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	<title>Comments on: Natural Balance Recalls Food Due To Botulism Risk</title>
	<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815</link>
	<description>Essential news for cats, dogs and pet owners.</description>
	<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:59:04 +0000</pubDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2</generator>

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		<title>By: nicky</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-252764</link>
		<author>nicky</author>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:35:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-252764</guid>
		<description>Hello,

I would like to know if Natural Balance is now safe for pets?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I would like to know if Natural Balance is now safe for pets?</p>
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		<title>By: FDA Orders Shutdown Of Castleberry Food Plant &#124; Itchmo: News For Dogs &#38; Cats</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-131553</link>
		<author>FDA Orders Shutdown Of Castleberry Food Plant &#124; Itchmo: News For Dogs &#38; Cats</author>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:49:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-131553</guid>
		<description>[...] Foods produces Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs. (Natural Balance also recalled cans of Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs for possible botulism risk during the canned chili [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[&#8230;] Foods produces Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs. (Natural Balance also recalled cans of Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs for possible botulism risk during the canned chili [&#8230;]</p>
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		<title>By: 5CatMom</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38518</link>
		<author>5CatMom</author>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2007 11:18:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38518</guid>
		<description>Bill,

Thanks for the links.  I'll check them out.  If you find anything that's venison and green pea, please let us know.

I wrote emails to several companies last night.  Hopefully, one of them can create such a formula for highly alergic pets.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Bill,</p>
<p>Thanks for the links.  I&#8217;ll check them out.  If you find anything that&#8217;s venison and green pea, please let us know.</p>
<p>I wrote emails to several companies last night.  Hopefully, one of them can create such a formula for highly alergic pets.</p>
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		<title>By: Bill</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38399</link>
		<author>Bill</author>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2007 02:56:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38399</guid>
		<description>Regarding where to look for pet food not involved with a company that has had a recall, has no dealings what-so-ever with Menu Foods, Diamond or any of the others from the March recall days, and are not involved with multi-nationals, check out these two all Canadian Companies that are family run and almost everything is home grown in Canada

http://www.championpetfoods.com/

http://www.holisticblend.com/</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Regarding where to look for pet food not involved with a company that has had a recall, has no dealings what-so-ever with Menu Foods, Diamond or any of the others from the March recall days, and are not involved with multi-nationals, check out these two all Canadian Companies that are family run and almost everything is home grown in Canada</p>
<p><a href="http://www.championpetfoods.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.championpetfoods.com/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.holisticblend.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.holisticblend.com/</a></p>
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		<title>By: Trudy Jackson</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38389</link>
		<author>Trudy Jackson</author>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:27:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38389</guid>
		<description>I just ordered Lou Dobbs' book. Have any of You read it? Is it any good? I hope so.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I just ordered Lou Dobbs&#8217; book. Have any of You read it? Is it any good? I hope so.</p>
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		<title>By: 5CatMom</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38378</link>
		<author>5CatMom</author>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:04:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38378</guid>
		<description>Natur-hell Balance,

Don't know if this will help, but I found some canned venison and other game meats by Evangers.  

http://www.evangersdogfood.com/dog/gamemeats.html

It would be a great thing if another company would come out with something to replace NB's venison and green pea for allergic cats.
  
The only foods I've found are the Royal Canin ones, and Royal Canin has had their own recall problems.  However, my brother uses one of their dog foods for an allergic German Shepard, and he's had good luck with it.   

