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Diamond pulls Nutra Nuggets
By Gina Spadafori
May 23, 2007
Thanks to Therese at The Pet Food List for nailing down the not-surprising news that Nutra Nuggets has been pulled. Not surprising, because we know the lab at UC Davis had found melamine in samples after a pet-owner and veterinarian in Visalia, Calif., suddenly had pets fighting for their lives.
From the Nutra Web site:
Diamond Pet Foods announced that it has recalled a limited quantity of Nutra Nuggets Lamb Meal and Rice Formula dry dog food in 40 lb. bags because of melamine cross contamination. To date, no animal deaths have been reported.
This action is limited to Nutra Nuggets Lamb Meal and Rice Formula dry dog food in 40 lb. bags with production codes of NLR0404A2SL or NLR0404B2SL, “Best Before” Oct. 9, 2008. The recalled product was manufactured at the company’s Lathrop, Calif. facility and sold through retailers in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada. No other Nutra Nuggets products are affected.
The recalled product was manufactured at the same facility following production of other products that contained rice protein concentrate later found to be tainted with melamine, which is not an approved food substance.
Again, we have to ask: Why is this still happening? Pet-food companies: If you truly do want to “restore trust,” you will get your products tested, pull what’s contaminated, give us the results and stop with these two-days-after-we-already-know-because-someone-else-caught-you recall notices.
The first recalls were 10 weeks ago Friday.
Also (thanks, Mike!): ABC News is reporting:
U.S. and Chinese officials held their first high-level face-to-face meeting since pets in North America were sickened or killed by pet food contaminated with tainted wheat gluten imported from China. Several U.S. Cabinet members and top Chinese trade officials completed two days of talks in Washington, D.C., and the Bush administration said it made it perfectly clear food safety is a “top concern.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt told ABC News that China is aware that the “world market will not tolerate unreliable products. And China, through its state-run media, has replied, saying the handling of the ‘sensational pet food scandal was a shameful example of a lack of professionalism.’”
The officials reached some agreements on financial services and aviation, but no new deals were reached on ensuring pet food safety.
“They want to focus on those responsible — who will be punished. We want to talk about systemic problems,” Leavitt said, referring to discussions about certifying vendors and food safety oversight programs.
[...]
Leavitt told ABC News that the Chinese delegation understands its reputation is at stake and it could be costly. “The market will be the enforcer,” and sanctions will be “harsh and immediate,” Leavitt said.
Here’s the rest. “The market will be the enforcer,” he says. Yeah, because that has really worked well for us so far, no?
And, from Reuters:
U.S. health officials are beginning to check all shipments of toothpaste coming from China, following reports of tainted products in other countries, a government spokesman said Wednesday.
The Food and Drug Administration has no evidence that contaminated toothpaste has made its way into the United States but is taking the step as a precaution, agency spokesman Doug Arbesfeld said.
China is the second-largest exporter of toothpaste to the United States behind Canada, according to the FDA.
The FDA’s action comes after the lethal chemical diethylene glycol was found in toothpaste sold in the Dominican Republic and Panama.
It follows a wave of concern over pet food from China containing another toxic chemical, melamine, thought to have sickened thousands of U.S. cats and dogs and made its way into livestock feed.
Here’s the rest. Makes you wanna spit, doesn’t it?
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Toothpaste? Toothpaste is made in China? So if eating the contaminated food doesn’t kill me, trying to get it out from between my teeth will…lovely. If anyone finds out brand names please post…I’ve been searching on line, but with no success so far.
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — May 23, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
What it boils down to is that begging the pet food companies to do the right thing does NOT work, yes, it has been 10 weeks and has ANY pet food company done the right thing? No rush or anything, what is a bit more pain and suffering for who knows how many more pets, they will keep it up until THEY ARE STOPPED.
And every damned one of these members of the lying PFI is STILL lying about the testing and the food on the store shelves being safe, this constitutes animal cruelty, fraud and intentional infliction of distress , all of which are criminal . Let the arrests begin.
No one needs the FDA or a private attorney to file criminal charges.
The good news is that this proves, beyond any doubt, that the pet food industry is incapable of self regulation and that even more drastic measures need to be taken.
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 23, 2007 @ 7:09 pm
And the bottom line on China is that the FDA can call it “tainted” or “contaminated” if they like but the plain fact is that if it comes from China it is poison .
And they can keep it.
