It’s the melamine, stupid — and the tetrodotoxin, and the diethylene glycol
By Christie Keith
May 24, 2007
Itchmo has a toxicology report showing cyanuric acid was found in a pet food not on the recall list, and is looking for help in finding additional bags of food from the same lot. Head over there and see if you can assist him with his ongoing investigation, and watch his site for new developments.
Imported catfish contaminated with melamine. Pet food that’s making our pets sick, even killing them, in a recall that’s now lasted more than two months, with new products being recalled every week. And now the FDA is investigating toothpaste for possible contamination with a deadly chemical.
What do all three of these things have in common? We blame them on China. And no one can argue with that, since all three of these products originated in China. But veterinarian Dr. Patty Khuly over at Dolittler is wondering if, in our rush to blame China, we might not be letting the pet food companies off the hook just a little too quickly:
I have little sympathy for the pet food industry. Sure, it wasn’t its intention to shoot itself in the foot by angling for a cheaper alternative to home-grown grain. But, make no mistake, a precipitous drop in quality was precisely what they consciously paid for.
Do they deserve what they got? Not entirely. While they certainly earned our outrage (after we learned how low they’re willing to go on the quality-of-ingredients scale), and they deserve the PR flak they got for dragging their feet on reporting and disseminating information, what’s warranted is substantially more pressure to change their practices and far more condemnation for their part than is currently being invoked in the wake of the recall.
They’re hiding behind China’s skirts and reveling in the media frenzy surrounding that nation’s more egregious role in this now-international debacle.
[....]
Ultimately, nothing exonerates a victimizer—regardless of his own victimization, and especially when he should have known better.
But it’s on this point that the pet food industry is now basking in the congressional China-bashing occurring at this week’s trade talks. It’s taken the onus off their actions (and inactions) by milking our communal xenophobia. After all, China is the one country we love to hate. We stuff our faces with cheap goods that fuel our retail economy while collectively deploring its human rights record and environmental hazards.
[....]
I’m no rabid anti-globalist, but I believe that buying products from nations whose political practices we don’t respect is a recipe for self-deception. Sure, it might make you happy to wear that hot frock on Saturday but don’t expect to be proud of who you bought it from when you read the paper on Sunday. And don’t plan on it lasting past Monday.
That’s a lesson the pet food industry knows well. In fact, they knew it before we did—when they bought ingredients from rock bottom suppliers. Now all that’s left is for them to pay a fraction of what we did for it. That’s all I ask.
Food for thought. Consume it here.
Speaking of catfish, well, let’s not speak of the catfish found to be contaminated with melamine, because no one else is. Let’s talk about monkfish instead, or at least, they said it was monkfish. Apparently not, because after a couple of people got sick from monkfish soup, the FDA decided it looked more like pufferfish, which contains a deadly toxin known as tetrodotoxin, had been substituted for monkfish imported from China:
Hong Chang Corporation, Santa Fe Springs, CA is recalling product labeled as monkfish because it may contain tetrodotoxin, a potent toxin. Although the product was identified as monkfish, we are concerned the product may be pufferfish because this toxin is usually associated with certain types of pufferfish. Consumption of foods containing tetrodotoxin can result in life-threatening illness or death. This toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing.
[....]
A total of 282, 22-lb. boxes of monkfish were distributed to wholesalers in Illinois, California and Hawaii beginning in September 2006. This product was sold in retail stores, restaurants, and cash and carry stores in these regions.
FDA recall notice here.
In case you wanted to run to the bathroom and brush the tetrodotoxin out of your mouth, better first make sure it wasn’t with toothpaste manufactured in China:
U.S. health officials are beginning to check all shipments of toothpaste coming from China after reports of tainted Chinese 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 — the second-largest exporter of toothpaste to the United States behind Canada, according to the FDA — has been at the forefront of growing concerns about its standards as well as the U.S. government’s ability to monitor foods and other products.
FDA’s action comes after the lethal chemical diethylene glycol was found in toothpaste sold in the Dominican Republic and Panama.
Update (from Gina): We can’t get help from our elected representatives in Washington, but we can already play a game on the New York Times Web site in which the goal is to protect the United States from tainted food imports. (Thanks for the link, Linda!).
It’s the Damn Chinese again! Does America provide the raw products and manufacture ANYTHING anymore?! No. I get it! Let’s pay the farmers NOT to grow, or put them out of business. Then we can buy from China!!!
Comment by John — May 24, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
yet another reason to despise China.
China’s Zoos: ‘Asylums For Animals’
http://news.sky.com/skynews/ar.....75,00.html
Comment by mikee — May 24, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
I found the picture.
Cat. Fish.
Get it? I crack myself up, sometimes.
:)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 24, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
wow…makes you wonder exactly how long this has been going on, how many of our illnesses could have been prevented. As for the puffer/monfish, isn’t the puffer deadly to the people who prepare it as well? maybe i just saw that in a movie and it wasn’t true
Comment by Paige — May 24, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
It’s a hysterical picture and I love it. Thanks again for the great chuckle.
Comment by Linda — May 24, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
Let’s not forget the DDT and HCH in seafood from China.
Imported Chinese seafood not 100% safe
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=25270
Comment by mikee — May 24, 2007 @ 1:12 pm
This is getting to the point where bloggers should not be the only ones to be hysterical or off the charts. This is absolute insanity.
Now that there’s the possibility of CA in a dry unrecalled pet food, sort of makes you wonder about all the others with reports of animals getting sick. I wonder how many have tested for CA along with melamine. Chances are that’s what may be in other dry foods. OMG, something else to worry about. Now I’m not even sure I should be using any commercial dry food for my dog.
*slaps forehead & pours a shot at the same time* And they wonder why we drink tequila!
I’m hoping itchmo can get more samples of that same lot # although I still wonder if we should be looking at all bags & not just certain lots. I have said all along that I believed there were more contaminated foods on the shelves & I think this goes beyond certain lot #s.
Gina, your picture is very clever…..aren’t you the funny one……
Comment by JanC — May 24, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
If the Pet Food Industry has changed I sure would like to hear about it.
Seems like business as usual to me.
NOT FOR RELEASE OVER US NEWSWIRE SERVICES
http://tinyurl.com/2yvoua
Comment by Steve — May 24, 2007 @ 1:44 pm
Oh, how I hope that itchmo finds a *few* unopened bags, and helps to bomb Iams out of the water!
The pet food industry - as a whole - has lost a (good) customer in me.
Yes, I do still buy *some* commercial products: Merrick is something my little ‘sicko’ likes, from time to time, and I also have Orijen dry food (because both like dry food and right now is not the time to radically retrain them).
But I already switched most of their food to either self-cooked or raw.
Iams, *the premium food ‘for life’* that almost killed one cat and severely hurt the other, will be out of the picture to the Paleolithicum and back. So is Menu Foods. Or any other, with Menu linked company.
Besides the battery of Tequila bottles in my fridge I have a specially marked Champagne bottle.
It will be opened right that evening I learn that Menu Foods went over the Jordan, belly up, out of business, broke, done and over with.
I’m planning a party for that occasion. All my friends who came visiting my sick cat, who called and wrote will be invited. I will probably take that opportunity to bury the unopened cans with Iams, in a heartwarming ceremony, and empty the contents of a litter box over them.
No, I am not vengeful.
I am just an awesome enemy :)
Comment by MaKo — May 24, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
We’re gonna need more tequila. There’s hundreds of dry food reports online, and test results are starting to come back from private testing. Thank god for Accutrace.
It’s not ‘confirmed’ (what the heck IS these days?), but Steve M. posted over at Itchmo a couple of days ago that Accutrace found acetominophen in the sample of Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach dry food he sent them after his cat died and histopathology results indicated poisoning.
Here’s the link:
http://www.itchmo.com/read/vol.....ment-20770
(Gina - love the pic)
Comment by Kim — May 24, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
Because I may have forgotten to say it elsewhere….my thanks to Gina and Christie for your “dogged” persistance on these issues. Been a comfort to have this blog, and even more, it has helped me work through issues related to the food crisis, and my dogs lives are better for it. Well, heck, so are their humans lives for that matter!
