Comments on: FDA issues warning on chicken jerky treats

By: The OTHER Pat

The OTHER Pat — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:23:34 +0000

sue, the fact is that we just don’t know. You could certainly send in samples of your treats to see if they are contaminated with melamine and/or cyanuric acid. But if it were me, I’d just not take the risk. We saw SO much contamination during the 2007 recalls, and the news reports since then have repeatedly shown us that the deliberate introduction of these contaminants into all KINDS of foodstuffs and ingredients by the Chinese has been and continues to be a widely-accepted practice (remember the contaminated baby formula?).

Many of us have simply chosen to play it as safe as we can, and not knowingly feed our pets with food or treats that come from China or with ingredients imported from there.

By: sue

sue — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:20:27 +0000

I have been giving my three dogs duck breast jerky(purchased @ Costco)
imported from China by an American co. They get maybe two each afew times a week. So far they seem fine They are 3, 2, and 15 years, Should I get rid of these treats???

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:07:56 +0000

Holy cow.

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:05:15 +0000

Adam … you have a lot more issues than Chinese imports. Your dog needs a veterinarian, and you and your wife need counseling, at the very least.

By: adam

adam — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:52:53 +0000

My wife has been feeding our dog Chewy Louie and he has been having more and more serious diahrea. I have tried to warn her that these treats may be the problem but she is hard headed and violent. I just looked at the package and it plainly says made in China. Over and over I have warned her about food and toys made in China, Mexico, and other third world countries. Because she always has to be right our dog is now seriously sick. As soon as she is asleep that Chineese crap is out of the house. Too bad the law puts my wife’s life above that of my best friend’s!!!

By: Charles Rivers

Charles Rivers — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:44:53 +0000

Preliminary Animal Health Notification

December 19, 2008

FDA Continues To Receive Complaints about Chicken Jerky Products for Dogs and Cautions Consumers

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers of a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products also described as chicken tenders, strips or treats. FDA continues to receive complaints of dogs experiencing illness that their owners or veterinarians associate with consumption of chicken jerky products. The chicken jerky products are imported to the U.S. from China. FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers in September 2007.

Australian news organizations report the University of Sydney is also investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the chicken jerky product was manufactured in China.

FDA believes the continued trend of consumer complaints coupled with the information obtained from Australia warrants an additional reminder and animal health notification.

Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be
used occasionally and in small quantities. Owners of small dogs must be especially careful to limit the amount of these products.

FDA, in addition to several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the U.S, is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant.

FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs which may occur within hours to days of feeding the product: decreased appetite, although some may continue to consume the treats to the exclusion of other foods; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.

The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator http://www.fda.gov/opacom/back.....plain.html in their state.

By: cheriecat

cheriecat — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:32:36 +0000

I read small article in Houston Chronicle not long ago about amount of melamine detected in fish imported from China is 80% over what FDA says is acceptable. Just a few days ago there was story on internet about how corruption contaminates all levels of Chinese society. The central government won’t crack down on it because the powers-that-be need to allow the corruption to continue because they fear the people will get out of their control. I try as hard as possible not to buy any food products for me or my pets from China. I hate it when an item says “distributed by,” rather than telling me where each ingredient originates. Although at this point in time, i believe there is mass corruption in American government and business.

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:17:37 +0000

We won’t feed anything from China.

If the chicken jerky from China costs so much less than the treats made in the US, you have to know that there are corners being cut somewhere. Especially if you live in the US. Shouldn’t the shipping alone make them at least the same price? Serious corners are being cut.

I also encourage people who do not want to feed anything made in China to contact their food companies and asked where ingredients are “sourced.” Unfortunately, treats and foods can contain ingredients from China (because they are cheaper) and still carry a “made in the US” label.

I’ve found that there are very few food companies that do not source ingredients from China.

By: Susan Fox

Susan Fox — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:02:13 +0000

I second Lis’ comment. Nothing from China anymore for our guys either.

Now it looks like farmed fish might be contaminated because of melamine in the fish feed from China. Has anyone tracked this one down?

By: Dorene

Dorene — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:13:59 +0000

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer is doing a series on imported honey (and guess where most of that comes from and if there are problems).

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/.....oney30.asp

I’ve only purchased locally-produced honey for years as I’d heard about the problems (and when you’re in agriculture, you know beekeepers), but even if you don’t like honey, this series appears to be well-written.