Comments on: PFI to conference goers: Everything’s great, really

By: emily

emily — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:40:02 +0000

Just as America is doing to China, not to mention that anti-competitive tariffs still used to outcompete humanely pasture-raised meat imported from other countries while getting outraged when they ever dare to violate ‘free trade’. One of the biggest groups not looking out for consumers is the American government and corporate sector. Getting one’s own house in order is necessary to give both the elevation and leverage necessary to demand it of others. Blaming the foreigners is a diversionary tactic given that the Chinese government is not exactly forcing US companies to import and sell products *known* to be adulterated, just because they are cheaper.

By: The OTHER Pat

The OTHER Pat — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 22:58:55 +0000

Here’s another one:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/.....index.html

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:24:04 +0000

Emily, I agree with you, BUT … China is also spending lots of money and using lots of its new influence to decide American trade policy.

My point is that someone ought to be looking out for consumers. And nobody really is.

By: emily

emily — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:15:00 +0000

Re: some of the comments. I don’t get how all of China is the enemy when 1) It was a few companies not the population en masse or the government and 2) it was common knowledge in the US industry that melamine adulteration was occuring over the preceding months and years but nothing was done. If that makes it China’s fault the US has an awful lot of blame to take on for pushing milk replacers on third world babies and other such charming acts of corporate injury and murder. I prefer to balme the companies and regulatory agencies actually responsible.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:43:51 +0000

I think these globalists including apparently those at PFI think they can ship ingredients into various countries before bringing product here and thus obfuscate the new COOL labels and play games with Distributed by, Distributed in, Made for, Assembled in, and … And maybe they think everything is back to status quo and we’re just going to HAVE to buy their tainted imports? Well, we have a surprise for them! The products can sit on the shelf and gather DUST until the retailer returns it to the distributor as unsold or tosses it and doesn’t order more. THAT’S OUR SURPRISE! We’re buying local and from other places that are honest, reliable, human grade pet foods. And if we have to, we will make our own pet foods. No Chinese food or pet food or pet treats or pet toys or toys, until this mess is completely cleaned up, period! The consumer is willing to play hard ball… don’t put quality ingredients in it, don’t label or inspect it properly and we’ll let it sit on the shelves unsold. Don’t eliminate the taints and the stockholders aren’t going to like the earnings being down from poor sales. Consumers don’t have to spend.

I love the Hersheys bar example. IF it takes 10 feet of label to explain where everything came from that is in that bar, then we don’t need to be eating it. I bet Hersheys doesn’t agree with that example. And I am sure they don’t want to be dragged into the tainted pet food debacle.

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:06:13 +0000

For an insightful (and funny) look at people who make their living spinning the facts, read “Thank You for Smoking” or catch the movie version. I have a lot of friends who work in PR, including one who used to represent cigarette companies.

By: Concha Castaneda

Concha Castaneda — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:11:43 +0000

Someone suggested Ms Cook should step down. I wrote to The PFI and asked that she do.

By: Concha Castaneda

Concha Castaneda — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:15:04 +0000

I too am reading What To Eat by Marion Nestle. Very informative. The two loopholes that disturb her in regard to meat testing by USDA are that the meat goes out after it is tested, but before the test results are confirmed; the meat is already in our local markets or on the way. The other loophole is that recalls are voluntary! USDA doesn’t do recalls. It suggests them! It really looks very official when on top of their recall it says voluntary. It looks like the company voluntarily did the right thing. But really it is pretty meaningless when it doesn’t have “mandatory” as an alternative. Sort of looks like the meat industry can do pretty much what it pleases, when it pleases. The USDA is some sort of pretend to protect the consumer agency, when really they are in business to promote the meat industry. I might not have been so quick to believe this author had I not been following the recalls since March. Looks to me like it is business as usual. Both USDA and FDA act just alike! They just can’t fool all the people all the time…not even with the best advertising and pretenses in place. I think I will continue home cooking for my cats. and I won’t hold my breath that someone will try to take a pole about my trust level in regards to the PFI.

By: Colorado transplant

Colorado transplant — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:44:27 +0000

Wonder if anyone has tried the 365 brand of cat food at Whole Foods.

Tried the Organix cat food and now my cat has severe loose stools—must be the flax in it.

Giving her dry food and water, and human tuna.
Switching around foods has its downside.

By: 2CatMom

2CatMom — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:29:38 +0000

Numerous pet food manufacturers are bailing out on Chinese ingrediants. So at least they get it even if the PFI doesn’t.

The PFI can continue to spew garbage out of their a—es - we know better. Check out the pet food aisles in any grocery store - that will tell you the real story.