I am headed to itchmo to see the latest.
Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 2:01 pm
By now you would think the news wires and the American people would be really up in arms about all the contamination. Only thing is; nothing in the paper, nothing on the local or national news and only CNN reporting the story. The gov’t would like us all to move on….
Re: the dry dog food
Maybe, finally those of us complaining about sick dogs on dry food will be taken seriously by the FDA!! I hope and pray an unopened bag can be found because I’m sure Iam’s will be screaming they didn’t do it!
Katie
Comment by Katie — May 24, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
The Vet is correct. Deadly practices by the pet food companies killed the thousands. They were in a position to prevent it by applying a conscience to their business. I don’t buy China — they earned that decison — but I do remember that it was a Priority pouch purchased at Safeway and manufactured by Menu Foods that killed a bud of mine.
If Menu makes it, don’t buy it. If a company dragged the recall out and murdered animals as a result, don’t buy their product. As more companies are identified with bad practices, put them on the boycott list. If they belong to PFI, don’t buy their product. All of these and too many to name are guilty. China too. The FDA also.
Boycott, watch the companies closely, expose them. Not just for the Summer, but forever. Re-dedicate.
Comment by Jay — May 24, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
I hate to think if it was IAMS too. I’m going to check my garage to see if I have any IAMS unopened in a plastic container, as I kept a bag or two jut in case I ever got sick and couldn’t make it out to the store. I stopped feeding IAMS - but I save a couple last summer and I may have tossed them - but I will look. One never knows. I tossed the unopened ones from Trader Joe’s a month ago, but I will look.
Comment by Linda — May 24, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
I was feeding IAMS but my dogs were drinking so much water that I stopped feeding it to them. Figured it wasn’t any good.
Comment by Linda — May 24, 2007 @ 2:16 pm
Since dry kibble is implicated, my story here again:
Before I used Nutro chicken/oatmeal/rice for my dogs, I used Iams. The Iams made tummies upset and coats look shabby, so I switched to Nutro dry.
My dogs have been on homecooked since the illness and seizure issues came right on the heels of the recall news, even though they all maintained that dry kibble was safe. I didn’t care - I knew something was wrong with the dry. So for the record, my experience with Nutro dry was that it seriously sickened my dogs, due to what tainted item, I don’t know. I think there is/was something in the food, in varying quantities per individual sack, making my dogs more/less ill.
Dogs are NORMAL now (blood tests fine - however, I understand renal could crop up in time, so we watch for that). No vomit (had been DAILY the frothy stuff), NORMAL water intake (in fact, I finally starting putting out a much smaller water dish), no seizures, soft coats, good breath, you name it. By accident, they didn’t ingest the contaminants that kill outright, or at least not in large enough quantity. But they were awfully sick, and I thought I was losing one.
I believe this has been going on for quite awhile with dry kibble and of late, I think someone turned it up a notch in pursuit of profit, which lead to large numbers of dead animals. And the crime now is that it is STILL ONGOING. These companies are not fixing this. I will never feed a commercial product to my dogs again. The cat was resistant to homemade, so she gets Felidae. But my mind is open to trying HC again, should I get uneasy about this product.
Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
This excerpt from Dolittler (March 20, 2007)
t = 0 days (Feb 20): When the first cases were reported. [Canadian press story mentions some knowledge of a problem in mid-December - Jay]
t = 7 days (Feb 27): When Menu Foods started testing.
t = 7-18 days: When their test cases were dying (one in six we now know).
t = 25 days (Friday, March 16): When they finally issued the recall.
Nearly a month has gone by. I’d have expected a lot more action from the huge conglomerates affected in this disaster. As if waiting a full ten days before an announcement isn’t horrific enough, delivering the news on the cusp of a sleepy weekend is the height of hubris. It’s a parting-shot insult that serves as much-deserved death knell for their collective brand equity.
end of Dolittler excerpt:
For all the talk of China, etc., let’s return to some flat out villainy as demonstrated above: Menu Foods and this delay that cost so many.
Menu Foods manufactures Special Kitty: don’t buy it, tomorrow or anytime, as long as Wal-Mart contracts with Menu.
Of course, if Wal-Mart changes supplier, it will undoubtedly be for a Chinese supplier — so check those labels!
Comment by Jay — May 24, 2007 @ 3:28 pm
Hating , despising China? Kind of silly. The stuff did not miraculously appear on shelves in American stores. Took an unscrupulous corrupt , greedy American importer to get it here. Not knowing what they were buying? Highly unlikely, if it is cheap, more profit, plus probability of getting sampled/intercepted at port low. If caught, claim ignorance, no fines.
COOL implementation in september 2008., again highly unlikely. Large corporations like Walmart(80-85% of their stuff from China) has spent many millions over the years to delay its implementation since 2002.
If it ever does get implemented , it probably will be voluntary(yes our favorite despised word). Various elected officials in Washington D.C. are trying to get the mandatory replaced by voluntary in the bill. Rewards from the lobbying forces are very attractive.
Besides not importing cheap lethal junk for the peons and their silly pets could jeopardize our big multi billion nuclear power plant contracts in China. Afterall, have not had much luck in building more in the USA.
No, I donot hate/despise China. They are just as much little peons as us, as perceived by the big global corporations. Big ROI is all that matters to them .they are without a soul.
Besides they love building plants in China. Officials are easy(cheap) to corrupt and no pesky USDA or FDA with their silly regulations.
Comment by Serijna — May 24, 2007 @ 3:28 pm
We suck; you got that right!
Comment by Peggy (AKA: Big Fat Momma Cat) — May 24, 2007 @ 3:33 pm
I have a hot “trade agreement ” to offer China.
I offer you the entire FDA to clean up your environment problems (good luck with that),
raise with a slightly used Duane and the PFI at no charge, these guys are just PERFECT for your emerging economy ( they can sure help you with that pesky overpopulation problem too, suffering and death mean less to these guys than it did to Lenin) and you can keep all the melamine!
We agree to level Menu Foods plants to the ground just as well as China leveled the poison factory and we will export all the GM grain plus the scientists who thought it was such a great idea, at greatly reduced rates. I have no idea how many monsanto mad scientists can be stuffed into a standard shipping container but it will be shipped by weight, not volume.
I think it is a wonderful trade agreement.
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 24, 2007 @ 3:42 pm
I don’t like US companies that buy tainted products. I don’t like chinese companies who do the same thing.
I despise americans who would physically taint a product for profit. I similarly despise the chinese who have tainted products for profits.
It takes two to tango on this trade deal. A person is either ethical or they are not. Peons can be just as ethically challenged and despicable in their behavior, no matter the nationality. I personally will not excuse the chinese whose hands put this taint into products for sale. Or anyone else from anywhere else. jmho.
Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
Comment by E.Hamilton.
LOL, make that Stalin, not Lenin.
Comment by Serijna — May 24, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
Did anyone else receive the mailer from IAMS about a month ago? The one chock full of discount coupons for their pet food? Or the one from Eukanuba announcing their new breed specific foods that golly gee! offered a discount coupon too?!
I didn’t even bat a lash. Both went directly into my outdoor recycling bin as fast as I could get their tainted disgusting offerings into them.
Too bad I don’t have any free melamine or cyanuric acid to send in return. It would be beyond tempting.
Comment by Ally — May 24, 2007 @ 3:59 pm
China’s Wu “disappoints” Bush, meets Congress
WASHINGTON, May 24 (Reuters) - Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi on Thursday left President George W. Bush “disappointed” over Beijing’s reluctance to open its markets and faced more complaints from the U.S. Congress about China’s trade and currency policies.
Wu and her host, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, met Bush at the White House after two days of economic talks that produced scant accomplishments and stoked congressional anger at China’s practice of keeping its yuan currency’s value down.
