Pet food recall: Saturday night news update, the Christie’s head explodes edition
By Christie Keith
May 5, 2007
- If you have a sick pet or a question on your pet’s health, call your veterinarian.
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Our headlines were getting boring, weren’t they? Can you believe we write for a living? So I thought I’d lure you in with some violence and gore. But before I get to that…
Don’t miss itchmo.com’s Ben Huh on Steve Dale’s internet (and 720 AM if you’re in Chicago) radio show Sunday night at 8 PM Central Time… you can hear it on the web here.
Okay, now that we’ve gone… er, let’s see… 24 hours without a recall… guess what? YES! It’s all over! The crisis is behind us. Our pets’ food is safe. And so is ours. We can move on.
How do I know? The FDA said so. Now, let me say that I’m abandoning all efforts at journalistic objectivity here and frankly confessing this article made my head explode, and it wasn’t pretty. Here, feel my pain:
Despite publicity about tainted shipments from overseas, Dr. David W.K. Acheson said Americans shouldn’t fear eating imported foods.
“Consumers should be reassured that the international situation is under control,” he said in an interview. “We’re now getting on with this proactive strategy.”
Acheson, who was named this week to the newly created post of assistant FDA commissioner for food protection, said investigators have made significant progress in tracing the tainted ingredient from China that is believed to have killed cats and dogs in this country and entered other animal feed products.
Note the language: “Believed to have.” As if it hadn’t been actually physically discovered in the gluten and rice protein, in the food, and in the urine and kidneys of the dead pets. Also, note the use of the phrase “despite publicity,” implying this is a hysterical over-reaction to something, rather than a something on its own. How about, “Despite there having been melamine and cyanuric acid in foods imported into this country, people shouldn’t fear eating them.”
Moving on:
He said that Americans should not worry about serving pet food to their dogs and cats. Over the past seven weeks, the contamination prompted the recall of 150 brands of pet food, forced the quarantine of more than 100,000 hogs and chickens that may have been fed tainted feed and prompted the Chinese to detain one food company’s executive.
I feel so reassured.
Acheson said he has begun developing new plans for protecting the nation’s food supply from contamination, either through commercial transactions or terrorist acts.
He said the FDA needs more sophisticated computer systems and, perhaps, additional scientists to identify foods that might be at risk for contamination and in need of stricter inspection.
He said he is also studying whether the FDA needs to ask Congress for expanded legal authority, new regulations and more inspectors – potential changes that lawmakers are already considering.
So, these are things that might happen, but haven’t yet. So why is it safe now?
“Globalization of food is here. It’s here to stay. We need to acknowledge that and make sure food coming to the United States is as safe as we can make it,” Acheson said in a telephone interview, one of the first he has conducted since taking on the new post on Tuesday.
I have an idea. I don’t want the food coming into our country to be “as safe as we can make it,” I want it to be safe. Call me crazy.
Investigators suspect that Chinese suppliers of two pet food ingredients, wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate, spiked them with melamine in order to boost their value. Investigators also believe that the industrial chemical, not approved for use in food, killed at least 16 pets by working in combination with melamine-related compounds.
First of all, those weren’t “pets,” they were dogs and cats in Menu Foods’ test labs. Since anyone paying even remote attention can see there are thousands of dead pets, let’s at least go with the AP’s “unknown numbers” of dead pets.
Here’s where my head exploded:
Acheson said the search for the pet food contaminant is “virtually closed” and investigators have a “very good handle” on its distribution. Government officials say the threat to humans is extremely low.
See? I told you, it’s all over.
Inspectors are redirecting their efforts into checking all vegetable protein shipments from China and visiting American importers to test ingredients and make sure the firms know who made them.
But why? It’s all over. Everything’s safe!
Acheson said hiring more inspectors might help prevent future scares, but the FDA will never have enough manpower to examine all food supplied by 150,000 registered food makers from abroad.
“Right now, we inspect 1 percent of food imports. If we were to inspect 2 percent, would that problem go away? I don’t think so,” he said.
Nothing like a positive attitude going in. And remember: your cats and dogs were killed and sickened by a scare. A scare that is costing Americans between $2 and $20 MILLION DOLLARS in vet bills.
The government attempts to target the riskiest foods for close monitoring, but the failure to identify wheat gluten for attention suggests that more needs to be done to find the right targets, Acheson said.
Ya think?
Acheson said the FDA wasn’t planning to establish a database for collecting reports of injuries to pets, a demand of pet owners that Acheson said veterinarians are considering.
He also questioned whether it would be beneficial to create a system for monitoring the safety of fresh vegetables, similar to one that ground beef producers established after an E. coli outbreak at Jack in the Box restaurants in 1993.
Instead, he said, more research is needed to identify points in the food production cycle where contamination is most likely to occur. Then, methods could be developed to prevent problems from arising.
Of course. Good. Don’t do anything constructive or proactive or useful. Instead, let’s do more research. Excellent.
If you never see me again after tonight, you’ll know Gina locked me out of the blog for excessive sarcasm and head explosion. But while she was cuddled up with her adorable new kitten, I had to read that article. I’m just saying.
Is it okay to post a “play nice” warning when bits of my skull and brain are splattered all over the blog?
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Well-said, Christie! For the record, my head has been “exploding” lately too over all this mumbo-jumbo, techno-speak, double-talk nonsense that has been peddled to us as consumers and pet owners. I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it!
We need to produce our own products in our own country, the way we used to do it. They way we have done it for nearly 300 years! Like we have proudly done since this country was first FOUNDED. We used to take pride in our independence and “can do” attitude in America. We could exercise quality control over our products. Our farms were honest family farms that didn’t mistreat their livestock.
Our poor little suffering pets are like the “coal miner’s canaries” today and are dying because of the rotten-to-the-core greed that has permeated our society here at home and yes, globally.
Rosy
Comment by Rosy — May 5, 2007 @ 11:41 pm
“He said the FDA needs more sophisticated computer systems and, perhaps, additional scientists to identify foods that might be at risk for contamination and in need of stricter inspection.”
excuse me?! they don’t have sophisticated computer systems?! WTF?!
*bangs head against wall and then lets it explode*
thank you for your straight forward commentary. i agree. OY!
*head explodes again*
Comment by straybaby — May 5, 2007 @ 11:50 pm
I wonder if they think that we’re all morons?
Just feed them what they want to hear…and it will be fine.
There are those of us out here, who are not as trusting as we used to be. We don’t buy it.
Comment by Marcy — May 5, 2007 @ 11:54 pm
Gaaaaa!!! There are not words (that I can use on this blog, anyhow) to express what I’d like to.
FDA: “Woopsie, we’d better get a handle on this situation, fast! Profits are being lost by the minute! Let’s do a “Baghdad Bob” and tell the dopey public there is no problem. Yeah, that’s the ticket! Get ‘em back out shopping and spending money!”
Empty words and faithless promises. I hate it that my tax money goes to pay his salary.
Simple solution: Cease all food imports from China, or any country that does not have standards. Europe can, and does, ban certain imported foodstuff that does not meet their rigorous standards. Why can’t we do the same?
“Move along, nothing to see here…go to the mall, go shopping, spend money….keep your heads stuck in the sand….”
My cats have volunteered to go pee on Mr. Acheson’s desk.
Comment by Momto6Cats — May 5, 2007 @ 11:56 pm
Ahh, now THIS is the Christie that I’ve come to know and love! That snarkfest is just what I needed before I go to bed.
In the back of his head the mantra that he keeps repeating over and over is probably. “This is no big deal. Everyone calm down.
Must. Not. Cause. A. Panic.”
Doesn’t he sound like Baghdad Bob to people?
I also want you to note the qualifying words. When used by scientists to talk to the press they are appropriate. I don’t want my scientists to tell me something is 100 percent when they can’t know it is 100 percent.
But qualifying words in the mouths of political people are called weasel words.
He wants to be able to say stuff that won’t get him in trouble latter.
His globalizations comments make me crazy. Not all countries are the same! I’m VERY happy with stuff imported from some nice Finnish countries. They have rules, they have a history of following those rules.
When the US started letting Mad Cow slip into their food supply what did Japan do? Cut us off! That is what you can do when you don’t have to get all your beef from one country and you aren’t beholden to that country.
We have finally gotten tough with China, but is it tough enough? This is a two way street. If they want to sell to the US then they have to do more than just be the cheapest. They need to provide assurances that it is safe. Might that cost more money? Yes. Welcome to the world that decided that human health is worth something.
For a long time I’ve been trying to figure out how to demonstrate to people the price we pay to outsource to countries that don’t have hard won labor, safety and environment policies. It’s like “If we can’t see it, we don’t care.”
Well this drive to low pricing involves some risks, often to the workers in those countries. Bad pollution, bad working conditions. But when that comes back to us in this form, we can see how we are connected.
Comment by spocko — May 6, 2007 @ 12:02 am
RE ACHESON’S PROCLAMATION THAT FOOD IS SAFE
Nope. Not going to play nice. How can I? Why should I?
It made Christie’s head explode. I saw red. I mean BRIGHT RED.
Acheson said, “…..needs to move in new directions to protect food supplies.” Yup. The FDA should march right into oblivion. How stupid are we to think that the FDA, who represents the manufacturers, would ever condescend to protect the consumers’ interest? We are stupid. I say we do an about face, too, and demand that the USG form an animal protection division dedicated to the animals’ welfare. I don’t give a hoot about the manufacturers.
He goes on to say, “……..investigators have made significant progress in tracing the tainted ingredient from China….” Oh give me a break. If they have made “significant progress” then I interpret that there is still much to be done. No where do I see where all their tasks have been completed. Good grief, we’re still waiting for answers.
Then, to add insult to injury, Acheson goes on to say, “….the search for the pet food contaminant is “virtually closed” and investigators have a “very good handle” on its distribution.” They do? Gosh darn, how can he mean that when two paragraphs later he says, “….the FDA will never have enough manpower to examine all food supplied by 150,000 registered food makers from abroad.” Jiminy Cricket! 150,000 registered food makers?”
Holy ****. There must be big bucks in brokering imports, is all I can say. Forget about the consumer – too much money to be made.
I’m too angry to go on. Suffice it to say that the man’s been working around e. coli too long.
Comment by Lynn — May 6, 2007 @ 12:03 am
As disgusting and maddening as this interview was, the majority of our pet owners in this country don’t know about this..have not followed it. I was at my vet’s and a feed store today and they were all still buying the suspect brands, and not asking any questions. While we are upset with these bureaucrats, the truth is we get what we deserve. The majority of our population don’t care and don’t want to know about it. Go out on the street near a food store and ask if the people buy pet food have heard about the recall besides those TINY signs posted near the pet food sections…which in grocery stores don’t even exist.
Nothing will change until we (a majority of we) stand up and demand it. So vote with your pocket book. Buy only food made with US ingredients you can trust. I will never buy from any of the recalled brands again.
And tell your friends and colleagues about this cuz they aren’t following it.
Oh yes, my second kitty is acting ill and is on the way to the Vet ER too.
I am very scared.
Comment by Sandy — May 6, 2007 @ 12:21 am
After reading the link (from the previous blog) to the article about antifreeze being put in children’s cough syrup (well, we know it’s poisonious, but there’s more profit, you see?), the thousands of people killed or seriously hurt from the poison, and the reaction of the Chinese government (well, the company that did it wasn’t licensed to make drugs, therefore they didn’t break the law by making a drug that was poisonious), I just don’t know WHAT to say.
If they can’t be relied on to make safe drugs for sick people, or safe food for humans, why in the world do we expect them to make safe ingredients for our pet’s food?
After the cough syrup incident, the WHO (World Health Organization), sent the government a fax reminding them not to export poisonious drugs.
I am honestly scared. An someone who has no pets and knows nothing about the pet food recall, was telling me about pain and problems with her legs the last month or so, said—out of the blue—that it seemed to get worse after she ate chicken. I’m really hoping that that’s a combination of coincidence and (my)paranoia.
Comment by carly — May 6, 2007 @ 12:27 am
Hmmmmmm, maybe everyone should send copies of their vet bills directly to Acheson? And send it certified and registered so that someone has to sign for it. Sure, he’ll never see them but somehow it will make me feel better that he’ll be griping because he’s got one employee who’s too busy signing postal forms and can’t do work for him.
Hmmmmm…another thought. Maybe there should be another tally taken: total spent on vet bills and cremation/burial as a result of contaminated food. Then send this database to the news media.
As much as I want to believe Durbin can make a difference, we’re up against an agency that has a lot of clout [when it wants to exercise it].
I say we all stop buying pet food for one week [well, those who are still buying it]. Pick a date - June 1st - June 8th? Just to prove that we can hurt them. Let them quake in their boots.
Comment by Lynn — May 6, 2007 @ 12:34 am
sandy,
lots o’ paws crossed and best of luck to you and your kitty!
