Pet-food recall: ‘Unusual spikes of inexplicable illness’ edition (does head-exploding count?)

By Gina Spadafori

May 9, 2007

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Last night’s chat at PetHobbyist.com was wonderful! In addition to the line-up of pet bloggers — Itchmo, Pet Food Tracker, The Pet Food List and, of course, our own team — we also had Spocko, David Goldstein of the Huffington Post and more. One of the real bright spots was an honest give-and-take discussion with someone from the pet-food industry. Talk about a tough room! He really added a lot to the chat, and I appreciated his viewpoint.

The take-away message: 1) FDA, stop spinning. We’re not as stupid as you think. 2) Pet-food industry, step up and tell us what you’ve got. In Itchmo’s words, “Make the stuff on the inside of the bag as good as the stuff on the outside.” Say what you’ll do and do what you say. We agreed there’s a huge opportunity for those companies that will embrace change. And it shouldn’t be that hard a sell: Premium foods before the recall were the fastest-growing segment of the market. So make them really premium, inside and out, and we’ll be there for you.

And pet-owners, you have work to do, too. 1) If you WANT high-quality ingredients, you’re going to have to be prepared to pay for them; and 2) Carping on blogs and in chat rooms gets you nowhere. Write and call your elected representatives and tell them that safe food and honesty in labeling so you can make informed decisions is a PRIORITY with you. Flood their offices with calls, snail mail and faxes. If you can’t write a letter or make a phone call, don’t complain to me.

Update: Quit yelling at me, OK? I am NOT saying that the work done on blogs hasn’t been important. We all know how important the work we’ve all done has been. I’m just saying it’s not enough to blog. Ya gotta tell your congressfolks what you think, too. As in, “in addition.” Because, you know, some people in the Senate don’t know about the Internets much, and think it’s a series of tubes that do something kinda vague. So, go old-fashioned on ‘em. Call. Fax. Write. OK, and even e-mail.

See? Problem solved.

Also: I proved you can type for 90 minutes straight with a kitten on your shoulder.

As far as toxic Chinese imports into all our food supply: My opinion is there’s no way to push the dragon back behind the gate. Global trade is a reality, and we have to live with that. What we need is honesty: Accurate labeling to reflect country of origin for all products (and their ingredients), so we can make the decisions we need to. And those laws will be written here, in America, to protect Americans. Don’t give me the nonsense about relying on other countries to protect ours.

Anyway …

The chat lasted 90 minutes, and we didn’t get to all the questions. So … we’re going to do another one. We’ll have details when it’s all set up. Thanks to Jeff Barringer of PetHobbyist.com for hosting us.

Christie will post a transcript later today.

Now … to the news. First, the re-runs:

Send me your links. I’ll update throughout the morning with the new stuff.

Update: I forgot! I want to mention this excellent overview piece by Andrea Toback on the Encyclopaedia Britannica’s Animal Advocacy blog:

Pet food was first produced as a way to utilize food products left over from human food production. This included items that were fine for human consumption but whose supply exceeded demand, such as organ meats (hearts, liver, etc.). It also included rendered ingredients—leftover animal parts such as skin and connective tissue and muscle meat boiled down into a meal. Bones were crushed and rendered into bone meal. While this may sound repulsive to us, there isn’t anything inherently wrong with feeding an animal these items. After all, when a cat catches a mouse, he eats the whole thing, including skin, organs, and bones. He also gets the protein-rich muscle meat of the mouse, as well as the stomach contents—that is, the remains of the mouse’s last meal.

As human-food manufacturing has become more efficient, the items left over for pet food have become increasingly nonnutritious. Since less muscle meat remains after butchering for human food, this means less protein is available to put into pet food. And as the demand for pet food has risen, manufacturers have increasingly turned to ingredients that are not so wholesome.

Contrary to the recent statements by the Pet Food Institute, few regulations exist in the making of pet food. Voluntary standards for nutrition have been set by the American Association of Feed Control Officials, an advisory board of state officials and FDA members, but no long-term testing of the outcome of these standards has been conducted.

Here’s what your pets’ food may contain:

Flesh from healthy animals
Flesh from diseased or downed (sick or injured) animals
Meal—rendered food from health or unhealthy animals, including skin, feathers, and fat
Glutens/protein concentrates—grain additives to increase protein content and act as a binding agent

As the low-protein meat/bones/fat/skin are rendered down, they lose a lot of the little nutritional value they have. To enhance the nutritional value, the industry adds back vitamins and minerals as well as protein supplements to boost the protein content of the food. This protein comes largely from grain—usually corn, wheat, soy, or rice.

There’s a lot, lot more. Go read.

From the L.A. Times (Don Lee and Abigail Goldman, thanks, Lee!):

XUZHOU, CHINA — Before Mao Lijun’s business exported tainted wheat products that may have killed American pets, his factory sickened people and plants around here for years.

Farmers in this poor rural area about 400 miles northwest of Shanghai had complained to local government officials since 2004 that Mao’s factory was spewing noxious fumes that made their eyes tear up and the poplar trees nearby shed their leaves prematurely. Yet no one stopped Mao’s company from churning out bags of food powders and belching smoke — until one day last month when, in the middle of the night, bulldozers arrived and tore down the facility.

It wasn’t authorities that finally acted: Mao himself razed the brick factory — days before the investigators from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration arrived in China on a mission to track down the source of the tainted pet food ingredients.

In the end, Chinese authorities caught up with Mao and arrested him. And Tuesday, after weeks of denials, China acknowledged that Mao’s company and another Chinese business had illegally exported wheat and rice products spiked with melamine, a chemical used in making plastics and fertilizers. That chemical is banned in foods in the U.S.

China’s watchdog agency said the businesses had added melamine to the food ingredients “in a bid to meet the contractual demand for the amount of protein in the products.” Melamine can make animal feed appear to have more protein than it actually does.

The rest is here.

We’ll also add the transcript of the House Agriculture Committee Hearing when it’s available. I’m listening now, and Dr. Acheson just said, “the system is working remarkably well.”

Well, there you go!

Opening statements: FDA’s Dr. Acheson and USDA’s Dr. Kenneth Petersen.

The last word overheard as the committee adjourned: Dr. Acheson to Dr. Petersen: “Good job, Ken!”

Oh, c’mon, don’t sell him short: Heckuva job, both of you!

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Filed under: 2007 food recall, animals: pets, news — Gina Spadafori @ 8:22 am

185 Comments »

  1. No Comment…because “Carping on blogs and in chat rooms gets you nowhere.” Bye….

    Comment by Deanna — May 9, 2007 @ 8:27 am

  2. If the pet food industry pulls the same stunt as ConAgra, that FDA letter does not specifically say pet food manufacturers are responsible for the safety of pet food.

    So, we’re still at ground zero.

    Comment by Ann H. — May 9, 2007 @ 8:37 am

  3. Is there was going to be another (FDA) release/conference today?

    Comment by petlover — May 9, 2007 @ 8:39 am

  4. Deanna, who said that? I’m having trouble locating that.

    In any event, it’s evidence we are getting under their skin, making them nervous and guess what? They are now aware we aren’t going away.

    Comment by Sharon — May 9, 2007 @ 8:40 am

  5. Has anyone noticed the subtle shift in language from “dilution theory” (theory = unproven, just speculation) to yesterday’s release using the term “dilution FACTOR” (factor = implication of a proven statement)?

    Comment by petlover — May 9, 2007 @ 8:44 am

  6. “Christie will post a transcript later today.”

    Thanks so much. I wasn’t able to make the chat so have been hoping someone would post the chat transcript.

    Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 8:44 am

  7. Gina made the comment about complaining on blogs above, in the context of telling people to they should make thier concerns known to their elected representatives.

    In my case, all I’ve got is a delegate who can’t vote on anything that counts :-\

    Comment by yet another pat — May 9, 2007 @ 8:44 am

  8. I can tell you from experience that standing up in a KFC holding a “Buffalo Snacker” and yelling “Do you people really eat this sh*t?” is not taken as a call to reason.

    But it certainly gets peoples attention.

    Anyway, when does the criminal investigation into this fiasco start producing some fruit?

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 8:45 am

  9. wow—an extraneous word and a typo, and I even proofread.

    Let’s try again: Gina made the comment about complaining on blogs above, in the context of telling people they should make their concerns known to their elected representatives.

    Comment by yet another pat — May 9, 2007 @ 8:45 am

  10. Is the USDA/FDA FLAGRANTLY DISREGARDING ITS OWN RULES WHEN IT IS APPROVING MEAT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OF ANIMALS THAT ATE CONTAMINATED FEED?

    In the FDA’s own press release:

    “Because the poultry being held have been fed adulterated products, USDA cannot knowingly approve products derived from these poultry for human consumption. USDA is also offering the expertise and assistance of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) personnel in carrying out depopulation activities, to ensure adherence to Federal and State laws. The law states if animals for human consumption have been fed adulterated feed, that the animals cannot be processed for human consumption. We KNOW that the feed was adulterated because the FDA followed the paper trail of the contaminated salvaged pet food to the animal feed industry! It sure appears that laws are being completely ignored, with blatant disregard for human health, in favor of big business poultry and hog ranchers (and to avoid a mass panic by the U.S. population). (Joint FDA/USDA Release, April 30, 2007)

    http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal.....4/0122.xml

    Comment by petlover — May 9, 2007 @ 8:46 am

  11. Sharon -

    Third paragraph of the above post by PetConnection.

