Pet-food recall: Do the math, take the lead
By Gina Spadafori
September 19, 2007
ConsumerAffairs.com hired ExperTox Analytical Laboratory in Texas to take a look at pet toys sold through Wal-Mart. In their story, they wrote:
Two Chinese-made toys for pets sold at Wal-Mart stores contain elevated levels of lead, chromium, and cadmium, according to a forensic toxicologist whose lab tested the products. Two veterinarians, however, said the levels of toxic metals found in the toys do not pose a health risk to dogs or cats. Whether the toys are a hazard to children and adults who handle them isn’t clear.
The risks may not be clear — and they may in fact be nonexistent — but it’s certainly clear that Wal-Mart didn’t like the story. They issued a statement through their public-relations firm earlier today, which we posted here.
Now James Hood of ConsumerAffairs.com is firing back. He writes:
Wal-Mart’s allegation about confusion between “millions” and “billions”is a smokescreen. The measurements referenced in our story are, to the best of our knowledge, accurate. Expertox is a respected, well-established laboratory and the tests were performed by a Ph.D. forensic toxicologist with many publications to his credit.
Wal-Mart originally said it would conduct its own tests but then went on the offensive, denigrating our Web site and the lab we retained to do the study. This is a very poor way for the nation’s largest retailer to respond.
Our story is hardly one-sided. We clearly state that the two academic veterinarians we consulted did not think the levels found in the toys were harmful but we believe the function of journalism is to present the facts one has and let the readers draw their own conclusions.
We gave Wal-Mart a chance to respond before the first story ran and they chose not to do so. They have no grounds to criticize our conduct. They are certainly within their rights to commission tests by a reputable outside lab — just as we did — and release the results.
One has to wonder why they haven’t done that.
What I continue to wonder is why the world’s largest retailer is using its clout to defend past practices instead of leading the way to import reform that is so clearly needed that even Congress can see it now.
C’mon, Wal-Mart, show some leadership. Change is hard, but no company has proven to be more nimble over time. Instead of pushing your suppliers (and their suppliers, and their suppliers, etc.) to deliver goods that are less expensive every time, work with them (and our hapless federal government, protecting us not) to clean up this import mess.
Then you won’t have to worry what might or might not be wrong with a little vinyl pet toy on your shelf.
Wal-Mart believes they are a law unto themselves. They want US to change to protect their soaring profits at our expense, and they have the clout to push their agenda. In many small towns especially in the South they are the only game in town. It’s hard to boycott when you have no where else to go. However, putting poisonous products on the shelves cannot be tolerated. Spin all they want, we know the truth.
Comment by Carol — September 19, 2007 @ 11:54 am
Hope this isn’t too off topic but I just heard Terri Gross NPR interview the guy who was held hostage in the toy factory in China. At the end of the interview he explained why he isn’t buying products from China. They did talk about the Melamine and Pet Food recall as well.
Comment by Concha Castaneda — September 19, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
It’s not off topic at all! I just listened to the piece, and it’s well worth the time.
Here’s the link.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — September 19, 2007 @ 1:12 pm
And where do you think the push on price versus quality came from? Walmart sets the rules for most manufacturers as they are generally the largest customer. You do things the Walmart way or you don’t do it at all.
So when Walmart says they won’t pay above a certain price for something, manufacturers have to do whatever it takes to make that work. And if China is the only place to get ingredients, parts, etc at the Walmart price then that’s what manufacturers are going to do.
If you had to lay responsibility for the growth of outsourcing, and the choice of price over quality on one Company, that company would be Walmart. This doesn’t mean that companies who buy tainted pet food ingredients or lead painted toys don’t have a responsibility, but you can see where companies would be tempted to not ask too many questions when they buy from China and hope for the best.
And if Walmart’s the only game in town, I say, use the Internet. Walmart only cares about its bottom line, that’s why its beginning to be agressive about the recalls. When Menu Foods was taking the heat (though I’ll bet Walmart was their biggest customer), Walmart could take the ‘we’re shocked’ position. But when its them directly, look out.
I’m proud to say I have never stepped into a Walmart and I never will.
Comment by 2CatMom — September 19, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
I do think consumers must bear some of the responsibility. If few people patronized the Wal-Marts, they would not have become the powerhouse that they are. I have been in one a few times; and frankly, their prices are not that much cheaper. I think their low prices are an urban myth! People want more more more for less less less, and companies are not going to sacrifce profits to provide it. Something had to go and that is quality and safety.
I do have a good friend in rural Alabama - a retired teacher who has done more for animals than anyone I know. Wal-Mart is it for shopping, and she can’t afford to pay big bucks for shipping for as many creatures as she has. Where is competition when you need it?
Comment by Carol — September 19, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
2Cat and Carol … I absolutely agree that the choices we make as consumers are part of the problem. But I also know that I (as a well-employed, childless urban person)have more options than an impoverished single mom in a small rural town.
