Pet-food recall: You crazy people just don’t understand the food bidness
By Gina Spadafori
May 11, 2007
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From the Ag Journal:
Washington D.C. political affairs consultant Steve Kopperud told a farm bureau group in Oklahoma earlier this month that agriculture has won so many battles in the past that the industry has become complacent and is increasingly at risk of losing the war.
[...]
“I have it on good authority that FDA has received more calls from consumers over the recent and ongoing pet food contamination situation than it’s received on any issue in the history of the agency,” Kopperud said. “There’s something out of balance when a pet food recall affecting less than 1 percent of all pet food sold in the U.S., and having victimized less than 20 animals – more than half of which succumbed during a research trial – generates that much consumer angst and action.”
Fears about the tainted ingredients have now been extended to the hog and poultry industries, where thousands of animals are believed by USDA to have consumed similarly contaminated products. Those animals are being prohibited from entering the food chain, despite minimal risks to human health.
The whole episode is likely to incite more regulation of feeds, imports and any activities that fall under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration, Kopperud said.
“Victimized,” not killed. And less than 20, not the thousands we now know about. As for humans .. well, let them eat chicken! And pork! and fish! Don’t stop the profits because of fear!
The best part:
“Here’s the bottom-line: if you wish to continue to progress and expand, than you are going to have to stand up and defend your right to do so,” he continued. “The food industry is the only industry being told to go backwards.”
Yes, well, heaven forbid our health get in the way of your progress.
Most of the rest piece is about horse slaughter, and those nutty people (you know, like the Jacksons who owned Barbaro, top trainer Nick Zito or Derby breed Arthur Hancock) who don’t understand that it’s really a kindness — not to mention a money-maker — to sell a sick, frightened, unwanted horses to a slaughterhouse.
Go to the latest blog post | Go to the PetConnection home page
A big fat hex upon the kopperud family tree. Your renally challenged children and grandchildren would probably benefit more from going backwards to healthy, real food than your ‘ag-war’ junk progress.
Comment by Cynthia — May 11, 2007 @ 11:03 am
More brilliance from Kopperud:
http://www.brownfieldnetwork.c.....A7D352D01C
“And what started as a semi-focused, specific problem with pet food, it’s now been amplified to include wholesale questioning of FDA’s ability to protect the food supply, and not just from dangers within but from the dastardly deeds of overseas companies out to make a fast buck. Add to this the inevitable rhetoric any politician attaches to any “reform” effort, and you have a confused, if not concerned, consuming public.
The next shoe to drop on Capitol Hill will be a May 17 hearing in the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on oversight and investigations. This gang won’t be talking pet food or fish feed, but rather can the agency do its job? If it’s hampered, is it ineptitude or lack of resources or both? They’ll ask the questions, but likely have already written the answers.”
and
http://www.brownfieldnetwork.c.....BDFC2B7D8E
“If it wasn’t so serious, it could be called comical, but the pet food recall over contaminated ingredients continues to grow exponentially. First it was rat poison in imported Chinese wheat gluten, then it wasn’t rat poison, but melamine, the chemical used in fertilizer and plastic plates, and then it was melamine in Chinese rice protein concentrate, and now it’s melamine in corn gluten, but only in South African pet food.
Get ready for major legislation that will not only put the screws to the pet food industry when it comes to ingredient imports, plant inspections and the like, but also a ready-made vehicle for FDA critics to impose on that agency all of those things so far resisted, including criminal penalties, mandatory recall authority, mandatory ingredient certifications and on and on and on.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D, IL) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D, CT), both congressional heavyweights in FDA oversight, are most likely to also use the pet food recall to push their joint legislative packagte on a single food agency that will include all of the regulatory bells and whistles I just listed.
And do not be deceived into thinking such a matrix of congressional management will only be layered upon the pet food industry. You can count on the imposition of all these requirements and more equally applied to the food industry, the commercial livestock and poultry feed industries and even other consumer products under FDA control.
All it takes is a disaster for Congress to sharpen those pens and remind us all it knows so much better than the rest of us how to run a business.”
Comment by Mike — May 11, 2007 @ 11:10 am
These Ag people are not the sharpest knives in the drawer are they. In one statement they insult all members members of the NRA plus all pet owners, past and present. now lets see, how many people does that leave? These are the people leading the industry that tries to put food in our mouths. Little wonder we have this problem and still don’t know the scope of it after two months.