    Comment by Deanna — May 9, 2007 @ 8:46 am

  12. The immediate action one can get is at a state level. You live there, you can sit and stare at them :)

    The Consumer, Agriculture, Food Safety. and CC to the Senators & Congressmen & the fda - and the media

    They aren’t liking that very much.

    Comment by Ann H. — May 9, 2007 @ 8:46 am

  13. Gina, can you tell I have a letter in process in my wordprocessing program? It’s almost ready to go!

    Comment by petlover — May 9, 2007 @ 8:47 am

  14. Looks like Acheson is at it again, BS’ing the Ag committee, which is meeting today. See blurb below:

    Wednesday, May 9, 2007
    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.

    Witnesses:

    Panel I

    * Dr. Kenneth E. Petersen, Food Safety Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
    * Dr. David Acheson, M.D., F.R.C.P., Assistant Commissioner for Food Protection, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland

    Comment by Sharon — May 9, 2007 @ 8:48 am

  15. Thank you, Sharon. I thought I heard CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta say there was going to be a release or meeting today.

    Comment by petlover — May 9, 2007 @ 8:49 am

  16. I’m feeling so much better that they are meeting today, aren’t you??? *read HEAVY sarcasm*

    I went away for just a few hours last night and I swear, all h*ll broke loose.

    I cannot believe these people think we are this stupid.

    Comment by Sharon — May 9, 2007 @ 8:51 am

  17. “Carping on blogs and in chat rooms gets you nowhere.”

    I agree. When I write an article about shocking details of what China is exporting, I get lots of comments. When I write about the two key pieces of legislation pending before the House and Senate — the FDA Revitalization Act and the Food Safety Act — I get little reaction. But it’s the legislation that’s going to help our pets and ourselves. (Not entirely, of course, but both bills are a big step forward.)

    ALSO: There are emotionally-charged rumors about pet food companies that can be a great disservice not only to the companies but also to pets whose owners should probably be buying the food in question because it’s healthier than other brands. I’m not defending pet food companies, but when several people allege that a company is putting “antifreeze” in its wet food, that’s quite serious. Especially after I went to the company’s FAQ page, and found that the ingredient in question is actually an “organic source of iodine.” (Calm investigative work before posting allegations is in order.)

    Comment by SusanUnPC — May 9, 2007 @ 8:54 am

  18. This hearing is ON right now, they are questioning Acheson. It is on Live Audio the link is posted on the Late night thread—-Sorry I am too dumb to add the link

    Comment by Elaine — May 9, 2007 @ 8:54 am

  19. Peggy found the House Ag Committee link and posted it on the late night thread.

    Comment by Elaine — May 9, 2007 @ 8:56 am

  20. Re: Parrot food, ferret food, etc.:

    It’s on our list to look into, but we just haven’t had a chance to catch our breath. Do you have a good avian vet? Check in with him or her and see what’s what.

    Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 9, 2007 @ 9:02 am

  21. I’m certainly going to write my elected officials, even though I suspect I’m their token commie librul in a sea of “Fair Tax” and “Ban Harry Potter!” Sigh.

    Comment by Katherine — May 9, 2007 @ 9:03 am

  22. Within the hour CNN International ( on regular CNN) will show an interview with the Chinese man who is in jail for the contamination.

    Comment by rom6 — May 9, 2007 @ 9:04 am

  23. Let me clarify: I find the comments on blogs and in chat rooms to be really helpful and often entertaining as all get-out, but this is still a representative democracy, and change will come through those elected representatives.

    So … keep commenting, but ALSO contact those state and federal elected officials. They work for us.

    Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 9, 2007 @ 9:08 am

  24. “Carping on blogs and in chat rooms gets you nowhere.”

    I do agree, but I think it could of been stated differently. Blogging does have its purposes. People need to vent, need to share information, some need comfort and compassion.
    i.e. -
    Blogging and chat rooms have their purposes, but to get action to make changes, you need to call and write your elected officials.

    Comment by Deanna — May 9, 2007 @ 9:09 am

  25. Keep your state Governor’s ears pinned to the wall with your letters too,, not all the action happens in Washington. The state agriculture commissioners also are having fun and the State DVM’s

    Comment by Ann H. — May 9, 2007 @ 9:12 am

  26. AAArrrrgh! At the Ag heading, Acheson just said, “People don’t read labels.” Head, meet desk….

    Comment by Sharron — May 9, 2007 @ 9:24 am

  27. Saw the interview on CNN. The Chinese man says he’s innocent - doesn’t even know what melamine is. Says he’s a scapegoat. Another Chinese businessman who exports quality corn gluten says he can’t compete on price with those who sell fake protein.

    Comment by rom6 — May 9, 2007 @ 9:26 am

  28. The House Ag Committee hearing on Food Safety is on right now, Acheson is squirming on the hot seat.

    Go to the House Ag Committee website and listen on Windows Media Player

    Comment by Elaine — May 9, 2007 @ 9:27 am

  29. I can’t believe it—-Acheson snarked at one of the congressmen for saying “I Believe” instead of using concrete facts!

    Comment by Elaine — May 9, 2007 @ 9:29 am

  30. re: labels…I’ve gone half blind (blinder?) trying to read the labels with tiny print on the cat food cans, only to discover that the ingredients don’t mean anything.

    I’d vowed to go to the hearings, since I have effectively no elected officials I can petition, but today I’m sitting here, trying to get work gone and getting distracted by a hearing I didn’t go to. Very frustrated.

    Comment by yet another pat — May 9, 2007 @ 9:33 am

  31. I carry around a large magnifying glass in my purse and I know it looks nuts, but I need to read the tiny tiny print.

    Comment by Linda — May 9, 2007 @ 9:35 am

  32. Things that make you go hmmm…

    “Westaqua also caters to the Pet Food Industry by supplying ingredients to the Food Manufacturers of dry Cat and Dog Foods.” [www.westaqua.com]

    Westaqua is one of the companies identified as having received tainted Chinese “wheat gluten” that was used to make “fish meal” for aquaculture.

    Comment by David — May 9, 2007 @ 9:45 am

  33. Unusual Spikes

    http://finance.google.com/fina.....lient=news

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 9:45 am

  34. As inexplicable the FDA seems to consider the deaths of thousands of pets, there is going to be a lot of people death before the FDA will admit there is a problem.
    What would that threshold be do you think?

    Pigs, poultry and people bleed from ears and fall dead in two rural areas but the “food on store shelves is safe” will go on a few weeks?

    Comment by E. Hamilton — May 9, 2007 @ 9:47 am

  35. To the comment: “You have to be prepared to pay more for good food”…

    I am a holistic, organic vegetarian who long ago decided that what was good for the goose was good for the gander. I have 20 cats, mostly rescue, and my pet food bill is between $400-600 per month. And what I pay for supplements like lysine or transfer factor or fish oils for certain health conditions goes on top of that.

    My monthly veterinary bill, on the other hand, is pretty much confined to dental care and an occasional virus and I haven’t had to deal with a diabetes or kidney or pancreatic problems in many years.

    Comment by Teresa Holladay — May 9, 2007 @ 9:48 am

  36. Re: House Ag Committee hearing on Food Safety

    Will there be a transcript posted for those of us who can’t listen in? As I posted in another thread, the Mac Windows Media Player won’t recognize it. Grrrrr. Frustrating beyond belief.

    Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 9:48 am

  37. Comment by Teresa Holladay — May 9, 2007 @ 9:48 am

    What you selling?

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 9:52 am

  38. Steve - try clicking on the link in Teresa Holladay’s name?

    Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 9:55 am

  39. Not anymore. I removed the link. The comment’s fine, the selling’s not.

    Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 9, 2007 @ 9:57 am

  40. So when did Mao take a tracter to his company was it this year or along time ago?

    Comment by Jill — May 9, 2007 @ 9:57 am

  41. Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 9:55 am

    Land of Opportunity

    http://tinyurl.com/yx63br

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 9:57 am

  42. Comment by E. Hamilton — May 9, 2007 @ 9:47 am
    “What would that threshold be do you think?”

    Hopefully not little children. :-/

    Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 9:57 am

  43. Gina Spadafori — May 9, 2007 @ 9:57 am

    Thank you.

    Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 9:58 am

  44. I’m more than willing to pay more but I want quality and safety. Thankfully my crew has stayed healthy so far but it was just luck. I feel for the thousands who lost their best friends and the ones sickened with uncertain futures. One thing that I’ve been doing is talking to everyone I can think of with pets and telling them the sorry story of the pet food industry. Most are not following this as we are. The only way this is going to get fixed is if enough of us demand they change by hitting them in the pocket book. The bottom line is the only thing most of these jerks will understand. And hopefully after Bush is out of office our food safety will improve. Also I really hope that people make these companies pay in the courts as that too will help. The $500 settlement offer was just an insult, please don’t take em up on it.

    Comment by Robin — May 9, 2007 @ 10:00 am

  45. I just had to read this paragraph from the LA Times article again:

    > It wasn’t authorities that finally acted: Mao himself razed the brick factory — days before the investigators from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration arrived in China on a mission to track down the source of the tainted pet food ingredients.

    He tore down the factory??? This is the first I’ve heard of this, and I’ve been following the story closely. Wow.

    Comment by Barry — May 9, 2007 @ 10:01 am

  46. Son-of-a-Gun

    Anybody catch this one yet?