Comment by straybaby — May 6, 2007 @ 12:39 am
Christie -
I live in Baltimore and also went ballistic when I saw this article. I couldn’t believe what I was reading! This same reporter had written a front page article on Wednesday, following the FDA tele-conference, that actually gave all the information, including numbers, that was learned from that conference. I actually e-mailed him and thanked him for the article because the media coverage of this recall had, up until then, been poor and inaccurate, at best. He must have had a short-term memory loss when writing this article (16 pets?!!!). I am afraid that Mr. Acheson was hired for his ability to “spin” and make the story go away, and the news media is going to help him do just that.
This article was also on the front page of the Sun and continued on an inside page. Ironically, immediately below this article on that inside page was the AP article about the 20 million chickens!!
Comment by Linda P. — May 6, 2007 @ 1:03 am
Does Acheson know the definition of ANARCHY?
Comment by Kathi — May 6, 2007 @ 1:08 am
Tell Acheson!
Acheson, David CFSAN/OCD/OFDCER HFS-032
Phone 301-436-1910 Fax 301-439-2605 CPK1/3B003 david.acheson@fda.hhs.gov
Comment by Ann H — May 6, 2007 @ 1:30 am
I guess we can all tuck our heads back in the sand again. Superacheson has saved the day!!!
He’s our new hero!
Anybody got a chunk of Krytonite?
Comment by Kathi — May 6, 2007 @ 1:46 am
Acheson, David, Ph.D. Chief Medical Officer, DHSS/FDA/CFSAN
5100 Paint Branch Parkeay, Mail Code HFS6, Rm 2B-3, College Park, MD 20740-3835
david.acheson@cfsan.fda.gov
Comment by Ann H — May 6, 2007 @ 2:00 am
OY!!!! SPIN SPIN SPIN!!!
Yup, that’s what I call really DUMB DUMB! They think we’ll just believe any old crap
that comes out of their mouths! Well, Mr. Acheson, just keep spinning, round and round,
maybe you’ll get sooo dizzy that you will fall head first into the doggydish and have to
eat your way out! How does it feel Mr Acheson to have your insides exploding from eating
poison food in the doggydish?
BTW, just what food IS Barny eating these days?
Comment by Mary Smith — May 6, 2007 @ 3:29 am
We need to reinvest in american farming NOW!
hey FDA (fool on drugs?)what happend when the
enviormental changes (global warming)
cause drought world wide? already austraila
has drought so severe it is seeking to de-populate the country by 1/2??
you and your corporations are probably playing
the global warming card? food shortages , thrirst and drought, and the “lucky 1’s” will
have the ticket to survival? what is your game
slimeball? i got news pal.. there’s 300million
americans that are ready to lynch your butts?
change the same old tired song..M.F./
Comment by johnypaycut — May 6, 2007 @ 3:36 am
David Acheson is having a Mike Brown moment. The public has been told everything is cheeky at least 100 times throughout this scandal. In fact, just a few days ago, more than 2 months after the first recall, we learn 20 million chickens for human consumption have been fed the toxic waste. He sure knows how to make an entry…
Comment by Frank — May 6, 2007 @ 3:43 am
I started feeding my cat Purina Cat Chow, dry, last week as a stopgap until I could get some food which was GUARANTEED safe. He threw up the first day, but he does that from time to time because of hairballs, so I didn’t think anything of it. He vomited every day for about 5 solid days before I went out and got some decent food for him at the local organic store. (It happened to be Wellness brand in this case.)
Lo and behold, when I poured the Wellness dry on top of the Purina, he picked the Wellness out nugget by nugget and left only the Purina in the bowl. He has not vomited for 6 days and counting.
The point of the story is not to promote Wellness brand cat food. The point is that Purina Cat Chow dry is obviously contaminated with something horrible, and is not on any of the lists.
NESTLE-PURINA IS STILL MURDERING CATS EVERY DAY, AND IS SOMEHOW COVERING IT UP. PLEASE GOD END THIS MADNESS AND SINK ALL SHIPS AT SEA WITH CHINESE FOOD PRODUCTS BECAUSE MY OWN GOVERNMENT IS DOING NOTHING TO PROTECT ME!
Comment by Palomino — May 6, 2007 @ 3:58 am
Does anybody remember the Boston Tea Party? Does anyone in America today have the balls to replicate that famous event, and proclaim our independence from Chinese and Indian imports? Just a thought — no need for direct action. But the Feds should be afraid of a consumer revolt more than they are afraid of corporate wrath. These pet food corporations probably already have accounts in the red from all the bad press, anyway. The FDA will never see a DIME of that money! A reminder to boycott the parent companies: e.g. Proctor and Gamble, Nestle Purina, Del Monte.
Comment by Palomino — May 6, 2007 @ 4:05 am
Part of having a Mike Brown moment is being put in a political situation that is WAY over your head. The FDA has been WAY over its head for a while now. Is Acheson the scapegoat that they want to use to direct all of our fury away from the problem at hand? That isn’t going to work with the handful of us on this blog, but for the general public… well, they don’t remember anyone but Mike Brown.
Comment by CatLady — May 6, 2007 @ 4:23 am
Tell that to my 2 SICK Dogs.I throught their food Was so called safe when I fed them the food w/the poison. Never Ever again will I trust another PET FOOD CO.
Comment by Mary Ann — May 6, 2007 @ 4:28 am
Remember, In God We Trust, for everyone else, we read labels. We stop buying these mixmashed prepared foods. We support local agriculture, especially family farms and organic growers where possible. And READ Labels. Stop supporting the people who have put the Maine shoe business, the Maine furniture business, the many small, honest creators in the tank. Join the up-to-now marginal green speakers and make that the mainstream. If having our beloved four-legged family members suffer and die isn’t enough to motivate the change, I can’t imagine what will.
Comment by Nancy Nielsen — May 6, 2007 @ 4:50 am
Don’t forget that Colin Peterson is having a party to get the USDA as the main agency.
“The House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing next week to look into the problem with contaminated feedstuffs from China. Committee Chair, Collin Peterson says as part of that, they are going to consider moving all food inspection functions to USDA. Peterson says it would be the sensible thing to do, “They are the people that know how to do this.” The Minnesota Democrat believes additional funding and inspectors for the Food and Drug Administration would not, “Get a whole lot better results.” Peterson says there is work being done on legislation that would transfer the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) back to USDA from the Department of Homeland Security.”
If anyone has a fax and email for him I would appreciate it!
Thanks!
http://tinyurl.com/23gyrb
Comment by Ann H — May 6, 2007 @ 5:02 am
WOOO HOOOO….let’s all celebrate. We can have a big ole shindig and serve barbecued chickamine and melameat for the people and the pets can have our leftovers!!
Tell all those people who’s pets are DEAD or suffering the effects of eating tainted pet food. And…I still don’t quite understand why we can’t pay our own US FARMERS to grow US CROPS rather than paying them NOT to grow their fields and import garbage from other countries.
Comment by Therese — May 6, 2007 @ 5:08 am
Did you see the post about the 20million chickens hanging over our heads at Itchmo going back into the recycle bin headed to pet foods AGAIN?
Thank you for writing Old Mother Hubbard.
We are aware of the news story that aired about chickens in Indiana being fed melamine contaminated chicken feed. Any pet food that is currently on the market would not contain this chicken meat. Several weeks/months may go by from the time a chicken is on a farm to the time it is used in one of our products.
We are investigating this matter.
Heather Rowe
Representative
Consumer Affairs
Comment by Ann H — May 6, 2007 @ 5:16 am
Just got a visual of Acheson with his head buried in the sand — literally. Guess what part of his anatomy was sticking up in the air. Can’t say any more or it won’t be bloggable.
Comment by Margaret Bridge — May 6, 2007 @ 5:20 am
Hint: this whole thing might just bite him in the back end.
Comment by Margaret Bridge — May 6, 2007 @ 5:24 am
OK First I keep thinking what a cruel slap in the face this is to all the people with sick or dead pets. Why, why, why, when they finally were starting to talk real numbers, is he pulling out the old ‘16 pets’ drivle?
And then we have all the chickens and hogs. . . but dont’ worry your pretty little head over that. In fact, don’t use your head at all, just beleive whatever we tell you. And to think that we are actually PAYING farmers in this country to NOT grow crops. Literally! And then importing this deadly stuff from China because it’s cheaper!?!
You know, there has been a huge explosion of autoimune disease in my mothers family over the past 10 years (myself included with RA at 35) and a cousin who lost her six year old daughter to a very rare cancer. I soooo suspect that all the crap in our food now days contributes. . .
Christie, I think at this point only an idiot wouldn’t have their head explode! It’s enough to make anyone with a shred of intelligence begin to question their sanity!
Comment by cardima — May 6, 2007 @ 5:28 am
Old Mother Hubbard said,”Any pet food that is currently on the market would not contain this chicken meat. Several weeks/months may go by from the time a chicken is on a farm to the time it is used in one of our products.”
I believe that the poisoned (‘tainted’ is the same for me as calling a dead person a ‘casualty’)feed/pet food has been around for years,not months.OMH needs to keep that in mind.
Lorna
Comment by Lorna — May 6, 2007 @ 5:33 am
Do President Bush and other government officials eat any of the chickens we and our cats(in the cat food) are sold or do the have chickens sold to them from farms without poisoned feed. Guess there will be more dialysis machines around to take care of human shut-down kidneys.
Comment by Evelyn — May 6, 2007 @ 5:41 am
Christie,thanks for sharing your brain blast with us.Your running commentary helped me get through Acheson’s rubbish without doing serious damage to my screen…just.
There may be one good thing though that he has done with his outrageous spin,and that is to remind anyone who may have been been thinking that the FDA et al were beginning to ‘get it’ that it just ain’t so.
The pressure needs not only to stay on,but also increase.
This really is a nightmare!
Lorna
Comment by Lorna — May 6, 2007 @ 5:45 am
I think the last sentence of the article is especially interesting: “In 2002, he became the FDA food safety center’s chief medical officer.”
So, for the past 5 years, he’s been responsible for keeping the food supply safe. All of this happened on his watch. It’s been his job to oversee/monitor an evolving crisis situation, which reached critical mass this spring. He didn’t keep the food supply safe and then, when things got really bad, he received a promotion and a new title and was charged with keeping the food supply safe. Do you think he got a raise as well?
My head just exploded too.
Comment by yet another pat — May 6, 2007 @ 5:57 am
Ya, but Yet Another Pat,don’t forget that it’s the out-dated computer system that’s at fault.
Wink wink,nod nod,say no more,say no more.
Lorna
Comment by Lorna — May 6, 2007 @ 6:02 am
“Globalization of food is here. It’s here to stay.”
I love when they go a step further and blame us for the problem too—talking about how consumer demand for cheap products has forced them to source ingredients from abroad. Poor big companies! Yeah, I’m sure their primary concern is saving us money. *snicker*
The usual next statement is how in order to be safer, it’s going to cost the consumer more. How ‘bout this, maybe the pet food companies will have to eat the cost of safe, quality ingredients. So sorry to take away from your PROFIT MARGIN.
Comment by CC — May 6, 2007 @ 6:10 am
What we need here is the “shot heard round the
world” ?
it’s time to change things,
dump chinese imports in the pacific ? (aka.
boston teaparty) rememeber to bring your “injun
disguise” no 1 identifys you?
you can bet the whole country is with you!
300million pissed off people?
why does the constitution guarentee you the right to bear arms?
so others can decide what you eat, where you work? what you’l see on tv? what you have to
pay taxes for?
tell ‘em to get out!!!
Comment by johnypaycut — May 6, 2007 @ 6:17 am
Last night I happened to hear Steve Dale being interviewed on WGN as a promo for his Pet Central Show tonight (Sunday). He talked about the role bloggers played as an important part in bringing petfood recall info to the forefront. He praised Itchmo.com and then mentioned petconnection.com in what appeared to be a somewhat negative tone…something about using the situation for their benefit….what was that about? Petconnection.com was the place I first turned to the day the recall started and have found this site to be nothing but beyond helpful and a wonderful source of support! It will be interesting to listen to the show tonight.
Comment by Phyllis — May 6, 2007 @ 6:41 am
Everyone needs to put their heads together to come up with another movement to try to make a difference.
I’m sorry, but every so-called “law” or regulation in place has failed us and our animals miserably. There has to be something we can do. More legislation might help in the future but not right now.
I think we should concentrate on one person in government and send a barrage of e-mails, letters and cards requesting a criminal investigation into this, specifically directed at ChemNutra, Menu Foods and any other company involved.
One voice won’t be heard but many will.
We need to think of the best way to be proactive.
Comment by Sharon — May 6, 2007 @ 6:42 am
How disheartening can this be. And the sadder thing is that except for most people on these blogs it ‘is’ over and it’s business as usual. I knew earlier this morning before I opened these messages that it is a blue, sad, depressing day. Sigh.
Comment by VJ — May 6, 2007 @ 6:44 am
There is no pet foods crisis.
There is no human food crisis.
Move along nothing to see here.
Don’t mind the exploding heads;
they’ve been deemed non-harmful
and safe for consumption.
Lets see;
This tainted melamine started last summer if not before. (lets say 8 months ago)
If we use 9 billion chicken a year that will be 6.75 billion chicken gone to market during that time.
