Updated Info on Food Recall

[Ilghaus]

This thread deals with the food that has been charged with bringing about the illness and death of pets.








Rat poison found in tainted pet food

By MARK JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer
Fri Mar 23, 7:35 PM ET
 
ALBANY, N.Y. - Rat poison was found in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 17 cats and dogs, but scientists said Friday they still don't know how it got there and predicted more animal deaths would be linked to it.

After the announcement, the company that produced the food expanded its recall to include all 95 brands of the "cuts and gravy" style food, regardless of when they were produced. The company also said it would take responsibility for pet medical expenses incurred as a result of the food.

The substance in the food was identified as aminopterin, a cancer drug that once was used to induce abortions in the United States and is still used to kill rats in some other countries, state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said.

The federal government prohibits using aminopterin for killing rodents in the U.S. State officials would not speculate on how the poison got into the pet food, but said no criminal investigations had been launched.

The pet deaths led to a recall of 60 million cans and pouches of dog and cat food produced by Menu Foods and sold throughout North America under 95 brand names. Some pets that ate the recalled brands suffered kidney failure, and the company has confirmed the deaths of 15 cats and two dogs.

To read the rest of the article
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070323/ap_on_re_us/pet_food_recall

[Ilghaus]

Solid Gold Food Not On Current List

Info from their website:
MENU FOODS DOES NOT PRODUCE ANY SOLID GOLD PRODUCT

We at Solid Gold realize that customers are very concerned with the recent recall of canned products made by Menu foods. We would like to assure our customers that there are no safety concerns with Solid Gold products. Menu Foods does not make Solid Gold foods in any of their manufacturing facilities. Solid Gold is not subject to the current recall. Furthermore, Solid Gold does not use wheat gluten in any of our dry foods, canned foods, treats, or supplements.

http://solidgoldhealth.com/news/

[Ilghaus]

Hills / Science Diet

From their website:
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Announces Voluntary Participation in Menu Foods’ Nationwide U.S. recall of Specific Canned Cat Foods.

Topeka, KS (March 21, 2007) – In response to the Menu Foods, Inc. nationwide recall of wet pet foods, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. announced on March 16 a voluntary precautionary recall in the United States of a very small number of canned cat food products that are manufactured by Menu for Hill’s. This involves less than one half of one percent of Hill’s total product line.

This voluntary recall only affects Science Diet® Savory Cuts Feline canned products sold in the United States.

Hill’s is voluntarily recalling the following feline products:
1. Science Diet® Ocean Fish Dinner in Sauce Savory Cuts® Kitten, 3 oz. and 5.5 oz.
2. Science Diet® Beef Dinner in Gravy Savory Cuts® Adult, 5.5 oz
3. Science Diet® Chicken Dinner in Gravy Savory Cuts® Adult, 5.5 oz.
4. Science Diet® Ocean Fish Dinner in Sauce Savory Cuts® Adult, 5.5 oz.
5. Science Diet® Chicken Dinner in Gravy Savory Cuts® Mature Adult 7+, 5.5 oz.


To read the rest of the article
http://www.hillspet.com/menu_foods/Menu_Foods_en_US.htm

[Ilghaus]

Nutro Brand

From their website:
NUTRO TO VOLUNTARILY WITHDRAW CERTAIN
"WET" CAT & DOG FOODS
IN RESPONSE TO MENU FOODS RECALL

No dry Nutro pet foods, biscuits or treats are impacted
 
We have just been made aware that Menu Foods has expanded the date range of their recall. NO New Products are being added and we ask all Nutro customers that have any wet "cuts & gravy style" pet foods product, regardless of the "best by date," to no longer feed these products to their pets and to return them for a full refund. This action is being taken to avoid customers' confusion in reading specific "best by dates" on individual cans and pouches.

To read the rest of the article
http://www.nutroproducts.com/mfrecall.asp


To see the Nutro Recall list
http://www.nutroproducts.com/mfproductlist.asp

[Ilghaus]

Purina

From their website:
An Update on the Menu Foods Recall
We at Nestlé Purina PetCare Company know the reports of pet food recalls and withdrawals over the past week have been very concerning and at times confusing for pet owners, who want to ensure the safety of the food they are feeding their beloved pets.

We want to take this opportunity to reassure you that Mighty Dog pouch products are the ONLY Purina® brand products affected by Menu Foods' recall. Nestlé Purina stands behind the high-quality of our pet foods, and all Purina brand cat food products and all other Purina brand dog food products, including Mighty Dog canned products, can continue to be fed to your pets with complete confidence.