    They were behind the peanut butter issue too!

    http://www.conagrafoods.com/index.jsp

    Comment by shelly — May 9, 2007 @ 10:02 am

  47. Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 9:58 am

    Network marketing and pyramid scams.

    Surprised we haven’t seen more of em here plugging away.

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 10:07 am

  48. Though I’ve enjoyed posting here, the owner of this blog has made her opinion known:

    “As far as toxic Chinese imports into all our food supply: My opinion is there’s no way to push the dragon back behind the gate. Global trade is a reality, and we have to live with that. What we need is honesty: Accurate labeling to reflect country of origin for all products (and their ingredients), so we can make the decisions we need to. And those laws will be written here, in America, to protect Americans. Don’t give me the nonsense about relying on other countries to protect ours.”

    Labeling for the country of origin of ingredients is a good stop-gap measure. Likewise, enforcing existing trade laws with increased inspection, here and overseas, would also help. But if we were to truly increase our inspections to the needed level of safety, Chinese and Indian port fees would become so high that their products would no longer be competitive. American importers will always find a way around it.

    Anything short of banning Chinese and Indian imports is STILL too much of a risk for my family. I cannot sanction the “globalization is here to stay” point of view.

    Neither is economic isolationism an option. Fair trade (not “free trade,” we can all see from this epidemic that trade is NEVER “free”,) with modern, forward-looking democratic nations is a VERY GOOD THING. But China isn’t any of these things.

    And so, I bid you all adieu! If any of you ever comes around to my way of thinking, I’m sure there will be plenty of blogs which share this point of view, after the next Chinese mass poisoning epidemic kills thousands of humans. Hopefully, I’ll see you there! We can “push the dragon back behind the gate” together.

    Comment by Palomino82 — May 9, 2007 @ 10:14 am

  49. So the USDA went and looked at a pile of bricks and this gives them the right to tell us our food is safe???? I DON’T think so..

    If our government is not going to stop big business from bedding down with China, then we will.

    I have taken to printing out letters that I and others are sending to our representatives AND the same to corporate America. I have printed a batch of them and handed them off to friends to duplicate and pass off to their friends.

    Remember postage goes up to $.41 on Monday May 14th.

    Comment by Peg — May 9, 2007 @ 10:16 am

  50. Palomino … I guess I’m more of a realist than an idealist. I know how much money and political power are in play here, and that’s why I think ending trade isn’t possible.

    So … I would like some steps taken to protect ourselves.

    Your opinion is welcome, and you don’t have to leave because mine differs. If you want to, though, that’s sure your choice.

    Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 9, 2007 @ 10:20 am

  51. I guess if they look at a pile of bricks (was there even that much left?) they can “honestly” say they found no gluten production in violation of US codes.

    Bah.

    Comment by Barry — May 9, 2007 @ 10:21 am

  52. re: postage

    Fax or email is better than postal mail for Congress.

    Mail that goes to Congress is, AFAIK, still being irradiated. It goes to a facility in Ohio (there may also be one in NJ), so delivery is rather slowed down (i.e., up to weeks). In addition, if you include any enclosures in your mail (say, a copy of a vet bill), it’s liable to be melted by the process. “Melted” is probably not the technically correct term;) , but I’ve seen documents that have come through the process, and they are sometimes illegible and, for lack of a better phrasing, messed up. (The same could actually happen to your letter—but definitely don’t send anything that’s irreplaceable.)

    It’s better to customize emails and faxes so they’re not exactly the same thing and don’t get rejected out of hand as being a mass mailing.

    With something like this, where things are changing daily, you may not want a couple of weeks to pass before they get your mail.

    Comment by yet another pat — May 9, 2007 @ 10:27 am

  53. http://www.lef.org/magazine/ma.....et_01.html

    An old article that goes over the basics of pet foods & regulations.

    I still think the time has come that AAFCO either makes pet food companies *earn the right* to put that labeling info on the packages, or take it off, or say outright it might be a meaningless label that falsely gives a consumer any confidence in the actual contents.

    It’s misleading and has no meaning unless the State’s enforce the AAFCO standards, or the AAFCO makes the pet food companies earn the right to use the AAFCO name.

    Comment by Ann H. — May 9, 2007 @ 10:28 am

  54. I will continue to read posts, but I guess if people don’t have the strength and will to push this issue to its bitter conclusion, anything less seems like a waste of time. I believe you are honest and at least you care (which is more than can be said for most!) It’s best for me to “hang back” and wait for people to see for themselves just how huge, serious and scary this problem (of trade with China) really is.

    Comment by Palomino82 — May 9, 2007 @ 10:29 am

  55. It is up to the individual now - and a trip to the grocery store becomes a high-risk behavior -

    Comment by Linda — May 9, 2007 @ 10:31 am

  56. FDA Issues on CSPAN3 tonight at 8EST

    just saw it on the bottom thingy on CSPAN

    Comment by straybaby — May 9, 2007 @ 10:32 am

  57. Palomino,

    I have seen quite a lot of action by the folks posting here, such as writing to their elected representatives, and working to see that this issue is covered in the main news media.

    This is what we need—and yes, sometimes comments fade into silliness or discussions over what to feed our pets, but most of the folks are doing what they can to spread awareness among the public, friends and family.

    I think silly comments are a way for us to let off some steam, but it doesn’t mean we aren’t serious and will get back to work.

    Comment by Elaine — May 9, 2007 @ 10:36 am

  58. PS - Having spent time in China, I can honestly tell you that there is no way to reform that nation without almost unimaginable human suffering. Making ourselves part of that problem certainly doesn’t help, and probably makes it a lot worse (for them AND us.) Read about the “opium wars” and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Good luck.

    Comment by Palomino82 — May 9, 2007 @ 10:37 am

  59. We have to keep the pressure on the FDA and USDA and manufacturers…and the media. And retailers. And politicians.

    I’m still running across people who haven’t even heard there’s a problem. We have to make sure everyone’s informed.

    I believe that change *can* happen, but it won’t happen overnight.

    Comment by Barry — May 9, 2007 @ 10:38 am

  60. New Business Idea:

    Melamine and toxic waste test strips to dip in our food before we take a bite.

    Comment by Linda — May 9, 2007 @ 10:43 am

  61. Masterfoodsnews.com website is back up
    http://masterfoodsnews.com/

    Comment by shelly — May 9, 2007 @ 10:46 am

  62. PPS - I first contacted my congresswoman and senators about the idiocy of China getting MFN status back when it happened in 1999. The one person who wrote me back sent me a letter full of malarky about “constructive engagement” and the inevitability of “globalization”. The second contact was last summer, when North Korea attempted to fire a long-range missile on the 4th of July. Still no action in the House or Senate. I’ve been fighting with these corrupt idiots for 8 LONG YEARS NOW! I’ve done my absolute best to end this madness, but still, my cat starts puking his guts out last week - and the food he was eating STILL isn’t on the recall list. I have a feeling that the unnamed company Cereal Byproducts sold stuff to is the food I sold him. I HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT HIM - I DID MY BEST - AND IT STILL WASN’T ENOUGH. I’ve reached my limit. See you at the “Tea Party”!

    Comment by Palomino82 — May 9, 2007 @ 10:49 am

  63. Palomino -

    I agree with you 100%. I never buy anything that is made in China. Hard to do, but I just refuse to support misery and all the rest that is too much to list and not considered “nice” by the blog owners.

    Comment by Linda — May 9, 2007 @ 10:51 am

  64. Food I gave him - typo. I didn’t sell my cat his food. Though he does earn his keep by killing 4 or more rats per year!

    Comment by Palomino82 — May 9, 2007 @ 10:52 am

  65. Silly comments keep us sane.

    Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 9, 2007 @ 10:56 am

  66. “Silly comments keep us sane.”

    My sentiments exactly.

    Injecting humor here & there doesn’t mean we’re not outraged or willing to write letters to the PTB to get our voices heard. It does allow us a counter balance to the lunacy the FDA asylum inmates are propagating.

    If I didn’t have this occasional release I’d start screaming and never stop. I highly doubt that would help our cause much.

    Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 11:02 am

  67. Gina,

    We hope!!!! This situation is trying anyone’s sanity!!

    Comment by Elaine — May 9, 2007 @ 11:03 am

  68. The Ag Committee hearing brought out some good points (it was mixed in with the usual spin) and from the looks of the site I think it will unfortunately be a good long while before we see a transcript.

    If we could somehow get the Country Of Origin Labeling in force, then the consumers would be making the import country choices with their wallets.

    From the hearing it sure sounded like the guy from USDA doesn’t want the Country Of Origin Labeling. That must explain why it’s been delayed twice since the Farm Bill 2002, and is now scheduled to go into effect 30 Sept 2008. Business doesn’t want “COOL”. If they had to print it on their labels they would have to comit to consistant sources and quality. Constantly switching around to the “lowest bidder” wouldn’t work very well for them if we had Country Of Origin Labeling.

    Comment by Aunt Granny — May 9, 2007 @ 11:03 am

  69. CNN Newsroom is covering this story today, over and over again. Quoting the FDA as to the low amounts of melamine in the adulturated meats not being dangerous to humans. Couldn’t help but hearing a sense of sarcasm in thier voices. They have had two stories in one hour and promising to keep updating.
    Many thank yous to everyone writing in to our elected officals and all the others that have heard our voices.