U.S. lawmakers who had met Wu on Wednesday said they intend to move ahead with legislative measures, some of which propose levying duties on Chinese imports, to offset the “subsidy” effect of what they see as an unfairly cheap yuan.
Bush failed to win Wu over to reopening China’s markets. “One area where I have been disappointed is beef,” Bush volunteered to reporters after meeting with Wu.
“They need to be eating U.S. beef. It’s good for them,” he said. “They’ll like it.”
http://www.alertnet.org/thenew.....383075.htm
The government sold out to China and now China does not want to play fair. Th big move to make money with global trade with China seems to be failing bitterly, and we are all left with tainted foods.
Comment by mal — May 24, 2007 @ 4:21 pm
And the whole pufferfish thing is unbelievable. The fish was distributed LAST SEPTEMBER. When exactly did those reports of sick people eating monkfish soup first come in to our FDA for dummies? Would love to know that. Beyond that, anyone want to hazard a guess at how many americans read the FDA recall website that contains these vital warnings? Before the current food crisis, I did, but infrequently. The blogs replugged me into the site, and I look a bit more now. But bet if you take a survey of your neighbors, you won’t find anyone else checking out the fda site.
Also, whoever swapped such a deadly puffer fish for such an ordinary one deserves a spot in hell.
Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 4:26 pm
Itchmo has an update on the Iams story:
http://www.itchmo.com/read/lab.....n-dry-food
Comment by slt — May 24, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
link no worky. Try this one
http://www.itchmo.com/read/lab.....4#comments
Comment by slt — May 24, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
Another extension of my rants - is it my imagination or have recalled and tainted food items seemed to have rapidly grown in numbers? And mainly due to our lousy choices in trade partners, coupled with effectively no inspections and thus a license for profiteers on both sides to inflict harm like this, with no penalty?
Or is the happening at the same rate as always, but we are spreading the word more due to the internet?
I think it dove-tails with our changing import policy the most, and some of our trading partners who aren’t ready for prime time on the trading front yet.
Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
Makes me sick how fast proctor and Gamble moved against Itchmo.
A lightning response to suppress the truth.
And Menu Foods “cannot communicate with pet owners due to a federal court order”?
What is going on ?
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 24, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
No either or about the food situation. Play with the devil and you get burned. The pet food industry knew exactly what they were (and are) doing. They preferred to take a chance on poisoning our pets because of GREED, no other reason. As for communist China, the blame has nothing to do with the Chinese people and everything to do with one of the most brutal and dictatorial governments on earth, a government that makes a mockery of human rights everyday.
Anybody remember the massacre in Tiananmen Square - how soon we forget when cheap athletic shoes are to be had at Walmart.
If the pet food industry, or any if the rest of us what to “play” with communist China then we have absolutely no excuse to cry victim. The pet food industry knew who they were dealing with and they are just as guilty as the Chinese government.
Xenophobia? Must we be politically correct when we are being shipped poison. What do we say, “a certain country far away” is the source of the poison that killed our pets, or the triethylene glycol labeled as medical grade glycerine that may have killed hundreds if not thousands, many of the victims children?
Comment by MFEMFEM — May 24, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
Anyone get a screen grab? I saw it but didn’t think to save a pic.
They can’t erase my memory though. It’s not that easy P&G.
Comment by Ally — May 24, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
Not a lawyer but… how can P & G threaten that lab into not publicly sharing the test results? If the lab is willing to stand behind the test results, what is P & G’s legal ground - because it was an opened bag? Well gee, *of course* the foods being tested by pet owners are going to be opened because they had to feed the poison to their pets before they got sick! Now if P & G wanted to step up and test their own @#$%**&^&^% foods, they could have the option of testing unopened bags. Sheesh.
Comment by slt — May 24, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
Tetrodotoxin? One of the major ingredients in the zombie potion used by practitioners of Voodun?
Well, there you have it! Feed us tetrodotoxin and when and if we recover from the poison, we’ll be zombies. Just what the governments of China and the US want.
Comment by Deb — May 24, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
I am rather tired of the blame the government and pity the poor people arguments, no matter whether we are discussing America, China, India or you name it.
All of us are getting the governments we bargain for, and if we don’t like it, they need to go bye bye. Many billions of Chinese choose to have a communist government, and until they “choose” otherwise, I don’t give a fig about those people.
Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
The Chinese people have no choice - they are very effectively oppressed. They no more “chose” their government than we “chose” to poison our pets.
Comment by slt — May 24, 2007 @ 5:06 pm
Not a lawyer but… how can P & G threaten that lab into not publicly sharing the test results? If the lab is willing to stand behind the test results, what is P & G’s legal ground - because it was an opened bag?
At least based on what the post says, they didn’t. They just apparently requested the image of their product be removed. I didn’t see any request that the information not be shared or divulged.
Comment by Christie Keith — May 24, 2007 @ 5:18 pm
Comment by Christie Keith — May 24, 2007 @ 5:18 pm
It is the lab report that was removed, that is what made the weasels jump.
10 weeks into this and the fastest moves are to hide the truth and spin and lie, and they can be as proud of that as they want to be.
Empty comfort words, we care, in every damned ad on TV and ohmygod the sappy pictures of kids and puppies and kittens( none of which is getting IV fluids or puking or withering away from chronic kidney damage) but the actions, that is where they betray the true evil of how little they care.
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 24, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
care2.com is hosting a poll apparently sponsered by the ASPCA about how informed people are about the recall including whether your pet has become ill and if you have switched food because of it. If you are interested go here:
http://www.care2.com/polling/vote/188
If you wish to see the results without taking the poll go here:
http://www.care2.com/polling/results/188
Comment by shallah — May 24, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 24, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
“Empty comfort words, we care, in every damned ad on TV and ohmygod the sappy pictures of kids and puppies and kittens …”
And lets not forget the healthy scenes of the country or the pictures of giant read steaks and cooked turkeys, and the Thanksgiving dinner-like portrayal of the crap, garbage and poison they sell.
Comment by MFEMFEM — May 24, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
Yeah because we all know everything’s “wholesome” and “natural”!!!
Comment by Ally — May 24, 2007 @ 5:55 pm
Well those care2.com poll results are depressing.
Comment by Kim — May 24, 2007 @ 6:22 pm
“how can P & G threaten that lab into not publicly sharing the test results”
FWIW — I’m not a lawyer, but have a some corporate experience with this. P&G legal is charged with protecting the brand/product and the image of the product. There is an allegation being made against the product and they can question its accuracy simply because the lab did not open the package. As soon as a package of anything is opened, there is a little legal loophole that the product could have been tampered with.
If I send an unopened can of product to the lab for testing, they document opening the product and evaluate. They can give 100% accuracy of the test as they opened the product.
However, if I send a sample of a product where I opened the package before sending, then any lawyer will argue it could have been tampered with any time after opening. It’s just harder to prove those cases.
That’s why Itchmo is asking someone to purchase a bag and ship it to them. They can have the lab open the bag and test the product.
Comment by Donna — May 24, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Well I read that pufferfish recall and nearly fell out of my seat laughing..SEPTEMBER 2006 ?????
How long does fish last ?
So, 8 months later the FDA is warning us..those that are still alive that is !!
We are living an X-Files episode folks…
Comment by newlurker — May 24, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
OK, that’s it…..I’m a wreck…..one tequila bottle on either side of my monitor, limes on my desk. I don’t know how much more of this my nerves can take. I said this was going to be a bad week & was I ever right.
I hate to even bring this up but allow me. It seems I’ve read that a lot of vitamins/minerals included in pet food come from China. This is obviously something that all dry food has in common. What if we’re dealing with bogus vitamins that are some of these toxic chemicals rather than true vitamins/minerals? OMG, is my paranoia showing? Now I’m paranoid about all dry food…..one has CA & the other has acetemetephin (oh damn, I don’t know how to spell it……the ingredient in Tylenol).
Geez, excuse me, I need a shot……
Comment by JanC — May 24, 2007 @ 6:32 pm
I posted about Ichmo’s testing. I’m glad there was a bit of legal consulting involved and you will notice how he was careful to say this was an open bag.