What part ate contaminated feed, well we’ll never know, but we can low ball it and say 33% = 2.23 billion
Surly, some of that chicken went into pet food we humans ate the rest, lets say 20% pets -80% human (just picking a number out of the air, here) 445 thousand to pets and 1.78 billion to us humans.
lets say it took 2 months to cycle the tainted chicken into pet food so that will be 6 months of pet food doubly contaminated by both mela-chicken and mela-protein additives.
As we well know that now twice tainted pet food was feed to the chickens
Well I was going to say that my head exploded at this point but it seems my kitten is puking her sweet little head off now so I gotta go, sorry…
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — May 6, 2007 @ 6:50 am
Yup, it’s the computers. Well, getting a new computer system in place at an agency like FDA will take years. What are they going to do in the meantime?
Looking back at the article (I’d better stop doing that), this jumped out at me: “Instead, he said, more research is needed to identify points in the food production cycle where contamination is most likely to occur. Then, methods could be developed to prevent problems from arising.”
The FDA doesn’t already KNOW where in the food production cycle contamination is likely to occur?! Has the wheel been invented yet?
I hope that’s a poorly worded statement and doesn’t really say what it appears to be saying. If he means they have to refine the knowledge they have, ok, but that doesn’t sound like what he’s saying.
Comment by yet another pat — May 6, 2007 @ 6:52 am
Phyllis, that’s disappointing. If anything, I’ve been struck with how NONcompetetive the various blogs have been - supporting one another, making cross-referrals to each one’s area of strength, and so on. Heck - Gina has even told us that since she can’t accept money for THIS blog, that if we want to contribute to a blog, we should pick one of the others.
Apparently Steve Dale doesn’t get it . . . . . . .
Comment by The OTHER Pat — May 6, 2007 @ 6:52 am
So, I am so finally relieved that its over and oh, so assured that anything I buy off the shelfs and feed my pets is now safe. Yeah, right.
What a bunch of smoke this guy is blowing and I won’t say from where on here.
His contradicting statements make me want to pull my hair out!
Do we really believe there will be no more recalls?
Time will tell……
Comment by Deanna — May 6, 2007 @ 6:54 am
From The OTHER Pat to yet another pat:
There’s an acronym for what he’s describing. I’ll look for it later when I get home (if someone doesn’t beat me to it). But it’s a formalized system for monitoring food safety that’s been adopted by meat packers under the jurisdiction of the USDA, and there are fairly detailed descriptions of this regimen available online (which I could find easily if I could just remember the acronym . . . . . . . . . )
Comment by The OTHER Pat — May 6, 2007 @ 6:55 am
Per my comment about Steve Dale/Pet Central show…believe me, I think his opinion about this website is the least of worries in light of the FDA article that caused Christie’s head to explode but his seemingly comment made me furious and I just needed to vent about it….
Comment by Phyllis — May 6, 2007 @ 6:55 am
I remembered! It’s HACCP. Here’s a page on it (only quickly perused by me - I gotta get out the door or I’ll be late!):
http://haccpalliance.org/alliance/haccpqa.html
Comment by The OTHER Pat — May 6, 2007 @ 6:59 am
Forget The FDA. Pet Food Institute is lying, the FDA is lying and has lied and will continue to lie. Pet Food Cabal has insulted all Americans. Acheson has insulted all Americans.
Comment by Steve — May 6, 2007 @ 7:00 am
We’ve all known Steve for a long time — like us, he writes a syndicated newspaper column — and we are fairly perplexed by his constant attacking of us, which started in the days after the first recall and has continued non-stop ever since.
In any case, whatever his problem is, you’d have to ask him. And the fact of the matter is, we don’t care. It is his problem, not ours.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 6, 2007 @ 7:00 am
Christie, I hope you don’t get in trouble. You were provoked.
So, basically, we now have to assume there’s no government oversight of food safety at all and buy all our food from local farmers? Well, that’d be good for local farmers, so maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
Comment by Katherine — May 6, 2007 @ 7:04 am
Nice job Christie. I read this article last night (before you posted it) and had to immediately turn off my computer and go to bed. the only thing that kept me from screaming was that I was in total carbohydrate overload so my brain was nice and numb.
This guy is the biggest idiot since… since… god that list of idiots is long these days.
Comment by Kim — May 6, 2007 @ 7:06 am
Steve Dale’s a PHONY. A self serving, self centered, self proclaimed “expert” and SELL OUT. He’s only in it for himself.
Comment by Steve — May 6, 2007 @ 7:06 am
andrew.voneschenbach@fda.hhs.gov
anderson Cooper
loudobbs@cnn.com
Duane Ekedahl
bob@appma.org
edith@appma.org
aferrante@appma.org
ed@appma.org
collin.peterson@mail.house.gov
“Kla, Joanne M”
Those are only a few - please share your thoughts with them too.
I think writing is the only way that I can survive this and deal the vicious circle and Brownie II. If they don’t read emails, then I hope they get the faxes.
Comment by Ann H — May 6, 2007 @ 7:06 am
P.S. I’m thinking I’ll post this on my blog with the title “New FDA Food Czar is an Idiot”.
Comment by Kim — May 6, 2007 @ 7:07 am
Thanks, The OTHER Pat (TOP?) for the HACCP link. I’m looking up what the FDA has to say about it.
Comment by yet another pat — May 6, 2007 @ 7:10 am
“Right now, we inspect 1 percent of food imports. If we were to inspect 2 percent, would that problem go away? I don’t think so,” he said.
Rightey-o. Best to just do nothing then.
Trying to see the good in all things, I guess I could say that at least Dr. Aches-on (and on and on) can not be accused of aiming too high or setting up loftier goals than may be possible to achieve.
Comment by slt — May 6, 2007 @ 7:10 am
There is a forum over at Itchmo where they are collecting the costs to pet owners due to this recall. I have no idea what will be done with it once it’s compiled but it’s over there….can only hope it’ll be sent to the new spinmeister & huge joke at the FDA.
I have an email headed to him & it isn’t pretty. Oh, I’ll be polite but I’m mad as hell & want him to know that his BS is not reassuring, it’s making everyone angry.
I read an email that somebody posted at Itchmo yesterday from Natura…..it made me feel a lot better & I will definitely use one of their products next. Anyone interested, I can post it here. Pls don’t ask me where it is….I’ve been hopping from website to website & reading so much, I don’t have a clue….except I know it’s Itchmo. If you want to see it, I’ll go on a search……all I can say is that at least one PF company has the smarts to go out there & tell paw parents what they intend to do to keep their food safe for our kids…..WTF are the other companies doing? Some are hiding as their foods are still killing pets & others are just hiding PERIOD.
I want to ask the spinmeister if everything is so safe, who are the two PF companies that received the FIRST shipment of tainted RPC & have yet to go public & WHO got the SECOND shipment??????
Christie: you poor thing…..hurt wrist & exploded head…..but know you are not alone. This is just too much for any intelligent human being. They sure think we are a bunch of morons….only politicians are smart & we should believe everything they say….cough, gag, choke….
Comment by JanC — May 6, 2007 @ 7:11 am
Idea let’s get to work and see if we can find our who $teve Dale$ in bed with.
This ought to be a hoot.
Comment by Steve — May 6, 2007 @ 7:17 am
Or maybe my title will be
It’s confirmed, FDA = FEMA.
Comment by Kim — May 6, 2007 @ 7:17 am
Steve Dale Pet Expert
After finishing up at the University of Illinois, Chicago – where he majored in mass communication, and minored in biology and psychology, Steve worked around Chicago area radio playing music on the air.
Well how you like that. He was a DJ.
Comment by Steve — May 6, 2007 @ 7:26 am
You seen one you seen em’ all.
Comment by Steve — May 6, 2007 @ 7:34 am
SOME NEWS SERVICES SEE THE TRUTH:
It doesn’t seem that it would take a rocket scientist to figure out that if contaminated pet foods are killing and causing serious illness to thousands of cats and dogs nationwide that it should be destroyed, not fed to other animals
But the contamination isn’t confined to only pork, now it’s chickens—-and who knows what else that the government isn’t telling us. With the FDA expanding its import alert due to the pet food recall and the deaths of more than 4,500 cats and dogs, the alert now includes wheat gluten, rice gluten, rice protein, rice protein concentrate, corn gluten, corn gluten mean, corn by-products, soy protein, proteins and mung bean protein.
And the potential for tainted foods has increased drastically to include baked goods, cereals, pasta and many other products.
http://www.northcountrygazette.....s_on_hold/
Maybe that is our problem..we are not rocket scientists..we are thinking along practical lines and seeing the realities that exist. Why do we keep looking for the truth? There is no financial gains or prestige to be gained by any of us. We are not hoping to run for public office or show company profits. We are merely “lowly” pet owners looking for something safe to feed out furkids and hopefuly something we can feel comfortable eating ourselves. That is our agenda plain and simple!!
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 7:36 am
Ok, that is a lesson if there ever was one:
a) Governmental agencies are not here to serve the people, but to hush-hush situations which could possibly hold big business responsible.
b) News Media are not here to inform people, but to hush-hush situations which could possibly hold big business responsible.
My consequences:
a) I will not buy from any of those companies who are involved in the food scandal, ever. I rather re-train the cats (who are very lucky to have survived their ‘nutritionally balanced’ pet food) to eat homecooked/raw.
b) I cancelled my newspaper subscription and I stopped watching TV news. I have internet access to provide me with the information I want and need, and with much more variety and depth.
During this scandal the media has shown that they take their mandate to inform the public not nearly as seriously as their sponsor commitment.
Everything else that I wanted to say falls under the categories of ‘threatening, defamatory, insulting, sarcastic…’ and is therefore not fit to be displayed publicly.
Comment by MaKo — May 6, 2007 @ 7:39 am
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 7:36 am
Follow the money.
Comment by Steve — May 6, 2007 @ 7:40 am
A good sign: the MD’s are getting snarky!
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps...../705060346
“Is our food supply safe?
Charles A. Greeb, M.D.
“Let’s think a bit. A very few cases of mad cow disease were found in the United States several years ago. The government of Japan immediately shut off all imports of American beef. Our State Department did very little to stop the harm done to this country’s beef industry.
“Now we are told that some Chinese companies are lacing wheat gluten, and perhaps other products, with melamine, to falsely enhance protein content. Almost daily we hear of new food products containing melamine. Government spokesmen hasten to let us know that melamine poses no threat to human health. (We all surely believe that, don’t we?)
“Why do we not hear that our government has stopped importation of Chinese food products? I suspect it is because China would threaten to unload its more than $1 trillion worth of Treasury Bills, and thereby disrupt our economy.
“Does Japan care more for its citizens than our government? Will your kidneys fall prey to the same damage already done to some of our pets? Citizens, rise up in indignation! Let’s bury our congresspersons and senators with letters, e-mails, phone calls, demanding that prompt action be taken. It’s your health, and mine, at stake.
Charles A. Greeb, M.D.,
Fort Collins “
Who do we write to; who will listen, and WHO has Any POWER to make CHANGES??
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — May 6, 2007 @ 7:41 am
I just received another email this morning directing me to comment to the FDA about their plan to irradiate food to extend it’s shelf life, BUTTTTTT!!!! Don’t worry cuz they will call it “pasteurization” not radiation so us dummies don’t know we are eating radiated foods!
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 7:41 am
Hey everyone, please go here to itchmo’s forums and see what I have proposed. We all think this is criminal, it seems criminal, it probably is criminal and solely based on the almighty dollar. Time to do something about that.
http://itchmoforums.com/index.php?topic=360.0
Comment by Sharon — May 6, 2007 @ 7:43 am
The food irradiation can be commented on at the Food and Water Watch website. I went to that one yesterday and they are also mad as H#@&* about the gluten thing
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 7:45 am
:( where did my post go???
I know, it’s being filtered like the water in the fish tank. I hope it shows up soon as it fits perfectly with Peggy and Elaine’s posts :(
Comment by Sharon — May 6, 2007 @ 7:45 am
Please excuse me for not being able to use words well yet—I am on my first cup of coffee, and live in Oregon so it is early after staying up half the night because of this mess.
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 7:48 am
Let’s start by sending faxes and emails and making calls to Collin Peterson, the Chairman of the House Ag Committee. They are working on COOL right now, which is also a food safety issue, and he is holding a hearing on Tues? about the food safety issue and FDA
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 7:51 am
Hello, I just wanted to say THANK YOU to those who share and post important information on this site. I found out A WEEK AGO ( from reading about it here at Pet Connection ) that Kirkland canned dog food was recalled and I just finally received a letter ( a full week later ) from American Nutrition yesterday telling me “to immediately stop using any Kirkland Signature Lamb and Rice Canned Dog food”. I immediately stopped a Week Ago , only because I read about it on this site! Thank You Pet Connection, that’s one week less of tainted food fed to my dogs! Unfortunately I decided to stop all dog food and cook for them. Can you guess what I cooked? Chicken thighs and rice with carrots and peas. Now the chickens are tainted! Today I put some potatoes and carrots and cubed beef in the crock pot. That is what the dogs are getting tonight. This is getting expensive. Also, a friend told me to give the dogs cottage cheese, and I see that the container lists whey in the ingredients. Is whey safe for dogs? Again THANK YOU PET CONNECTION FOR ALL THE HELP AND SUPPORT THAT YOU PROVIDE!!!