Comment by Dave — May 11, 2007 @ 11:12 am
Kopperud is an incredible idiot.
He is a lobbiest for the American agriculture industry. He is supposed to advocate things that are beneficial for the industry he represents.
But he is so focused on being anti-regulation that he fails to recognize that the regulations he is opposing would actually help US agriculture by leveling the playing field between US and Chinese producers.
Instead, he opposes the regulations and supports making it easy for manufacturers to purchase low-grade or tainted ingredients from China.
Comment by Mike — May 11, 2007 @ 11:29 am
Washington D.C. political affairs consultant Steve Kopperud
Who pays the ticket for this myopic lobbyist? Purina, ConAg, etc, ad nauseam. After all the scandal of last year and the phony trips and payoffs, one can’t help but wonder what Represntatives and Senators golfed in Hawaii on this “political consultant’s money”?
But thanks, Steve, we all need the constant reminder of the corruption of food and information.
Comment by Jay — May 11, 2007 @ 11:33 am
Has anybody had problems with the Pedigree food? I just met a lady at the vet tonight who’s dog has renal failure and I asked her if it was the recalled food and her eyes got huge. She asked if it had been recalled. I don’t have dogs and because the darn list is so long I hadn’t remembered 100%. But I told her that I didn’t think that it was one of the recalled foods but that it would be a good idea to keep some of the food if she still had some. She said she had another dog at home and that they both eat the same thing. I feel bad because I think I freaked her out but it was only natural to suspect the food when she told me what her dog was sick with. They called her to the back before I could talk to her anymore. I live overseas so I’m not sure that they are well informed here about all the recalls. I felt really bad for her and the dog was so sweet. So I thought I’d see if anyone has had any problems with that brand. I’m pretty sure it was the dry food but don’t know which flavor.
Comment by Tammy — May 11, 2007 @ 11:34 am
I am leaving for the weekend, and wanted to convey a thought for all to work on—
Has anyone started a fund to help pay vet bills for those who really are unable to?
I am one of the fortunate ones that didn’t lose a pet, and I would contribute to a fund for vet bills.
One thought of mine would be that the vets would send recommendations?
Just knowing that there are some that would take advantage of this that didn’t even lose a pet.
I sure there are also some of you that lost pets that can afford your own vet bills but would also contribute.
Comment by Elaine — May 11, 2007 @ 11:36 am
“All it takes is a disaster . . .”
um, i thought it was just “consumer angst” and “minimal risk” lol!~
Comment by straybaby — May 11, 2007 @ 11:41 am
I, for one, am thrilled that our virtual community is messing up business as usual for these people. I hope it hurts. I hope your industry gets legislated out the wazoo, kopperud. I hope all the fda alleged scientists get fired. and the pfi… well… you seriously need a taste of your own grub. You people have hijacked the most basic of needs…food … for your own filthy ugly greed. I don’t really think any one of us will stop paying attention now. You screwed up, killed our little friends and woke a sleeping giant… oops.
Comment by Cynthia — May 11, 2007 @ 11:42 am
Somebody should tell Kopperud that it is not the politically motivated outcry of politicians who got the ball rolling (and keeps it rolling), but the outrage and concern of the, quote: ‘confused, if not concerned, consuming public’.
Confused.
Yeah, right.
Kopperud, I have news for you: most of the ‘confused consuming public’ can out-smart, out-think and out-wit you with half their brains tied behind their back.
Comment by MaKo — May 11, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
I seriously feel the need for another postcard blitz. There are too many bozos like this one out there that haven’t gotten a real taste of our wrath yet…..I’m not even sure who organized the last one….what do you think guys?
Comment by Joyce — May 11, 2007 @ 12:05 pm
Comment by Joyce — May 11, 2007 @ 12:05 pm
“I’m not even sure who organized the last one….”
E. Hamilton.
With some help from the rest of us wanting that ridiculous “official 16” dead count changed.
Comment by Ally — May 11, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
Suggest everyone who hasn’t already done so read the entire article quoting Steve Kopperud…unless you already have high blood pressure. (Gina has a link to it at the top.)