What I want you all to notice is that evidence is being gathered. And they want that evidence gathered in a fashion that is correct.
It think it is wise to treat this like a criminal investigation.
And we should also pay attention to things like polling data and surveys. The Marketing people are trying to figure out just how bad this hurt them.
Comment by spocko — May 24, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
JanC,
We recently called a vitamin company and asked where they sourced their ingredients. The lady was completely shocked by the question. We briefly explained the recall and that I had concerns with imported ingredients. The only response she could make was there was no way they could determine where all the ingredients came from. (makes me feel much better)
Comment by Donna — May 24, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
I see Donna beat me to the post (and said it better too!)
I figured this out when battling Disney/ABC. The brand is very very powerful and things that hurt the brand will be stopped. They will use whatever method they think is the most effective to stop people or companies from hurting their brand.
Even if the damage is self inflicted, they lash out at the people who are pointing it out first. It’s cheaper and faster to squash and discredit some “off the charts” bloggers than change supply chain procedures. That will cost millions of dollars and take time. They do not want to STOP THE LINE. Time is money.
So instead of stopping the line they stop the troublesome blogger.
Comment by spocko — May 24, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
Hey spocko,
I forwarded our questions to the FDA/USDA.
Comment by Donna — May 24, 2007 @ 6:42 pm
Jan - I’m drinking with ya.
Comment by Kim — May 24, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
BTW, now you see why I didn’t take on Big Chicken over the 20 Million or 56,000 hogs that ate melamine because I know what they would do if I released the names. Come after me. I’ve already had my blog shut down by Disney. I didn’t need it shut down by Big Chicken.
What did they do? My guess is that Big Chicken talked to the FDA and said, “Make a test to prove it is dangerous or let us sell it.” That sounds reasonable. So the FDA made a test based on short term data and lots of assumptions from different animals and ta da! Everything is safe! USDA gave them the stamp.
But here is the question. In this process were any laws broken? I don’t think so. Will they be called for sloppy science? Maybe, but unless someone dies, who wants to call them out?
Actually that would be a good question.
What role did Big Chicken play in coordinating the creation of the test and then the suggesting that no names be named based on the test?
Too bad I’m a troublesome blogger who is “off the charts”. because I could really follow through on this stuff. Oh well.
(And just to be plain, this is why somethings need to be MANDATORY because then they have power vs. “Please do the right thing, (even if it will cost you 20 million.) we really appreciate you helping us.”
Comment by spocko — May 24, 2007 @ 6:47 pm
Whoever paid for the lab test on the Iams should get a refund if the lab will not stand behind the report - the analyses were paid for, and it seems to me the report became the property of the buyer.
My dearest wish used to be to get off the electric grid, because I work on wind farm permitting and worry (a lot) about climate change. Now that wish has been replaced by an obsession to get out of the commercial food chain, and both the pets and I are nearly there.
Comment by Carol PW — May 24, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
Spocko,
So the FDA keeps the names confidential. But where does FOIA come in?
Comment by Donna — May 24, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
Donna. And I sent a version to the questions list of 25 press people following this. Good thing they canceled the news conferences. Now they don’t have to answer the tough questions.
Duane Ekedahl, PFI : “There were specific articles that were troublesome and bloggers who were off the charts.”
PFI. The Voice of the Pet Food Industry.
Comment by spocko — May 24, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
CarolPW,
The lab will stand behind the report they have made. However, they can only state they tested the opened sample sent to them.
Again, they did not open the bag of dog food in the lab. A sample was sent to them with a person stating this is “Brand X”. Legally, it’s like hearsay.
You can continue to publicize a report like that, however, you put yourself in a very precarious position. Corporations will take legal action very quickly, they have lots of money and power. The fact the sample came from an opened bag is key.
Comment by Donna — May 24, 2007 @ 7:01 pm
Donna - I very much understand the opened bag issue, but that does not prevent publication of the report, it just means you have to disclose that the bag was opened and thus potentially adulterated. The report is still owned by the buyer. If I find the right lot number, you can be sure I will return to the store with a notary in tow.
Comment by Carol PW — May 24, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
It seems unlikely that most people would swallow enough diethylene glycol from toothpaste to cause immediate harm, so this might be another thing that’s been there for a while and we never noticed - is it a coincidence that it’s showing up in more than one place in such a short time, as a substitute for a more expensive ingredient?
It’s most likely to be little kids who would eat enough toothpaste to cause problems, but little kids who get poisoned by diethylene glycol would be assumed to have gotten into something like antifreeze - who’d suspect them of being poisoned by toothpaste?
- Paul
Comment by Paul — May 24, 2007 @ 7:18 pm
Did someone file a FOIA request for the FDA and USDA? I hope so. I would bet there would be evidence they were trying to cover this up.
Comment by Elaine — May 24, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
I looked for the IAMS bag, darn all I found was the Trader Joes Bag - sorry.
Comment by Linda — May 24, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
One trick that is used is to delay. And if they can keep the information under wraps until it’s too late then it’s “Well look for symptoms”.
FOIA requests take months to process and if you don’t guess the right info to requested you could come back empty handed.
In their mind they have covered their ass. They created a test. The test effectively set minimum safe levels of melamine (and maybe Cyanuric Acid)in the chickens and pigs.
Once the USDA has confirmed that the test that was created has been passed they can stamp the food safe for human consumption.
You have to notice how the goal posts moved from, “None allowed” to a defacto minimum safe level.
Comment by spocko — May 24, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
My reply to the FDA sender, Acheson, the prez & v.prez:
————————————
ENOUGH ALREADY !!!!
STOP !!!!
HALT !!!!
NO ENTRANCE !!!!
没有入口!
¡CNINGUNA ENTRADA! !!!!
NO MORE FOOD FROM CHINA !!!!
NO MORE FOOD ADDITIVES FROM CHINA !!!!
NO MORE TOOTHPASTE FROM CHINA !!!!
NO MORE CONSUMABLES FROM CHINA !!!!
!! YOU !! NEED TO STAND UP FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE !!
————————————————
“Norwood, Cecilia F” wrote:
>
FDA PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2007
P07-91
Media Inquiries: 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
FDA Warning on Mislabeled Monkfish
Fish Believed to be Puffer Fish; Contains Deadly Toxin
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to buy or eat imported fish labeled as monkfish, which actually may be puffer fish, containing a potentially deadly toxin called tetrodotoxin. Eating puffer fish that contain this potent toxin can result in serious illness or death.
Tetrodotoxin is not destroyed by common food preparation or storage, such as cooking or freezing. Monkfish do not contain tetrodotoxin.
The product was imported and distributed by Hong Chang Corp., Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
Consumers concerned that they may have purchased this fish should contact their retailer and ask if the product was received from Hong Chang Corp.
The product should not be eaten, it should be thrown away. Care should be exercised in handling the fish, as the tetrodotoxin may be present on the skin and flesh of the fish. Consumers should wash hands thoroughly after handling the fish.
Two people in the Chicago area became ill after consuming homemade soup containing the fish. One was hospitalized due to severe illness.
FDA’s analysis of the fish confirmed the presence of potentially life-threatening levels of tetrodotoxin.
Initial symptoms of tetrodotoxin poisoning occur 30 minutes to several hours after food containing the toxin is consumed. Tetrotoxin poisoning is characterized initially by tingling of the lips and tongue. Tingling of the face and extremities and numbness follow. Subsequent symptoms may include headache, balance problems, excessive salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Consumers experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical care and are encouraged to report their illness to local health authorities. In severe cases, muscles can become paralyzed, and death may follow from respiratory muscle paralysis.
A total of 282 22-pound boxes labeled as monkfish were distributed to wholesalers in Illinois, California and Hawaii beginning in September 2006. These fish were then sold to restaurants or sold in stores. In one instance, the retailer labeled the fish as “bok,” the Korean name for puffer fish.