Comment by Peg Long Island NY — May 6, 2007 @ 7:53 am
If we choose one person to concentrate on each day, and we all do it, just think of the effect it will have.
One thing I learned about writing letters to congress is to do a cc. to somebody,
Say write a letter to Collin Peterson, cc to your own Congressman, the FDA etc.
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 7:55 am
“House Ag Committee will look at melamine contamination”
http://www.brownfieldnetwork.c.....4563167870
Friday, May 4, 2007, 2:01 PM
by Bob Meyer
“The House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing next week to look into the problem with contaminated feedstuffs from China. Committee Chair, Collin Peterson says as part of that, they are going to consider moving all food inspection functions to USDA. Peterson says it would be the sensible thing to do, “They are the people that know how to do this.” The Minnesota Democrat believes additional funding and inspectors for the Food and Drug Administration would not, “Get a whole lot better results.” Peterson says there is work being done on legislation that would transfer the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) back to USDA from the Department of Homeland Security.”
I suppose the USDA is better than the Department of Homeland Security and suppose anyone is better that the FDA, but is this a good idea?
I mean, like, I don’t know. All I know is that all these agencies and basically everyone in Washington appears to be dysfunctional.
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — May 6, 2007 @ 7:55 am
Before, Christie and Gina helped organize some questions we wanted asked thru Sen Durbin. Gina and Christie, can we do that again? Can we ask if Sen Durbin is going to hold another hearing and if so we still have many unanswered questions? And first on the panel should be Acheson….can we organize something like that and call on Sen Durbin to help us again? Some hard questions need to be asked of Acheson aka Brownie!. I dont think we should be sitting back and allow them to continue this spin.
Comment by Sandi K — May 6, 2007 @ 7:55 am
“Does Japan care more for its citizens than our government?
Of course, the answer is obvious. The US Government cares primarily about the health of the large corporations that make huge contributions to the political parties and politicians.
The US has the best government multi-national corporations can buy. When it comes to health (pet or human) versus money, money ALWAYS wins. If the voters of the US don’t wake up then they should stop complaining about melamine and other poisons in their diet. We have been voting for poison food - will we continue to do so?
Comment by MFEMFEM — May 6, 2007 @ 7:57 am
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — May 6, 2007 @ 7:55 am
Do we know if this will be a televised hearing or will poor Christies wrists take another beating?
Comment by Sandi K — May 6, 2007 @ 7:57 am
Collin Peterson
http://collinpeterson.house.gov/contact.html
What do you guys think? (Help, I need help!) Anyone?
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — May 6, 2007 @ 7:59 am
Please go here and see what I’ve posted re: a call to action.
http://itchmoforums.com/index.php?topic=360.0
Comment by Sharon — May 6, 2007 @ 8:02 am
You can contact Chairman Collin Peterson and Ranking Minority Member Bob Goodlatte at the House Committee on Agriculture Phone 202-225-2171 Fax:202-225-8510.
Someone should make us a short list of talking points, and let’s just all do this tomorrow, cc to the President, FDA our congressman.
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 8:03 am
Sandi, it’s a public hearing. Maybe it’ll be on C-Span
http://agriculture.house.gov/h.....edule.html
Wednesday, May 9th – 11:00 a.m.
1300 Longworth House Office Building
Full Committee on Agriculture— Public Hearing.
RE: To review the impact of imported contaminated food and feed ingredients and of recent food safety emergencies on food safety and animal health systems.
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — May 6, 2007 @ 8:04 am
From Palomino May 6, 4:05 a.m.: But the Feds should be afraid of a consumer revolt more than they are afraid of corporate wrath.
*******************
True. We are consumers in the U.S., consumers of this and that, things we don’t need, things that are cheaply made that have to be replaced frequently, buying and buying, often just to keep up with the Joneses. We CAN have a CONSUMER REVOLT, Palomino!
WE NEED TO *QUESTION OUR LIFESTYLES* BECAUSE WE’VE CREATED THE IMPORT PROBLEM OURSELVES. DO WE REALLY “NEED” SOMETHING OR JUST *WANT* IT?
In our need to consume, we’re perpetuating the demand for cheap imports, thus, creating a need for more production: relying on cheap foreign labor with poor working conditions, using extra energy which, in turn, creates more pollution (which only blows across the Pacific to our western states), and due to poor construction and materials, leaving cheap, sometimes toxic junk (think window blinds containing lead) piling up in our landfills made of who-know-what materials.
We CAN do something about our dependence on imports with our wallets, as Palomino said, with a “consumer revolt.” But, we’re going to have to change drastically our present way of thinking and consuming.
Let’s face it. If we’re going to buy U.S. made products and buy “local” in the name of higher quality foods and product safety, we’re going to have to be willing to pay a lot more! That means that most people of the middle and lower classes will have to save money elsewhere in their budgets. But, there is nothing more important than safe food for our families (and pets). I think we all agree.
So, what can we do to save money in other areas now that a much larger portion of money will be allocated to safer foods?
Foremost, question your “WANTS” vs. “NEEDS.”
1. BUY USED items when needed: garage sales, auctions, classified ads, swap meets, freecycle . org. (Do you really need that new $400 prom dress when one listed in the classifieds for $50 was worn for only 5 hours? Dresses being tried on in the store have probably been tried on for 5 hours. Who’s going to know it was bought used, unless you tell them…)
2. BARTER: trading one service or skill you have with another person with a service or skill you desire. The same goes for trading one item for another. The government hates bartering. (This happens all the time in the business world. - Ex. a dentist trades services with a building contractor for work needed on the house or dental office. A hair stylist trades services for landscaping or plants for the hair salon.) What skills do you have or can you develop to trade?
3. SPLIT COSTS ON SHARED ITEMS: Go 50/50 with a neighbor on an item you can both share, ex. lawn mower, weed wacher, leaf blower, etc. Share costs for repairs.
4. BULK BUY & SPLIT/ SHARED COOKING: Get to know your neighbors and buy U.S. products in bulk and split them. Join a food co-op. Following on this, cook meals for the week with a like-minded neighbor. You do the meats (ones you can trust, any way, if there are any left to trust), and the neighbor cooks the sides/desserts. Spend 2-3 hours on the weekend cooking and freeze portions for yourself and neighbor.
5. LOCAL FARMERS’ MARKET: Buy from the local farmer’s market or stop at a road-side stand for your fruits and vegetables.
6. FARM IT!: Grow your own! Even apartment dwellers with a balcony can grow some vegetables in pots. Buy a plot in a community garden. (With our food crisis, if anyone ever thought it was cool to make fun of farmers, you had better take back those remarks! Remember the three basic necessities of life: food, water, and shelter.)
7. LEARN FRUGAL WAYS of LIVING: Go to “frugal living” websites and follow suggestions. You’re going to be paying more for your family’s safe foods, so look for other areas you can cut down on in your budget.
Every “need” we have is another item that creates a demand for production, which in large part, we purchase from China. We can lessen the demand by not “wanting,” by questioning our “needs,” by “doing without.” I’m not talking about deprivation. Everyone here can cut down in at least one area. Everybody here knows about the law of “supply and demand.” If there’s less demand, there’s less of a need to create a supply.
I am saying nothing about the Chinese people as a group because I’ve had Chinese friends and have worked with many fine Chinese people. We ourselves created the trade problems that we are now experiencing, thinking China would be an outlet for OUR exports, when in fact, just the opposite has happened. We are dealing with a country that is just emerging in the world trade arena that needs to willingly catch up to safety standards and regulations. And, yes, I know there are numerous deliberate deceptions that sneak through the 99% of cargo containers that are uninspected at our ports, which has to stop.
The U.S. has become China’s (speaking here of the unscrupulous manufacturers) dumping ground for its waste products. Just as we use rendered animals in pet foods, China is solving its problem of what to do with dangerous “end products” by shipping them over to us in products we use, either through blatant deception to make a buck or out of utter ignorance: scrap melamine that’s been through who-knows-what industrial processes before ending up in pet food, high levels of lead in baby bibs, anti-freeze in cough syrup. The U.S. has to stop being China’s dumping ground, which is what we currently are. (And I know the U.S. is no less guilty of dumping wastes improperly: bio-diesel fuel by-products going into poultry feed.)
If we sit down as a family (making this a family project or family goal) and examine our lifestyles and question our “needs” vs. our “wants,” look at all the money we would be saving, money which can be used on better, safer foods grown and produced in the U.S.
I say we need to embrace a “BACK TO BASICS” or “BACK TO NATURE” lifestyle movement! Come on all you former HIPPIES and FLOWER CHILDREN of the 60’s and 70’s! Let’s show the younger generations that we had more than great rock music and cool faded, fringed jeans! Let’s show them a way of living!
Comment by petlover — May 6, 2007 @ 8:05 am
OFF TOPIC- Catlady, if you can e-mail me directly at amarapnp@inbox.com, I can put you in touch with someone at Blue Buffalo who can answer your question regarding new can manufacturer information. I am a product demonstrator for Blue and I forwarded your question from a previous thread to my supervisor. He will send it on to his supervisor and someone can answer your questions. I was also told that the president of the company, Bill Bishop, was actually on the customer phone lines answering questions following the latest recall.
Thank you,
Amara
Comment by Amara — May 6, 2007 @ 8:07 am
“Let them eat Melamine”
We assure you that we will never again do business with the supplier of the suspect wheat gluten, XuZhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. Ltd. XuZhou Anying had been recommended to us by a long-time reliable source in China, and presented what appeared to be legitimate proof that its product was safe. We hope that U.S. and Chinese government investigations of XuZhou Anying reveal what actually occurred.
ChemNutra has an excellent record of compliance with all applicable regulations, but please know that as additional product safety recommendations are developed by the FDA, the Pet Food Institute and our customers, we will implement them immediately.
Steve Miller
CEO
ChemNutra
Comment by Steve — May 6, 2007 @ 8:10 am
Just wanted to interject one encouraging note here. For the first several weeks of The Nightmare, it was fairly rare to talk to another pet parent who was homecooking for their pets or had switched to raw because of the recalls.
Like many of you, I constantly struck up conversations and tried to warn folks about foods they were still feeding that were risky (i.e. most everything). I experienced the same looks and scorn that so many others reported here, but I just kept at it.
Well, I cannot tell you how much that has changed in the past week or so. Yesterday at a family gathering even my elderly aunts without internet skills had switched their dogs and cats to home-cooked, the three other dogs on my floor have all been switched to raw or home-cooked, and I have received email and phone calls from many folks who now wanted to start home cooking or raw, and wanted to know the best places to research it.
Two weeks ago, many of the same people were still feeding commercial pet food, even if they had switched from a recalled brand.
Maybe this is an “only in New York” thing, but it seems to have shifted so much that I am wondering how big a hit the pet food companies are beginning to take from lost sales. Any way you can think of to monitor this?
And keep up the magnificent work, folks. It IS making a difference, though its so hard to see sometimes.
Comment by Empress 60 — May 6, 2007 @ 8:11 am
Buying local or U.S. grown foods won’t cost that much more because there STILL are some small farmers/ranches out there that are still making a living (just Barely)
It is really hard for them to compete with imports, but some are still doing it, I know, I just retired from ranching and my kids are still ranching.
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 8:12 am
If the info to contact the House Ag committee with our comments, and some talking points were put on the main post of the next open thread, it would be easier to go to and read so maybe more folks would do it
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 8:17 am
Cracking Down
http://tinyurl.com/23udyb
Comment by Steve — May 6, 2007 @ 8:19 am
GOOD ARTICLE:
China IS poisoning the World……Literally
“China is giving us a firsthand look at what happens when America exports unregulated capitalism to the rest of the world. Republicans and Libertarians alike believe that capitalism can be self-regulating in the absence of government oversight. China and other developing capitalist countries prove this notion completely false.
Republicans and Libertarians want to further deregulate American industry while simultaneously dismantling oversight agencies such as the FDA and the USDA. If they can’t eliminate these agencies, they will de-fund them and staff them with corporate cronies.
It is likely that the recent revelations about tainted pet food and now tainted pharmaceuticals are just the tip of the iceberg. The diethylene glycol contamination from China has been going on since at least 1992 without being disclosed to the general public. It seems very likely that many more such incidences of food and drug contamination have gone unreported as yet.
It is also interesting to note that glycerin is a common ingredient in certain pet foods and that diethylene glycol causes kidney failure as in the case of the recent pet poisonings. It would be useful, I think, for the FDA to test tainted pet foods for the presence of this toxic solvent.
Republicans and Libertarians beware of what you wish for, you just might just reap the “benefits” of unregulated capitalism in your child’s next bottle of cough syrup.”
http://www.opednews.com/articl.....ning_t.htm
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 8:20 am
I am telling people I meet that my cats got sick from the food—recall was done after they ate it.