    Comment by Maudigan — May 9, 2007 @ 11:06 am

  70. Linda - I agree with you and am able to exercise the same “personal reform” in my private life. Thanks for your support. Unfortunately, I own a small business, and increasing amounts of my product come from mainland China. I have very little choice in this matter. 15 years ago, all of our products were made in USA. 10 years ago, half of it was coming from Taiwan, with the balance coming from USA, Singapore, Malaysia and the Phillipines. The solution has to be national, or I can close up shop and start flipping burgers. My choices are that stark. I’m starting to lean toward the latter.

    Comment by Palomino82 — May 9, 2007 @ 11:06 am

  71. We just need to continue to contact our elected representatives to push COOL, they are working on the 2007 Farm Bill now, as well as legislation to implement COOL by Sept 2007

    Comment by Elaine — May 9, 2007 @ 11:06 am

  72. “COOL” has already been passed.

    It’s the putting it into effect part that’s getting stalled/delayed.

    Comment by Aunt Granny — May 9, 2007 @ 11:10 am

  73. Smaller farms and ranches are working to have Competition reforms in the 2007 Farm Bill as well, but of course the big packers and other food conglomerates are using their influence to kill competition.

    They like to import cheap crap (food) and sell it to us and not tell us what we are eating. And they don’t want to compete fairly with U.S. farms and ranches

    Comment by Elaine — May 9, 2007 @ 11:11 am

  74. I can see why US farmers and ranchers would want COOL, and why big business wouldn’t.

    I’d like to be able to buy US goods when ever possible, and I have to be able to tell.

    Comment by Aunt Granny — May 9, 2007 @ 11:12 am

  75. BTW, I think this Dr. Ken Petersen of the USFIS was formerly the CEO or something of one of the huge packing companies. Seems like big industry manages to get their hacks appointed to govt posts to further control things.

    Comment by Elaine — May 9, 2007 @ 11:13 am

  76. We should demand that importers quality be by the same standards as US producers. If it was, it wouldn’t be so cheap!

    Comment by Aunt Granny — May 9, 2007 @ 11:15 am

  77. Oops! I was wrong about Dr.Ken Petersen, wrong one—-This Dr. Ken has been with FSIS for over 10 years

    Comment by Elaine — May 9, 2007 @ 11:19 am

  78. But I wasn’t wrong about hacks being appointed to govt posts. There was an article recently about the scientists for the major drug companies then going to work for the FDA.

    Comment by Elaine — May 9, 2007 @ 11:21 am

  79. “We should demand that importers quality be by the same standards as US producers. If it was, it wouldn’t be so cheap!”

    This is already a law. It’s not enforceable.

    Comment by Palomino82 — May 9, 2007 @ 11:22 am

  80. Gina: “We’ll also add the transcript of the House Agriculture Committee Hearing when it’s available.”

    The Mac crowd who couldn’t listen, bows down and chants a rousing “thank you!”. Apologies if that was already posted when I asked about this earlier in the comments.

    Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 11:22 am

  81. South Africa has already banned grain imports from China. I think of the South African government as being fairly dysfuntional. Is our government truly worse than South Africa’s? I wonder what the immigration laws are like there…

    Comment by Palomino82 — May 9, 2007 @ 11:25 am

  82. Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 11:22 am

    it will be on CSPAN3 tonight at 8 EST :)

    Comment by straybaby — May 9, 2007 @ 11:26 am

  83. Well, at least China has put some people in jail. I, for one , think that the American importers knew exactly what they were buying. The exporting of none food out of China and importing as food, requires some fenaggling of the paperwork. Could not be done IMO without assistance/implication/knowledge by the importer. Also when this stuff was offered for sale in China at a much lower price than other suppliers, there is always a valid reason as to why it is cheaper than the competition. Will raise a red flag to any conscientious importer. Greed, greed and profit, it is just going into animal feed, will not get caught. IMO, American importers were fully aware what they were buying. Hope that some good US reporters in China will find proof and expose this.
    Hope that the Chinese in jail will finger the American importers as co- conspirators. Hope that they get jail time in the USA also.

    Comment by Serijna — May 9, 2007 @ 11:31 am

  84. straybaby - rats. That means 5p PST. I’ll be getting ready to go to my younger dog’s CGC training. I can’t afford to use my TIVO right now. But thanks for letting me know. Will wait for the transcript then.

    Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 11:31 am

  85. They are also being tricky about their labels. I found a sweater with a tiny tiny thin sheer label that said Macau on it - Macau where is that I asked the sales lady? Probably China I said, and she was huffy - does that sound like China? No, I said, but it’s a trick! It’s China.

    Comment by Linda — May 9, 2007 @ 11:31 am

  86. These U.S. Importers knew what they were buying. You bet they knew it.

    Comment by Linda — May 9, 2007 @ 11:32 am

  87. Also find out too much of a coincidence that the “human grade” import did not make it into human foods. Possibly , better incoming inspection in human food plants and therefor a chance of early discovery.

    Comment by Serijna — May 9, 2007 @ 11:37 am

  88. Three comments:

    1. The FDA says these tainted animals are safe to consume by people, but people don’t eat the icky
    parts that accumulate toxins, and go straight into pet food. Is the FDA, by allowing melamine tainted
    meat to be processed, just putting the melamine back in the pet food at the rendering stage?

    2. Contrary to the spin that melamine is not allowed in US food, I would suggest everyone READ the
    headlines. There is a new standard. Some melamine is okay, not sure how much, but some, don’t ya know.

    3. Contrary to the popular opinion of activists of every stripe, writing your favorite Congress
    critter is a waste of your time, on any issue. 24 state constitutions in the U.S., and hoards of
    cities and counties have provisions for citizen sponsored legislation. If you want things to change,
    quit spinning your wheels on special interest sponsored con men at the Federal level. Write up your
    initiative, collect the required signatures, and put it to a vote of we the people.

    Comment by Don — May 9, 2007 @ 11:39 am

  89. One of my U.S. Representatives in a Republican and goes along with all of Bush’s policies. Some dog dodo was put in one of her offices because the lady was so mad at her and the woman faced court action. She could care less what I wrote to her. I did write to my Senator, a well-meaning Democrat. Wrote to the newspapers, also.

    Maybe we should talk about babies being severly impacted by melamine besides pets.
    Some are the same size and melamine would have a greater impact on them than humans—we could lose a big chunk of our future generation, never mind thinking of unborn fetuses.

    Or maybe we should inject religion into the matter. Forgive me, I am just desparate to get good food for my cats, even at a higher price. Pretty packaging will not do attract me any more. Horrified

    Comment by Evelyn — May 9, 2007 @ 11:42 am

  90. Don has an excellent point. Witness Louisiana and Mississippi banning imported Vietnamese and Chinese catfish.

    Comment by Palomino82 — May 9, 2007 @ 11:43 am

  91. If one more person posts something about how this is “all the Republicans’ (or Democrats’) fault,” I swear my head’s gonna explode.

    Comment by Palomino82 — May 9, 2007 @ 11:45 am

  92. This is getting really silly. I have work to do.

    Comment by Palomino82 — May 9, 2007 @ 11:46 am

  93. OK, I feel sometimes that in our frustrations with the head honcho and spokespeople of the FDA many of us may have lost sight of the fact that the FDA, USDA and many, many other government agencies are essentially non partisan agencies whose employees are staffed through civil service exams, licenses and ratings. Once you get below the the political appointments at the very top, these agencies are meant to function and go on seamlessly regardless of whether Democrats or Republicans are in “power” at the time. This is one of the beauties of our way of government….the wheels keep turning even as administrations and congresses change. I do worry that in our zest to vilify those who have not met our needs with respect to the pet food recall we are needlessly being mean spirited to the many good and conscientious employees of these agencies who are struggling to do the right thing and to do right by the people who contact them with specific issues. It seems to me that you achieve much more with honey than vinegar. I want these civil servants to be on our side; willing to advocate for us and help us, rather than feel that we are demonizing them.

    Comment by elizabeth R. — May 9, 2007 @ 11:46 am

  94. Still don’t understand how China has been allowed to ship “tainted” food products for a long time (long before this misery), and no alerts were issued. Never thought I’d have to examine every ingredient on every can or bag of pet food to make sure it doesn’t contain some contaminant. Globalization may be here to stay, but its negatives seem to outweigh its positives.

    My elected representatives are more concerned by the threat of “liberalism” than poison food - animal or human. One of the senators from GA, Saxby Chambliss, is #1 for accepting trips from lobbyists. I will continue to send them letters; but since they assume I fall into the dreaded “liberal” category, I’m sure they feel my vote is lost anyway.

    On a more positive note, Senator Durbin did take note immediately of our concerns and acted accordingly. There is hope.

    Comment by Carol — May 9, 2007 @ 11:47 am

  95. Palomino82,

    You are so right, this is not a partisan issue.

