Itchmo: News For Dogs & Cats

156 Responses to “Menu Foods Expands Recall — Again”

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1. Louie says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 6:10 pm

   Hey FDA,

   What the H _ _ L are YOU doing? Are you waiting for US to point you to the wheat gluten?

   What about all the corn gluten that may be causing problems? Have you tested any Beneful today?

2. 2CatMom says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 6:11 pm

   From Nutro’s website:

   All Nutro products on the shelves
   in retail stores are safe to feed your pet.

   Liar, liar, pants on fire.

3. 5CatMom says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 6:26 pm

   Everyone,

   Please go to FDA’s website and get the phone number for your state’s consumer complaint coordinator. Call them and read them the riot act.

   I just called mine in Kansas, used the emergency number, and just
   raised H _ _ L. Are you waiting for poor Sandi to tell you where the rest of the wheat gluten went? What’s the matter with you people? All MENU products need to be recalled.

   Tell your FDA person WE DEMAND to know what MENU makes. Quit dribbling the information out a few products at a time and at the end of the day.

   I’ve left the coordinator 3 messages this week and NO ONE has called back.

   Did you see that MENU FUNDS stock info from Rocky. MENU is down
   3.59%, then the press release hits.

   What a debacle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. Andrea R. in Missouri says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 6:35 pm

   For God’s sake!

   What are we supposed to feed our animals? I give up. I was off the computer for all of an hour and log back in to find this news. A person can’t afford to sleep these days or they run the risk of poisoning their pets.

   I’m putting on my raincoat and heading out to Wal-Mart to buy a food processor to make some cat food with. I already have a ton of chicken leg quarters in the freezer and a ton of rice in the pantry. It won’t kill them to eat that until I can get a good recipe that meets all their nutritional needs.

5. Steve says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 7:04 pm

   Menu Foods’ director Robert W. Luba, used to be the president of Safety Kleen, a hazardous and industrial waste collection company.

   Check out these violations:

   * Exceeding the permitted feed rate of cadmium to the incinerator
   * Storing used oil fuel (VFS Distillate) from the Safety-Kleen East Chicago facility in the fuel oil tank and burning it in the incinerator when the incinerator did not meet all of the operating conditions for burning hazardous waste
   * failing to record the location of each container accepted in the container storage areas, and track these wastes in real time so that their location is known at any time
   * Accepting pyrophoric wastes
   * Placing incompatible wastes or materials in the same container and failing to document any evaluation of the compatibility of the absorbent with the liquid
   * Failing to retain the data recorded by the PI archiving system for at least three years
   * Failing to maintain systems to automatically cut off hazardous waste feed to the incinerator at a pH of less than 6.2 in the second stage packed tower effluent
   * Failing to retain a copy of a manifest at the facility for at least three years
   * Failing to analyze the slag for methanol daily until analyses showed the treatment standards had been achieved for seven consecutive days after methanol was detected at a level above the treatment standards
   * Entering the wrong generator name, address, and phone number on manifests accompanying wastes shipped by Safety-Kleen (Aragonite), Inc. for off-site treatment, storage, or disposal

   http://tinyurl.com/2rjo84

6. Joan Steik says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 7:22 pm

   Thank you, Itchmo, for your speedy reports on the Dog & Cat food recalls.

   I personally am stunned at this last recall - makes you wonder what’s next on their evil list.

   All good wishes,
   Joan Steik

7. 5CatMom says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 7:25 pm

   Thanks Steve,

   He sounds like real Quality Assurance Engineer.

   Since he obviously doesn’t one end of his production line from the other, can you find out what his backgound is?

   That “dock to dock” stuff can be a bit confusing.

8. Rocky says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 7:35 pm

   Hazardous and industrial waste?

   Well, he’s working at the right company, for sure.

   Hey MENU FOODS stockholders, when was the last time your directors had a QC audit?

   Now that he’s destroyed your company, you guys really need to give ‘ol Bob the boot.