Link
http://www.purina.com/

[Ilghaus]

VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE ON PURINA

ALPO® BRAND PRIME CUTS IN GRAVY CANNED DOG FOOD VOLUNTARY NATIONWIDE RECALL

No Dry Purina Products Involved


March 31, 2007


On March 30, 2007, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company announced it is voluntarily recalling all sizes and varieties of its ALPO® Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food with specific date codes. The Company is taking this voluntary action after learning that wheat gluten containing melamine, a substance not approved for use in food, was provided to Purina by the same company that also supplied Menu Foods. The contamination occurred in a limited production quantity at only one of Purina’s 17 pet food manufacturing facilities.

Consumers should immediately stop feeding their dogs ALPO Prime Cuts products with the date codes listed below and consult with a veterinarian if they have any health concerns with their pet.

The recalled 13.2-ounce and 22-ounce ALPO Prime Cuts cans and 6-, 8-, 12- and 24-can ALPO Prime Cuts Variety Packs have four-digit code dates of 7037 through 7053, followed by the plant code 1159. Those codes follow a “Best Before Feb. 2009” date. This information should be checked on the bottom of the can or the top or side of the multi-pack cartons.

Importantly, no Purina brand dry pet foods are affected by the recall – including ALPO Prime Cuts dry. In addition, no other Purina dog food products, no Purina cat food products, Purina treat products or Purina Veterinary Diet products are included in this recall, nor have been impacted by the contaminated wheat gluten supply.

At Purina, nothing is more important to us than the health and well-being of the pets whose nutrition has been entrusted to us by their owners, and we deeply regret this unfortunate situation. We will continue to take any and all actions necessary to ensure the quality and safety of our products.

Please see our March 30 press release at www.purina.com for more information. A list of Frequently Asked Questions is shown below. If you have more questions or concerns, please contact our Office of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-218-5898.

Frequently Asked Questions –March 30, 2007


Q: Were you the “dry pet food manufacturer” the FDA referred to in its press conference?

No. None of Purina’s dry dog or dry cat food products are affected by the contaminated wheat gluten.


Q: Are any Purina dry products affected?

No. ALPO Prime Cuts in Gravy canned products and Mighty Dog pouch products manufactured by Menu Foods continue to be the only Purina products affected by this recall.


Q: When did you learn that you had received shipments of the contaminated product?

On Friday, March 30, the same day we announced our voluntary recall of ALPO Prime Cuts in Gravy canned dog food.


Q: Which of your production facilities produced the recalled product?

Nestlé Purina PetCare’s Crete, Nebraska, plant was the only facility to produce the recalled ALPO Prime Cuts in Gravy canned dog food product.


Q: Which other of your facilities produce ALPO Prime Cuts in Gravy?

ALPO Prime Cuts in Gravy is also produced at our Allentown, Pa., facility. However none of those products are included in the voluntary recall nor have they been impacted by the contaminated wheat gluten.


Q: When was the recalled product produced?

The recalled ALPO Prime Cuts in Gravy products were produced in mid February 2007.


Q: Exactly what ALPO Wet Dog Food items were affected?

Only ALPO Prime Cuts in 13.2oz, 22oz, and Variety Packs with the specific codes below are affected. No other ALPO Wet Dog items or ALPO Dry Dog Food items are included.

See the list of affected ALPO Prime Cuts items product codes on the list below. Do not feed the product if it has:

Four digit code dates of 7037 through 7053, followed by the plant code 1159

Above codes followed by “Best Before Feb. 2009” date.**

** Due to a product name change in early 2007, this voluntary recall also covers one item with the same date code labeled as ALPO® Prime Entrees in Gravy with Chicken, Rotini Pasta & Vegetables.


Q: How can you be certain that none of your other products contain the contaminated wheat gluten?

We have confirmed with our supplier that our Crete, Nebraska, plant was the only Purina facility that received the contaminated wheat gluten. We have a sophisticated traceability system that enables us to track all ingredients from time of receipt at our plant through their inclusion in finished products and on to our customers to which the finished products were shipped.


Q. What is melamine?

The FDA described melamine as a fertilizer used in Asia or as a plastic resin used in kitchen utensils and dinnerware. The FDA has not approved melamine for use in pet food. It should not be in pet food.



Q: Why do you use wheat gluten in your products?

Wheat gluten is a high quality ingredient that provides protein and produces the consistency and texture desired in our products. Unfortunately, in this rare case it was contaminated.


Q: Do you source wheat gluten from China?