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 23, 2007 @ 7:14 pm
Colgate - Colgate is made in China (and South Africa).
Here’s a site of Chinese manufacturers/suppliers of toothpaste.
http://tinyurl.com/338r9g
And here are two Chinese companies that manufacture (as opposed to supply) Colgate toothpaste.
http://tinyurl.com/2jdkcw
http://tinyurl.com/2osn5g
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — May 23, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
Yes, it does make me want to spit! And, not just toothpaste!
I want to know WHY they are just STARTING to look, when they sent an email about 2 weeks ago stating that they are watching for di.glycol.
FDA — YOU FAIL!!!
Comment by Kat — May 23, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
BIG SCORPION CRAWLING ACROSS MY WALL!!!!
Just KILLED it!!!
Comment by Kat — May 23, 2007 @ 7:27 pm
And China, through its state-run media, has replied, saying the handling of the ‘sensational pet food scandal was a shameful example of a lack of professionalism.’”
What the h**l does he mean?
Comment by Tammy — May 23, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
Chinese said, “… ’sensational pet food scandal was a shameful example of a lack of professionalism.’”
Who were they referring to? Chinese government? Chinese exporters and manufacturers? American food companies? FDA? What?
Sounds awfully ambiguous and too well scripted.
Comment by Lynn — May 23, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
“… sensational pet food scandal was a shameful example of a lack of professionalism.”
Hmmmm … isn’t that what some have said about us bloggers?
:)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 23, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
RE comment: “The market will be the enforcer,”
In other words, it only killed a few thousand animals out of so many millions. So what’s the big deal?
Comment by Lynn — May 23, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
The 17 year cicadas are starting to emerge in my area. Soon my pooch will be feasting on homegrown flying protein!
Comment by elizabeth R. — May 23, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
So now that their meeting is over, is the FDA going to resume press conferences?
Comment by Lynn — May 23, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 23, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
No, Gina, that is what the BLOGGERS said about the FDA!
And truer words were never typed.
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 23, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
Was it really rice protein concentrate or was it wheat flour again?
Comment by Cathy — May 23, 2007 @ 8:37 pm
No Gina, no more press conferences - since by now they must realize what idiots they appear to be. Only announcements, which are much more difficult to refute publicly.
Comment by Patricia Hill — May 23, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
Andrea - Finally got a laugh today - the up-side-down “Colgate” says it all! Maybe we should just buy their recatal thermometers. “Detergent” & “waste” - they reallly do believe in diversification - but not in my toothpaste, thank you!
Comment by Patricia Hill — May 23, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
RE my post: Comment by Kat — May 23, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
Here is the FDA stating on MAY FOURTH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P07-81
May 4, 2007
FDA Advises Manufacturers to Test Glycerin for Possible Contamination
Glycerin Contaminated with Diethylene Glycol (DEG) Remains a Potential Health Hazard to Consumers
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning pharmaceutical manufacturers, suppliers, drug repackers, and health professionals who compound medications to be especially vigilant in assuring that glycerin, a sweetener commonly used worldwide in liquid over-the-counter and prescription drug products, is not contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG). DEG is a known poison used in antifreeze and as a solvent. Today, the agency is issuing guidance to industry recommending methods of testing glycerin and other controls to identify any contamination with DEG before use in the manufacture or preparation of pharmaceutical products.
At the present time, FDA has no reason to believe that the U.S. supply of glycerin is contaminated with DEG, though the agency is cognizant of reports from other countries over the past several years in which DEG-contaminated glycerin has caused human deaths. FDA is emphasizing the importance of testing glycerin for DEG due to the serious nature of this potentially fatal problem in combination with the global nature of the pharmaceutical supply chain and problems that continue to occur with this kind of contamination in some parts of the global supply of glycerin.
———————
I WONDER ~WHY~ THEY ARE JUST NOW STARTING TESTING???
I wudda thunked they’d be “all over it” by now!!
Comment by Kat — May 23, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
Here’s the link: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/.....01628.html
Comment by Kat — May 23, 2007 @ 9:10 pm
Weird — don’t know what happened to my FDA post…
Comment by Kat — May 23, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
… “Chinese-made toothpaste sold under the brands “Excel” and “Mr. Cool” were targeted after authorities in the Dominican Republic learned they contained diethylene glycol. The toothpaste was imported from Panama and entered the Dominican Republic illegally in shipments registered as food for animals, the Dominican Health Department said.