   Maybe he can go start his own company - MENU FOODS JUNK DISPOSAL COMPANY

9. Trudy Jackson says:
   April 10th, 2007 at 7:38 pm

   Thank you so much again for letting us know what’s going on. I’m going crazy here with My rescue and all my dogs and cats. Every day there is something new. I lost 3 cats in Jan. Very unusual, 2 seemed to waste away in no time. I had to have them put down they were so bad. One had a cancer of the kidneys? i’ve never had any of this happen. They were eating Purina One and friskies, so none of that has been recalled. But do you think the dry Nutra natural choice is alright to feed? that’s what i have for the cats. And for the dogs We have Purina Kibbles and Chunks. thanks so much for being here. Trudy Jackson

10. dulcinea47 says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 7:38 pm

    What on earth can be their purpose in dragging this out? You can’t tell me their records are so bad they just now figured out where the wheat gluten went.

11. Carol says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 7:44 pm

    Thank you Itchmo..I must check this web site on the hour ..I know I will get up to date info..Thank you…I am getting to the point of being afaid to feed any dog food to my dogs…Some thing needs to be done NOW…this is just getting ridiculous

12. Beryl says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 7:51 pm

    For goodness sakes how many foods need to be recalled before consumers wake up to the fact that we do not need the pet food industry. Pets have thrived on HUMAN food (scraps) for centuries. Just don’t feed bad stuff (cooked bones, grapes, raisins, garlic and ONIONS) and our pets will be just fine.

    Temporary losers will be the pet food industry and (sadly) those who work for them. To survive, the pet food industry with get with the program and provide quality products.

    Also, why doesn’t the FCC look into the “coincidental” stock dumping done by the CEO of Menu Foods? Is it a coincident that the stock dumping corresponds with the delay in Menu Foods reporting their tainted food?

    I think not. This guy may need to spend some time in jail.

13. johnypaycut says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:07 pm

    Trudy,
    allmost all of the marketed foods are dangerous.. purina is no exception.
    the existance a cancer in a pets kidneys is evidence of a long term toxin.
    i would offer this advice? a meat diet is far better for cats and dogs. there
    are vitamins and nutrients that you’l find require a bit of research..
    i have been feeding a processed diet, as im still learning what is ok make
    and feed? i’ve had good luck with innova, and chickensoup for (dogs,or cats) soul thats seems to be ok for now.. if you’r really tight for $$$, try
    Triumph in wet or dry.. try a web search for holistics foods, read the labels
    shoot for 1st.2 ingredients MEAT, avoid grains.. and by-products ..
    if you’v got a animal that has any kidney issues? don’t use 50% protein
    food, stay at 40% or below, and low ash , and phosporus..
    they’r a few foods that are ok.. my cat is being introduced to Nature variety wet food it’s 95% meat 5% vitamins and minerals lots of WATER
    drys lack water.. both dog and cat require liquids , dogs require less protien..
    good luck ,johnypaycut

14. SMITH111 says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:11 pm

    DO NOT PURCHASE ANY PET FOODS MANUFACTURED BY MENU FOODS.

    HOPE THIS LINK WILL HELP YOU DECIDE WHAT TO PURCHASE:

    http://www.thepetfoodlist.com/

15. Hope Valenti says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:14 pm

    My cat died March 11. He ate Nutro Max Cat Gourmet Classics savory hunter’s stew with duck before he died. Not just once, but probably a slow death, since I bought cases of this. I went back to Petsmart after he died to make sure that this brand was not recalled. When I was in Petsmart the Nutro rep was there, and he got really upset with me about asking questions about this. I was ASSURED this was NOT recalled nor affected. When I asked Petsmart for a list of everything I bought there, I was told I had to ask corporate and they would send me a list. Well after doing all this, hours of my time, all Petsmart sent back was a list that said one case of Sophistocat could be on the recall that I also bought. They missed the point -I wanted all my purchases, and now I am told to get this I need a notorized letter to get MY purchases to protect my privacy. I am not a rocket scientist, but I was smart enough to know immediatelly when they found out it was wheat gluten that was contaminiated, to not feed any of my pets food with that. How come it takes almost a month later, and now they recall the same stuff I asked about around March 12? This is pathetic, no one answered any of my questions, yes I called the FDA, and they called me back. No one can answer how they arbitrarily picked the Dec. 3 original recall date. I know they knew about this sooner, but because of the money involved and cost, they procrastinated. How did the govt. not pull all wheat gluten items off the shelves when this happened? How could Menu and these other companies wait a MONTH to do this recall? My best friend died from this, I loved my cat with all my heart, and it pains me to think what I was feeding him is now on this recall for sure. SHAME on this government for not getting information out sooner, they in my minds are guilty. My pet did not decide what he got for dinner, I did and I will always have to live with that and the fact these companies did not act in good faith and do the right thing IMMEDIATELY…..they knew where that wheat gluten came from, and knew before this those other foods had it also. Why would they keep it on the shelves and let other pets get sick?

16. 5CatMom says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:20 pm

    Folks,

    Very important that you contact the Company if your pet gets sick after eating their food. Tell them you have some new and useful information.

    It’s becoming clear that no ones where the gluten went - so all they have to go on is anecdotal evidence.

    Sandi’s experience proves this to be the case.

    I’ve called Purina several times, and can usually get through. Their number is 1-800-223-9485.

17. johnypaycut says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:23 pm

    Trudy,
    another thing? if you’v lost animals to kndney disorders WATER and proper levels of vitamins are things you can try and provide , i’ve runa web search on kidney problems try it.. they’r lots of web pages with lots of info.
    i lost my cat 3yrs back to kidney failure thats a price to pay , but from it i
    learned reams!! you need to keep any animal with bad kidneys hydrated?
    means adiquite liquids? and oils.. and vitamins.. lower protein is thought to
    help, but dry foods are less than 20% water, thats a death sentence ..
    my cat died ’cause some scumbag vet told me a couldn’t save her? he “prescribed” hill diet.. (screw him). do the required reading trudy?
    namy people swear by a raw meat diet in a cuse of kidney failure..
    and they’r right! it’s saved many animals.. go runa search on the web?
    sincerly ,johnypaycut

18. susan says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:27 pm

    All I can say is… thank you to Itchmo and Petconnection. Where would most of us be without you?

    Menu foods - shame on you. We all know you are reading these posts…. shame on you!

    ITCHMO ADMIN NOTE: Menu Foods visited at least 11 times today.

19. 5CatMom says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:27 pm

    Hope,

    Your U.S. Senators need to hear your story so they can get involved.

    Senator Durbin will probably just yell at the FDA representatives. He could use some help.

    The dufusses in Washington need to write a law or two.

20. Martin says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:35 pm

    FDA - stands for F****** DUMB A****

    DO SOMETHING YOU IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!

21. Rocky says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:35 pm

    In my opinion, there are no safe foods, other than the natural/organic/holistic ones.

    The wheat came into a few manufacturing companies and went into the bin. Then EVERY PRODUCT

22. Knitty says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:35 pm

    Hope, I’m so sorry about your cat.

    I’m glad your raising some h__l about this. Everyone should tell the food manufacturers and the FDA exactly what they think about this, but your voice will be heard louder, at the expensive of a member of your family.

    ___
    A big THANK YOU to the people at Itchmo for getting vital information out quickly.

23. Susan Pike says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:57 pm

    it’s all about money or why did the CEO sell he stocks before the recall we done???
    Well I think they have lost a lot of business now.
    Would you trust them again with your pet’s life?? I know I wouldn’t
    so I’m looking for another way to feed my cats
    Susan

24. Andrea R. in Missouri says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:59 pm

    Well, I am home from Wal-Mart another hundred bucks or so poorer. Sixty bucks for a food processor, about ten bucks for freezer containers to put the pet food I prepare in, and then of course the ingredients to make the food with.