Yes. Wheat gluten is a commodity ingredient sold on the global market. Only a minority of our supply originates in China. While the vast majority of our grain products and ingredients overall are sourced from the United States, wheat gluten that meets our specifications is not available in sufficient quantities in the United States.


Q: Are you still buying wheat gluten from this source in China?

No.


Q: Do you have any plans to discontinue the use of wheat gluten in your products in light of this latest development.

Wheat gluten has been a well-trusted and safe ingredient in both pet and human foods for decades. We have no plans to discontinue the use of wheat gluten in our products.


Q: Do you test your wheat gluten supplies for melamine?

It has not been our practice, nor the pet food industry’s standard to test ingredients for melamine. Melamine has no approved usage in food and – until yesterday - had not been identified as a known contaminant for any of our ingredients, including wheat gluten.


Our rigorous food safety and testing program is based on significant and likely risks for each particular ingredient, and we test every incoming load of ingredients, including wheat gluten.

We applaud FDA’s decision to institute a 100 percent review and sampling program for all wheat gluten imported from China.


Q. Is melamine harmful to pets?

The FDA is quickly working to understand any links between melamine and the reported pet illnesses.

[SistaHelen]

EMAIL UPDATE FROM NUTRO APRIL 2:

April 2, 2007

Dear Nutro Customers,

As promised, we are continuing to share any and all information and updates we have on the Menu Foods recall. It has been reported today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stopped imports from a Chinese manufacturing company whose wheat gluten tested positive for melamine, a substance that is now being linked to the Menu Foods pet food recall

Here are the key things to know about Nutro's products and how they are affected by this news:

All Nutro pet foods currently on store shelves are safe to feed your pets.

Nutro's dry pet foods do NOT contain wheat gluten.

Nutro's dry pet foods are NOT produced by Menu Foods.

NONE of Nutro's dry pet foods are subject to the Menu Foods recall.

For a list of Nutro products included in the recall, as well as further information about Nutro and how its products are affected by the Menu Foods recall, please visit www.nutroproducts.com or call 1-800-833-5330.

On Friday, March 30, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it detected the compound melamine in samples of Menu Foods' recalled pet food products. In addition the FDA indicated that the substance had been detected in wheat gluten sourced from a Chinese manufacturing company. Wheat gluten is an ingredient that had been used in the recalled pet food. Since the FDA's announcement regarding melamine and the Chinese wheat gluten, some pet food companies have recalled additional products. All Nutro pet foods currently on store shelves are safe to feed pets. Importantly, no Nutro dry pet foods contain wheat gluten.

Our team of customer care representatives is working diligently to respond to each and every email personally. We ask for your patience during this very unfortunate situation.

In addition, as we have always done, Nutro will treat its customers fairly and with compassion. Those who have suffered through an illness or death of their pet and feel a Nutro product in any way contributed to that illness or death should contact us directly through our Consumer Service Department at 800-833-5330. These requests will be resolved as quickly as possible and we apologize for any delays our customers may be experiencing when contacting us.

[Ilghaus]

Hill's --Hill’s Prescription Diet™ m/d™ Feline Dry Food

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.’s Update on Support Activities for Voluntary Recall
Topeka, KS ( April 1, 2007 )—Here is an update of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc’s recent activities in support of its voluntary recall of its single product: Hill’s Prescription Diet™ m/d™ Feline Dry Food:
Hill’s created a Veterinary Professionals Communications Center in Topeka , Kansas with 70 veterinarians who are placing outbound calls, e-mails and faxes to over 25,000 veterinary hospitals and clinics to inform them of the voluntary, single-product recall.
Hill’s is using the Veterinary Information Network, Inc. as a channel to notify veterinarians of significant developments.
In anticipation of consumer interest, Hill’s has opened a second fully-staffed call center and has received thousands of calls in the last 36 hours. It is our priority to help consumers understand that there is only one product in question: Hill’s Prescription Diet™ m/d™ Feline Dry Food.
Hill’s has dispatched a national team of over 250 customer delivery agents who are in the process of retrieving product from veterinary hospitals and clinics. The team is also providing information to veterinary professionals about the single product recall.
Hill’s is informing consumers to return the product for a full refund and to secure veterinarian advice.
Hill’s continues to fully cooperate with the FDA on its ongoing investigation. We deeply regret any concern that this has caused our valued customers.

We will provide future updates as information becomes available.

For more information, consumers can contact the company at 1-800-445-5777 or visit www.HillsPet.com for details.