Like this: “…(Kopperud) singled out the Humane Society of the U.S., the self-appointed “NRA of the animal rights movement,” as part of an increasingly powerful political coalition that is aggressively pushing its agenda nationally and in state assemblies with some notable successes.
“We’ve stopped them time after time after time, but it’s going to be tougher to stop them this time,” he said. “For the last ten years, we’ve let things slide.”
Until this past few months I didn’t know that the pet food biz is really a way for cattle ranchers and ag biz types to get rid of the leftover c*** and dead animals — and to make a profit while doing so. Just reading about rendering plants and the complaints by communities that surround them is enough to make you cry. And we’ve thought this was “food” and trustingly fed it to our dear pets. I’m afraid even some or most of the best pet food is at best a carrier for supplements as all the natural vitamins and minerals that might have been in the ingredients have been “rendered out.” Even the protein has to be added by way of wheat gluten, RCP, etc.
People have talked about joining up with a non-profit. Why not the Humane Society?
Comment by Maureen — May 11, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
I am a cattle rancher, and want you to know it is NOT the cattle ranchers getting rid of the crap to pet food companies, it is the big packing plants!
Cattle ranchers are working to have COOL implemented so that you can see on a label what country your food and your pet’s food comes from
Comment by Elaine — May 11, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
Comment by Elaine — May 11, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
Thanks for the correction, Elaine. I’ll remember that when pointing the finger in the future.
Then the cattle ranchers org. should write op-ed pieces about COOL to the papers, including the national papers that are read by lawmakers, taking a stand on this important issue. The op-ed pieces should be tied in to the pet food recall; they would stand a better chance of being accepted for publication at this time as they would be relevent to this issue.
Comment by Maureen — May 11, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
I see, so railing against the consumer is really going to win back our trust. WE are not saying you can’t do business, you just have to stop lying.
wait, that’s too radical.
Instead of AG businesses knee jerking like this, why don’t they take the opportunity to promote foods grown here in the us and not out sourcing abroad. Instead of reacting in such a typical way, look at all the holistic companies that are now benefiting from this. It’s easier to panic than to lead by example.
Comment by Janet — May 11, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
Comment by Elaine — May 11, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
(Sorry if this gets posted twice. I sent response a while ago.)
Just want to let Elaine know that I appreciate the correction and will remember this info. Suggest she and other ranchers at least write op-ed pieces to the papers, including the nat’l papers read by lawmakers. It would be topical and more likely to be published if ranchers aligned themselves with pet owners and all food consumers on COOL.
Comment by Maureen — May 11, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
I’m in the ag industry, too (fruit), and I have to agree with Elaine. Most people in U.S. Agriculture do NOT agree with that idiot Kopperud. If anything, we’re crying out for sanctions against China, better testing of ingredients that come from overseas and promotion of U.S. Ag Products! Country of origin should be on the label, so consumers can make their own choices about where their food comes from.
Just think about this: if you saw where the ingredients in our pet food came from, and one can said “USA” while another said “China,” which one would you be buying right now?
It’s the same thing for our farm. We’re competing with apples, peaches, pears, etc. from China. And who knows what goes into them? They don’t have the restrictions on production that the US does.
Our food system has been one of the safest in the world for generations. Our government needs to keep it that way. Right now, they’re not.
Comment by H.A. — May 11, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
Maureen,
There is a coalition of ranchers, consumers and family farmer etc pushing for COOL. I think it is Americans for COOL don’t have time to look it up, I need to leave ASAP.
I actually went to D.C. with some folks to lobby congress to pass COOL, also have met with congressmen when they visit the district.
It is good to see so many folks writing, and making noise about this. I am outraged about what has happened to so many pets, and will keep doing all I can.
Comment by Elaine — May 11, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
Organizations I belong to have done press releases about the petfood/peoplefood safety issues.
Getting the news media to print them is another thing! They would rather quote Acheson that there are 16 pets confirmed dead!
Comment by Elaine — May 11, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
The other day I posted a suggestion that we all buy 10 shares of Menu Foods stock, then all sell it on the same day. I’m still not sure if it’s legal, but it does sound like fun, doesn’t it? Do you think we could actually cause any damage to them?