I don’t want to hammer on people who already down, and who really don’t have a lot of choices.
However, I DO want the government we vote for (and pay for) to step up and do its job, and I want to see some corporate responsibility.
Sam Walton could never have imagined where his vision has got us, but by gosh we’re here now and his company should help get us back.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — September 19, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
cnn is getting ready to report on today’s hearings and in the teaser they said more toy recalls were just around the corner . .
Comment by straybaby — September 19, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
Please let us know what CNN says. Some of us don’t even get cable.
Comment by Trudy Jackson — September 19, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
And thanks again Gina. some of us, who don’t have money and live in the country, have only one store-Wal Mart. I now shop anywhere else if i can. and on the internet. But where I live most people don’t have the money or any credit cards, or even a computer. So, Wal Mart made sure it was the only store in town. The Doller Tree, Doller General, etc. All these stores have most things that come from China.
Comment by Trudy Jackson — September 19, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
Any company or manufacturer that goes on the defensive or acts like nothing is going on right now, as far as toxic goods being sold to the public, is just cutting its own throat.
The real winners are going to be the companies and manufacturers who are working to guarantee that their products are safe.
Comment by Marcy — September 19, 2007 @ 7:35 pm
What about the the babies that are playing with our dogs and their toys? Is that okay with you Walmart?
Comment by Cheryl — September 20, 2007 @ 5:10 am
I do forget that in some places Walmart is it. And that some folks don’t have credit cards or computers.
But for those who do, take it from someone who doesn’t have a car - there are lots of places on the Internet that have free shipping. I do about 90% of my shopping on the Internet and I pay no shipping on about 50% of those items.
Comment by 2CatMom — September 20, 2007 @ 6:37 am
Does anyone else remember back when Walmart used to push that alot of their products were made in the US? Since Sam Walton died things have really changed. Wonder what he would think of all this??
Comment by Sherrod — September 20, 2007 @ 7:27 am
But for those who do, take it from someone who doesn’t have a car – there are lots of places on the Internet that have free shipping. I do about 90% of my shopping on the Internet and I pay no shipping on about 50% of those items.
2CatMom - Please let me know where you can buy pet food with reasonable shipping so that I can give her the info. Thanks!
Carol
Comment by Carol — September 20, 2007 @ 8:28 am
Gina - I totally agree. However, IMHO corporations and our government are in bed together; and government has long abdicated its responsibility to the voter. As long as stock prices are the primary focal point for these companies, they will do just about anything to save $$$ - and usually at our expense. I do think things will change eventually - the pendulum will come to rest in the middle once again after swinging wildly from side to side - but it will take a long time to change the prevailing way business and our government conduct themselves.
Comment by Carol — September 20, 2007 @ 8:40 am
You can just bet that if Al Queda was sending us poisoned stuff that our government would start paying the right kind of attention. Even if they exported to us in disguise of another country it would stop! It would immediately stop because it would threaten the security and safety of our country. And the war would be here! We have too much stock and trust in China right now. Too much riding on them. I believe it will become an issue of National security before anything substantial is done. Our pets were the canary in the mine shaft as has been pointed out here. I heard that John Edwards has written a letter to Bush about the food safety problem. I don’t have the link to that letter. To my knowledge none of the other candidates are addressing the issue. Until they do Edwards will have my vote.
Comment by Concha Castaneda — September 20, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Good, where did You hear Edwards wrote to Bush about the food saftey problem?
Comment by Trudy Jackson — September 20, 2007 @ 9:57 am
Carol - pet food is one of the few things I don’t generally buy online. However, I googled free shipping-pet food and got this link:
http://www.mybargainbuddy.com/pets.shtml
There are many other deals that I saw, generally for a particular brand or product. It does take some time to search through.
Comment by 2CatMom — September 20, 2007 @ 11:13 am
2CatMom
Thanks!
Comment by Carol — September 20, 2007 @ 11:37 am
As for candidates realizing there is a problem with food safety, I know Ron Paul is behind some bills that address food safety and our freedom to choose food supplements.
This question was posed to all the candidates that attended the Values Voters debate in Florida on Monday this week:
Bob Fu, China Aid Association – TRADE
“My name is Bob Fu, president of China Aid Association. My Chinese friend, Sarah Liu, was forced to make Christmas lights for Americans while in labor camps for six years where she was sent for the crime of being a Christian House Church leader. Thousands of prisoners of conscience like Sarah are forced to manufacture items that stock our American shelves.
At the same time, American manufacturing jobs are being moved to China because businesses can’t compete with slave labor and wages as low as 30 cents an hour.
If elected, would you make future trade with China contingent on them measurably improving their record on religious freedom and human rights, eliminating their unfair trade practices, slave labor and sub-standard policies that poison our food, toothpaste and toys?”
I think all of the candidates present answered this in the affirmative. Those present were: Ron Paul, Alan Keyes, Duncan Hunter, John Cox, Tom Tancredo, Mike Huckabee, and Sam Brownback.