Thanks for the encouragement. I feel like I am just an alarmist because the people I tell do not seem to be listening. However, maybe they are.
Off to write to the newspapers on the web, Evelyn
Comment by Evelyn — May 6, 2007 @ 8:20 am
One of the first things you read on Dept of Agricultures website is “Federal Database Exposes Social Security Numbers of USDA Funding Recipeients”…….doesnt make me feel too confident that they can protect the food supply…..
Comment by Sandi K — May 6, 2007 @ 8:20 am
Not planning a data base on injuries to pets?
OMG, such morons. Did they already forget that because of pets dying, the tainting to human foods(either directly or indirectly) was exposed?. Why on earth would they ignore such an important early warning system. Guess because we donot eat cat and dogs in their puny ignorant brains. Just flabbergasted by this article. Guess they are hoping for another big headline (like Paris Hilton goes on hungerstrike in jail, only chicken in jail) to get this all pushed under the rug.
Comment by Serijna — May 6, 2007 @ 8:21 am
Just sent an email to Acheson with a cc to VonEschenbach…..
I am a pet owner & an angry one at that. How can you possibly claim that human food or pet food is safe? You know as well as I do that that’s just not so. Are we expected to believe you just because you are the FDA Food Safety Czar? Please, give me a break.
Who are the two pet food companies that received the first shipment of tainted rice protein concentrate & have yet to go public? We need to know who they are. And who received the second shipment of tainted RPC? Are we to assume that the FDA, in its infinite wisdom, tracked it all down & burned it? Come on, cut the public some slack. We are not idiots & we certainly have learned not to trust the word of any politician, especially those in the business of protecting large corporations. There are thousands of sick & dead animals because of your inaction & there is food still on the shelves sickening our fur kids. What are you doing about that? Protecting the company because they are huge & contribute lots of money to politicians in this administration?
I have a wonderful idea…..let’s stop all imports from China NOW. They have shown us they don’t care what kind of contaminated crap they send us or who dies as a result of ingesting it. Who is in bed with China that this is allowed to continue?
How about no longer paying farmers in this wonderful country of ours to NOT farm & pay them TO farm. Nothing like products of the good old USA, products that we know are not poisoning us or our fur kids.
Where is government that’s supposed to be FOR the people? Somehow, you’ve gotten away from that.
Please help us so that we can feel secure about the food we eat & that which is fed to our fur kids. Do you have children? Do you have pets? How do you feel about feeding them this crap from China?
===============================================
I’m sure I’m now on a list of looneys & my email will be monitored. Ask me if I care.
Comment by JanC — May 6, 2007 @ 8:21 am
Mal, I didn’t read the op-ed article, but one thing I have noticed is that the partisan politics is being set aside in this debate. We are all working for the same goal—SAFE FOOD for us and and pets.
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 8:28 am
I’ve said it here before but if the US wants to continue to import from China there should be a strict NO ITEMS for Consumption by any living creature. Buy electronics, purses, nick nacks but for God’s sake don’t import food or medicine from a third world country that has no restrictions on additives and chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers.
Doesn’t take a genius to figure out that you don’t get your food or medicine or your pet’s food or medicine from the toxic waste dump!!!!
Comment by Maureen (Lilly and Lucy's mom) — May 6, 2007 @ 8:28 am
Christie, there must be a virtual festival of exploding heads all over America, mine included. Acheson’s total disregard of the facts does not bode well for the FDA as the Protector of the American People, does it? He’s a suit spewing the party line “All is well” while we choke on our chicken and pork. Wonder what he’s having for dinner?
Comment by Lin52 — May 6, 2007 @ 8:31 am
RE:Comment by JanC — May 6, 2007 @ 8:21 am
7 1/2 weeks ago I was a relatively sane person, who was naively aware that there were “small” problems with our systems. What started off as merely looking to see what foods I should not feed my kitties, has snowballed into an expose of the graft, greed, corruption and lies of corporation and government agencies.
This whole debacle is enough to turn anyone with a quarter of a functioning brain into a ranting “loonie”. Searching for the truth is a life changing experience.
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 8:31 am
Jan C, your post contained a couple of good questions for talking points when contacting the House Ag Committee.
But I think it will do no good to contact Acheson, he is obviously just a double-speak shill. However, if we write to Congress and the FDA, we should send him copies
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 8:34 am
Do President Bush and other government officials eat any of the chickens we and our cats(in the cat food) are sold or do the have chickens sold to them from farms without poisoned feed. Guess there will be more dialysis machines around to take care of human shut-down kidneys.
Comment by Evelyn — May 6, 2007 @ 5:41 am ______
Christie, take care of your head, because we need it in this world of “brain-dead morally deficient power mongers.” We need all the evolved human beings we can get on this planet. If we were not outraged at this moment in time, we would be “numb and dumb.” I will never ever be dumb again!
Thanks Christie and everyone here at Pet Connection!
The above comment by Evelyn caught my attention. I used to work for an elite and evolved group of people, who moved to the “mountains” from big cities to settle down and begin the methodical process of survival. This was actually 20 years ago; however, they saw “this day” coming.
They lived in a gated community with many acres of land, and they were self-sufficient in the biggest way. They had clean water, organic gardens, and an organic gardner/chef, who took care of them. They only bought other products in health food stores. They also had “internal apartments” below the ground in each home. They had a year’s supply of water and food in each apartment. They were/are smart.
If these people of wealth and intelligence did this 20 years ago…it only stands to reason the powerful and elite of our world governments do the same thing. So the answer to Evelyn’s question is: I doubt Bush or any other powerful world figure is eating these products from China. Of course, that includes Acheson of the FDA himself.
For those of us, who did not plan ahead…we must be vigilant, hard-nosed, and educated in the ways of the world and corporate America. We must realize they simply do not care about animal nor human life. They simply care about their own wealth and survival.
Therefore, we must do what we can to work for a higher purpose for our pets and ourselves. Think if all the babies, who may be fed tainted infant formula. The only ones, who can prosper from this situation are the Corporate Elite. They are our enemies, and we must stay on their “heels” to insure our own healing during this time of horror and sadness.
It is a sad day for America and humanity.
“The moral progress of a nation can best be judged by the way it treats its animals.” -Gandhi
Comment by Pam Williams — May 6, 2007 @ 8:36 am
Don’t think I’ve seen this article posted, apologies if this is a repeat. It’s more to do with the FDA’s inadequacies re: human food, but mention is made of the pet food recall. Ag Weekly Online posted it on 5/5/07:
FDA Knew of Problems in Plant, Farms Involved in Recent Outbreaks
By Elizabeth Williamson, The Washington Post
“The Food and Drug Administration has known for years about contamination problems at a Georgia peanut butter plant and California spinach farms that led to disease outbreaks that killed three people, sickened hundreds, and forced one of the biggest product recalls in U.S. history, documents and interviews show.
Overwhelmed by huge growth in the number of food processors and imports, however, the agency took only limited steps to address the problems and relied on producers to police themselves, according to agency documents.”
Wow. That’s very reassuring, innit? Hold me back.
“Congressional critics and consumer advocates said both episodes show that the agency is incapable of adequately protecting the safety of the food supply.”
Ya don’t say. Gee, what was your first clue?
Moving on…:
“Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce committee will hold a hearing into the unprecedented spate of recalls, including the more recent contamination of pet food with melamine, which has been blamed for the deaths of dozens of pets.”
It’s a step. But we definitely need a heck of alot more steps to get with the program to ensure this type if catastrophe never occurs again. Steps are one thing, but an all out precision drill team routine is in order at this juncture in the game.
“This administration does not like regulation, this administration does not like spending money, and it has a hostility toward government. The poisonous result is that a program like the FDA is going to suffer at every turn of the road,” said Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich.”
Re: the recent hog problem:
“FDA notified California state health officials that hogs on a farm in the state had likely eaten feed laced with melamine, an industrial chemical blamed for the deaths of dozens of pets in recent weeks.”
And finally, the article addresses the lack of enough funds for the FDA to properly do its job (why am I not surprised?):
“In next year’s budget,…[snip]…Congress has voted FDA a $10 million increase to improve food safety….The Agriculture Department, which monitors meat, poultry and eggs and keeps inspectors in every processing plant, got an increase 10 times that amount to help pay for its inspection programs. The FDA visits problem food plants about once a year, the rest far less frequently….”
Anyone else see a glaring problem here? Or am I just having another Homer moment?
Note this FDA budget increase was due to human food contamination, not pet food. Probably because the pet food recall came later, but still……wtf?! Think that budget needs to be amended if it hasn’t already?!
You can read the entire article here:
http://tinyurl.com/2g67wt
Comment by Ally — May 6, 2007 @ 8:40 am
Peggy’s post at 7:41 with the letter from the doctor is right on!
I heard an economist speak about China trade, he said China has an unemployment problem so to solve it they are LENDING MONEY to the U.S., and the time will come that they will have to stop doing this and CALL IN THE LOANS!
This is the reason our elected officials won’t do a thing—-they know this!
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 8:41 am
Eating safer foods: When I think of just the changes in my cat alone: more energy, increased playing, silkier fur, and the best of all, an end to his digestive issues (was vomiting all his life). He has now been vomit-free for 37+ days after switching off of 9 Lives canned food to a food without all of the additives and grains…
I’m hoping for myself to have more energy and prolonged better health (and of course, to drop a few pounds - chuckle chuckle :)) from eating all or mostly unpackaged foods!
So, can we MAKE TIME in our schedules to produce or cook more wholesome foods? We can, if we work together and adhere to what we believe in and HAVE to pursue as a result of the horrors we’ve discovered.
I refuse to be a government experiment consuming chicken that’s been experimented on to see what percentage of glycerin in its feed it can consume (by-product of bio-diesel - correct me if I’m wrong) without hindering the growth of the chicken.
Isn’t it ironic that in the pursuit of a more eco-friendly fuel alternative, that we deliberately look to contaminate another product (our food) — all in the name of big business looking for an outlet for its industrial wastes so it can avoid proper waste disposal fees? Yes, wastes. In our food supply?
I’m ill just thinking about this.
Comment by petlover — May 6, 2007 @ 8:41 am
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 8:31 am
“This whole debacle is enough to turn anyone with a quarter of a functioning brain into a ranting “loonie”. Searching for the truth is a life changing experience.”
mal, truer words were never spoken. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Comment by Ally — May 6, 2007 @ 8:42 am
I just put “is whey safe for dogs” in the search box and found a dog supplement called Halo Anitra’s vita- Mineral Mix which says that it is all raw food ingrediants and it contains whey. I also found website for dog cookies that contain whey. So maybe whey is OK?
Comment by Peg Long Island NY — May 6, 2007 @ 8:43 am
Whey is a by product of making cheese. I have made cheese, and the watery stuff that is left after you gather the cheese is the whey.
I wouldn’t think it would be too chock full of nutrients, cuz the cheese has all the protein etc?
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 8:47 am
Also many people have an allergy to whey. There have been tons of recalls on food because they had traces of undeclared whey in them. If people can be highly allergic then so can animals.
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 8:49 am
RE: Comment by Serijna — May 6, 2007 @ 8:21 am
Not planning a data base on injuries to pets?
OMG, such morons. Did they already forget that because of pets dying, the tainting to human foods(either directly or indirectly) was exposed?.
Pretty unbelievable huh! Along the same lines NARMS (antibiotic resistance surveillance folks) apparently is not recommending that vet info be put into the database on this issue either. A group called FACT (be kinder and gentler to farm animals) agrees with them And IIRC this meeting was after the PFR started:
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/NARMSSB07FACT.htm
“FACT supports the recommendation in the Internal Review that veterinary diagnostic submissions not be included within NARMS because of their limited utility for public health surveillance. All programs within NARMS should be considered as to their adequacy for setting public health goals.”
Never mind that the CVM was asking a couple of years ago for pets to be plugged in due to their importance in keeping an eye on human health WRT biosurveillance.
This is what happens when you keep piling more departments on top of an already heavily fractured system……..it collapses
Comment by CathyA — May 6, 2007 @ 8:50 am
Interesting article on Itchmo
Cat deaths prompt concern over food’s safety
2006-02-21 20:27:57 Xinhua English
Mouth ulcers..kidney problems..hmmmm
http://www.itchmo.com/read/pet.....5_20070506
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 8:54 am
Thank you Elaine and Mal, So should I not give the cottage cheese to the dogs?
Comment by Peg Long Island NY — May 6, 2007 @ 9:01 am
Look at the bright side. At least some of us realized we are being poisoned.
Some of us get more clues then we need.
Comment by Steve — May 6, 2007 @ 9:03 am
Cottage cheese is fine, it is the curds part of the curds and whey. Just try to find some without the hormone added to increase milk production
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 9:05 am
LOOK WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH WHEY:
Make Whey for Progress
New Uses for Dairy Byproducts
“Working with laboratory chief Seiichiro Isobe, of the Japanese National Food Research Institute, Onwulata created a bioplastic blend by combining whey protein isolate, cornstarch, glycerol, cellulose fiber, acetic acid, and the milk protein casein and molded the material into cups. Onwulata observed that dairy-based bioplastics were more pliable than other bioplastics, making them easier to mold.”