The white 22-pound boxes were labeled in black ink. One box panel is labeled as: “FROZEN MONKFISH GUTTED AND HEAD-OFF” and “PRODUCT OF CHINA.” A second panel bears nutritional facts and the following: “Ingredients: Monk fish; Imported by: Hong Chang Corp, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670; Product of China (P.R.C.).” A third panel has a checkbox indicating the size as either “0.5-1” or “1-2” and shows the net weight as 22 pounds. There are no manufacturing codes on the box. The fish in the box are individually wrapped in plastic bags with no labeling.
FDA allows puffer fish to be imported into the United States only under strict provisions that minimize the risk of the toxin being present in the fish.The recalled fish were not imported in compliance with those restrictions. FDA is examining all entries from the Chinese supplier and will take additional action, if warranted.
#
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 8:04 pm
I haven’t noticed anyone reporting yet that they’ve found another Iams bag to send to the lab to retest…to open and test.
Having seen what P&G did re:the posting of the lab report,you don’t suppose Iams is able to pull the appropriate bags off the shelves before anyone gets a chance to purchase one ?
I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop…that would be Purina.
Lorna
Comment by Lorna — May 24, 2007 @ 8:06 pm
http://tinyurl.com/yrkbmh
I don’t know why they need long range nukes to hit us, when they can just systematically poison us and get us to pay for it!
Comment by Lori Lee — May 24, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
Comment by Elaine — May 24, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
The FDA sent an email 20 days ago with a link to a warning letter. They’ve known about the DEG — The DEG in toothpaste turned up with a recall last week.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/.....01628.html
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
Two good thangs ~
Tom’s of Maine — (from phone call with them today) sources all their ingredients from the US. All toothpaste made in the US.
Kashi — from email tonight:
“All ingredients used in Kashi products are planted, grown, and harvested in the United States. All products are also produced and packaged in the United States. For security reasons, we cannot provide specific plant locations.”
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
Loran, after many months of contact with Purina they still will NOT admit where the cornstarch they use in their jarred baby foods originates from (notice I said orginates from, not distributed by or manufactured in, learned that here!) I have several emails, one letter and many phone conversations with Purina, and have been given different stories but not a direct answer. Over 70% of the cornstarch used in this country comes from China. I’ve fed my cats baby food when ill or transitioning to a new food but will not feed again until this is disclosed. I too am waiting for the Purina shoe to drop…
Comment by Nabiya — May 24, 2007 @ 8:15 pm
Chinese think bananas spread SARS and that certain noodles are made with oil from corpses?…..
http://news.independent.co.uk/.....581237.ece
Comment by Lori Lee — May 24, 2007 @ 8:17 pm
Anyone see a pattern here???? . . . .
(excerpts below from story)
http://my.earthlink.net/articl.....-978971219
FDA Study Said to Show Avandia Risk
The government’s own preliminary evaluation of the diabetes pill Avandia confirms the heart risks reported in a study earlier this week and suggests that as many as 60,000 to 100,000 heart attacks might be linked to its use since it came on the market eight years ago, a leading member of Congress said Thursday.
In a floor statement placed in the Senate record, Sen. Charles Grassley also said that safety watchdogs within the federal Food and Drug Administration “several months ago” recommended a “black box” on the drug’s label - the strongest possible warning. . . .
Grassley complained that FDA higher-ups have said they want to wait for results of an ongoing study that will not be available for two more years before making a decision. . . .
“Those numbers seem like a high enough threshold to me for the FDA to warn the American people of the possibility of a problem.”
The FDA has been under fire since Monday’s report came out, attacked by consumer advocates for dropping the ball on drug safety and for taking no stronger action in light of the new warning signs.
Critics have accused the FDA of being lax in monitoring drug safety, and some members of Congress scheduled hearings and have subpoenaed key people to appear.
As for the number of heart attacks possibly linked to the drug - as many as 20 a day, Grassley contends. Zawisza said: “A relationship between the drug and these deaths has not been established. We don’t have data to support such a conclusion.”
Comment by Donna — May 24, 2007 @ 8:39 pm
No matter what the results on the IAMS dry…
I wrote them off at the very beginning of all this, as I did Fancy Feast, Friskies, Royal Canin, and many others.
In order for a pet food company to get my business now…they have to guarantee to me that they do not import their ingredients, and that they manufacture their own food in their own plants.
There ARE some out there, believe me. You just have to do your homework and look for them. They deserve our business, as they did not go the cheap route for the sake of profit, at the expense of our pet’s lives.
Comment by Marcy — May 24, 2007 @ 8:41 pm
china is cought over and over but the USA lets them get away with it. the FDA only inspects 1% of foods imported.
well that means they are slipping 99% in.
this needs to be adressed now.
Comment by jan — May 24, 2007 @ 8:43 pm
Comment by Marcy — May 24, 2007 @ 8:41 pm
I don’t even care to go looking. I’m content, for right now — and possibly for the next 365 days to just make my 5’s din-din.
I do not trust any of them & won’t for a LONG, LONG time.
I’ve gotten the kibble thing down. Plus, they really like my ground turkey stew the best.
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
The simple, sad truth here is that each person who voted for GW Bush is responsible for the mess we are in…
Comment by David — May 24, 2007 @ 8:52 pm
Donna - oh yeah, there’s a pattern.
The FDA has a very long history of doing this kind of crap. A few years ago I was taking an anti-depressant that I eventually found out was causing liver damage and killing people. It took them years to recall it.
How’d I find out about it? The internet. I Googled it because of all the side-effects I was having. And even after it was withdrawn from the market - I was the one to tell both my pharmacist and my doctor! They had no clue.
Nothing has changed. It’s just mind boggling.
Comment by Kim — May 24, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
*********Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
The Chinese people have no choice - they are very effectively oppressed. They no more “chose” their government than we “chose” to poison our pets.
Comment by slt — May 24, 2007 @ 5:06 pm*******
We will have to agree to disagree about this. I do not agree with their choice, but I respect their right to so choose.
Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 8:59 pm
Carol PW
No it does not prevent publication of the report, UNTIL the big corporation asks for verification and authenticity. If you have Brand XXX listed as the product tested and it came from an opened package you cannot prove in court that sample came from that package. You then have a very big problem with the big corporation. (Slander, Libel, False Information, Deleterious to the brand, Misleading, etc.)
I believe the copy of the test is actually “owned” by the testing lab; the purchaser basically purchases the service and gets a copy. It is similar to your medical files at the doctor’s office. The files are about your medical history, but the doctor actually owns them.
Irregardless of who owns the report, you want to present accurate, accountable information that cannot be questioned and then let the company respond.
I encourage everyone to remember — these testing labs are working on “our” behalf (us and our pets). They do NOT need to be bullied by a big corporation, threatened by lawsuit, etc. They have more important work to do right now. If it is in their best interest to pull the report right now, then pull it. We do not want to lose this resource that can provide us with such critical information.
As Spocko stated in an earlier message, Itchmo is doing things in a “fashion that is correct”. You must be very meticulous gathering data, compiling everything and then presenting your findings.
Please read Spocko’s message regarding the Disney issue for another example.
Also, if you find the lot number, don’t open the package (even with a notary) just purchase two bags (send one and keep the other, if you wish).
Comment by Donna — May 24, 2007 @ 9:05 pm
My dh had a serious problem with Lipitor and his muscles - this was before they began mentioning such symptoms in their ads as a reason to discontinue its use. I too looked up his symptoms on the Net, told his doctor the name of the test we wanted, and the doc called and told him his results were off the chart, stop the med now before any more damage occurred.
Fast forward a few years - he decides to try another one. Tells new doc about his history, that he has to avoid any lowering drug that could cause muscle issues. Doc prescribes of all things Crestor. When I look it up on the internet, the majority opinion is that is causes more muscle issues in susceptible people than Lipitor. No, he declined that prescription.
So like Kim, the internet saved dh’s bacon, and yep, we were the ones to inform the docs. Who both agreed it was correct, after the fact. This kind of thing scares me, but heartens because pre-net, dh likely would have continued the drugs on doctor’s orders, and ended up in a very bad way.
Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
THE FDA NEEDS TO BILL THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FOR THE MAN HOURS REQUIRED TO FIX THEIR MESSES!
Maybe THAT would off-set our ka-gillion dollars we owe those bastards!
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
TC - Sobering thought, that hadn’t occurred to me.
If not for the internet, how many (more) of us would be dead now? Certainly thousands more of our pets would be…
Comment by Kim — May 24, 2007 @ 9:24 pm
This story about the FDA and Avandia explains a lot, they approve a drug that gives the people who take it 20 heart attacks a day and don’t even seem too disturbed, jeez, that is as serious as a..well.. a heart attack.
911 didn’t kill as many americans as the FDA knock off in a YEAR, what a sorry mess.
Those deals the big drug companies make with the FDA sound like THEY should be paying for the increases Durbin wants, leave the taxpayers out of it, they seem to leave us out of everything else but paying the bills!
Comment by E. Hamilton — May 24, 2007 @ 9:24 pm
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
Thanks for the “approved” shopping list items.
We need to start keeping track of these.
Comment by Donna — May 24, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
David,
Don’t blame this mess completely on GW Bush. It was Clinton that was in bed with the Chinese and opened the door wide-open for their crap to come into America!
Comment by John — May 24, 2007 @ 10:17 pm
John’s right this stuff has been happening longer than 7 years… I was just thinking about the GW comment, that even if there is a change in party representation that “The People” stay this vigilant as the ones on this site….
Comment by Kathy — May 24, 2007 @ 10:51 pm
I am — slowly, but surely…
http://www.TruthinFoodLabeling.com
I’m calling or emailing the food mfrs.
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 10:58 pm
!!!! just DO IT !!!!
——————————
Frustrated House panel threatens to subpoena FDA
May 24, 2007
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Congressional committee on Thursday threatened to subpoena the Food and Drug Administration unless the agency responds to lawmakers’ requests for documents about U.S. drug and food safety.
Rep. John Dingell, the Democratic chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, accused the FDA of dragging its feet in responding to his panel’s oversight subcommittee.
If the FDA does not comply by June 1, Dingell said the panel would issue subpoenas to obtain the information.
The FDA said it was cooperating with lawmakers.
“FDA has been as responsive as possible to document requests from Chairman Dingell and other members of Congress,” an FDA spokeswoman said. “We continue to focus our efforts on producing responsive material to our Oversight committee’s requests as expeditiously as possible.”
Since January, the committee has asked the FDA to provide documents about generic drug approvals, an outbreak of salmonella in peanut butter, post-market surveillance of the antibiotic Ketek, contamination of pet food with ingredients imported from China, and antibiotic resistance linked to wide use of drugs in farm animals.
“The delays and the quality of responses to the committee’s requests concerning FDA are unacceptable,” Dingell said in a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt. Leavitt’s department oversees the FDA.
Dingell also complained that in some instances, the FDA turned over redacted records to the committee without any prior consultations about the redactions.
http://www.boston.com/news/nat.....da?mode=PF
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 10:59 pm
Puffer fish, also known as fugu or blowfish, is a delicacy in Japan. Chefs must be licensed and usually undergo at least two years of training on how to safely remove toxic parts of the fish.
The FDA’s “Bad Bug Book” describes tetrodotoxin as “one of the most violent intoxications from marine species.” Symptoms begin as a numbness of the lips and tongue that can progress to paralysis.
“The victim, although completely paralyzed, may be conscious and in some cases completely lucid until shortly before death,” the FDA book said.
The book noted the 1996 case of three California chefs who required emergency treatment after they shared fugu that had not been properly prepared, even though “the quantity eaten by each person was minimal.”
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 11:09 pm
“The frozen shipments were packed in 22-pound boxes that were sold to wholesalers in California, Illinois and Hawaii beginning in September. Each of the 282 boxes was labeled “Monk fish, gutted and head off, Product of China,” the company said.
But the Food and Drug Administration confirmed Thursday that its tests of the fish had found potentially lethal amounts of tetrodotoxin, a substance usually associated with the skin and certain organs of the puffer fish.”
http://www.latimes.com/busines.....?track=rss
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 11:11 pm
Friday, May 25, 2007
U.S. asks China for more oversight of its exports
Winston-Salem Journal
WASHINGTON — U.S. officials asked their Chinese counterparts to increase oversight of food and drug exports yesterday as the list of potentially deadly products reaching U.S. shores kept growing.
The United States asked China to require exporters to register with the government, amid other steps to provide greater assurance of product safety. The requests came amid problems with Chinese exports, including chemically spiked pet-food ingredients and, as of yesterday, potentially poisonous toothpaste and toxic fish.
The problems do not stop at pet food, toothpaste and fish. In April, China was No. 1 in countries whose imports were stopped at the border by the Food and Drug Administration. The list includes filthy mushrooms, drug-laced frozen eel and juice made with unsafe color additives.
“There is a harsh reality here: When it comes to food, ‘Made in China’ is now a warning label in the United States,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who earlier this month exacted a promise from FDA commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach and Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong that they would work toward more inspections and improved safety of food and drugs traded between the two nations.
http://www.journalnow.com/serv.....&path=!business&s=1037645507703
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 11:25 pm
• R.A.B. Food Group LLC is recalling about 5,294 12-bottle cases of Manischewitz Sparkling Concord Grape Juice and Manischewitz Sparkling Niagara Grape Juice because several bottles were found to be fermenting. Details: 201-453-5200.
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view.....88,00.html
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 11:31 pm
“BEIJING — Fed up with weeks of Americans bashing their food safety standards, Chinese government and industry officials say that bargain-hunting U.S. food companies share blame if contaminated Chinese ingredients wind up in food.
More than two months after the USA began a massive pet-food recall, since linked to contaminated ingredients imported from China, business and government officials in China are investigating what went wrong and promising improvement in a country where mass poisonings from tainted foods have been common. But they also say they’re not the only ones who need to take more responsibility.
“Officials like me in the Chinese government can supervise the producers here, but U.S. companies doing business with Chinese companies must also be very clear about the standards they need, and don’t just look for a cheap price,” says Yuan Changxiang, a deputy director in the ministry responsible for inspecting imports and exports.
Jin Zemin, general manager of Shanghai Kaijin Bio-Tech, which specializes in wheat gluten, agrees. U.S. importers “want cheaper prices, but that can come at a cost,” he says. “You should know exactly where the products you buy are coming from. Don’t just look at the price.”
” …
http://www.usatoday.com/money/.....htm?csp=34
Comment by Kat — May 24, 2007 @ 11:38 pm
Comment by TC — May 24, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
I had an almost identical experience. Horrible myalgia, couldn’t walk more than maybe 30 feet without collapsing. Got off the first drug and within a week I was back to normal. Waited a few months and tried a second one - I’ll be darned, within a couple weeks the problem started again. Got off that drug and within a week problem went away. Waited a few months since the MD figured I was just allergic to the first two. Tried drug number three. Well, you know the drill.
A year goes by. New doctor. He is informed of my experience. For 6 months he tries to convince me to try the latest because it works in your intestines, not the liver. I try it, within 4 days……….
I tell him it’s any of those drugs that, for me, cause serious myalgia. He says the equivalent of “you’re nuts.” I tell him what he can do with his drug.
I’ve got a new doctor and I’ve put him on notice to NEVER mention those drugs again.
So in the meantime, they discover that all the earlier stats re HDL and LDL were done on studies with men only as subjects. New studies out now.
I, too, am every so grateful for the internet.
Comment by Lynn — May 25, 2007 @ 12:36 am
And the doctors prescribe drugs because they own stock in the drug companies. Ouch!
However, I did meet a very nice American Doctor of Chinese Decent that agreed to not prescribe drugs and he called me every day to see how my hand was doing and also my doctor said that people want the quick fix - ie drugs. The easy way!
