Wednesday - March 26, 2008
Some Recalled Pet Foods Still Not Back in Stores
More than a year after the biggest pet-food recall began, sales of wet pet food continue to struggle, and many products still are missing from store shelves.
About 20% of recalled products, mostly wet foods, have yet to return, and 10% of recalled products have been discontinued, says PetSmart, the nation's No.1 pet-food chain.
While sales of dry food grow, sales of wet are still off about 25% from pre-recall levels, says Dave Bolen, chief merchandising officer at Petco, the No.2 chain.
Sunday - March 16, 2008
The Pet Food Recall: One Year Later, Has Anything Changed?
By Christie Keith, Special to SF Gate
Saturday, March 15, 2008
A year ago, Canada's Menu Foods announced it was recalling more than 60 million containers of dog and cat food sold in the United States. Although the name Menu Foods wasn't familiar to pet owners, the recalled cans and pouches bore the labels of dozens of the most familiar and trusted brands in the marketplace.
In the end, more than 1,000 brands of pet food were recalled over a period of about four months, and two chemicals, melamine and cyanuric acid, were blamed for kidney failure that killed thousands and sickened tens of thousands of pets from what came to be called melamine-associated renal failure.
Monday - March 10, 2008
The Hartz Mountain Corporation Recalls Vitamin Care for Cats Because of Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Mr. John Mullane
(914) 391-0943
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- March 7, 2008 -- The Hartz Mountain Corporation is voluntarily recalling a second specific lot of Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats due to concerns that bottles within the lot may have been potentially contaminated with Salmonella. Hartz is fully cooperating with the US Food and Drug Administration in this voluntary recall. Hartz recalled a specific lot code of Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats last November due to similar concerns. Both lot codes were manufactured for Hartz by UFAC (USA) Inc. in 2007, and were removed from distribution last November. However, bottles from the second lot had been shipped to customers prior to their having been removed from distribution.
Thursday - May 24, 2007
Feature Story - Pet Food Recalls
Never before has the pet-food industry been rocked by widespread contamination and rampant recalls. In all, more than 5,600 products by dozens of pet food makers have been recalled, from chain supermarket brands to prescription-only foods. This is a staggering number of products, and is unprecedented in this business.
Thursday - May 24, 2007
Dr. Jane's Corner - A Special Message
The past few weeks have been very difficult for pet parents. News of the food recalls has struck a raw nerve with millions of us – don’t mess with my family!
I understand the frustration of wanting to provide the very best for your animals, and not knowing where to turn. This is one of the big reasons behind my decision to become a product formulator.
Monday - May 14, 2007
Life's Abundance Premium Pet Foods
In recent weeks, pet parents have been rocked by
news of pet food recalls and contaminated ingredients. If you know of anyone
who’s been personally impacted, it’s important to let them know that
they do have options.
For nearly a decade, we’ve advocated the use of superior quality ingredients and holistic formulas that work to help improve pet health. Trilogy is proud to offer a full line of safe and healthy products to pet parents seeking a better way to provide exceptional nutrition for their companion animals.
For nearly a decade, we’ve advocated the use of superior quality ingredients and holistic formulas that work to help improve pet health. Trilogy is proud to offer a full line of safe and healthy products to pet parents seeking a better way to provide exceptional nutrition for their companion animals.
Thursday - May 03, 2007
U.S. pet food recall widens amid cross-contamination
A major pet food recall has expanded again as
manufacturer Menu Foods Income Fund revealed evidence of cross-contamination by
some cat and dog food pulled since
March.
About 8,500 complaints of related pet deaths have been reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by Thursday, but the agency said that only 16 deaths of cats and dogs have been confirmed.
About 8,500 complaints of related pet deaths have been reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by Thursday, but the agency said that only 16 deaths of cats and dogs have been confirmed.
Thursday - May 03, 2007
Senate backs standard pet food labels
Pet food labels would have to carry uniform
information about ingredients under a measure approved by the U.S. Senate on
Wednesday in response to recent contamination of dog and cat
food.
Now, manufacturers and states voluntarily implement various labeling standards to explain what is in pet food, supporters of the Senate effort said.
Now, manufacturers and states voluntarily implement various labeling standards to explain what is in pet food, supporters of the Senate effort said.