Panama also removed the toothpaste brands from stores last week, but said the level of diethylene glycol do not appear to be dangerous. Still, officials in both countries have advised consumers not to use the products. The nation removed the toothpastes after a customer noticed their labels said they contained diethylene glycol. Tests by experts at the University of Panama confirmed the toothpastes contained about a 2.5 percent level of the chemical.
Checks on supermarkets in China’s commercial center of Shanghai turned up no sign of diethylene glycol among the listed ingredients of more than one dozen brands of Chinese-made toothpaste.
However, a salesman for a Chinese trading company that imports the chemical from Iran said it is occasionally be used to prevent toothpaste from drying out. “Proper amounts of diethylene glycol are not toxic if it remains uncontaminated,” said Zou Jianjun of the Jiangsu-based Donghua International Trading Co.”
Full story here: http://www.time.com/time/world.....=rss-world
Comment by Kat — May 23, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
If you wanna buy some toothpaste or toothbrushes from ChiNa, check this out - Made-in-China.com:
http://tinyurl.com/2u8ury
Comment by Kat — May 23, 2007 @ 9:22 pm
My Colgate Max-Fresh toothpaste says made in the U.S.A. Phew.
Comment by Kim — May 23, 2007 @ 9:47 pm
Yeah, I called them today. Mines made in NYC, NY. She also told me that diethylene glycol was another ingredient….yuck!
Comment by Kat — May 23, 2007 @ 9:58 pm
Salon FINALLY has put up an article on the recall situation, although it’s pretty soft-pedaled. Salon, you’re such a disappointment to me!
http://www.salon.com/news/feat...../pet_food/
However, they did come up with a gem of a quote from our good buddy Duane:
“Take wheat gluten — that’s not an inexpensive ingredient,” says Ekedahl. “The primary availability of wheat gluten is in China, and we get a very fine product from China.”
Ah yes. Those infamous “fine products from China” of which we’ve all become so fond . . . . . . . . .
Comment by The OTHER Pat — May 23, 2007 @ 10:18 pm
I don’t have a source for this. But have seen it said for quite some time that items at your local Dollar Stores (those were everything costs under a buck) can be items with ingredients from other countries that are banned here. I do remember that toothpaste was specifically mentioned as something to avoid at such stores, but can’t remember what ingredient was at issue.
So if you shop at one of these places, read your labels carefully if there is some orginating country you wish to avoid. Course, we do that everywhere now, huh?
Comment by TC — May 23, 2007 @ 10:28 pm
Gina and Christie:
Slightly off-topic, but check out the latesd JAVMA:
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/ja.....70601a.asp
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/ja.....70601c.asp
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/ja.....70601b.asp
Most of it is stuff we already know - but worthy of reading.
Comment by Lynn — May 23, 2007 @ 11:10 pm
“And China, through its state-run media, has replied, saying the handling of the ’sensational pet food scandal was a shameful example of a lack of professionalism.’”
ok, i’m going to join the others in asking what this means. i’m hoping i didn’t miss an answer above (blurry eyes!) it really concerns me that China seems to want to deflect, and our government wants to accept that.
i was so hoping i wasn’t going to have to email my family/friends and tell them to ditch their tooth paste . . . *sigh*
oh! and now it’s a scandal not a scare?!
*grumbles LOTS of impolite words*
Comment by straybaby — May 23, 2007 @ 11:13 pm
ok…
we have pet food, hogs, chickens, fish, catfish, shrimp, and now toothpaste!
You know, I have a lot of confidence in the way our government is handling this situation…NOT! Can anyone say, “s-l-o-w?”
They are so lucky that this has not progressed even farther than it has. If this incident with our pets had not happened when it did…and the contamination had reached an even greater saturation point in our food before being discovered…they most likely would have had a situation of either mass human deaths and/or illness in our country.
And the pet food companies…well, there’s just no excuse for what they’re doing…or maybe I should say are not doing. They act as though they are protecting themselves by not revealing the contaminations in their food, and acting as if everything is ok…denying that their pet food even could be contaminated.
All the while they are digging their own grave of mistrust and anger from the consumer. Just who do they think is buying their food?
I have a surprise for them…HELLO! It’s the people that you are making mad and causing mistrust in….you are “biting the hand that feeds you.”