Comment by Joyce — May 11, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
Menu foods are late with their financial statements and the DOW is down because of the pet food recall. The only power we have is as consumers and voters. We can put the companies that sold this crap out of business and work to defeat every politician who puts business before the people they work for. It is our duty to do so in honor of the memory of every animal killed by their greed and hunger for power.
Comment by Sharon — May 11, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
Sharon, I agree .. lets put ‘em in slime they intended for the PETS!
if they think we will eat the melamine cake, lets feed it to em !!!
Comment by johnypaycut — May 11, 2007 @ 5:29 pm
H.A. im 100% with you..
i say we powerless pet owners
join forces with the Ag’s??
support the farmer !! (boot the commines!)..
and the lackey corporations too !
Comment by johnypaycut — May 11, 2007 @ 5:46 pm
Comment by H.A. — May 11, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
Comment by Elaine — May 11, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
I’ve worked on several public affairs campaigns (unrelated to this) and know how hard it is to get an op-ed piece placed in key newspapers. But this is a moment when people and lawmakers are paying attention, so try again, especially about COOL.
Perhaps written by someone like Dr. David Kessler,
(“The fact is that food is a second-tier priority within the FDA,” said Dr. David Kessler, who served as FDA commissioner in the administrations of the first President Bush and President Clinton. Kessler said the federal government has more authority to halt the distribution of dangerous toys than it has over unsafe food products.”) That would be perfect for the NY Times.
Or a more personal piece written by a family farmer, with the appeal that what is good for our families, our pets, and our land, is good for the family farmer who’s had a hard time of it in this global economy.
Comment by Maureen — May 11, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
Ok.. petconection and you too itchmo?
we’r all “talkin ‘bout” changning the pet food industry, lets START by supporting things like
cool? how’s about listing it on your site witha link? it’s the only way we’r gonna get this solved.. gotta start with the basics?
Comment by johnypaycut — May 11, 2007 @ 6:22 pm
This guy is an idiot. If he could see past the regulation issue, he could see that the Ag business in the US can be helped. Buy more American Ag products, etc.
Elaine, I applaud your efforts.
Comment by Jenny — May 11, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
I googled Steve Kopperud and look what I found:
Commodity Groups
Steve Kopperud skopperud@poldir.com 202/776-0071 Senior Vice President California Poultry Federation 3117 A McHenry Ave. Modesto, CA 95350 FAX: 209/576-6119 …
http://www.poultryscience.org/ psapub/Resource_List/Commodity.htm - 16k - Cached - Similar pages
Maybe we should all email him and set him straight on the #’s and food manufacturers inability to police themselves.???
Comment by cheryl — May 11, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
I think we need to differentiate between the family business and the factory farms. You can’t paint all farmers, cattle ranchers etc with the same brush. The problem is with these corporations where there are CEO’s and a board that wouldn’t know how to feed themselves if they were left in the middle of an orchard at picking time. These are the guys who are ruining the business and giving everyone a bad name.
Comment by cheryl — May 11, 2007 @ 9:41 pm
A recent bio of Kopperud appears here:
http://www.policydirections.com/staff.htm
The bio says that he worked for ABC’s publications division. I knew him at that time: he was the Washington reporter for a weekly tabloid called “Feedstuffs,” which was targeted to U.S. feed manufacturers. The parent company, Miller Publishing, was bought by ABC. He then became a lobbyist for the American Feed Manufacturers Association. He’s been representing the interests of the feed industry and renderers in Washington for a long time.
Note also that one of his colleagues at his current place of employment is former FDA commissioner Lester Crawford.
Susan
Comment by Susan — May 12, 2007 @ 8:25 am
How about we who are not part of Ag, send a post card bombardment, on behalf of the US Ag folks to the powers that be?
I was in a Whole Foods store yesterday and I went to the frozen foods section for frozen ORGANIC vegetables. Took me a lot of reading of the packages to find their origin. The majority came from China and the rest from Mexico. I left empty handed.
I want Elaine’s cattle products and H.A.’s fruit!! NOT the products that profess to be organic from China and Mexico!! And this isn’t just because of my pet family and yours but I also want to be safe in what I feed my human family.
And Joyce, I have a friend who is a stock broker. I really like you Menu stock buy/sell idea and I’d be willing to do that. I’ll check with my broker friend and post back on Monday….Stay tuned…..
Comment by PegH — May 12, 2007 @ 9:48 am