Powder burns: More on last Friday’s recalls
By Gina Spadafori
July 8, 2010
Because Merrick is a brand name, most of the discussion of last Friday’s recalls — OK, almost all of the discussion — was about that company.
But take another look at the UPG recall. The company, like Menu Foods, is one that makes products for other companies. And they do this make-it-and-label-it for a lot of companies, including Doctors Foster and Smith, Nature’s Miracle and Petco. (F&S and Petco have the recall on their homepage; NM does not.) The recall was an expansion of an earlier recall, and includes powdered supplements. Pet Product News International has a complete list, and it’s well worth checking.
Hat tip to Heather Houlahan, the belle Alpha Bitch of Brandywine Farm.
The expanded recall, issued July 2, includes more Pro-Pet products as well as various Excel-branded and private label pet supplements and clean-up products for cats and dogs.
Laboratory testing has revealed that some lots of these products may be contaminated with salmonella, according to the company. The company said it is recalling additional products out of “an abundance of caution.”
The affected products are in tablet and powdered form and were sold nationally at various retailers, including Petco and Doctors Foster and Smith, United Pet Group reported.
The affected products carry expiration dates from “01/2013” through “06/2013.” Products with expirations dates before “01/2013” or after “06/2013” are not included in the recall.
[...]
Consumers who have purchased the affected products are urged to contact United Pet Group or the place of purchase for further direction. Consumers may contact United Pet Group at 1-877-399-5226, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST.
Interesting to note that in the comments on the PPNI story a person says her purchase was flagged at the register at WalMart as “recalled.” Still on the shelves, but unless you’re a shoplifter, it wasn’t getting out the door. Great if you haven’t bought it yet, but what if you have? There’s nothing on the WalMart home page.
Image: Pet Product News International, which routinely rocks in covering the industry.
We really need to reconfigure everything about our own foods and our pets’ foods. No one knows where anything comes from or what’s in it anymore. Merrick was one of the last companies I trusted, but I really have to reconsider everything now.
Comment by Bernadette — July 8, 2010 @ 9:44 am
The recalls like UPN (and Menu Foods, of course) are so much more worrisome then the “single brand” recalls. Bernadette above commented that she trusted Merrick, I felt that way about Nature’s Variety and Feline’s Pride until the recalls hit. I’ve come to trust NV again because of the way they handled their recall (it was on the front page of their website within, I believe, hours of the FDA announcement). Feline’s Pride, on the other hand, still has nothing on their site (hmm, maybe the fact that their most recent new update is dated December of 2006 should have clued me in???).
I don’t know what the answers are. Even if we were to home cook for our pets, how can we ever be 100% sure that the ingredients we use aren’t tainted? I suppose it’s like everything else in life - weigh the risk vs. the benefits?
Comment by Ingrid King — July 8, 2010 @ 10:30 am
If you were to home-prepare meals, you can deal with known suppliers, through buying co-ops, farmers markets or directly from the farmer/rancher.
In the age of the Internet, it’s not that hard to do. All you need is a small freezer (and they’re pretty cheap) to store what you buy and you’re good to go.
Cut out the middle: Support your local family farmer/rancher whenever you can. They’re getting screwed by industrial grade agriculture even as we’re getting sick.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 8, 2010 @ 10:36 am
And for processed food, call the company and ask about where and how they source their ingredients. Deal with companies that will tell you. They ARE out there.
If they won’t tell you, take your business elsewhere. Money talks and BS walks. Use your hard-earned income to support companies that care about you and your pets.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 8, 2010 @ 10:39 am
Speaking of recalls…looks like this Tylenol-McNeil has expanded.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm218437.htm
Comment by Carol V — July 8, 2010 @ 2:15 pm
Suddenly, I have a massive headache. Think I’ll just wait it out …
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 8, 2010 @ 2:19 pm
gin and tonic..locally made…
Comment by Carol V — July 8, 2010 @ 2:27 pm