    If we allow it to become one, we will find ourselves quickly divided and conquered by those who want to make all this go away. Until it happens again, of course…

    Comment by Aunt Granny — May 9, 2007 @ 11:52 am

  96. I have written my senators and representatives at the state and federal level twice. That is five different people and I received a response from only ONE of them. The letter he sent me used my middle initial and I did NOT use it on the letters I sent him. I am assuming his staff checked to see if I was a registered voter. Moral of the story: I hope the people writing their congresspersons are registered voters, if not your congressperson definitely doesn’t care what you think

    Comment by Sheila — May 9, 2007 @ 11:52 am

  97. RE: Sending Letters
    I don’t know if this will help anyone, but with my letter campaign I sent to:

    - my state senators / representative
    - Senate Appropriations Sub Committee for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food & Drug Admin and related agencies (Senator Durbin is on this one)
    - Sen. Byrd (who chairs Appropriation Comm)
    - Rep. Rosa DeLauro (partnered with Durbin on food safety & pet recall)
    - FDA (Sundlof, Dunham, McChesney, Von Eschenback, Acheson, Zawisza, Elder, M.Rogers)
    - USDA - (Johanns, K. Peterson)
    - USDA / FSIS (Willenda-Picard, J. Carpenter, D. Van)
    - Pet Food Institute (Ekedahl)
    - AAFCO (Nelson)
    - Pres. Bush

    You could really hit a lot of the Subcommittees as different ones focus on Homeland Security, Commerce/Justice, Health & Human Services. It’s like taking Gov’t.101 again.

    I have one response stating “Thank you for the very sincere and concise letter. I hope that they listen.”

    I faxed the letters late at night (after offices closed) with no difficulty.

    Comment by Donna — May 9, 2007 @ 11:53 am

  98. You can make direct comments to the FDA at this site.

    Comment by Deanna — May 9, 2007 @ 12:01 pm

  99. http://tinyurl.com/2o3yge

    Comment by Deanna — May 9, 2007 @ 12:02 pm

  100. Unfortunately, the heads of the agencies are generally executive appointees. And sorry to take a political slant, but the Bush administration has made agencies that were never meant to be partisan, totally partisan. No other administration, Republican or Democrat, has ever done anything close to what they have done.

    Anybody following the firings of U.S. Attorneys by our Attorney General? Seems that some of them were fired for looking into voter disenfranchisement of minorities (generally Democratic voters). And how about Brownie? Who appointed the former horse show aficionado to head FEMA?

    I agree that a lot of good people work for goverment agencies. But when the boss is a political stooge, there’s not much you can do but hope to wait them out.

    Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — May 9, 2007 @ 12:10 pm

  101. Macau is a special administrative region of China, similar to Hong Kong.

    Comment by Marilyn — May 9, 2007 @ 12:13 pm

  102. Hey guess what? In addition to a career at a newspaper, I have worked for a public agency. Yep: I am vested with the California State Public Employees Retirement System!

    (It’s Sacramento: Everyone works for the Gubmint.)

    I have lots of respect for people who work in the civil service. I have seen first-hand a lot of hard work and committment.

    But … political appointees at the top of these agencies come and go, and some should go sooner than others. (Oh, the stories I could tell, based just on what I’ve seen here in town.) And when the political hacks are all about the spin and not about the people they’re supposed to protect, I’m not going to cut them any slack. No matter what party they’re with.

    This is a bi-partisan issue. We all gotta eat. So, let’s find some common sense and common ground. That’s my deal.

    Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 9, 2007 @ 12:14 pm

  103. Okay, now this is really scary. I guess we learned nothing with Mad Cow disease. The actual ingredients of most processed pet food, in reading the Britannica quote, sickened me. If so many body parts were recycled, and in so many types of animal feed, would be be seeing the Mad Cow equivilent in other animals ( hooved critters and canibalism?) If you add melemine to that, what kinda of mutant forms of food would that create for humans. I am shuddering in my seat right now. Just think how this will mess with them, not only will the brain be messed up, if animals and people live past renal failure, they can almost count on the spongeoform disease to get them in a few years.

    Comment by janetc — May 9, 2007 @ 12:23 pm

  104. Comment by yet another pat — May 9, 2007 @ 8:44 am

    In my case, all I’ve got is a delegate who can’t vote on anything that counts :-\

    Go ahead and complain to your delegate, but feel free to contact someone else’s congresscritter, canditates for office etc! They don’t know if you live in their district or not.

    Comment by schnauzer — May 9, 2007 @ 12:26 pm

  105. “This is a bi-partisan issue.” You’re right, it IS a bipartisan issue — the Republicrats (Democrats and Republicans) in Washington versus EVERYBODY ELSE!

    Comment by Palomino82 — May 9, 2007 @ 12:30 pm

  106. Donna
    What is the easiest way to find addresses for some of these people? I always have such good intentions but sometimes when the work of finding out where to send etc, I get frustrated. I know how to find the address etc of representatives, but am not sure of the different committees etc.

    Comment by Joyce — May 9, 2007 @ 12:33 pm

  107. Isn’t it amazing that China in a very short period of time can go in and arrest someone (Mao Lijun) and yet here we are weeks later and no one has been arrested, no business has been shut down, no shipments have been stopped, no, no, nothing. SA stopped the sales immediately. How is it our country is afraid to p*** anyone off except its own people.

    Comment by VJ — May 9, 2007 @ 12:38 pm

  108. Letter Writing:

    I’m starting with my Mayor (Bloomberg) and local reps. I do NOT want this food in my grocery store. Nor do I like having my grocery bill double because I can’t trust that the No Hormone/Antibiotic Free chicken/pork/fish is safe for my pets (raw feeder to 6) or myself.

    Then I’m going state level same issues but throwing in banning ala Alabama, Farming, COOL etc. Same for the National level.

    I will also be sending some nice little post cards to the heads of the corps informing I’m not buying them.

    Anything my scrambled brains are missing?

    Comment by straybaby — May 9, 2007 @ 12:47 pm

  109. Comment by schnauzer — May 9, 2007 @ 12:26 pm

    They’ll know I don’t live in their district when they see my address/phone number.

    I’m not averse to contacting people who aren’t my elected officials, but I’m not their constituent, so it doesn’t seem to accomplish much (or hasn’t in the past).

    Comment by yet another pat — May 9, 2007 @ 12:53 pm

  110. We need some laughter and we need to be able to vent, because there aren’t to many others who share our conviction; at the moment.

    I did write my Senators and Congress people, several times. No feedback. Nada. One is really busy trying to become President - so I’m just a peon. But did not think of my Govenor or State Dept. of Ag. - Good idea!

    Wrote paper and new stations, news stations have written back several times! and I feed them impt. links from here. Word is getting out slowly and it was impt. to mention safety of the human food supply, to grasp their interest. They can’t ignore children and babies.

    Today I rec’d a lengthy email back from our health food grocer who looked into, meat and food suppliers and their suppliers and checked certificates! She was excited to find info.,learned something and now can answer other clients questions.
    So don’t forget your grocers.

    I only wish the pet food companys were as interested in providing info…. oh well…..

    Katie

    Comment by Katie — May 9, 2007 @ 12:56 pm

  111. Here is my letter for the day:
    via: http://www.dickdurbin.com/home
    To: Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach

    Pet food is fed to livestock which we then eat. Pet food needs to be as safe as our food or else it absolutely should not be fed to livestock.

    The FDA risk assessment protocol did not point to the melamine and cyanuric acid adulteration of these proteins in the first place. It could just as easily have been ingredients headed for human consumption. We need more inspections and a new risk assessment protocol. It is inexcusable that the use of adulterants are public knowledge in China, but apparently, totally unknown to the FDA.

    This is not simply a pet food issue. It is an import safety issue!

    Pet food manufacturing companies must start to follow the same regulations and use the same ingredients as is required for our foods.

    All of our imported foods from Southeast Asia must be inspected. Examination must be extended to all countries in the region. This botched handling of this affair has pointed out the severe inadequacies of our food safety system.

    I’ll send it around to the rest, too.

    Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — May 9, 2007 @ 1:20 pm

  112. “They’ll know I don’t live in their district when they see my address/phone number.” yet another pat

    I know the congressman that replied to me not only knew I was in his district but, also, checked to see if I was a registered voter.

    Comment by Sheila — May 9, 2007 @ 1:23 pm

  113. Joyce, google your elected officials, like in my case “MD elected officials”. You should end up with something.

    Comment by Sharon — May 9, 2007 @ 1:24 pm

  114. VJ

    Supposedly we have something called “Due Process” here - and I believe that China can operate without it. Sort of like living in the wild west, shoot now - ask questions later.

    Comment by Linda — May 9, 2007 @ 1:24 pm

  115. Katie, I don’t think they read any of it at all, but I am sure they count the numbers.

    Write Early, Write Often!

    I don’t want no mela-foods, is that to much to ask??!?

    Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — May 9, 2007 @ 1:24 pm

  116. I still say we need an advocate agency helping with this. And not sporadically, but all the time.

    I sent a slew of letters out today, starting with and thank you to Durbin and a copy of my letter begging them to prevent the food from entering the food supply.

    Comment by Sharon — May 9, 2007 @ 1:27 pm

  117. Here are the links for the US House:
    http://www.house.gov/

    and us Senate:
    http://www.senate.gov/

    I believe you can contact your Senator or Congressperson directly through this site.

    I can’t recall if an address was required for emailing directly from the government sites but
    I know on Senator Durbin’s own site you are asked to provide an address. His site states that he will only respond if you are in his district. But I would send something to him regardless.

    Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — May 9, 2007 @ 1:29 pm

  118. Well, what is there to say now Gina? The beauty of the internet is that you can write directly to just about anyone in government or the media with a website. It is a powerful tool. Forget the telephone, it takes too long to get the right people on the phone. Letters are good too. I think that we can have quite an effect on COOL legislation.But you can’t let up. And as fortune will have it this story is going to go on because it is not over by any stretch of the imagination.