[Ilghaus]

Possible new recall as of today.

Sunshine Mills Treats

Site is currently down. Possibly loading updated info.

Announcement made on at least one news service on TV that they may be putting a recall into effect later today. To be on the safe side if anyone uses this product just hold off until verification can be made.

[Ilghaus]

Sunshine Mills

It is now official.
Some of their sales outlets are
PetSmart
Piggley Wiggley
Some Dollar Stores
Wal-Mart
plus many other grocery stores and pet retail outlets.

Quote:
Some pet treats made by Sunshine Mills Inc. in a Red Bay, Alabama, plant in March are being recalled after officials found the company used wheat gluten that contained melamine, the company said today in a statement.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=aL5Dpv4c0rYU&refer=canada

[Ilghaus]

More on Sunshine Mill Recall

Recall -- Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Sunshine Mills, Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Certain Branded and Private Label Branded Dog Biscuits
Contact:
Media Inquiries
Earl Clements
(256) 356-9541, ext. 212

Consumer Inquiries
Mitzi Wammack
(800) 705-2111, ext. 117

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Red Bay, Alabama, April 5, 2007 -- As a precautionary measure, Sunshine Mills, Inc. ("Sunshine"), a branded and private-label pet food manufacturer based in Red Bay, Alabama, is voluntarily recalling a portion of its branded dog biscuits made at its Red Bay, Alabama biscuit plant during part of March 2007. These brands include: Nurture Chicken & Rice, Nurture Lamb & Rice, Pet Life Large, Pet Life Extra Large, Pet Life Large Variety, Pet Life Large Peanut Butter, Lassie Lamb and Rice, and Pet Life People Pleasers Dog Treats. Private label biscuits for six of Sunshine's customers were also affected. A complete list of affected biscuit brands, sizes, and codes is available below or at our website, www.sunshinemills.com. Sunshine's other biscuit brands and products that include small and medium sized biscuits were not affected. It is also important to note that dry dog and cat food and soft and chewy treats for dogs or cats manufactured by Sunshine are not affected and not included in this recall.

The company is taking this voluntary action of recalling the dog biscuits listed below after learning from the FDA that wheat gluten supplied to Sunshine from a specific manufacturing facility in China contained melamine. Melamine is a substance not approved for use in food. The FDA made this finding as part of its ongoing investigation into the recent pet food recall.

The recalled dog biscuits are marketed nationwide by many pet food retailers including the mass channel, traditional grocery, and pet specialty stores. No dog illnesses or deaths have been reported to date in connection with these dog biscuits. The recalled dog biscuits contain one percent or less by weight of wheat gluten.

Consumers should immediately stop feeding their dog the dog biscuits with the specified date codes and consult with a veterinarian if they have any health concerns with their dog.

Sunshine's products are 100% guaranteed. Consumers may receive the full replacement value of the recalled dog biscuits by returning them to the place of purchase or consumers may contact Sunshine's customer service number at (800) 705-2111 for further information about the recall and for other instructions on obtaining a product refund.

The safety and well-being of pets are Sunshine's utmost concern. We deeply regret this unforeseen situation.

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/sunshinemills04_07.html

[SistaHelen]

Thank you TJ, for keeping us all updated on the recall!  I for one do appreciate it very much.

*hugs*  Helen

[Ilghaus]

Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Food

Kibble recall

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/

Quote:
Please discontinue feeding all Venison and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food, and Venison and Green Pea Dry Cat Food.

We are working closely with the FDA.
We will update this website today, as more information comes available.

***************************************************
I just went to look at ingredient list -- no wheat glutton

From their site this quote: No soy • No eggs • No dairy products • No sunflower oil • No grains such as wheat, barley, corn and oats.

No clue what could be wrong.

[magolin]

Oh wonderful!  Now I'm even MORE glad I feed raw...

[Ilghaus]

WARNING ON RICE PROTEN/RICE GLUTEN

Another ingredient imported from China for use in pet food is now causing concern.

From DogAware:
Information on Pet Food Recall
Do not feed ANY dry food, canned food, or treats that contain wheat gluten or rice protein (rice gluten)!

Natural Balance has recalled their Venison and Brown Rice dry food, canned food and treats for dogs (as well as their Venison and Green Pea Dry Cat Formula) after receiving reports that it caused vomiting and kidney problems in a few dogs. This product does not contain wheat gluten, but they suspect that a rice protein concentrate ( http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/2007-04-17-premium-pet-food-recalled_N.htm )used in these foods was also contaminated with melamine.

http://www.dogaware.com/