Comment by Marcy — May 23, 2007 @ 11:31 pm
So if I’m to stop using toothpaste I can use baking soda. But where oh where does the baking soda come from? It’s almost impossible to avoid certain companies because they all fall under one big huge corporation. So where are we suppose to get our sheeeet????
Is there anyway we can put together a list of U.S. companies that sell not just foods but necessities and such? If we all did some digging and found out who makes what we could put together a list and start shopping with the U.S. companies. I’m fed up with giving my hard earned money to crooks.
I’m also rethinking the whole ‘living in a commune’ idea. It’s becoming more and more practical. Or maybe I should just pitch my tent (American made of course) in Montana and live off the land.
Comment by Tammy — May 23, 2007 @ 11:51 pm
Beijing blames pollutants for rise in killer cancers
Jonathan Watts, The Guardian
Foul air, filthy water and contaminated soil have led to a surge of tumours in China, where cancer is the main cause of death, the state media reported yesterday.
Raising fears that breakneck economic growth is having a dire impact on the nation’s health, a government survey blamed pollution for a sharp rise in cancer cases.
According to the health ministry, the disease is ahead of cerebrovascular and heart ailments as the nation’s biggest killer.
In a ministry study of 30 cities and 78 counties, scientists found that air and water pollution - along with widespread use of pesticides and food additives - was to blame for the trend.
(22 May 2007)
Comment by DeeAnn — May 23, 2007 @ 11:55 pm
I found this website.
http://www.madeinusa.com/
However, it lists American manufacturers that do business with China. I want to do business with companies that manufacture 100% of their products in the U.S.
Comment by Tammy — May 24, 2007 @ 12:13 am
Oh, and another thing that just chaps my hide. How many Americans have an American flag MADE IN CHINA? WTF????
Comment by Tammy — May 24, 2007 @ 12:16 am
When I was eating strict vegetarian, many of the foods on my shelf were Chinese or Japanese imports. At that time, in the ’80s, much of the packaging was of the “people’s hero” type, bright colors and happy workers. Often the background was belching chimneys and black clouds of smoke. This indicated modernity and progress I suppose. It was a little off-putting, appetite wise, even then. They’ve cleaned up the packaging but the contents are even more suspect - now that’s real modernity, right?
BTW, please while thinking of Chinese products, please do not buy furniture made in China. The wood does not come from China but is ripped off from other countries in southeast asia, africa and even siberia, wood stolen from protected forests. No wonder the furniture is so cheap and convenient. Buy American - or at least know what your comfort and convenience really costs.
Comment by Nancy Nielsen — May 24, 2007 @ 4:42 am
Do note that just because something is MADE in the USA doesn’t mean the INGREDIENTS they make the products with doesn’t come from China.
They do everything they can to trick us with their labels. Talk about buyer beware…
Comment by Mandy — May 24, 2007 @ 4:54 am
“Proper amounts of diethylene glycol are not toxic if it remains uncontaminated,” said Zou Jianjun of the Jiangsu-based Donghua International Trading Co.”
Full story here: http://www.time.com/time/world…..=rss-world
Well,gee,that’s comforting.
PROPER amounts???
And so when those PROPER amounts join in with PROPER amounts of several/many other toxins in other foods and drinks we put into our bodies ,breath in the air,put on our skins…you get the idea,Zou?…every day???
What then?
Toxic cocktail comes to mind.
Checking mirror for MORON sign on forehead.
Lorna
Comment by Lorna — May 24, 2007 @ 5:01 am
“Diamond Pet Foods announced that it has recalled a limited quantity of Nutra Nuggets Lamb Meal and Rice Formula dry dog food in 40 lb. bags because of melamine cross contamination. To date, no animal deaths have been reported.”
Hmmm….. because finally folks are listening to the “troublesome bloggers” and getting their pets to the vet *before* it’s too late??? Hmmmm….. because this is going on now for so darned long that pretty much everything that happens to a dog or cat now “must be the food” and we are all trotting off to the vet at the least suspicion? (No thanks, I might add, to an industry who wants to “find the batch number” before they take a proactive step of halting sale of a particular food. God forbid they should lose a few sales.)
Comment by hildiesmom — May 24, 2007 @ 5:14 am
EXCUSE ME? Or perhaps WTF???
http://www.alertnet.org/thenew.....277131.htm
On Thursday, China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine sought to explain to U.S. regulators its policy on antibiotics in catfish, after the states of Alabama and Mississippi banned imports of the fish citing high levels of fluoroquinolones, Xinhua news agency reported.
