially boosts the protein content. The company, founded in 1995, said its “latest researched, developed and produced” ESB powder was “a new way to solve the problem of shortage of protein resource.”
Said Zhang Huimin, president of Hebei Haojia Husbandry Co. in Handan, China, a protein additive maker that also uses melamine, “Don’t be fooled by those names. Whatever they call it, NPN, ESB … they are all the same, it’s still melamine.”
Comment by Kat — May 4, 2007 @ 8:44 am
The numbers remain unproven because they aren’t EVER going to go get tissue samples from over 8,000 animals. So they can play that card forever that it was never “proven.”
Comment by Cheryl Hansen — May 4, 2007 @ 8:51 am
I also liked the sidestep when asked if humans at the chickens that ate the melamine, and the response wasn’t yes/no, but “the risk is …. blah blah blah (and if you want to swallow that one, then just go back to the discourse on how diluted the contaminants were in the pet food..but still didn’t hurt them for years…and it isn’t confirmed anyway because they won’t ever test samples even if available from vets!) Pass some of that meatless melamine casserole would you?
Comment by Cheryl Hansen — May 4, 2007 @ 8:55 am
*****!! WEGMAN’S RECALL !!*****
http://tinyurl.com/2xf4of
Wegmans says this new recall affects all code dates of one variety of Wegmans cat food:. It’s the Wegmans (wet) Beef and Gravy Cat Food, 3 oz., with a UPC number of 7789076381.
Comment by Kat — May 4, 2007 @ 8:55 am
That’s from the MenuFoods latest recall. Last one on Wegman’s list on Menu’s site.
Comment by Kat — May 4, 2007 @ 9:00 am
I’ve lost all faith that our government can keep our food safe or can protect us from terrorists. This is a rude awakening and the nightmare continues.
The morning network shows reported more deaths but what they left out could fill a tanker truck. What about the ASPCA warning against supplements from China in our pet food and the issue of cross contamination and how even dry food from these companies isn’t safe. What about the Nutro buyout and why did Nutro sell and what are they hiding?
So many people trust that the companies are doing their best and keep buying the pet food. This entire situation is pathetic and breaks my heart.
Comment by Terry — May 4, 2007 @ 9:02 am
What about the Turkeys! They feed turkeys don’t they? Turkey feed probably comes from the same place as the chicken and hog feed. I eat a BUTT LOAD of turkey!
Comment by Tammy — May 4, 2007 @ 9:19 am
Tammy…..have a little melagravy with your melaturkey & melasmashed taters….
Comment by JanC — May 4, 2007 @ 1:46 pm