Guliani,Romney,Thompson and McCain declined the invitation to this debate, so didn’t answer this question.
Comment by Elaine — September 20, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
I don’t know how many specimens ExperTox examined, one or several. Regardless, China enforces few [if any] safety regulations. I don’t even want to think about their manufacturing and quality assurance practices. In all likelihood they are inconsistent, which translates to a huge range of toxic values in the end product, some of which may not be lethal, and others of which may be lethal.
Remember during the pet food recalls when we were told that certain levels of melamine weren’t lethal? Of course, no one considered that other chemicals synergized with melamine to create lethal toxicity. So who is to say that the same isn’t true with the current testing [i.e., that there are other chemicals acting as a catalyst]?
Comment by Lynn — September 22, 2007 @ 8:21 am
johnedwards.com/issues/food-safety-fact-sheet/ gives you an idea of where he is coming from. I can’t find the original link but I saw the letter and I wish I would have copied it. I think he sent it to Congress as well.
Comment by Concha Castaneda — September 22, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
http://johnedwards.com/issues/.....act-sheet/
Comment by Billy — September 22, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
Very Important- Please go to You Tube and watch the video of this- Inside a Rendering Plant.
It might be the answer to what I keep finding in the cat food. Please watch it.
Comment by Trudy Jackson — September 23, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
On an earlier thread someone had shown a link to where you could buy a lead test kit oHere are the results from my lead test kit. The kit is supposed to detect lead on surfaces where the concentrations are 1 ug or more. I’m not sure what this means but it says if its below this amount the object should be “safe.”
I tested 8 food/toy objects from a variety of stores/manufactuerers. The toys I tested are ones my cats like best and carry around in their mouths.
Small ceramic plate from PetCo (says made in China)
Deep ceramic dish from PetCo (no country of origin)
Small ceramic dish from PetSmart (says made in China)
Avg ceramic dish from PetSmart (no country of origin)
-Multipet Crinkle Catnip Balls, ordered online - (says made in China)
-Spot Ethical Spotnips (plastic slinkies) from Private pet store - (says made in China)
-PetSmart Pet Holiday toy - fuzzy blob with feather tail (says made in China)
-Petking Cat Toy - sponge balls (made in China)
All tests came out NEGATIVE! The kit comes with lead coated paper so if you get a negative result you can confirm that the swabs are working properly.
I don’t really know whether this is good or not because I don’t know the sensitivity of the test. But it is better than getting 8 positive results, I hope.
Comment by 2CatMom — September 25, 2007 @ 6:19 pm
2CatMom- that’s good to hear. I’ve been meaning to invest in some of the test kits, and I’m dreading what I’ll find. And I can’t believe how many of the decorative holiday plates *we’ve* been eating off of are made in China.. I’m almost afraid to test them.
As we’ve got far too many cat toys to test at our house, I will probably just be testing their dishes and the toys that spend the most time in their mouths as well. I figure a plastic ball that occasionally gets batted across the room every now and then probably doesn’t pose much of a threat.. but the fuzzy mice Nick regularly chews to bits and the little tennis balls and fleece things Thomas is always gnawing on.. those make me nervous.
For once in my life, I’m actually GLAD Tyson shirks the cat toys in favor of nicking rolls of paper towels from the closet and shredding them all over the living room, lol.
Comment by Gwen — September 26, 2007 @ 5:37 am
I bought a test kit too. I have only so far tested My dishes, cups, etc. so far, everything is neg. I hope it’s right?
Comment by Trudy Jackson — September 26, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
What is being done about the dog food recall. My dog Buddy which is a chihuahua was eating Hills Science diet,which I dont believe was recalled but my dog was fine one day then we had to rush him to the vet because he was having problems breathing, throwing up, wouldnt eat or drink. They did several test on him which he was dehydrated ,gave him Iv. They kept him over night Then charged $300.00. He is fine now but we stopped that food and started feeding him table food. I feel something should be done. I also feel we should be helped on our bill. Please inform me what is being done. thank you
Comment by priscilla — September 26, 2007 @ 9:13 pm
I finally found the answer to what 1 ug stands for - its a microgram which is 1/1000 of a gram. That obviously isn’t nearly as good as the Expertox testing (which reads down to 1 million or 1 billionth of a gram depending on who you read.
Comment by 2CatMom — September 27, 2007 @ 6:53 am
FDA critisized by Washington Post for being lax on recall of approved drugs…no surprise there. Problem is they can only test 1%….where have we heard that before? Here in Ohio the local news finally informed us that Top Hamburger is recalling Hamburger…much of which has already been sold…no surprise there. It is probably the 1% factor again. We Ohioans are probably just eating too much of it…like the Wagon Train pets. Has anyone used the lead testing kits on the Mc Donalds toys Made in China?
Comment by Concha Castaneda — September 28, 2007 @ 6:26 am