Friday - April 27, 2007
FDA agents raid pet food plant, offices
Federal agents searched facilities of a dog and cat
food manufacturer and one of its suppliers as part of an investigation into the
widening recall of pet products, the companies disclosed
Friday.
Food and Drug Administration officials searched an Emporia, Kan., pet food plant operated by Menu Foods and the Las Vegas offices of ChemNutra Inc., according to the companies.
Food and Drug Administration officials searched an Emporia, Kan., pet food plant operated by Menu Foods and the Las Vegas offices of ChemNutra Inc., according to the companies.
Friday - April 20, 2007
FDA asks if pet food tainted on purpose
Imported ingredients used in recalled pet food may
have been intentionally spiked with an industrial chemical to boost their
apparent protein content, federal officials said
Thursday.
That's one theory being pursued by the Food and Drug Administration as it investigates how the chemical, melamine, contaminated at least two ingredients used to make more than 100 brands of dog and cat foods.
That's one theory being pursued by the Food and Drug Administration as it investigates how the chemical, melamine, contaminated at least two ingredients used to make more than 100 brands of dog and cat foods.
Friday - April 20, 2007
Pet-food recall continues to widen
Fri Apr 20, 5:24 AM
ET
Royal Canin USA said on Friday it was voluntarily recalling all of its dry pet food products containing rice protein concentrate after it found a melamine derivative in some products.
Melamine is an industrial chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers.
Royal Canin USA said on Friday it was voluntarily recalling all of its dry pet food products containing rice protein concentrate after it found a melamine derivative in some products.
Melamine is an industrial chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers.
Thursday - April 19, 2007
Pet food recall widens
Thu Apr
19
Wilbur-Ellis Co. said on Thursday it was voluntarily recalling all lots of a rice protein concentrate its feed division had shipped to pet-food manufacturers.
Wilbur-Ellis said the recall was because of a risk that rice protein concentrate may have been contaminated by melamine, a chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers that can lead to illness or fatalities if consumed.
Wilbur-Ellis Co. said on Thursday it was voluntarily recalling all lots of a rice protein concentrate its feed division had shipped to pet-food manufacturers.
Wilbur-Ellis said the recall was because of a risk that rice protein concentrate may have been contaminated by melamine, a chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers that can lead to illness or fatalities if consumed.
Tuesday - April 17, 2007
Natural Balance Pet Food Recall
Bette BonFleur
Pet Sentinel
4-17-7
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) was informed today, April 16, 2007, that Natural Balance Pet Foods has received consumer Complaints regarding the Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food, and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Foods. The company does not know the Cause of the problems, but has received reports of animals vomiting And experiencing kidney problems. Although the company is stating That the problems seem to be focused on one particular lot, as a Precautionary measure, the company is pulling all dates of Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Food from The shelves.
Pet Sentinel
4-17-7
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) was informed today, April 16, 2007, that Natural Balance Pet Foods has received consumer Complaints regarding the Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food, and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Foods. The company does not know the Cause of the problems, but has received reports of animals vomiting And experiencing kidney problems. Although the company is stating That the problems seem to be focused on one particular lot, as a Precautionary measure, the company is pulling all dates of Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Food from The shelves.
Thursday - April 12, 2007
Tainted pet food still on shelves, FDA says
Contaminated pet food is still being sold at some
stores, U.S. health officials warned on Thursday after checking hundreds of
retail outlets.
The Food and Drug Administration said it had inspected about 400 stores nationwide and still found some dog and cat food products affected by last month's recall by Canada-based pet food maker Menu Foods Income Fund and other manufacturers.
The Food and Drug Administration said it had inspected about 400 stores nationwide and still found some dog and cat food products affected by last month's recall by Canada-based pet food maker Menu Foods Income Fund and other manufacturers.