Comment by Linda — May 25, 2007 @ 5:10 am
Nick Kristof, in his op-ed in the NYTimes 5/27, (must be paid subscriber to read online) was defending Chinese business practices. He says that the Chinese are thriving because of “values we like to think of as American: ingenuity, diligence, entrpreneurship and respect for markets”. Unfortunately when I tried to respond to that on his blog, the formatting was messed up and I was not able to ask whether ingenuity in finding ways to tamper with foods and medications, or diligence in adding poisons to food was really a value that we should applaud. As for the word “respect” it seems particularly ill-chosen.
Comment by Nancy Nielsen — May 25, 2007 @ 5:25 am
As far as Iams goes,it seems since P&G bought the company in 1999 and put the food in the grocery store it was our first clue the food is garbage! as far as eukanuba-they turned that into crap and are making people believe it is the top of line food and are charging top dollar! the way animals are cruely tested on at Iams company,& yes they sent a letter out a few yrs ago and said they would try not to be so inhumane testing their food on animals.I had a natural pet food store(i would not recommend this food)and i received this letter because of all the complaints.(didnt believe them.I know there are good pet foods out there, but best results are frm eaglepack,precise,merrick wet & dry.
Comment by sharon jeffery — May 25, 2007 @ 6:08 am
John & Kathy,
Yeah, too inviting a target, I guess… and I seem to recall that a “housewife” senator from Washington state is a major cheerleader for unfettered trade with China…
Comment by David — May 25, 2007 @ 6:37 am
Oh, if Iams (P&G) would only be reacting so fast and thoroughly in answering me/taking over my vet bills as they do with ‘protecting the corporate image’.
Unfortunately, due to the restrictions of manners and terms of posting, I am unable to post here what I really think about their corporate image, but let me assure you that it contains adult language, threats and a couple of obscenities (in several different languages).
It’s 6 pm in Wladivostok, I think. I should start drinking now.
Comment by MaKo — May 25, 2007 @ 7:25 am
comment by Lynn -
And at first, I found it hard to be tough about dictating to my doctor re medical decisions, when it feels like I am second guessing a doctor. However, it is far more frightening to realize we both second guessed the doctors and were totally correct. I am totally past that now, and make no excuses for my interest in my health and the meds that are prescribed for me and my family - docs that are unable to have a partnership re my health get to find other patients who never question things.
Feels like another area where we are more on our own than we knew (as we’ve learned with this food crisis).
Comment by TC — May 25, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
China wants nothing to do with our democratic or any socialist values. China is a communist state and the communist party owns everything:
http://tinyurl.com/37nwxy
Comment by Linda — May 25, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
Kat,
Colgate bought Tom’s of Maine in 2006.
http://www.boston.com/news/loc.....0_million/
Comment by Tammy — May 25, 2007 @ 3:58 pm
Kashi is made by Kellogg’s.
Kellogg’s has a plant in Guangzhou, China that makes corn flakes and other cereals. Heinz also has been in Guangzhou for more than 10 years producing cereals for babies.
Kellogg’s got busted in 2001 for using corn from StarLink that was genetically altered.
Essential Advice for Doing Business in China:
http://www.buyusa.gov/pittsbur.....china.html
Buying American products are no longer truly American. I’m beginning to feel it is impossible to find a company in the U.S. that is 100% manufactured in the U.S., ingredients and all.
Comment by Tammy — May 25, 2007 @ 4:50 pm
List of Pharmaceutical companies in China
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L.....s_in_China
Comment by Tammy — May 25, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
**********“BEIJING — Fed up with weeks of Americans bashing their food safety standards, Chinese government and industry officials say that bargain-hunting U.S. food companies share blame if contaminated Chinese ingredients wind up in food.*********
I don’t agree with them - they can send bargains, just not poison, and if that isn’t possible, then don’t send bargains.
I will be helping them out on this, because I won’t be knowingly buying any more chinese “bargains.” If our importing companies wish to continue to buy cheap from China, they can do so. Maybe they can continue to find stupid americans to purchase them. Won’t be my family.
Comment by TC — May 25, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
Tide detergent has fiberglass in it. and this site is very interesting to look at. check this out.
http://www.the7thfire.com/HG/m.....mHome.html
Hope it works alright,
Comment by Trudy Jackson — May 25, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
that’s not right.
http://www.the7thfire.com/HG/m.....mHome.html
There
Comment by Trudy Jackson — May 25, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
Why is this happening? The m is supposed to be miracle2/ I don’t know why the m…..I didn’t put that in there? So fill it in with miracle2/ then continue.
Comment by Trudy Jackson — May 25, 2007 @ 6:23 pm
http://www.the7thfire.com/HG/m.....mHome.html
If this dosn’t work- I give up????
Comment by Trudy Jackson — May 25, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
Petconnection- Why is this happening? It won’t do the whole thing? And it leaves out things.
Comment by Trudy Jackson — May 25, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
http://www.the7thfire.com/HG/m.....mHome.html
Comment by Trudy Jackson — May 25, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
Can’t remember anymore where I saw some posts from people who were trying to find more local product buying options. So will post the link I found here - it is about Community Supported Agriculture groups. You buy in, supposedly get produce and other things in return from local people. I haven’t explored it yet, but there are a few CSAs in my little town and I am going to call on them. Has an interactive map so you can look and see what is near where you live.
Link:
http://www.localharvest.org/csa/
Comment by TC — May 25, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
Interesting link on the chinese toothpaste.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2.....col_scare/
Danyang Chengshi Household Chemical Co’s general manager Chen Yaozu confirmed to AP that his firm had exported toothpaste containing diethylene glycol to Panama, but said the chemical was “permitted under Chinese rules and was safe in small amounts”. He added: “I can say I am very confident about our product’s quality.”
So, someone tell me what China is going to investigate..this stuff is allowed !!
Comment by newlurker — May 25, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
Another similar point to newlurkers, and a nostaligic trip down memory lane.
This article is dated April 30 - you know, back when melamine was also considered an “allowed” product additive by the Chinese (honestly, none of them are terribly worried about what goes into their products):
“Xuzhou Anying’s ad did not say what it intended to use the melamine for and managers have said they don’t know how melamine came to be in the contaminated wheat gluten, which it claims to have purchased from another supplier.
However, Ji of Dinghui Chemical said the practice is not considered illegal and downplayed the risk.
“As far as I know, there are no rules or regulations that make this illegal. As to whether melamine is toxic or not, I believe it won’t do any harm if there is only a very small amount,” Ji said. “Otherwise, those companies could not do that.”
Link:
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePag.....onal_news/
Comment by TC — May 25, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
P.S. The article points out that melamine is now banned. But what other toxic things are allowed to be added to US exports made in China, that are flat out prohibited here in US?
Or by anyone with half a brain who wishes to live out his/her entire natural life span?
Comment by TC — May 25, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
RE: Comment by Tammy — May 25, 2007 @ 3:58 pm
Thank you, Tammy. I did not know that. I’ll be posting that info. Don’t know where I stand on that. Tom’s has lost credibility with me. I’m a bit disappointed….
I’ve always used Colgate, until this past Thurs.
I guess, if Tom’s toothpaste has the same formula AND ingredient source — then, they’ll be ok…. but, with maintaining a 16% ownership, that may change.
Comment by Kat — May 26, 2007 @ 10:40 am
“http://www.the7thfire.com/HG/m…..mHome.html
If this dosn’t work- I give up????
Comment by Trudy Jackson — May 25, 2007 @ 6:25 pm”
They have a Widget — a truncator — instead of us having to go to TinyUrl to get the URL shortened. I’ve noticed on a few links that they don’t work, buy they almost all work fine.
On your post, I get an error msg: “Page Not Found”
Comment by Kat — May 26, 2007 @ 11:29 am
PETROMALT - CAT HAIRBALL REMEDY - HELP! IS IT SAFE???
FROM AN ARTICLE ON THE TOOTHPASTE:
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.
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.