“In a separate project, research leader Peggy Tomasula and her colleagues have developed technology to create biodegradable films from byproducts of both dairy processing and biofuels production. Tomasula found that combining casein with water and glycerol—a byproduct of biodiesel production—produces a water-resistant film that can be used as an edible coating for groceries and other products.”
http://ars.usda.gov/is/AR/arch.....ey0507.htm
Ain’t modern science grand. You can combine a lot of natural products and make plastics.Wonder what they will do with the surplus and cast offs?? Oh right..it can be added to the food chain!!
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 9:10 am
Peg Long Island
There’s nothing inherently wrong with cottage cheese. Because milk also contains phosphorus (like meat), you can’t make up for the needed calcium by adding it to food though. What matters most when you’re feeding your pet is how they react to the food - look at your dog. I’d highly suggest getting a book or joining a reputable group to help prepare meals. You really need to be adding some calcium. Unless they have some physical problems already, they can get by on an unbalanced diet for a while, but I wouldn’t push it past a month.
Comment by CathyA — May 6, 2007 @ 9:14 am
Comment by Mal 9:10,
BLEECCHHHTT!!!!
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 9:14 am
That cartoon that Steve linked to – absolutely says it all.
http://tinyurl.com/23udyb
Wish we could find hard evidence of directives from those “on top” that document this. Bet the news media has plenty.
Comment by Lynn — May 6, 2007 @ 9:14 am
Now I don’t want to get everyone riled up but I checked an organizaion’s websites who had rallied over the contamination at the beginning and see most of the information stops around the end of March. Just wondering to no one in particular if perhaps they found it’s business as usual or are they waiting to take up the fight later on. That’s all I’m going to say. Not looking for anyone to get upset.
Comment by VJ — May 6, 2007 @ 9:15 am
RE:Comment by Lynn — May 6, 2007 @ 9:14 am
Excellent cartoon!!
Would we be considered leakers??
In follow up has there been any news on what happened to Howl911??
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 9:16 am
I’m just waking up, I’ve read the posts this…afternoon (east coast).
Did we lose? What do we want to happen exactly and what is our game plan to make that happen?
p.s. - I haven’t eaten any food in 2 days. I’m scared to eat food. I’m getting a bit woozy. Think I’ll go get some fruit today. Did anybody else stop eating or am I the only crazy one.
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:22 am
Thoughts:
I like the Boston Tea Party. Dump the food on the front lawn of _____________ ?????
Anyone for T-shirt Day? Make them up to say “FDA kills families.” [My pets ARE my family!] Wearing them ought to help spread the word about what’s happening.
Comment by Lynn — May 6, 2007 @ 9:22 am
We have an Oregon dairy that has on their cottage cheese label”Milk from cows NOT treated with rBST/rBHG, a synthetic growth hormone”* the * then says “According to the FDA, no significant difference has been show between milk derived from rBST/rBHG treated and non-rBST/rBHG treated cows”
One of the big food conglomerates is trying to prohibit dairies from putting this on the label, since the FDA tells us there is no difference!
We need LABELS on everything! I don’t care if they say the list will be as long as your arm!
BTW, yesterday we had a discussion as to how much Country Of Origin Labeling would cost, and a Florida study concluded that it would cost the average family 16 or 17 cents A YEAR!!
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 9:25 am
The article I found last night on so many children and others getting sick in china (and dieing) from their food, and also from their intentional cover-up, I sent it to a media source last night. only one though, i went to sleep.
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:25 am
Shelly, you’re not crazy, I stopped eating chicken (and all products not from the US). But I already don’t eat red meat so I’m at a loss as to what I’m going to do. I’ve eaten oatmeal for dinner 3 nights last week, fruit for dinner last night, etc. Not sure what I’m going to do. Don’t have any weight to lose either.
Comment by Nabiya — May 6, 2007 @ 9:28 am
Thank God for all the leakers and speakers!
Comment by Pam Williams — May 6, 2007 @ 9:29 am
THIS IS WHAT SHOULD HAPPENS HERE… ACCOUNTABILITY..THE GUY IN CHARGE PAYS:
Nippon chairman to resign
21/08/2002 - Reeling Japanese meat processor Nippon Meat Packers has confirmed its founder and chairman, Yoshinori Ohkoso would step down and its president Hiroji Ohkoso would be demoted after a beef mislabelling scandal.
The company, Japan’s biggest sausage maker, faced a fierce consumer backlash after the scandal came to light earlier this month. Leading supermarkets pulled its products from their shelves, and its share price has fallen around 35 per cent.
It is the latest in a series of scandals that have cast a shadow over Japan’s food industry.
Nippon Meat had admitted that its subsidiary Nippon Food Kansai passed off imported beef as domestic to get money from a government buyback scheme amid poor sales after an outbreak of mad cow disease in Japan last September.
http://www.meatprocess.com/new.....hairman-to
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 9:30 am
Nabiya,Fish is labeled as to COOL, eat Fish!! I personally don’t like fish, I will take a home grown, locally processed T-Bone steak any day.
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 9:31 am
Thanks, Elaine, I do eat fish just can’t eat it every day. I decided to go to the Livermore CA Wine Festival today and have wine for lunch…..maybe that will help to keep my head from exploding and I don’t even drink either….
Comment by Nabiya — May 6, 2007 @ 9:33 am
Nabiya - we’re in the same boat
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:34 am
The only way to get to the Corporate America types pushing the bad food out there is through their shareholders: revenues go down, stock share prices go down, no dividends paid, no trading on the stock.
Comment by Nabiya — May 6, 2007 @ 9:35 am
Here is the post from last night I just spoke about -
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/163056.html
“The tendency to cover up, or minimize, the cases is strong in China.”
“… in the past three weeks alone. Watermelon tainted by pesticides sickened residents in Guangdong and Shaanxi provinces last week. In southern Fujian province, 34 students fell ill after eating mushrooms at a cafeteria April 17. A day earlier, 60 migrant workers grew sick in Shanghai from canteen food. Police are investigating how rat poison got in breakfast food at a hospital in Harbin on April 9, making 200 people ill and killing one person.”
Comment by shelly — May 5, 2007 @ 8:52 pm
“Within moments of a foreign reporter’s arrival at the day care center, police hauled him to a local station for questioning.
“There’s no problem here,” said Officer Li Gaofeng, adding: “If this is in the foreign media, it will damage China’s reputation.”
Comment by shelly — May 5, 2007 @ 8:54 pm
“If there’s a way to add bulk to food with an additive such as melamine, “God forbid, then they will do it,” said Matthew Crabbe, the managing director of Access Asia, a Shanghai-based market research firm, “because they probably get away with it most of the time, and it increases their profit in a market where profit margins are microns thin.”
WOW-this whole article is SO TELLING!
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:35 am
Nabiya - I think we might be in the same line of work, too :)
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:36 am
Shelly
Not crazy, wife won’t buy any chicken either. We eat wild salmon, locally grown beef, etc. and some dried foods that we have had that we know are safe. Can’t wait for the local markets to open, that is all local grown.
sam
Comment by sam — May 6, 2007 @ 9:38 am
Nabiya and Shelly,
Maybe we should all go to the Wine Festival today and take a break from this! It is eating up our normal lives, huh?!
Then go to work again tomorrow morning, email, call and fax Collin Peterson (House Ag Chairman) for starters.
Comment by Elaine — May 6, 2007 @ 9:38 am
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 9:16 am
Lets see concerned responsible citizens participating in society and exposing lies, flaws, and corruption.
Traitors?
Comment by Steve — May 6, 2007 @ 9:38 am
Just had an idea. Isn’t the Indy 500 coming up for Memorial day. Is this about when it’s run? If so, wonder if Paul Neumann will be racing. Or watching the race. Maybe someone can interview him or ask if he would come forward and say someting about the recall. Do ya think? Or maybe just as a “fan” have a conversation with him and get his views about all this and what his company is doing.
Comment by VJ — May 6, 2007 @ 9:39 am
Nabiya - Do you have Crohns or the symptoms of it? I have it, was diagnosed a couple years ago. late in life too, I’m 39. Mom thinks its so weird since I was barely a red meat eater and always a health eater to begin with. now all we are finding out now about our food crisis today, she feels it may well be related to things like Crohns. I do to. Chicken was my only meat source, now it’s out until I get a hold of some free-range stuff. but I should have shopped sooner, i’ve gotten pretty weak. like you said, had no weight to lose in the first place.
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:39 am
Oh how I miss my wine. Wish I could!
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:41 am
p.s. - I haven’t eaten any food in 2 days. I’m scared to eat food. I’m getting a bit woozy. Think I’ll go get some fruit today. Did anybody else stop eating or am I the only crazy one.
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:22 am______
Shelly, I feel the same way. How can one have an appetite, when one feels that his/her food is contaminated?
I am eating bananas and albacore tuna, along with my dogs. I realize that all food is “suspect” right now, but we have to eat something. Also, I take peppermint oil capsules to cleanse my colon. You can buy those in your local health food store.
Both my dogs eat tuna; however, I am still feeding both Hill’s Perscription Diet ID canned. One of my dogs is diabetic; thus, her pancreas does not function properly. She has been kept alive for the last two years by eating this food, and she requires shots of “Vetsulin” (animal insulin) twice daily.
I realize that all pet food is suspect, but this is my own personal decision, along with my vet’s. I trust my vet, and we are working together to keep Crystal alive. It is one day at a time, and that is basically how I take life.
I am also big on vitamins and supplements, and I buy mine from my local health food store.
Something else I am exploring are wild and edible plants. For instance dandelion greens are very nutritious. However, if one explores this field, one must study…study, and study more. Buy a field guide, and only pick these plants from unchemical treated sites.
Comment by Pam Williams — May 6, 2007 @ 9:43 am
Shelly, I work for a supply chain company (not foods though), that’s why I have a good understanding of how things move around globally and through customs (or rather paid off through customs).
Comment by Nabiya — May 6, 2007 @ 9:44 am
Just another interesting tidbit about our foods:
Carbon monoxide in meat products ‘deceptive’, say consumers
Carbon monoxide is often used in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) as a packaging technique for maintaining food quality.
The MAP method works by replacing the air with a mixture of inert gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. The package is then heat sealed. The low-oxygen mix extends the shelf-life of the meat, vegetables and other perishable foods by up to 15 days from the normal five days, a big plus at a time when the market is working to ensure food safety and extend their markets.
However, carbon monoxide is said to make meat appear fresher than it actually is by reacting with the meat pigment myoglobin to create carboxymyoglobin, a bright red pigment that can mask the natural aging and spoilage of meats.
The new survey indicates that 63 percent of American adults believe that the freshness of meat is directly related to its color, but according to CFA, “by extending the bright red color of meat for several weeks longer than untreated meat, carbon monoxide masks the true color of the meat and consumers are unable to accurately determine if the meat is fresh.”
http://www.meatprocess.com/new.....oxide-meat
I am not sure I want to know much more about the whole food system!!
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 9:45 am
PFI to introduce new seal of approval
http://tinyurl.com/2dqfw4
Comment by Steve — May 6, 2007 @ 9:47 am
Well to say the least..this whole fiasco was an eye opening experience.
I have both dogs and chickens (small backyard flock..not a contract grower) and I spent countless hours trying to find out what brand chicken feed is tainted. No hits, nothing, nada.
Purina Mills has a posting on their site that their livestock feed is safe. I suspect it’s the contract growers custom feed that is tainted..but again just a suspicion.
So with all this news of tainted food additives I go off food shopping yesterday. What normally takes me 45 minutes to 1 hour took 2.5 hours as I read every label on anything I picked up. If it had gluten..it went right back. I also starting looking at organic foods and fruit origins on labels.
What an eye opener !!!
No chicken or pork and I got some “grass fed natural angus” chop meat and a few steaks for meat.
All in all I spent about $50 more than normal but I say it’s well worth it and gives me some piece of mind.
My only missing piece here is bread..the gluten free bread looked horrible and there was nothing else..so I went home breadless. But now I’m researching bread machines :)
Comment by newlurker — May 6, 2007 @ 9:48 am
Shelly, I have asthma and found that red meat (because of all the antibiotics and other crap fed) causes attacks so I stopped eating it a long time ago.
Comment by Nabiya — May 6, 2007 @ 9:49 am
I do mal - keep it coming. I want to know. I’m tired of not knowing. tired of being sick despite eating right. tired of being tired regardless of getting sleep (when I used to sleep) I WANT TO KNOW
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:49 am
newlurker-
my friend at work brought in home made bread a couple times and it was so so yummy
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Nabiya -
oh - thought you’d be in an accounting or finance related field. I’ve been wandering at the SEC sites last night looking to see what these companies may be up to.
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:53 am
Hey, where’s Don today? Someone posted some real nasty things about Purina earlier and he hasn’t popped in yet to refute it all??
