Comments on: Nature’s Variety: How to do a recall right

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:05:55 +0000

Thanks ladies!

It’s understandable that it would irritate me far more than anyone else… I’ve been fighting with these guys since the end of December.

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:18:14 +0000

This just doesn’t work me up all that much. In fact, I hope this company gets more business — although yeah, I’m not that happy with the implied endorsement.

See, I’m looking at it from the point of view of all the BAD responses we’ve seen from companies. The impulse to hide bad news and even to lie typically comes from management that just panics and falls into circle the wagon mode.

It’s a disaster for people who need the information NOW because lives depend on it.

But it’s even bad for the company. A good PR firm advises as much openness as possible, because when you hide the truth it looks even worse when the truth comes out — and it always does, in the end.

So … weird as it seems to be quoted in a sales pitch for a PR firm, I stand by what I said: They did do a good job.

Misrepresenting the “we made it not be a recall” stuff, though, it not cool, but I’d honestly chalk that up to the spin machine.

That said, I’m really glad this was brought to everyone’s attention. Industry folks need to realize that NOTHING is secret forever, and act on that truth.

By: Christie Keith

Christie Keith — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:22:36 +0000

“Force” is misleading. “Pressure” is all the FDA has the legal authority to do… again, even on HUMAN food. But pet food companies always add that “voluntary” — including Nature’s Variety, which we’ve called them (and everyone else) on before. It’s just marketing b.s., as ALL food recalls are “voluntary.”

Anyway… check this out: http://goo.gl/Fmq7y

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:12:39 +0000

I wasn’t criticizing PetConnection in any way - let me be clear here. I was ticked that this firm had used Gina’s quote the way it did.

Also, I should point out that this is the only recall we ever had to submit documentation for - including the 2007 mela-recall. Normally we just toss it and fill out a destruction form for the company - how many and what size of each date code, so we could be reimbursed.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 04:10:03 +0000

I was told by a representative of Nature’s Variety that the salmonella recall was forced by the FDA back when it was going on.

Our store had to submit an FDA form detailing the product we destroyed and the packaging had to be handed over to Nature’s Variety. We even had to photograph the destroyed product.

By: Christie Keith

Christie Keith — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 03:54:24 +0000

I think the PR firm is showing its ignorance anyway, since FDA doesn’t have mandatory recall authority over HUMAN food, let alone pet food. I really have no idea what they’re talking about. I’ve written them and asked, and will post their response.

And yes, I’m sure Gina will want to know. I just didn’t get what point you were making.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 03:42:31 +0000

Christie, you misunderstood.

My point was twofold. First, that they were using PetConnection as a marketing tool for their PR firm. I assumed that Gina would want to know this.

Second, while Nature’s Variety got a lot of praise for this recall, I’ve learned what this company is really all about. Now here is a “case study” put out by JDPR clearly spelling out to the public how proud they are that they were able to help Nature’s Variety weaken the system when the system actually WORKED by identifying a problem and forcing a recall.

Thanks to Nature’s Variety, raw foods apparently are no longer in the “mandatory recall” column… they are in the “voluntary withdrawal” column.

I assumed that this would irritate most pet owners…

By: Christie Keith

Christie Keith — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 02:43:56 +0000

What do you want, Kim? For us NOT to indicate how we think things should be done, in case it gives aid and comfort to the enemy?

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 02:41:36 +0000

Just wanted to let you know your post is now selling people on the PR firm that handled this recall. The same PR firm that names one of their objectives as “Negotiate with FDA to change product status from a mandatory recall to a voluntary withdrawal, and reduce negative brand perceptions among retailers and consumers.”

Among their “results” is the following: “Successfully intercepted and reversed regulatory onslaught (FDA)”

Because what all pet owners want is WEAKER regulation of the pet food industry by the FDA.

You’ll be extra happy they’re using the this:

“”Nature’s Variety is a
case in point of how to
handle a recall right.
They reached out to
retailers, purchasers,
media and bloggers to
make sure the word got
out.”
Gina Spadafori,
Blogger, Pet Connection”

http://www.jdpr.com/image-uploads/Naturesv.pdf

By: Sandi K

Sandi K — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:54:59 +0000

Ive been thinking about transparency and education, both things pet owners want. I recently read a blog owned by a pet food store owner that was talking about the NV recall. There were a couple of readers saying they could have sworn that there were some other recalls and the store owner,who said they were good friends with one of the company reps & had asked them, said there were no prior recalls and the companies record was unblemished. I know as a pet owner, that I want to know about recalls as well as withdrawals & some might not be aware that although they might be labeled different names, both can involve removing food from store shelves. If its bad enough to be removed from store shelves I want to know about it so I can decide for myself if I want to continue feeding that product whether its a recall or a withdrawal. Im sure others do as well so I posted links to the past product withdrawals. The store owner removed my post.