    I think that even though this was not money I could afford to spend that I will be far better off in the long run financially and my pets will be far better off healthwise. After all the leg quarters, liver and brown rice I bought cost far less per pound (totaled and averaged) than the commercial pet food I’ve been buying.

25. Andrea R. in Missouri says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 8:59 pm

    I forgot to mention that I stopped by to speak with the manager when I arrived. They had not yet heard about the latest recalls.

26. Julie says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:03 pm

    IMPORTANT: CHECK YOUR PET TREATS!

    What to feed your pet? Stop using anything that has GLUTEN in the lable. There are still many different products on the shelves that do not contain GLUTEN (those should be safe) - READ YOUR LABLES.

    My kitty’s sick and I found that all her treats - about 6 out of 7 different ones all had Gluten. Her Iams dryfood did not. It was the treats that got her! She hasn’t had a lick of water in 6 days.

    ALSO MORE IMPORTANT: I took her to the vet for blood work. It came back normal. The vet said this does not mean she is not sick. If the kidneys are starting to fail it won’t show up until there is 40% involvement. So those who take their pets in for blood work “think” they just got a clean bill of health are given a false sense of security and continue to feed their pets the toxic food! By the time the animal is in full distress it may be too late to save them. (This process can happen in mere days!) DO NOT RELY ON BLOOD WORK ALONE. YOU MUST TAKE URINE AND BOWEL SAMPLES - Those test are more accurate and can detect the toxin earlier than in the blood.

    I pray for all the cats and dogs today….this is just starting to hit the fan.

27. Elisabeth M fromSC says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:05 pm

    Ttchomo’s Thank you for all your info I am so glad that i stopped all the softfood on my own ,when my Jack Russel was getting red eyes and we could not find out why and no Medication did not clear it up.I stopped all the dog food and cooked Oatmeal and Hamburger meat for him and his eyes cleared up.Whis i had safedsome of that food to have it tested.Thank you and please send me more info as it comes in .
    Elisabeth Miller From Simpsonville S.C.

28. Mommy of 3 pets and trying to keep them healthy . says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:20 pm

    DON’T WE ALL KNOW the cat and dog food manufactures need the money so they must keep it quite if anything goes wrong in processing the pet food. They don’t give a hoot about the pets, GREED,GREED, GREED, only the money.
    Haven’t we all heard some eldery eat these pet foods? Are they getting sick with kidney failure and dying too?
    Somebody shoud be checking into this.

29. Rocky says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:20 pm

    Sorry about that. My Cat stepped on the key board.

    For new bloggers,

    In my opinion, there are no safe foods, other than the natural/organic/holistic ones.

    Here’s why:

    The wheat came into MENU’s plant and went into the “wheat gluten bin”.

    Then, EVERY GLUTEN PRODUCT THAT MENU MADE, cans, bags, treats, whatever, got some of the tainted gluten.

    What products does MENU make? They’re all contaminated.

    Also, some of the gluten went to Purina. I know this because, last week, their recorded greeting refered to “the gluten we received from ChemNutra”. So every gluten containing product made by Purina is contaminated.

    Is your food safe? That depends on WHO made it NOT WHEN IT WAS MADE.

    Here’s the bottom line: If your food was made by a company whose other foods have been recalled, IT’S NOT SAFE.

30. Trudy Jackson says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:24 pm

    Thank you, Johnypaycut! I will look for something different. i’m thinking about raw anyway. thanks, Trudy

31. Tim says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:39 pm

    Sounds Like Nutro and a few others has been paying FDA off….to keep there mouths SHUT !!!!!!!!Hummmm

32. 5CatMom says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:40 pm

    Andrea,

    Good for you for letting the manager know! You probably saved some pets tonight.

33. 5CatMom says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:43 pm

    To ITCHMO,

    Can you please post the name and number of the lab that did Sandi’s testing.

    God Bless Sandi. She did her best to save her cat and to notify other owners. Without her test results the Nutro recall would not have happened.