Comment by Nabiya — May 6, 2007 @ 9:53 am
I think the new thread last night wasn’t an accident. Thank you Gina.
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:54 am
Shelly, well I kinda am involved in finance as I’ve been involved in several mergers/acquisitions of companies, formerly a CEO, formerly a CTO.
Comment by Nabiya — May 6, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Election year coming up and upteen canidate telephone solicitations. Usually, I dread the spills, but this year, they will be getting one of mine!
Comment by Deanna — May 6, 2007 @ 9:56 am
RE:Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:49 am
I will keep going..because knowledge is power.
Funny you should mention about being sick. I have not “felt” right for about 6 years. The doctor ran all sorts of tests.thyroid..liver function..kidney function..ekg..etc. and said they are baffled..everything is “fine”.
I have recently done some modifications in what was a reaonably healthy diet..removed most processed foods, less red meat, quit taking vitamins, trying to buy local etc and most of my problems have eased up. Doctor said it must have just be some hormonic imbalance that “cleared up”
I wonder…….
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 9:57 am
Nabiya -
Are you on the east coast?
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:57 am
mal -
have you felt like you were going nuts?
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:58 am
Information on US grants with China under the USDA:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/grants/scrp.htm
Check out the link on that site for the eligibility [click on pdf guidelines file; go to page 4] - nebulous at best. Looks to me as though all you need to do is have a PhD in the field and get a job in the US, if only very short term.
Now tell me: is it really to our advantage to offer grants to the Chinese citizens? I thought the idea was to move forward, not backwards. One would think we would take care of our own citizens first.
We’ve become too de-Americanized.
Comment by Lynn — May 6, 2007 @ 10:01 am
Comment by Nabiya — May 6, 2007 @ 9:53 am
Oh I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of that pesky infestation. Keep your weed spray handy. However in this case, I’d suggest going with NON-organic.
*angelic smile*
Comment by Ally — May 6, 2007 @ 10:02 am
Look at what Seattle Times just put up!
http://seattletimes.nwsource.c.....eed06.html
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 10:02 am
Shelly, I’m in the San Francisco Bay Area, a place called the Tri-Valley, right next to Silicon Valley.
Comment by Nabiya — May 6, 2007 @ 10:02 am
Petlover says: Isn’t it ironic that in the pursuit of a more eco-friendly fuel alternative, that we deliberately look to contaminate another product (our food) — all in the name of big business looking for an outlet for its industrial wastes so it can avoid proper waste disposal fees? Yes, wastes. In our food supply?
______________________________
I have suspected for years now that our food companies have been putting their waste i.e. hazmat type waste into our food supply to get around the expense of disposing it. I have no proof but the increase of sickness at all levels is alarming. Could it be that American food companies are playing the same type of games with our food ingredients that China is doing?
Comment by DeeAnn — May 6, 2007 @ 10:03 am
As far as being afraid to eat, there is no risk-free food. There’s no risk-free anything. It’s a question of getting risk as low as it can be and to a level you’re comfortable with. Every type of food or food processing has particular risks associated with it. Avoiding so many things that you are effectively NOT eating is going to make you sick too.
I went to the House food safety hearing last month, and the risk aspect really struck me after hearing Mr. Colo of Con-Agra and Mr. Sweat of Natural Selections speak. Despite the fact that it seemed clear Con-Agra had not been forthcoming with the FDA and should have had more testing in place, salmonella is a natural risk with peanuts and their processing. Producers and government inspectors need to be especially vigilant to look for that (and producers need to cooperate with inspectors). We need to make sure the product is as safe as it possibly can be, but there’s a point at which it’s not 100% safe but can’t realistically be made any safer.
Mr. Sweat talked about the testing protocols they put in place after the e coli contaminated spinach. There is no kill step for e coli, so they triple wash with a chlorine solution to reduce microbial load.
They now test when they get the raw ingredients and then at the end of production. He reported that since they started the protocols last fall, they’ve gotten 23 positives for e coli and 16 for salmonella at the initial stage (with the products being destroyed) and no positives at the end stage.
When Mr. Sweat was asked if people should wash their triple washed greens, he said that it wouldn’t make any additional difference—if the chlorinated wash they use doesn’t knock it out, your tap water won’t. Greens that are consumed raw carry this risk.
The health benefits of raw greens are such that it’s probably not wise to eliminate them from your diet because of the relatively small chance of contamination. Rather than not eating the greens at all, however, cook them. If that’s the level of risk you’re willing to take, then go with what is comfortable for you.
I’d encourage anybody who hasn’t read it to buy or check out from the library the book THE OMNIVORE’S DILEMMA by Michael Pollan. He deals with the problems of the industrial food chain.
When the spinach outbreak happened last year, I had read the book shortly before, and it didn’t seem surprising after having read the book. The title refers to the problem of those who have an abundant supply of food choices. The more choices you have, the harder it is to figure out what is dangerous and what to avoid.
We’ve succeeded so well in having and getting used to a limitless supply of every imaginable food, that it’s coming back to haunt us.
Sorry this was so long :-\
Comment by yet another pat — May 6, 2007 @ 10:04 am
HA. It’s still in the news. It’s buried a bit, but it’s in there today :
http://www.tahoebonanza.com/ar...../105060048
In your face FDA
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 10:09 am
California media is the one I contacted before I went to sleep last night (Nabiya)
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 10:10 am
Comment by shelly — May 6, 2007 @ 9:58 am
have you felt like you were going nuts?
For a long time I was not sure..even had my doc put me on antidepressants..which did not help and I quit after 6 months.
Since getting away from any processed foods, cutting down on red meat and also stopping my vitamin supplements and being more conscious of everything I eat, etc. I feel 10 years younger and my mind is clear and functioning better than I can remember. Keep in mind that my diet was reasonably good before I made changes. This makes me question what is in the food system.
A few days ago I went to the cemetery with a friend to visit his grandmother’s grave. We got to reading headstones..there were a lot of people born in the late 1800s and early 1900s that lived into their 80s 90s and even 100+. That was a time when people ate “at home” foods..no frozen dinners, processed foods etc
Granted modern medicine has improved the quality and saved people from epidemics that killed countless people 100 years ago. But has our desire for quicker and “better” also been what has led the food industry to invent “better” production methods and cheaper faster ways to produce it?
Comment by mal — May 6, 2007 @ 10:12 am
I’m a little lost on the latest Seattle Times article - I’m missing something here.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.c.....eed06.html
Has the author not read the Baltimore Sun’s article earlier this morning? http://www.baltimoresun.com/ne.....-headlines
Comment by Lynn — May 6, 2007 @ 10:14 am
Making the “monster” go away…The monster, Chinese imports, has been identified. How was this monster created? Partly by consumer demand. It became larger, and more dangerous, as the demand for cheap imports from China became larger and more dangerous. The solution is simple, but getting there is a complicated matter. The solution is to make the demand go away. If the demand goes away, so does the monster. Not knowing, because of inadequate labeling, which foods are of the demand that created the monster, identifing them becomes a challenge.We can wait for country of origin labeling to possibly go into effect, or we can encourage our US farmers,US manufacturers, and US companies to label their products “All made/produced/sourced in America” inclusive of fed only US produced and grown grains/ingedients, ect. A simple sticker added to a product could suffice until packaging could be revamped. How do we spread the word that made in America now means more than it ever did before,that it means safety? US farmers, US companies, and US manufacturers need to be made aware that there is a growing sector of consumers who just want to buy American, increasing the demand for their products, and that, in the name of safety, they are willing to pay more for them than the same but cheaper product from China.If there is an increased demand for American made, the decreased demand for cheap Chinese imports will follow. I do know that I want to feed my pets, and my family, just that good ol’ red, white, and blue. Any suggestions? Laura
Comment by Laura Gould — May 6, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Comment by Steve — May 6, 2007 @ 9:47 am
LOL! I thought you were cereal…
Comment by slt — May 6, 2007 @ 10:43 am
Comment by Empress 60
Yes, we also are trying to switch to raw, though the transition is going to take some time since it is very new to our cats. And I find it interesting to note that I was totally against a raw diet until this whole pet food contamination galloped out of control. Then I started reading about the pet food industry in general, and all the sicko things that go into that food and how ill-suited it is to the real nutritional needs of our pets (particularly cats). I went from cringing in horror at the thought of giving my cats raw meat to marching out to the store and buying some prepared raw diets (Primal and Natural Variety, so far). Maybe its my imagination, but the cats are looking and acting better after only a week of this new regimen. I think its fair to say I’ve done a complete turnaround on my whole views on cat nutrition, and it will certainly result in a major change in the way I spend my pet food dollar. Iams, Friskies, Fancy Feast and the whole bunch of them can kiss my money goodbye. My goal is to eventually rely completely on home prepared meals using the same ingredients the human members of the family eat.
Comment by mountainkimmie — May 6, 2007 @ 10:48 am
Comment by Laura Gould — May 6, 2007 @ 10:17 am
Check your packages - I have found some that actually do say “grown in the USA” (Mahatma brown rice comes to mind). For the ones whose labels don’t say, contact the company. Ask about their ingredient sources, let them know what you want.
Comment by slt — May 6, 2007 @ 10:48 am
Quote:
I have suspected for years now that our food companies have been putting their waste i.e. hazmat type waste into our food supply to get around the expense of disposing it. I have no proof but the increase of sickness at all levels is alarming. Could it be that American food companies are playing the same type of games with our food ingredients that China is doing?
Comment by DeeAnn — May 6, 2007 @ 10:03 am
Actually, to the best of my knowledge, the filler material in fertilizer *is* undeclared waste product from the heavy industry - the stuff they should put into special waste treatment plants but are expensive…. and we buy that fertilizer and put it on our tomatoes…
And now multiply this situation with the agrar industry - miles upon miles upon miles of land that seeps toxic ‘fertilizer fillers’ into the water, into the plants we are eating.
And don’t get me started with the dairy industry!
Comment by MaKo — May 6, 2007 @ 10:52 am
Comment by mountainkimmie — May 6, 2007 @ 10:48 am
I couldn’t have stated it better myself. I switched my cats to Felines Pride all raw diet (comes frozen)over 3 weeks ago, and my 19 year old is playing like a kitten again! She hasn’t played in years, now chases the toys and loves the peacock feathers. Coat is silky and beautiful. Oh, and her bad breath is gone completely and guess what, their stools don’t stink!
Comment by Nabiya — May 6, 2007 @ 10:55 am
Yanno…….ain’t it awfully convenient how the FDA announces the investigation is virtually closed right as pet food companies are asking folks to sign agreements never to sue for any future contamination related deaths, illness, whatever, after receiving their paltry sums of recompense? Not that anyone here would sign, just sayin’…
I’ll bet these idjits are bed hopping so much even they can’t keep track.
Comment by Ally — May 6, 2007 @ 10:56 am
CathyA,
That is incredible not wanting to use all that data. Almost looks like a conspiracy suppressing valid information. Never mind that many drugs enter the veterinary practice and later are approved for humans. Guess the FDA trusts the biased big pharm. companies research better. Vets do prescribe antibiotics at the drop of a head though. For the longest time, I thought they only had two drugs in their arsenal(Amoxicillin or Clavamox). Whenever I took one of my cats over, they generally ended up with one of those.
Also amazed how many “not for profit” watch dog groups there are in the USA as it applies to food safety. They donot have the same deep pockets though as big business.
Comment by Serijna — May 6, 2007 @ 11:00 am
ATTENTION: Citizens of the Free World. This is an alert code “Washington”. Please spread the message far and wide. Thousands of Chinese and Indian lobbyists will be descending upon Washington DC and State Capitols nationwide Monday to ensure the growth of unregulated trade with China and India. It is important to distract these lobbyists and use whatever means necessary to prevent them from reaching their target legislators. Try a long-winded conversation about how sick your cat or dog is, and if that fails, try wine and sexual favors. Drain their bank accounts and libidos. These lobbyists must be distracted and disrupted, whatever the cost, until further notice. This is a trade war. Alert: code “Washington”. Please spread the word.
Comment by Palomino82 — May 6, 2007 @ 11:01 am
…just today i tried to find the recall info on the iams site … it’s hiding under “what’s new…” per my friend Lana … she found it
just fyi fwiw
Comment by pati — May 6, 2007 @ 11:35 am
To folks who are afraid to eat and can’t afford to lose any more weight, like me, I’ve been pretty much living on canned pinto beans with nothing added, plain brown rice, frozen plain vegetables and bread from the health store with no glutens for weeks. It gets old, tho.
Comment by Sharon G — May 6, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
to Sharon G - Stop punishing yourself and fearing death, and take concrete action. Call your senators and representative, and Give ‘Em Hell! Call the newspapers and TV stations, and tell them to stop being complicit in the cover-up. “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”
Comment by Palomino — May 6, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
The “Wiley Act” of 1906 provided the authority for the FDA to be responsible for “ensuring that no adulterated or misbranded food, drug or medical devices enters into interstate commerce.”
Since that time we have seen more and more “adulterated” food hit the grocery stores. And now, since the FDA doesn’t think it’s a problem and not worth testing, our food products that contain any type of gluten may kill us.