The antibiotic was not banned in China, Japan or the European Union, Xinhua said, adding that although the states in questions had a “zero level” standard, concentrations did not exceed levels accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) federally.
“The U.S. side should abide by the WTO principle of minimising the impact of health issues on trade … and not take restrictive measures against all imported products of this kind,” the report said. [..]
Comment by CathyA — May 24, 2007 @ 5:34 am
Alrighty then……let’s hear from you pet food companies. I know there are some who are buying American - who else wants to enforce our desire not to buy products which cannot be verified as uncontaminated?
http://www.marketwatch.com/new.....4FCDE48%7D
[..] Chinese trade officials have been in Washington for the past two days trying to reassure U.S. lawmakers. Some members of Congress have threatened to increase restrictions on Chinese exports, with a few representatives going so far as to suggest, in passing, an all-out ban on food from China.
[..]Despite holding steady in the standings, the amount imported from China has grown at a daunting rate: Since 2002, imports of Chinese agricultural, fish and forestry products have grown from $2.9 billion to more than $7 billion last year, a 69% jump. Compare that to the 49 percent increase overall in agricultural imports, or the 26% jump in imports from Canada, the United States’ top provider.
And the Chinese influx shows no signs of stopping: In the first three months of 2007, Chinese agricultural imports increased by 30% over the same period in ‘06.
Despite such soaring numbers, producers and representatives of four of the biggest Chinese import categories — rice, shrimp, tea, and feeds and fodders — said the United States could still meet the nation’s demand for such products should the flow from China cease, most without a huge burden on American consumers.
Comment by CathyA — May 24, 2007 @ 5:49 am
Kim & Kat: Since you already have called Colgate - how about calling again and asking which formulations are made in China. I would be surprised if they will tell you. And be careful, made in America doesn’t always actually mean made in America.
The original article this post links to said when contacted about toothpast made in China Colgate “had no comment.” No kidding!
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — May 24, 2007 @ 7:16 am
Comment by Gina Spadafori @ 6:35 pm
Pet-food companies: If you truly do want to “restore trust,” you will get your products tested, pull what’s contaminated, give us the results and stop with these two-days-after-we-already-know-because-someone-else-caught-you recall notices.
Maybe I’m simply not longer a trusting soul, or I may have learnt my lesson, but I don’t think I’d trust certain (well, most)(well, any)pet food companies even if they post that they tested their food.
Sorry, but 10 weeks of hit-and-miss with the life and health of someone I have responsibility for does do that to me.
Therefore: Dear Pet Food Industry,
if you want me to buy your (strike word) (erase another word) food again, you will have to convince me *first*:
Pull all your crap, have the processing of the new batches controlled by consumer watchdogs and tested by two independend laboratories, publish the results in all their epic depth, and take responsiblity for the damage that you caused.
Since I don’t believe a word you say, you can shove any apology wherever you like - let’s talk the language that you understand: money.
Take responsiblity for incurred vet costs (and don’t give me that ‘proof that the animal got sick because of the food’) and instigate a fund where pet owners can have their surviving pets tested once a year courtesy of the pet food industry.
Short of that, I can tell you where I want you to go (and you’ll meet a lot of friends, methinks).
ahhhh, and a ps:
Should you continue to flood my house with your (several juicy words) unwelcomed advertising, I will take it upon me to flood your HQs with calls, complaints and courtesy reminders that as long as a.m. points are not taken care of you’d better save your money.
Comment by MaKo — May 24, 2007 @ 8:39 am
FDA stops imports of Chinese toothpaste
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200.....othpaste_5
WASHINGTON - The government is stopping all imports of Chinese toothpaste to test for a deadly chemical reportedly found in tubes sold elsewhere in the world.
The Food and Drug Administration is testing the Chinese toothpaste for diethylene glycol, a chemical commonly used in antifreeze and brake fluid, spokesman Doug Arbesfeld said Thursday. The imports will be released only if they test negative for the chemical.
The FDA began the tests following reports that tainted Chinese toothpaste was sold in Australia, the Dominican Republic and Panama, Arbesfeld said.
“There is absolutely no evidence of this toothpaste in the U.S. but it is what we believe a prudent and cautionary measure to protect the health of the American public,” Arbesfeld said.