    Folks this is all about money, bottom line above everything else on the part of business interests in this country, all of them. That is it. If business was interested in quality they would have checked for and paid for quality products. They were not interested in anything but continually cutting costs in order to pump up stock prices etc. I will pay for quality and at the moment that means for me that I will not buy anything from China. My little protest. That is the only thing that we can realistically do about China besides COOL and threatening to not go to the Olympics that will do any good.

    And now to the FDA/USDA. I am a retired quasi government person. We are/did all trying to do a good job. However at the true executive agencies policy does effect the focus of the agency. The number of food inspectors has been cut at both the USDA and FDA over the years. So they approach inspections on a “risk focused” basis i expect. Further the inspections probably rely on paper checks of “controls” rather than checks of the products themselves or sampling, until there is a problem brought to the agencies’ attention, that is. They may even announce the inspections in advance. So what happens over time is that the industry learns how to make the paper controls look exactly like what the government agency wants, but the actual reality may be something quite different. Essentially I believe that the industry has been left to police itself. It doesn’t work! It is not in our nature to behave all of the time. That is why we have stop lights, policeman and laws. Can you imagine if we didn’t have any laws and we just all got together and agreed to act right? (Or, if the police just reminded us from time to time to observe the speed limit and drive nice????) Well, that is what has happened to this part of our food industry. The FDA needs to have the authority (teeth) and the budget to oversee with teeth everything that the USDA doesn’t oversee. They are doing the right thing with the import alert and the assignment to actually look at the stuff both at point of entry and at selected manufacturers/suppliers. BUT this kind of activity should go on all of the time to keep the wolves at bay. Got to go, my cat’s chicken is done!

    Comment by Shawn — May 9, 2007 @ 1:30 pm

  119. I may oversimplify because I’m not as educated as many here; but I think all of us need to go on believing that we can work for a drastic change that may not appear possible on our horizon - but horizons change in ways you’d least expect- and taking every action we can.

    Because if we don’t really believe that the end result we want is possible, how hard are we going to work for it? People have believed 100% in “impossible” or “lost” causes through the ages. And because they did, they fought with amazing strength, often to their last breath. We don’t know what’s going to happen until it does; we just know no good will happen all by itself.

    Comment by Sharon G — May 9, 2007 @ 1:31 pm

  120. Katie, I got frustrated too, but the crap has already run down on us and now we just have to push it back up.

    States can make laws one heck of a lot faster than Washington.

    Agriculture and Consumer Protection (yeah I’m a consumer - I buy the pet food) and they’re lying about the ingredients..and that little AAFCO label blurb doesn’t mean it’s safe and AAFCO doesn’t do anything to make sure it’s safe. That’s deceptive to the consumers. At this point IMO it helped the pet food industry defraud consumers of their money and deceives us about quality of the ingredients.

    If it doesn’t have meaning, then it needs to come off.

    I hoeing that road… and by the way…the State Attorney General’s office… don’t forget them,

    Comment by Ann H. — May 9, 2007 @ 1:32 pm

  121. The target of choice is still Menu Foods Inc., the Canada-based manufacturer of about 100 of the tainted product lines.

    As of April 20, at least 50 class-action lawsuits had been filed in federal courts.

    Robert Milette, whose three cats died of kidney failure filed a lawsuit asking for $100 million in compensation “on behalf of all pet owners”.

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 1:32 pm

  122. The FDA Enforcement Report for May 9, 2007 has been released. This report comes out every Wednesday. Today’s report isn’t listed on the main reports page for some reason, but is posted at the following URL:

    http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/.....01003.html

    No mention of melamine, cyanuric acid, pet food, or proteins, but we now know that “The caster bolt stem/screw may loosen over time causing the wheel to come off” on your Lumex Walkabout Lite Four-Wheel Rollator.

    This news is, I’m sure, indeed quite important to Rollator owners. However, hello? Food safety? Drug safety? Everybody eats.

    Comment by Barry — May 9, 2007 @ 1:39 pm

  123. Maybe Robert will reimburse me some of these bills. I have yet to receive my claims package from Menu.

    My husband wants to jump on the CA bandwagon. I’m still thinking about it.

    Comment by Sharon — May 9, 2007 @ 1:43 pm

  124. Wonder if Robert is going to share the wealth? That is, after the lawyers get done with it.

    Comment by Joyce — May 9, 2007 @ 1:43 pm

  125. Comment by Joyce — May 9, 2007 @ 1:43 pm

    If the Lawyers can flush Menu down the toilet where it belongs the Lawyers can have it all in my opinion.

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 1:46 pm

  126. I am still waiting on Nutro re: reimbursement. I am supposed to call back on Friday. If they insult me by offering me $250 I’m going to turn it down and join a class action. I assume that if I accept the money, I will be required to sign something stating that Menu Foods and all involved are absolved etc. However, I have already told my husband that I won’t sign any kind of “gag” order, ie forbidding me from talking. Or else, I’ll break it…lol. No one has ever been able to gag me about anything else, why start now?

    Comment by Joyce — May 9, 2007 @ 1:47 pm

  127. I hate it when the awards in a successful class-action suit are a gazillion dollars for the attorneys and the class members get a letter saying “here’s a coupon for a few bucks off on your next purchase of our crappy product that you sued us about.”

    Comment by Barry — May 9, 2007 @ 1:48 pm

  128. US-China Trade Friction Getting Hotter

    http://www.businessweek.com/gl.....l+business

    Comment by Palomino — May 9, 2007 @ 1:55 pm

  129. Barry, you’re so right. I have personally participated in 2 class action suits against companies who mis-represented themselves to investors. They settled. In one case a check for $3.82 arrived in my mailbox(after hours of work and preparing affadavits “proving” I was a legitimate class member and after years of litigation)…in the other case I received a coupon I never used. The lawyers made MILLIONS. Contrary to what some others have recommended in my opinion anyone with damages/vet bills who gets a reasonable and timely offer from a pet food brand should at least consider it. I can almost guarantee it will be more than a class action recovery (unless you are one of the attorneys.

    Comment by elizabeth R. — May 9, 2007 @ 2:01 pm

  130. We need to talk with our dollars - try to not buy products from China or from companies that use raw materials imported from China. This is not an easy task and will usually cost more money - but saving a dollar or two is not the highest priority here. We need a national campaign for safe food - not just for pets for us too.

    Comment by Linda — May 9, 2007 @ 2:03 pm

  131. Wall Street Journal

    Unsafe Food Additives
    Across Asia Feed Fears
    Toxic Dyes and Preservatives
    Are Often Key Ingredients;
    Export Worries Widen
    By NICHOLAS ZAMISKA
    May 9, 2007; Page B1

    HONG KONG — Formaldehyde, which has been linked to cancer, has legitimate uses in adhesives and embalming. But in Indonesia, Sutikno, a 35-year-old tofu maker in south Jakarta who goes by one name, uses it to keep the tofu he sells fresh.

    http://online.wsj.com/article/.....96364.html

    Comment by Palomino — May 9, 2007 @ 2:07 pm

  132. Okay okay then sorry I mentioned Lawyers just do NOTHING and let Menu and the gang keep churning out poisons.

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 2:07 pm

  133. Comment by Palomino — May 9, 2007 @ 2:07 pm

    Nothing new there.

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 2:08 pm

  134. Imagine drinking this in your tap water.

    http://tinyurl.com/2skxes

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 2:10 pm

  135. Steve - It’s just a teaser for the entire article. Sorry if somebody else already posted it.

    Comment by Palomino — May 9, 2007 @ 2:12 pm

  136. Sharon G.

    Right On!

    If we don’t fight for change and go and bury our heads in the sand like most, it will be business as usual for years to come.

    Menu foods, ChemNutra, etc. need to feel the “pain” for what they’ve done. But, I think Corporate America and Governement need to also answer for this debacle. I get so tired of hearing how the American people want everything cheap. If it didn’t fall apart within a year, or made with inferior ingredients we would be willing to pay more dollars.
    I love how a large box of cereal,shrunk in volume but box remained the same size. The cream cheese contains more water. Major appl. can’t be repaired after a few years - because parts are no longer made. Our landfills are full with cheap, broken stuff.

    It’s frustrating to try to get mainstream citizens interested in the world around them. Probably the reason why they all figure we will wear out and go away!

    Katie

    Comment by Katie — May 9, 2007 @ 2:16 pm

  137. Comment by Palomino — May 9, 2007 @ 2:12 pm

    Oh don’t worry I was just being “jaded”.

    I thought enlightenment was supposed to reveal some fantastic and beautiful revelation.

    March 16, changed that!

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 2:17 pm

  138. I don’t accept the premise that unrestricted global trade with countries that export poison as pet food or human food products is a reality that is inevitable. The “reality” is that the gangster globalists whant us to believe that there is nothing we can do to stop the poison flowing in and the jobs flowing out. Writing our representatives will help, discussing the problem will help, questioning the slogamns will help - giving up and blindly accepting the mantra of unrestricted globalism will only help contribute to the destruction of our way of life - the consequences are that great!

    Unrestricted globalism is the mantra of the greediest and worst elements of humanity.

    Comment by MFEMFEM — May 9, 2007 @ 2:18 pm

  139. Comment by Katie — May 9, 2007 @ 2:16 pm

    Bullsh*t if Americans wanted everything cheap and Corporate America is willing and eager to deliver the goods and make us happy how come everything from Gasoline to Health Insurance to Property Taxes to College Educations is going through the roof?