Thank God I developed an allergy … yes, allergy; not just intolerance … to flavor enhancers. I cannot eat processed foods.
My cat is safe because he cannot eat any grain due to irritable bowel disease.
Medical problems have protected my life and my cat’s life … I thought it was supposed to be the FDA!
Comment by Nancy Bueno — May 6, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
This is so horrible about the dog food recall.
We as consumers have to protect our pets. Pet food and conventional medicine need to be scruntized by the consumer to prevent risks to our pet’s health. This is what prompted me to use natural remedies for my dog. Profits seem more important than our pets health so we need to be proactive in their protection.
Learn more about keeping your pet healthy naturally…great tips
http://naturalsupply.blogspot......rally.html
Comment by Susana — May 6, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
Okay, back from the wine festival (decided against the wine, too hot, 90 degrees here today, got a toe ring instead) Good stuff posted here in the last few hours, THANKS EVERYONE! Can’t wait to “weed” through it all….
Comment by Nabiya — May 6, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
Here I am. I will call Palomino an alarmist also. Wellness ranks very very high in pal, that is why it was picked off the top. Kinda funny, Fancy Feast also ranks very high in pal but it is the one picked on. Guess when you have that much market share, you deserve to be picked on.
Comment by Don — May 6, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
This Acheson,…he sounds like a really sharp guy….since he feels that the melamine is such a little threat. I say we sit him down at a dinner table and feed him some melmine spiked food and see how he does for a week or so…..good idea huh. This way he can state with certainy that there is no concern required and all has been resolved in this mounting scandal. He could not be just a talking paid off head……could he be?
Obewan
Comment by Lew Orban — May 6, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
Don: see the other thread, Sunday Open Thread. It’s okay to come out now.
Comment by Nabiya — May 6, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
Hey—I’LL go pee on his desk!
China doesn’t care about its people, and treats its animals in the cruelest, most heinous manners. They boil animals alive. They club or strangle dogs to death during “rabies epidemics” in front of the owners. China does not care about any other people. Or any other animals. And that means YOU. China is a shame-based culture (one of many worldwide) and therefore it is IMPERATIVE, and I mean IMPERATIVE, People, for the Chinese to blame ANYONE or ANYTHING but themselves, their ideas or methods. Do some research on the SARS epidemic that began there to see how much they hid from the rest of the world and how much they lied to the rest of the world because they refused to admid that SARS began there. America is not a shame-based culture. (Thank God for small favors.)
China is also a Communist country and is dedicated to remaining a Communist country. They could not care less about us or our culture or our people except to take us over some day and make us into a controlled Communist country. Check out our balance of payments for a clue to our possible future. Check out some of our huge corporations pandering to this evil regime.
Okay, this is an aside and PLEASE cross-post for me if you know where: A note regarding the SARS epidemic: there was a heartbreaking story in New York Magazine about a young shoe designer from New York City who flew to Guangdong to oversee some designs in the making when she was overcome by a rapid and deadly something-or-other that resembled a cold and quickly killed her during her first night alone in a clinic there. Just a bed, no sophisticated monitoring equipment or technicians, you can bet on that. And when the SARS epidemic timeline was beginning to be revealed I thought, “My God. SARS killed this young American girl!”
Comment by Taylor — May 6, 2007 @ 5:38 pm
Okay, who made the comment about “not blaming the Chinese. . . I have Chinese friends, blah blah, etc. . . .” Oh, for Heaven’s sake! Unless people are living in a cave of their own making, we ALL have Chinese friends! We all have Moslem friends. And Christian friends. And French friends (a little light humor). And all the other people in the world. Because we live in America! Everyone lives here for the most part in a harmony that is only an unattainable dream for most of the rest of the world. But I’ll be da*ned if I’ll be “politically correct” about anything that involved sickness, death and lies. And right now, this issue is about the Chinese government and the kinds of lies that they have perpetrated for years.
The def’n of “politically correct” needsw revision. Big time!
Comment by Taylor — May 6, 2007 @ 6:07 pm
Comment by slt - May 6,2007 @10:48am
I have been checking my labels. I’ve always been a label reader, and, in the last few weeks I’ve fined tuned that talent as I read all the labels I could on pet foods, including ones I’ve never used. Fortunately, I’m informed. I’m informed because of this site and Itchmo’s site, and I’ve followed the pet food recall very closely on both sites since the recall broke. I cannot thank these two sites enough. Their continuous and thorough coverage is simply amazing. Being informed,I’m already in the process of contacting the companies of foods I often use and asking the same questions that I asked pet food companies. I’m changing my eating habits, eating gluten free breads,tossing foods that may have high risk ingredients, and I’m replacing them with foods that I feel are safer to eat. As awareness sets in regarding the risks of foods coming from China, which should happen if the main stream media(hoping and praying!)keeps reporting on it, consumer demand for American made products should increase. The average American consumer could use some help in sorting out what comes from where. I don’t envision a country of origin labeling bill being passed,if it ever is, nearly soon enough to benefit consumers with the sorting out process of made in America versus made in China. American companies and farmers might be very willing to assist us in the sorting out process by labeling their products as being made/produced/sourced, ect. in this country. I’m willing to pay a higher price for safety’s sake for American products as are others. If demand increases for American products, the demand should decrease for cheaper products produced in China. As the demand decreases, everything gets safer. Regardless of politics,corporate monies, and inadequate agencies, consumers have more control over this situation than they realize. It is on what and where they spend their money that denotes demand. Awareness is the key to making this happen, and change always follow awareness.
Comment by Laura Gould — May 6, 2007 @ 6:23 pm
AMEN Laura … our family is doing the same and feeling more healthy doing so. Just make a list w/your family and find substitutes, if necessary..it’s like life insurance.
Thank you Pet Connections, Itchmo, and other helpful websites that are working to support our efforts from this day and forward….
Comment by Bee — May 6, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
Taylor - Just ignore the skeptics. This site has become (unfortunately) polluted by trolls. You can spot them a mile away. They babble incessantly about the virtues of Pedigree, Purina and Newman’s Own pet food, all of which use the same crappy, indigestible gluten that’s in your pasta and crackers. I threw out all of my Chinese Tea today because I remembered that they still use stuff like DDT and other banned pesticides in China. I will never buy Chinese loose tea again. As this stuff starts to dissipate in our landfills, the birds of prey we have worked so many decades to restore will begin dying again. BAN ALL CHINESE IMPORTS NOW, BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! THROW THE TEA INTO THE BAY!
Comment by Palomino — May 6, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
carly - What’s really amazing is that this “glycerine” company’s web site is still up and running! They even have an address you can email for information! Absolutely no shame.
http://www.chinachemnet.com/chinataixin/
Comment by Palomino — May 6, 2007 @ 8:36 pm
Don - thanks for the compliment! I’m sure Hancock, Revere and Sam Adams were accused of “alarmism” in their day, too. In fact, Revere was LITERALLY an alarmist as he rode his horse to spread the word on that fateful April night in 1775…
Comment by Palomino — May 6, 2007 @ 8:58 pm
I’m afraid that all the congressional hearings will amount to nothing more than dog-and-pony shows. Both parties are controlled by corporate lobbyists. Ask yourself why the US govt won’t take resolute action(like the Japanese govt in the case of US beef with mad cow disease) to protect its citizens and their pets. There should be a ban on all imports of foodstuffs, vitamin ingredients and medicines from China. Of course we don’t have a chance of getting this unless we put Lou Dobbs in the White House. The leadership of both parties is wedded to the idiotic “free trade” theology sold to them by the multinationals. In China we have the worst possible trading partner: a country with anarchic, unregulated capitalism presided over by a brutal, totalitarian political regime.
Comment by expat — May 6, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
Comment by Don — May 6, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
Don, you never responded to my question on the Sunday open thread re whether you work for Purina/Nestle - and here you are again, talking about how Fancy Feast gets picked on. Coincidence? We’d all love to know.
So what’s a “pal” ? Insider jargon we ought to know? Please clarify.
Comment by Laura — May 6, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
Here’s an interesting factoid: our CLOTHING has better country-of-origin labeling than our foods! It’s actually kind of cool. This means, of course, that it CAN be done.
And, by the way, Palomino, thanks for the vote of confidence. And I’m with you reg23arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr6 (whoops! That’s a comment by one of my little four-footers, The 3 Orange Boyz) regarding Chinese products.
Comment by Taylor — May 6, 2007 @ 10:26 pm
Comment by Laura — May 6, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
“So what’s a “pal” ? Insider jargon we ought to know? Please clarify.”
Laura, apologies if it seems I’m stalking you, but I’d like the answer to this one as well. All “pal” means to me is the encoding system used in broadcast television systems in Europe. Tho’ it’s usually in caps: “PAL”. Color me an “alarmist”, but I seriously doubt this is what Don means.
Comment by Ally — May 6, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
Personal attacks and hate speech are OVER and DONE. I’m not going to bed for hours, and I WILL read these threads, and if this crap doesn’t stop NOW, I’ll just ban anyone I think is out of line and let Gina sort it out tomorrow.
Stick to the issues. No name calling, no racism. And you can call me politically correct all night long. I’ve been called worse things.
Comment by Christie Keith — May 6, 2007 @ 11:36 pm
***THANKS, CHRISTIE***
Comment by Kathi — May 6, 2007 @ 11:44 pm
For the people that have been feeding their pets tuna/albacore, and eating it themselves. Please be careful about how much you and your pets are consuming. You cannot live on tuna or albacore alone. In fact albacore has a significant higher levels of mercury than light canned tuna.
What about differences between canned tuna? Most canned tuna is labeled as either “albacore” or “chunk light”. There are other species of canned tuna, as well. Albacore tuna, according to FDA data, contains 3 times as much mercury as chunk light (0.353 ppm vs. 0.118 ppm). Cans of chunk light tuna usually contain skipjack tuna, which is a smaller species and averages lower mercury levels. However, a Chicago Tribune investigation found that chunk-light canned tuna sometimes contains yellowfin tuna (0.325 ppm), but is not labeled correctly. Also, a study found that troll-caught albacore mercury levels are lower (0.14 ppm vs. 0.353 ppm) because they are younger than longline-caught albacore. Read canned tuna labels carefully to find out which species it contains! You can compare the mercury levels between all types of tuna in the mercury calculator above.
Comment by Tammy — May 7, 2007 @ 3:25 am
I guess exposing the facts about Nazi Germany in 1938 would have been called “hate speech” if we had had PC-think back then.
Comment by expat — May 7, 2007 @ 5:15 am
If you want to be even more bothered by this type of situation, read this piece from Sunday’s NYT.
From China to Panama, a Trail of Poisoned Medicine http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05.....oison.html You may want to know that the ever vigilant FDA has know about this for years but just last week put out a warning on glycerin. And BTW glycerin is used in all sorts of pet products from medicines to shampoos.
Comment by Donna — May 7, 2007 @ 7:08 am
Christine - great commentary. Sad Story, but great commentary. Keep up the great feed of information and dis-information that the FDA is ‘so’ on top of!
Comment by Todd — May 7, 2007 @ 7:33 am
Bill Maher made me proud on Friday’s Show, bringing up the whole FDA failure with pet food and now the human food chain has been compromised in his interview with Dr. Sanjay Gupta(who had a special on cancer this weekend). Bill M was very good at brining up the fact that just as FEMA messed up with Katrina, the FDA is messing up with human and pet food concerns.
I am sorry I don’t have the world’s biggest asprin to give you. But do stay away from those cold meds, they are just as deadly as tainted pet food.
If you missed the HBO series, it re-airs tonight. Monday
Give Bill M a thank you for his comments of our pet companion health issues.
Comment by janetc — May 7, 2007 @ 1:26 pm
I firmly believe there are many more foods that are not on the recall list that are tainted. I had 2 cats that died just prior to the recall on IAMS slow cooked chicken. That was what they were eating exclusively. It is made by Menu foods but was never on the list. My other cats were eating Nine Lives and they are OK. I thought I was giving these 2 “better food”. One was pregnant and the other was a 3 1/2 month old kitten. I lost the Mom and her litter. I did not suspect the food til after the recall, and I had no way to prove it at that point.
I also have a sheep. She had always eated Dumor (made by Purina). One day I bought a new bag. She would not eat it. I dewormed her and tried it again. She still would not eat it. She would eat her corn so it was not a lack of appetite. She just would not eat that food. So, now I think there was probably something wrong with that food.
I am feeding my cats Life’s Abundance dry and canned chicken (no salt added) that is for humans. Now that the bad chicken has been released into the food supply, I am not even sure about that.
I bought a bumper sticker for my car that says: Demand SAFE food. and has a cross out circle with Chinese Imports in it.
This is a good link, giving us an opportunity for food activism
http://www.organicconsumers.or.....e_4607.cfm
Comment by betty — May 8, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
There is just one thing wrong with label reading. They are NOT legally bound to put whats in there on the label. That is correct. They can put a list of ingredients on the label, and put something else in the pet food. It is LEGAL.
Comment by betty — May 8, 2007 @ 1:03 pm