pet connection

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) has released a statement about the federal indictment of ChemNutra and two Chinese businesses for importing tainted ingredients used to make pet food responsible for killing thousands of pets last year:

Too often, American consumers are treated like guinea pigs by companies who put profits over public health. The prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of thousands of pets around the country sends a clear signal — the integrity of our food safety system must be taken seriously.

Congress must now pass legislation implementing user-fees for the inspection of food imports and provide the USDA with the resources they need to improve the oversight of imported food products.

Sen. Durbin was a leader in organizing government hearings on the pet food recall, and is calling on Congress to implement a food safety program for both the human and pet food supplies, the Imported Food Security Act of 2007 - S.177.