34. Judy Boone says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:44 pm

    I am so ticked off at all the greedy pet food companies –they have yet to act resposibly — notice they are not using TV ads or News Paper ads to warn pet parents how they are killing our kids- I am mom to my two dogs and my cat along with feeding ferals –so far I am feeding Fancy Feast canned –Nine lives dry and Canned –Fancy Feast dry and Purina One for seniors(cat)Pedigree canned and Purina Turkey Dry (dog) I have returned some many things and I am still worried I have called the companies that make these and was assured these were safe I’m still afraid every time I feed my kids— why is our Gov.allowing these companies to use third world countries products — $$$$$$ -bet no one is penalized or fined –the parents who have sick (or worse) kids should sue EVERY co. involved

    Thank God for Itchmo!!
    Judy Boone
    Ft.Worth
    TX

35. Jess says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:48 pm

    If your cat has kidney problems work with your vet to find out the best way to make sure it stays hydrated. You can over work the kidneys with too much hydration if the cat is sick. If there is a chronic problem you should learn how to give sub-q fluids. Make sure the vet does not give you Sodium Chloride to use for the fluid because it is too much salt for the kidneys to process. You want Lactated Riggers or Normasol.

    I have a cat with bladder struvite problems and any sort of stress used to make him obstruct. When I know we are doing something stressful (moving recently, going to the vet, having a lot of company) I give him fluids to prevent a problem and keep him flushed out. He has not had a blockage in over 3 years!!

36. Jess says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:49 pm

    I just called Nestle (purina’s owner) and they are not able to provide a list of foods that are made by Menu, just the ones that they have pulled off the market.

    I want a list of EVERY food they make, not just the ones that have problems!!

37. juli says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 9:59 pm

    Most importantly, my heart hurts like h–l for each of you who have lost a pet or has a sick pet. I am so saddened by the fact that all these animals are suffering, some without medical attention.

    Thank you for the info, Julie. Before the recall I took my 10-year-old (rescue) dog for routine bloodwork and everything was fine. I did not know more testing was required but I will take care of that. He was eating canned Pro Plan but no more. I am so confused and don’t know that I’m doing right but I now make his food by boiling hamburger (buy it when its jut been reduced) and chicken along with maccroni, rice, sweet potatoes or carrots. Before I serve it to him, I add a cup of cottage cheese. I have tried every wet and dry organic foods that I can find for him but he will not touch them. Neither will he eat his vitamins. He weighs 96 pounds so it takes a lot of food.

    My problem lies with the colonies of feral cats that I feed on a daily basis. I feed Purina Kitten Chow along with 9 Lives canned food. I feed at least 20 cats every day and it gets quite expensive. Does anyone know of a dry organic food that will not cost me any more than I’m already spending?

    I will never intentionally buy another product that is manufactured by Menu Foods.

    This is the most wonderful web site for pet parents! Thank you for all your time and effort you are putting into it. I really appreciate the email updates.

38. Lynette says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 10:16 pm

    Andrea - if you want to make your own cat food, there are good recipes at
    www.catinfo.org
    and
    www.catnutrition.org

    I’ve been using those recipes for two years now.

    another option is to use the Feline Instincts supplement sold be Feline Future - just add it to fresh ground or chopped meat and liver
    www.felinefuture.com

39. Evy says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 10:20 pm

    to ITCHMO ADMIN

    Thank you for our first good chuckle in posting how many times Menu Foods has visited the site. Between me and Tracy, we just about LIVE on your site. We have probably ‘visited’ about 100 times a day at least.

    Thanks for keeping us up to date on whassup. Your non-biased journalistic professionalism is appreciated.

40. Deb says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 10:28 pm

    I own a pet boutique and took my two dogs on vacation over the Easter weekend. In my rush to pack, I didn’t include any chews for the dogs so I stopped into a Petsmart in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While I was searching for something healthy (U.S. rawhide, wheat-gluten free chews, products without artificial colors, flavors and preservatives like BHA, BHT and Ethoxoquin) I finally found a package of U.S. made bully sticks from a company that I trust.