FROM PETROMALT’S WEBSITE:
Petromalt Ingredients: Petromalt is an emulsion of Liquid Petrolatum 44%, Malt Syrup 47%, Glycerine 7%, Acacia 2%, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine HCI) – 1 mg per ounce.
I CAN’T EVEN CALL ANYONE, BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY, AND I’M SICK, THINKING THAT I MAY HAVE POISONED MY BABY. HAS ANYONE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS ITEM???
BLESSED BE.
WOLFIN )O(
Comment by WOLFIN — May 28, 2007 @ 5:04 am
Y’all did see this, right?
http://www.miamiherald.com/103/story/117975.html
Comment by WOLFIN — May 28, 2007 @ 5:12 am
Hi Wolfin,
Don’t know what deal is with the product, but you can safely switch to a more natural hairball remedy: Add a little canned pumpkin (not pumpkin piece mix) to tuna water or mix into wet food. The roughage will help the hairballs.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 28, 2007 @ 6:24 am
Wolfin - you can also use regular butter for hairballs.
And thanks for the Petromalt info, it’s now on my list of things to keep track of / follow up on.
I’d missed this blurb in the articles I’d read “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.”
*Gina* - had you noticed that?
EARLIER this month? When did they know about this? In our prescriptions? :sigh: I’ve been awake for less than an hour and my head is already exploding.
Comment by Kim — May 28, 2007 @ 7:54 am
P.S. This link has the “FDA warned drug companies” piece.
http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=111&sid=1149260
(what would be do without Google?!)
Comment by Kim — May 28, 2007 @ 7:57 am
Okay, a quick search of the FDA site, and here’s the warning, issued May 4th.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/.....01628.html
And, there’s an Import Alert on it too, just issued Thursday May 24th.
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/o.....a5502.html
Comment by Kim — May 28, 2007 @ 8:05 am
YIKES!!!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 28, 2007 @ 8:09 am
Petromalt also contains about half “malt syrup” which is like giving your cat straight sugar. If you have a diabetic cat it could kill them.
Comment by Nabiya — May 28, 2007 @ 8:46 am
I just found this recall notice on FDA’s website. The contact lens solution that has been recalled was produced in a plant in China!
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmr.....11_06.html
Nabiya, what country did the malt syrup come from?
Comment by Elaine — May 28, 2007 @ 9:06 am
Comment by Elaine — May 28, 2007 @ 9:06 am
Elaine, I have no idea the COO on the malt syrup, I stopped using Petromalt ten years ago when a vet told me it was half sugar! If I were a betting cat, I would put my money on China though.
Comment by Nabiya — May 28, 2007 @ 9:16 am
Comment by WOLFIN — May 28, 2007 @ 5:12 am
Gina, another great article on you and the other contributors and I just want to express my appreciation again along with Christie for all your hard work and dedication! Someone on this blog a few days ago mentioned they have neighbors and friends that would make better political candidates than we have right now for the election. Gina?
Comment by Nabiya — May 28, 2007 @ 9:25 am
Me? hahahahahahahah.
I have a job where I have to cover a lot of meetings of elected officials. I just wouldn’t have the patience to try to get consensus from people who are driving me crazy!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 28, 2007 @ 9:34 am
I give my cat petromalt when she has problems with hairballs. Is there something wrong with the petromalt?
Comment by Jill — May 28, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Petromalt contains Malt Syrup 47%, Glycerine 7%. You’re better off just giving your cat straight petroleum jelly.
Comment by Nabiya — May 28, 2007 @ 10:02 am
Is something wrong with the ingredents?
Comment by Jill — May 28, 2007 @ 10:11 am
No recall of the product that we know of, but we’re questioning the glycerine:
“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 Gina Spadafori — May 28, 2007 @ 10:37 am
Do you mean that petromalt may also have melamine and the other poison in it.I wish this never happened because I give my cat petromalt for hairballs and I don’t trust anything else for my cat.
Comment by Jill — May 28, 2007 @ 11:02 am
Kim: malt syrup is sugar and carbohydates, not good for cats. Glycerin is “suspected” of being contaminated; with exactly what who knows. Both of these ingredients are in Petromalt.
There are other solutions for hair balls as mentioned above that are better suited than Petromalt.
I made the personal decision to stop using Petromalt ten years ago for these reasons. I use an inch of Vaseline (from a tube) once a week on mine.
Comment by Nabiya — May 28, 2007 @ 11:42 am
The Costa Rican is taking a more active approach toward the tainted Chinese toothpaste. “The ministry [of Public Health] is in the process of closing commercial establishments that continue to sell these brands and is studying the possibility of filing complaints before the Prosecutor’s Office against those who distributed the product in Costa Rica.”
Comment by Ticocats — May 28, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
Then I guess I will have to stop giving my cat petromalt and figure out what to give her instead. Thanks for the information.
Comment by Jill — May 28, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
Nabiya: Glycerin is “suspected” of being contaminated; with exactly what who knows.
Glycerin has tested positive for diethylene glycol…antifreeze.
Comment by Kat — May 28, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
Petroleum jelly is an oil product — not for oral consumption — not water-based. Anything taken orally should be water-soluable…or, it can enter the lungs. Dangerous!
Comment by Kat — May 28, 2007 @ 5:49 pm
Senator Dick Durbin, D-IL has a special website, designed to send a letter to FDA Commissioner von Eschenbach regarding — “Clean Up The Pet Food Supply”.
http://ga3.org/campaign/petfoo.....food%5fweb
Comment by Kat — May 28, 2007 @ 5:51 pm
Comment by Kat — May 28, 2007 @ 5:49 pm
“Petroleum jelly is an oil product—not for oral consumption—not water-based. Anything taken orally should be water-soluable…or, it can enter the lungs. Dangerous!”
I had to read this a couple of times (and search the comments) before I figured out what you were getting at. I think you’re talking about things *administered* orally (as in force-fed) rather than just “taken orally” (which would be another way to say “eaten”). Do I have that distinction correctly?
Comment by The OTHER Pat — May 28, 2007 @ 5:56 pm
Comment by WOLFIN — May 28, 2007 @ 5:12 am
Way to go! Who wrote the article? Couldn’t locate the reporter’s name. Always love to follow up with thank you’s :)
Comment by shelly — May 28, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
No. Nabiya said she had been giving her cat petroleum jelly. That can go down the wind pipe & cause pneumonia. Petroleum is not water soluable. It’s purpose — skin.
Comment by Kat — May 28, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Kat: I had one vet tell me to use white petroleum jelly (Vaseline) for hairballs and another vet tell me to use it for hard stools (constipation). They lick it off their front paws. Petromalt is mostly petroleum jelly. I had no idea it was harmful. Is it because they can inhale it, or how does it become harmful?
Comment by Nabiya — May 28, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
topical application — skin. The other product they were talking about is mineral oil — that is for oral consumption.
Comment by Kat — May 28, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
It can be inhaled. If you stick it in your nose you can inhale it down your trachea; or, if eaten, it could go down your trachea — and into your lungs. Resulting in lipoid pneumonia.
I learned that in nursing school, plus I’ve been researching it online. Most just talk about sticking it in your nose — a no-no.
Comment by Kat — May 28, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
Liquid Petrolatum is mineral oil. That’s a laxative.
Comment by Kat — May 28, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
Then if Petroleum jelly is bad for cats then what can I use on my cat when she has hairballs. Petromalt was what I was using and now that might not be good because of the glycerin in it and it might have poison in it.
What can I use instead?
Comment by Jill — May 28, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Jill … try mixing a bit of canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) into a little tuna water or wet food. The roughage helps keep the hair moving through the system and into the litter box.
Also … brush your cat more frequently.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 28, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
Thank You. I will try that.
Comment by Jill — May 28, 2007 @ 9:09 pm
Holy SMOKER-ooon-ies!!
When China gets tough — they mean business:
Ex-China Drug Regulator to Be Executed
http://www.myfoxal.com/myfox/p.....geId=3.4.1
Comment by Kat — May 28, 2007 @ 11:06 pm