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 2:20 pm

  140. Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 2:20 pm

    “how come everything from Gasoline to Health Insurance to Property Taxes to College Educations is going through the roof?”

    One reason is that gangster globalism and the accompanying corruption it spawns is a significant contributing factor to the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few at the expense of the many.

    Comment by MFEMFEM — May 9, 2007 @ 2:26 pm

  141. Comment by Joyce — May 9, 2007 @ 12:33 pm

    Finding addresses and contact info just takes time. Go to US Senate and US House and start looking for committee assignments. With the FDA, USDA and others, I took the names that had been at press conferences and also looked at the org charts. Most of the websites have contact info listed with the person’s bio or have directories.

    Here’s a cheat sheet use any/all that you wish.

    For senators on FDA Senate Appropriations Committee - Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
    These are FAX numbers:
    Senator Herb Kohl (202) 224-9787
    Senator Tom Harkin (202) 224-9369
    Senator Byron Dorgan (202) 224-1193
    Senator Dianne Feinstein (202) 228-3954
    Senator Richard Durbin (202) 228-0400
    Senator Tim Johnson (202) 228-5765
    Senator Ben Nelson (202) 228-0012
    Senator Jack Reed (202) 224-4680
    Senator Robert Bennett (202) 228-1168
    Senator Thad Cochran (202) 224-9450
    Senator Arlen Specter (202) 228-1229
    Senator Christopher Bond (202) 224-8149
    Senator Mitch McConnell (202) 224-2499
    Senator Larry Craig (202) 228-1067
    Senator Sam Brownback (202) 228-1265
    Senator Robert Byrd (202) 228-0002
    Rep. Rosa DeLauro (202) 225-4890

    FDA
    Andrew C. von Eschenbach
    andrew.voneschenbach@fda.hhs.gov
    Dr. Stephen Sundlof
    stephen.sundlof@fda.hhs.gov
    Bernadette Dunham
    bernadette.dunham@fda.hhs.gov
    Daniel McChesney
    daniel.mcchesney@fda.hhs.gov
    David Acheson
    david.acheson@fda.hhs.gov
    Julie Zawisza
    julie.zawisza@fda.hhs.gov
    Captain David Elder
    david.elder@fda.hhs.gov
    Michael Rogers
    michael.rogers@fda.hhs.gov

    USDA
    Mike Johanns
    Mike.Johanns@usda.gov
    Kenneth Petersen
    Kenneth.Petersen@usda.gov

    USDA FSIS
    Lisa Willenda Picard
    lisawallenda.picard@fsis.usda.gov
    Janice Carpenter
    janice.carpenter@fsis.usda.gov
    Diane Van
    diane.van@fsis.usda.gov

    Pet Food Institute
    Duane Ekedahl FAX (202) 367-2120

    AAFCO
    Eric Nelson Fax: 608-224-4656
    eric.nelson@datcp.state.wi.us

    Pres. Bush FAX: 202-456-2461

    Comment by Donna — May 9, 2007 @ 2:26 pm

  142. Barry-did you notice that the country of origin for the Rollator was Guess?? Yep, China. The Enforcement Report is curious to me. They are all “firm initiated”. Does this mean that the FDA has no recall authority in law? And look at the dates, most of them are very very old and seem to be closeouts of old recalls. Maybe someone can tell us when a recall is placed on the Enforcement Report. I have some dull memory of the FDA saying that they did not have recall authority over the pet food industry. Maybe I recall incorrectly or maybe I just imagined that that was the only coherent explanation for the FDA not recalling pet food. I would like some explanation of how an item ends up on the Enforcement Report. Did an FDA field representative find the problem and then require/encourage the recall and then it gets put on the report? Or does the industry report the problem/recall to the FDA?

    Comment by Shawn — May 9, 2007 @ 2:28 pm

  143. Comment by MFEMFEM — May 9, 2007 @ 2:26 pm

    Well of course. Look at Mitt. Hows a guy accumulate a personal new worth of $500 million?

    Honest work?

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 2:31 pm

  144. Net Worth sorry about the typo.

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 2:31 pm

  145. Joyce -
    You can also access info thru
    http://www.congress.org

    It has contact info on federal, state and local levels.

    Put your zip code in and it will list all elected representatives for you.

    Comment by Donna — May 9, 2007 @ 2:33 pm

  146. Steve - my bad. You can only get the full article by using this link (hope this works):

    http://online.wsj.com/article/.....lenews_wsj

    Comment by Palomino — May 9, 2007 @ 2:35 pm

  147. NOPE, that doesn’t work either. I’m not sure how I got the whole text the first time, and I don’t want rip off somebody’s copyrighted material.

    Comment by Palomino — May 9, 2007 @ 2:38 pm

  148. Donna-
    Thanks for investing the time in your “cheat sheet”

    Comment by Sheila — May 9, 2007 @ 2:39 pm

  149. I have already been paying - for organic and premium….mmmm which the company/ies neeed to step up to plate on and not try to cut corners and price and quality ingredients. The standards are a problem and looking for ways to get by. Companies need to take the lead and they have not to date really taken a lead. Nothing is safe - and with the recent fish feed/meals I am again concerned as I am with chicken and the rest ever being fed contaminated food let alone the idea of being fed pet food which has been shown to be anything but a good food to fed. Makes one want to say “well which brands did they eat” because I care that they ate any of it, let alone that their diets contain the vilest forms of approvable feed as they were.

    The label of origin is but a beginning. I do not buy that because globlization is here that poison and fraudulent practices are acceptable instead of banned. Japan banned our meat for a reason - and inspects every animal of theirs. They now only accept certain of ours. Europe banned HGH and our meats years ago with documented medical reviews. We allow whatever- and inspect less than one percent of cattle, deny mad cow,allow feed that Britain learned a lesson on- and allow contaminated food into the food supply - irradiate food without labeling and genetically engineer without labeling. Even organic poultry is feed soybean and grain and cows grain, with grass fed hard to come by -normal food- and they day “nobody wants to buy it or cares” - truthfully nobody takes the lead - or is forthright in educating.
    You may say you will not buy from China, but it is throughout our system which needs an overhaul. Our stores, even Whole foods go right along and say nothing. Sales are more important. More products instead of cleaning up the problem in factories, have added chemicals and solvents,viral washes and pasturization processes due to contamination of all kinds.

    If you are willing to say it is not a danger - quite bonehead, you should be willing to say where -to allow people to choose - The U.s. is one big food experiment.

    Right now - I am looking to get past this pet recall - of which we are not. And to have all food in the bad of reputable quality! If the media does not put it out there the dangers to humans and pets - it remains essentially played down as all food issues have been.

    Comment by maddy — May 9, 2007 @ 2:50 pm

  150. Comment by Donna — May 9, 2007 @ 2:26 pm

    None of the links to the individuals work for me. Anyone else have problems?

    Comment by Deanna — May 9, 2007 @ 2:50 pm

  151. Those are all excellent questions, Shawn.

    The FDA has tried to claim that they only have recall ability for a relatively small number of products, including food for babies, but I thought there were provisions after 9/11 that allow them to enforce recalls on food as a matter of national security.

    I could be wrong.

    Comment by Barry — May 9, 2007 @ 2:51 pm

  152. Comment by Sheila — May 9, 2007 @ 2:39 pm

    Glad to help. Hopefully it may save time for others.

    Comment by Donna — May 9, 2007 @ 2:53 pm

  153. Comment by maddy — May 9, 2007 @ 2:50 pm

    Don’t worry maddy when it comes to celebrity deaths, paternity tests and multi-million dollar inheritances the corporatist media will leave no stone unturned in order to bring us the truth of what really happened.

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 2:58 pm

  154. Deanna - those are email addresses, rather than links. Right click on the address and choose “copy email address” (firefox, netscape), or choose “copy shortcut” (internet explorer). If you use IE, you may need to delete “mailto:” at the beginning of each address when you past it into the email “to:” line.

    Comment by Palomino — May 9, 2007 @ 2:59 pm

  155. Is there a post of last night’s chat at Pethobbist I missed?

    Comment by Rose L — May 9, 2007 @ 3:08 pm

  156. Donna - great list - thanks!

    Barry - I believe you are correct about the national security change. However, several thousand dead pets and a few million Americans who need dialysis 20 years from now does not not apparently constitute any security issues to our government.

    What we need are dead human bodies now! Don’t worry, some terrorist group will make it happen. And then our government officials will wring their collective hands and cook up some evidence that some country.. like Greenland, or Tahiti is responsible and then we’ll invade. Cause hey, what did they ever do for us, LOL.

    Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — May 9, 2007 @ 3:12 pm

  157. > Okay okay then sorry I mentioned Lawyers just do NOTHING and let Menu and the gang keep churning out poisons.

    Let me clarify my own position on this. I think that pet owners should sue, and that requires lawyers. Class action suits can be useful in that they allow multiple aggrieved parties to sue simultaneously.

    However, this also means that the companies only have to deal with one lawsuit instead of many, allowing defendants to focus their entire legal staff on *one* case, providing a huge advantage to the company.

    It makes me angry when a class action suit is settled in a manner such that the lawyers get rich and the members of the class get coupons.

    It doesn’t have to be that way, but you’ve got to find the *right* lawyers to handle the class action suit, someone who’s going to fight for a real settlement and take a reasonable fee.

    No, I’m not sure how to define “reasonable” in this case. Costs plus hourly fees, probably. A “real” settlement, though, would include (in my opinion) actual damages, punitive damages, cost of property loss, cost of medical fees, and cost of legal fees, maybe more.