    As I was paying for them the clerk asked me if I had their store card. I asked her if the company contacted all the customers that used this (pet perks?) card to purchase recalled food. She told me that they just waited for everyone to come in and buy more and then they notified them. I was appalled.

    These companies (Petco, Petsmart, grocery stores, etc.) all collect personal information including emails and phone numbers. The card must be presented at each purchase or they won’t give out their discounts. Yet, when something comes along that KILLS their customers’ animals, they forget to call?

41. Martin says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 10:56 pm

    Accutrace Testing in Arlington, TX can test for the toxins in the food.

42. Martin says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 10:58 pm

    ps. Here is the ph # 800-224-9551

    www.accutracetesting.com

43. Patricia Dougherty says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 11:18 pm

    Call me paranoid, but I still think we will find out that the contamination was earlier than December. I lost three cats beginning in July, all with the same symptoms of lethargy and not eating. I force fed my cats Eukanuba and Neuto packets. My little dog died in November with the same symptoms as the cats, she loved to eat the cat food packets. I also force fed my diabetic cat the same food I have switched to brands that do not contain any corn or wheat gluten, Wellness and Nature. I had to mix the two because in Hawaii, the supplies are sometimes limited. If I need to force feed, I feed them baby food.

44. 5CatMom says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 11:21 pm

    Martin,

    Thanks so much for the lab info.

45. Tracy says:
    April 10th, 2007 at 11:40 pm

    Sam-Life’s Abundance uses Menu foods.

46. Ronda says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 12:06 am

    Quote Deb: “These companies (Petco, Petsmart, grocery stores, etc.) all collect personal information including emails and phone numbers. The card must be presented at each purchase or they won’t give out their discounts. Yet, when something comes along that KILLS their customers’ animals, they forget to call?”
    Deb, that is so right on. I’m going to go to my local pet stores first thing tomorrow. Even though I don’t buy any food (homecook for 3+ years - my pup has an auto-immune disorder), I still have bought toys and bird stuff at petco & petsmart. Depending on what kind of response I get, could be the last of my business they get.

47. Martin says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 12:13 am

    5CatMom

    I had some treats from Sunshine Foods that they tested. Fortunatally it was negative. But, what about the next bag???? Is it ok???
    We cant have every bag tested prior to feeding it to our pets. That should be up to the companies that place their label on the package.
    All existing foods should be taken OFF THE MARKET. They should make new batches under supervision with required testing before they are allowed back on the shelves.
    The people at the accutrace lab were very helpful and understanding.

48. Andrea R. in Missouri says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 12:28 am

    Thanks to Lynette for the links to pet food recipes. I’m going to check them out right now.

49. lee lutz says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 1:06 am

    Thank you all for your information. Certainly the FDA has hidden so much that is lethal. I am disgusted and old enough to remember when they could be trusted. This is a government that is an oligarchy and not for the protection of the citizens. I am tracking the treats as so far , the dry science diet for dogs has not appeared on the lists. The treats are the ones that are so hard to track since they have so many names.

50. Valerie says:
    April 11th, 2007 at 1:08 am

    This is just getting to be very big and so upsetting!
    I have fed my 11 or so sighthounds Pro Plan for too many years. When this started I switched them to Merrick now I am mixing in Eagle Pack Holistic. Purina can take their rebate checks and stuff them.
    As I was heading into Walmart tonight to pick up coffee I saw 2 carts coming out with Beneful bags, yes, I stopped them and told them they are feeding poison to their dogs and I am sure they thought I was nuts but I hope they think about it. A good friend of mine told me today her sisters doggy died of recalled foods and now her cat is ill and she was on Science Diet prescription, yes the recalled one! I just can’t imagine how she feels and I feel so sad for all the loved pets that were poisoned. I take the notices into a small pet supply store for the owner too. She is just stunned and doesn’t know what to leave on the shelves!
    I’m sorry this is so long.
    Please tell everybody about these foods. I visit Itchmo several times a day!
    Also as a note, my dogs have started cleaning up their bowls now and they seem to be extra spunky! Smart puppies!

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