The grey lady says uncle: NYT admits that thousands of pets died
By Gina Spadafori
March 5, 2008
As noted in comments on Christie’s previous piece, the New York Times has finally — hey, it’s only been about a year — decided that maybe, just maybe the FDA isn’t the authority on how many pets died because of adulterated pet food (or that if the FDA knows, they aren’t saying):
Counterfeit ingredients from China are a perennial headache for the FDA. If the heparin contamination turns out to be deliberate, it would be reminiscent of last year’s scandal when a Chinese company was charged with adding the toxic chemical melamine to an ingredient used in U.S. pet food, killing thousands of dogs and cats. The melamine let the ingredient pass chemical inspections for protein content.
Emphasis mine. Thousands. (Thanks for noticing, Cynthia.)
They still don’t have the story quite right, but at least the numbers are in the right range.
What’ really frightening is how well the Pet Food Folks were able to supress the numbers and muddle the story.
I’m convinced that there are numerous incidents like this that happen all the time (with drugs, food for people), and nobody finds out. Hey a few sick folks die - nobody pays attention. If it wasn’t for one on the ball doc the last insulin screw up wouldn’t have created so much as a whimper.
Comment by 2CatMom — March 5, 2008 @ 3:06 pm
This blog has provided much more information and education than venerated media outlets. Way to go! Now everyone else has to catch up with you.
Comment by Carol — March 5, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
We could take some consolation that the FDA number obfuscaton isn’t limited to pets:
“Since the agency issued its report that 19 deaths had been linked to the drug since January 1, 2007, it has received word of another 27 deaths, “but many of those do not fit our definition of this type of event,” Woodcock said.”
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH.....ntaminant/
Comment by CarolPW — March 5, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
I don’t think it’s very brave to get on board with the “thousands” NOW. If the NYT would have published that at the time of the crisis, I would say BRAVO.
Comment by slt — March 6, 2008 @ 10:11 am
Like you said…they finally are saying “uncle” I guess.
I do still remember though, last year, when everything was so scary, and pet foods were being recalled left and right.
We, the “moms and dads” of our beloved fur babies, didn’t know which way to turn, or who to trust. We were being told by the powers that be, that everything was “under control” and “all right.” But thousands of us lost our beloved fur babies. It wasn’t under control and all right…and still isn’t.
Then is when we really needed the truth, but so many failed to tell the truth.
It’s nice that the NYT is finally admitting to thousands, but it’s a bit late in coming.
Comment by Marcy — March 6, 2008 @ 12:27 pm
The heparin contamination is more than reminiscent of the pet food recall. It’s identical enough to be an anniversary present:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03.....mp;ei=5087
Comment by CarolPW — March 23, 2008 @ 8:14 am