    This would be a civil suit. If there has been criminal behavior (something that seems quite likely, in my opinion), that would be handled by a criminal case outside of the civil case.

    I am not a lawyer, so my opinions are just that, opinions. No legal advice here.

    Comment by Barry — May 9, 2007 @ 3:13 pm

  158. Thanks, Donna for your cheat sheet. That’s just what I needed!

    Comment by Marilyn — May 9, 2007 @ 3:19 pm

  159. May 9, 2009: This website has not been updated recently due to illness. I wish to extend my apologies and thanks to those who have expressed concern over the past several days. I hope to be back on my feet within the week and will update this site at that time. In the meantime, please be sure to check for updates via Pet Connection, Itchmo, PetsitUSA and The Pet Food Tracker.

    http://howl911.com/

    Comment by Steve — May 9, 2007 @ 3:24 pm

  160. Lawsuits can be helpful - just deserts and crime and punishment and make them pay type of thing, but the problem, as I see it, goes to the core of our entire political and social system where big business is protected - if they err, then they bring out their coin purse, but nothing really changes - it is business as usual. We need a government that does not cater to big business - one that will protect our food supply and our environment - and right now both political parties get failing marks.

    All I hear when our pets have only poison food to eat - is let them eat cake - and that too is poison.

    So this is why we fight for freedom? Freedom so big business can ever expand into new territories and dish up some pretty fancy looking cake. Ugh!

    Comment by Linda — May 9, 2007 @ 3:25 pm

  161. Not saying anything about the situation is funny….. but…… LOL, I cant believe the guy knocked over his own factory!!! He KNEW he was busted.

    Comment by Tito — May 9, 2007 @ 3:31 pm

  162. Steve - THANK YOU!!!
    (re: Howl911)

    Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 3:40 pm

  163. Dr. Acheson just said, “the system is working remarkably well.”

    - This means that only about 1% of the population is affected, and we’ve managed to make sure that only about 1% knows about it, too. Also that only about 1% comes close to understanding it in the context of national security…

    Comment by steve a — May 9, 2007 @ 3:41 pm

  164. To help identify recalled items, Petco has added RC to the beginning of each item description so you can easily identify each item. As well as blocked them from scanning at the register.

    Comment by Tito — May 9, 2007 @ 3:41 pm

  165. I’m tired of the “let them eat poison” rule of law.

    The good old boys political parties need a swift kick in the fanny all the way to China - and lets get a true pet lover in office.

    They can run on the ticket of “No More Poison Please.”

    Comment by Linda — May 9, 2007 @ 3:41 pm

  166. Someone earlier kept asking about Erin Brockovich. Well, here she is:

    http://www.masryvititoe.com/erin_brockovich.shtml

    Comment by Palomino — May 9, 2007 @ 3:49 pm

  167. Great inspiration Donna!
    I added a few to my list here, thanks.

    Comment by Maudigan — May 9, 2007 @ 3:56 pm

  168. THEY KNEW IT WAS POISONOUS:

    From Itchmo’s Site:

    AVMA Posts Melamine Study on Sheep in 1966
    Melamine caused severe illness and death in sheep in this South African study. It’s safe to say that further testing is needed to determine how small amounts over time will affect pets and people alike.

    With 10 g daily one sheep did not die but 2 did so after 16 and 31 days. The 2 sheep which died lost appetite and stopped urinating 3 days before death and urea and creatinine in blood then increased sharply. There were crystals in the kidneys and severe oedema of the lungs.

    http://www.itchmo.com/read/avm.....9#comments

    Comment by mal — May 9, 2007 @ 4:19 pm

  169. Also from Itchmo’s latest:

    FDA Warns Staff On Major Melamine Health Risks

    “Itchmo has learned that the FDA has issued a surveillance order for Chinese vegetable proteins including corn gluten and wheat products based on the pet food contamination on May 1.

    Despite repeated FDA statements saying that there is no risk to human health from contaminated pigs and chickens, the FDA surveillance order indicates otherwise. It states: Pregnant women should not perform this assignment.”

    The rest is here:
    http://www.itchmo.com/read/fda.....s_20070509

    Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 4:29 pm

  170. This is a blatant outright lie the whole batch of them have been handing the public…I can’t even speak!!!!

    Comment by mal — May 9, 2007 @ 4:34 pm

  171. mal - as I just said over at Itchmo, is there no depth to the deep hole the FDA keeps digging itself into? Just when I think my mind has boggled for the last time……?!!!

    Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 4:35 pm

  172. Palomino - lighten up on the political crud - there are republicans and those of all parties that post here. The need for safe food for our pets and ourselves is universal. Don’t turn it into politics.

    Comment by Jenny — May 9, 2007 @ 4:38 pm

  173. Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 4:35 pm

    I reread both these article again..twice..I cannot help but think that this is some cruel nightmare and I will soon wake up.

    I am speechless!!!

    Comment by mal — May 9, 2007 @ 4:41 pm

  174. The scary thing is that sheep are Ruminants that are better able to break down ingredients without bad side effects..yet look at the 1966 study..they DIED!!!

    Comment by mal — May 9, 2007 @ 4:43 pm

  175. OMG!!!

    My Cat had that!

    oedema (british for edema) From mal’s comment talking about Itchmo’s post

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulmonary_edema

    Pulmonary edema - fluid accumulation in the lungs

    At that time our Vet thought it was pneumonia.

    Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — May 9, 2007 @ 4:45 pm

  176. Comment by mal — May 9, 2007 @ 4:41 pm

    It’s not even Friday yet & all this is coming to light.
    I’m afraid to even contemplate what may be still to come before the weekend…

    Comment by Ally — May 9, 2007 @ 4:46 pm

  177. Palomino wrote: “Still no action in the House or Senate.”

    It’s probably not your fault that you don’t know since no one in blogs or on TV — only newspapers — has featured this breaking news: That today the Senate passed, nearly unanimously, the FDA Revitalization Act, which included Sen. Dick Durbin’s food safety amendment.

    This is critically important legislation that greatly empowers the FDA, and gives it far more funding to do its job.

    It’s one thing to blame the FDA, but it’s another to recognize that the FDA can’t begin to do its job without more funding and far more staffing. Today’s passage of this historic legislation will begin to make that possible, as long as Bush doesn’t veto the bill.

    Durbin’s next step is to get his Food Safety Act passed. But he added the Food Safety amendment to the newly passed FDA Revitalization Act as an emergency measure to give the FDA more funding.

    The FDA has been systematically starved of funding by Bush. And Bush has appointed leadership to the FDA that is too much in bed with big business … the latter problem won’t be cured until 2009 with a new administration that is more consumer-friendly.

    For background on the FDA’s funding woes, listen to this terrific program featuring a former FDA commissioner and Rep. Bart Stupak, who led the recent House hearing.
    http://www.wamu.org/programs/dr/07/05/08.php#13174

    Comment by SusanUnPC — May 9, 2007 @ 4:53 pm

  178. today the Senate passed, nearly unanimously, the FDA Revitalization Act, which included Sen. Dick Durbin’s food safety amendment…

    This is the best news I have heard in the past 2 months.

    Now we have to hope & pray this does not get vetoed.

    According to my Backwards Bush keychain, our fearless leader still has 719 days left in office…

    Comment by catlover — May 9, 2007 @ 6:15 pm

  179. Donna -

    Oh, the highlighted addresses threw me off to just automatically think they were links.

    I’m trying to get housework done and keep up with the blog too.

    Thank you for your work in compiling that great list!

    Comment by Deanna — May 9, 2007 @ 6:47 pm

  180. Comment by SusanUnPC — May 9, 2007 @ 4:53 pm

    “Today’s passage of this historic legislation will begin to make that possible, as long as Bush doesn’t veto the bill.”

    To guarantee passage, the word ‘war’ should of been inserted somewhere in the bill.

    Comment by Deanna — May 9, 2007 @ 6:51 pm

  181. Comment by mal — May 9, 2007 @ 4:43 pm

    “The scary thing is that sheep are Ruminants that are better able to break down ingredients without bad side effects..yet look at the 1966 study..they DIED!!!”

    Thanks for the education about sheep. I was thinking that just because sheep are 150-200 lbs., that isn’t enough to indicate it could be toxic to humans. But your info is great and makes that study all the more important.

    Comment by Maureen — May 9, 2007 @ 7:11 pm

  182. Thanks for the e-mail lists of the officials.
    Plan to use it tomorrow.

    If pregnant women are not allowed to work on the case, than we have to worry about our babies and pregnant families and friends. This melamine is toxic stuff, I hear.

    Comment by Evelyn — May 9, 2007 @ 8:10 pm

  183. If Bush vetoes this bill Americans need to impeach him. We will not survive two more years of incompetence and cronyism!

    Comment by Sharon — May 10, 2007 @ 5:18 am

  184. My hope is that somehow ALL foodstuffs, both animal and human, from China be rejected. They have the worst possible record for regulatory enforcements and we will never be able to be sure of the safety of our food chain if it includes ingredients from China.

    Comment by Linda — May 10, 2007 @ 7:35 am

  185. sing this to that tune… lalalalalala… you know!

    all together now!

    MONEY MONEY MONEY

    THEY WANT MORE MONEY

    GREED’S GONNA KILL US ALL

    Comment by maria — May 11, 2007 @ 1:16 am

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