Saturday - April 07, 2007
National Pet Food Recall Links
The Food and Drug Administration Pet Food Recall
page: FDA Pet Food Recall Home
Page
Note that foods other than those manufactured by Menu Foods are now being recalled. Refer to the pages at the links below for lists of currently recalled foods:
Del Monte Pet Products Recall Information
Hill's Pet Nutrition Recall Information
Nestle Purina PetCare Recall Information
Menu Foods Recall Information
Note that foods other than those manufactured by Menu Foods are now being recalled. Refer to the pages at the links below for lists of currently recalled foods:
Del Monte Pet Products Recall Information
Hill's Pet Nutrition Recall Information
Nestle Purina PetCare Recall Information
Menu Foods Recall Information
Saturday - March 31, 2007
Major pet food recall expands to dry food
A major recall of pet food in North America has
expanded to two more companies and now includes dry food for the first time,
U.S. federal health authorities and the companies
said.
The Food and Drug Administration said late on Friday it notified Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. that tests had detected byproducts of a suspect chemical in the wheat gluten it used to make Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food.
The Food and Drug Administration said late on Friday it notified Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. that tests had detected byproducts of a suspect chemical in the wheat gluten it used to make Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food.
Friday - March 30, 2007
Melamine in pet food, wheat gluten from China: FDA
U.S. officials said on Friday that melamine, a
chemical found in fertilizers in Asia and which should not be in pet food in any
amounts, has been detected in the wheat gluten used by Canada-based Menu
Foods.
The FDA said the wheat gluten in question came from a company in China, and was not known to be used in any human food yet.
The FDA said the wheat gluten in question came from a company in China, and was not known to be used in any human food yet.
Thursday - March 29, 2007
Kucinich Sends Letter to Pet Food Company Concerning Recall and Use of Poison in 60 Million Products
Washington, Mar 26 -
2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 26) — Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) sent a letter to the President and CEO of Menu Foods Income Fund, after learning the company had to recall 60 million cans and pouches of pet food.
Kucinich is a member of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus and has consistently been a staunch supporter of animal issues.
Menu Foods Income Fund has the ability to produce large quantities of pet food and distribute across the U.S. under trusted labels such as Iams, Eukanuba, Nutro and Purina. The recall has included pet food sold under 95 different brand names, causing considerable suffering to U.S. pet owners, with 16 pets dying from eating Menu Foods products so far.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 26) — Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) sent a letter to the President and CEO of Menu Foods Income Fund, after learning the company had to recall 60 million cans and pouches of pet food.
Kucinich is a member of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus and has consistently been a staunch supporter of animal issues.
Menu Foods Income Fund has the ability to produce large quantities of pet food and distribute across the U.S. under trusted labels such as Iams, Eukanuba, Nutro and Purina. The recall has included pet food sold under 95 different brand names, causing considerable suffering to U.S. pet owners, with 16 pets dying from eating Menu Foods products so far.
Friday - March 23, 2007
Toxin found in tainted pet food is used in rat poison
An ingredient used in rat poison that causes kidney
failure in cats and dogs and has been blamed for the deaths of at least 14
animals, was found in samples of Menu Foods cat food, New York State officials
said on Friday.
Aminopterin, a folic acid derivative used in rat poison, was discovered in samples obtained from the Ontario-based company, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said at a press conference.
Aminopterin, a folic acid derivative used in rat poison, was discovered in samples obtained from the Ontario-based company, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said at a press conference.
Friday - March 23, 2007
ASPCA Update
The ASPCA continues to monitor the pet food recall
situation, both through sick animals being admitted to its Bergh Memorial Animal
Hospital (BMAH) in New York City, as well as through cases reported to its
Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana,
Ill.
At this point, we do not have any overall statistics on the number of cases reported to the APCC that can specifically be connected to the ingestion of the contaminated foods. As has already been widely reported in the media, pets that become ill after eating these foods show signs of acute kidney failure. However, since pre-existing kidney disease may already have been present in some of these cases, drawing a correlation between this and the foods that are part of the recall is complicated at best. As the APCC continues to analyze the data on calls it receives (which number between 400-700 daily on a wide range of substances), the ASPCA will release any information that might be pertinent immediately.
At this point, we do not have any overall statistics on the number of cases reported to the APCC that can specifically be connected to the ingestion of the contaminated foods. As has already been widely reported in the media, pets that become ill after eating these foods show signs of acute kidney failure. However, since pre-existing kidney disease may already have been present in some of these cases, drawing a correlation between this and the foods that are part of the recall is complicated at best. As the APCC continues to analyze the data on calls it receives (which number between 400-700 daily on a wide range of substances), the ASPCA will release any information that might be pertinent immediately.