On Wednesday, China said it has formed a government task force to investigate the toothpaste contamination reports, according to a statement on the Web site of that nation’s main food safety regulator, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
China is the No. 6 exporter of toothpaste to the U.S. by dollar value, according to Commerce Department statistics. It accounted for just $3.3 million, or 3.5 percent, of the overall $96 million in toothpaste imported by the U.S. last year.
Toothpaste is only the latest Chinese import to alarm regulatory authorities. Pet food ingredients from China spiked with the chemical melamine and related compounds were blamed in the deaths of dogs and cats in North America earlier this year.
Diethylene glycol, or DEG, is a thickening agent used as a low-cost — but frequently deadly — substitute for glycerin, a sweetener commonly used in drugs.
DEG was blamed for the deaths of at least 51 people in Panama last year after it was mixed into cough syrup, another case with allegations involving China. Between 1990 and 1998, similar incidents of DEG poisoning reportedly occurred in Argentina, Bangladesh, Haiti, India and Nigeria, killing hundreds. In 1937, more than 100 people died in the United States after ingesting a DEG-contaminated drug.
Earlier this month, the FDA warned drug companies, suppliers and compounding pharmacists to ensure that any glycerin they use is not contaminated with the poison.
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 9:08 am
On the Itchmo site someone posted a statement by Colgate that none of their toothpaste was imported from China. You can see by the links above their stuff is made in China. If it is manufactured there and sold here how in the world does it get here? Is there a different meaning for imported that I’m not aware of?
Comment by Sharon — May 24, 2007 @ 9:41 am
*******So if I’m to stop using toothpaste I can use baking soda. But where oh where does the baking soda come from? It’s almost impossible to avoid certain companies because they all fall under one big huge corporation. So where are we suppose to get our sheeeet???? comment by Tammy*********
lol, yesterday, I actually grabbed my glasses and magnifying glass to read the small print on my large costco sized bag of baking soda, thinking the same dang thing.
Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 9:51 am
***********“The U.S. side should abide by the WTO principle of minimising the impact of health issues on trade … and not take restrictive measures against all imported products of this kind.
Comment by CathyA**************
Well, know what boys? The “U.S.” is made up of people, run by a government. And you are free to suggest such FOOLISHNESS to the government. Apparently, they are listening to and sucking up this line of bull, going into debt as a country farther than I would ever take my own family budget. I don’t agree with a lot that my govt. does lately. You can push them around, but neither they nor you are going to push this woman around on these trade fiascos.
One of my best momma cows just had a calf yesterday, and while checking out the new baby, I noticed 2 of my angus look fit to pop any day now as well. This takes me and binnoculars or some walking/riding my horse to check, because my little herd is free range grass fed over a vast area, complete with their own bull, kind of like nature intended the whole thing to run in the first place. Alas, complete with predators, including me.
But this way, I know what I am eating, and they have a way better life until slaughter than your average agri-biz cow. My personal trade “restrictions” on what I buy out there are actually resulting in a far more interesting life, easier on my wallet, and I feel better too.
Okay, there is more work involved, but it does me no good to eat tainted “convenience” foods that will lead me and my dogs to an early grave.
Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 10:03 am
I know not everyone is up for the drastic changes I made, but there are options out there other than giving in to this nightmare of tainted trade. And further, the more people push and refuse to buy certain items, the more standard local farmer/rancher choices will return to the market place.
Maybe never like it used to be, but if there are enough non-tainted, verifiably safe food choices to serve those who want that, then that is a giant step forward.
I don’t know to what degree we can make it happen, but if we all keep buying without complaint, it definitely will not.
Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 10:07 am
One thing I have done is to stop buying so many pre-processed foods. I’m buying local and fresh instead. It takes longer to cook and prepare a meal but I cannot get over how much better I now feel. it began with my learning to add home cooked to my dog’s food. From there it evolved into changing my own diet. I feel so good I only wish I had done so years ago. It’s not so bad once you get your rhythm down and I also cannot get over how much better and more energetic my dogs are too!
Comment by Ally — May 24, 2007 @ 10:26 am
Greeting! I’ve been lurking for some time. I have to thank each and everyone of you for keeping my pets safe throughout this.
Luckily, I’ve been feeding brands who are claiming NA only ingredients in their formulas; Holistic Blend & Canidae. Now, I’m concentrating on keeping us “two-legged’s” safe, starting by planting my own veggie garden this year in many years. I’ve become an avid label reader, more so than ever before!
Comment by DM — May 24, 2007 @ 4:38 pm