http://www.royalcanin.us/vetdiet/vetdietfelineprod.html</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Natur-hell Balance,</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t know if this will help, but I found some canned venison and other game meats by Evangers.  </p>
<p><a href="http://www.evangersdogfood.com/dog/gamemeats.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.evangersdogfood.com/dog/gamemeats.html</a></p>
<p>It would be a great thing if another company would come out with something to replace NB&#8217;s venison and green pea for allergic cats.</p>
<p>The only foods I&#8217;ve found are the Royal Canin ones, and Royal Canin has had their own recall problems.  However, my brother uses one of their dog foods for an allergic German Shepard, and he&#8217;s had good luck with it.   </p>
<p><a href="http://www.royalcanin.us/vetdiet/vetdietfelineprod.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.royalcanin.us/vetdi.....eprod.html</a></p>
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		<title>By: Sandy</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38374</link>
		<author>Sandy</author>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:45:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38374</guid>
		<description>Natur-hell Balance   Ask your vet to run a RAST test. It is a blood test that will show what your cat really IS allergic to. It may be many things.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Natur-hell Balance   Ask your vet to run a RAST test. It is a blood test that will show what your cat really IS allergic to. It may be many things.</p>
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		<title>By: Trudy Jackson</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38370</link>
		<author>Trudy Jackson</author>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:26:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38370</guid>
		<description>Jenny Bark , when You find out, please let Me know. thanks,</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Jenny Bark , when You find out, please let Me know. thanks,</p>
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		<title>By: Jenny Bark</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38332</link>
		<author>Jenny Bark</author>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:59:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38332</guid>
		<description>Lou Dobbs is suppose to expose something real big about our meat tonight at 6 pm on cnn.  I hope it's true.  Please pass the word around in case it is as big as they say.  Thank you.  Have to go, be back.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Lou Dobbs is suppose to expose something real big about our meat tonight at 6 pm on cnn.  I hope it&#8217;s true.  Please pass the word around in case it is as big as they say.  Thank you.  Have to go, be back.</p>
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		<title>By: 5CatMom</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38328</link>
		<author>5CatMom</author>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:41:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38328</guid>
		<description>Bill says: 

July 23rd, 2007 at 5:25 pm 

"How come at the FDA Hot Topics Pet Food Recall where is says updated July 23rd,there is no mention of the Natural Balance dog food recall.
The last entry is late May"

Bill, it's because the FDA are a bunch of morons.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Bill says: </p>
<p>July 23rd, 2007 at 5:25 pm </p>
<p>&#8220;How come at the FDA Hot Topics Pet Food Recall where is says updated July 23rd,there is no mention of the Natural Balance dog food recall.<br />
The last entry is late May&#8221;</p>
<p>Bill, it&#8217;s because the FDA are a bunch of morons.</p>
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		<title>By: 5CatMom</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38327</link>
		<author>5CatMom</author>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:35:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38327</guid>
		<description>Shana says: 
July 23rd, 2007 at 2:37 pm 

"How can we know what we are feeding our babies is safe?"

Shana, 

I'm assuming you don't have a special needs kitty, and therefore have limitied choices, but here goes (and I don't mean to sound like a broken record):

1.  You can improve your odds by NOT using food from companies that have EVER been involved in a recall.  Even though a specific food has not been recalled, if other foods by that company have been recalled, then don't use their food - any of it. 

Here's why.  Within a PF company, the common denominator between their foods is the management team.  Managers that creates quality standards for one food create quality standards for the other.  The only difference is packaging and marketing hype.   

2.  You can improve your odds by not buying brands that are "made" by multi-national, publicly held corporations. 

The customers of such companies are their stockholders and NOT pet owners who buy their food.  Their top priority is the bottom line of their P&#38;L statement, so they want to sell the cheapest food for the highest price.  "High quality" and "healthful" are words used by their marketing departments.

3.  You can improve your odds by avoiding companies that refuse to answer your questions with facts.

Call the company and ask them who makes their food, what is their testing protocol, how do they qualify their suppliers.  Ask to speak to their quality assurance manager.

4.  You can improve your odds by avoiding companies that delegate their manufacturing and quality assurance to contract companies. 

Just to name a few, Menu Foods, American Nutrition, and Diamond are all contract companies that provide food to the BIG BRANDS.  Apparently, contracts between the parties were not robust enough to prevent tainted ingredients or substituted ingredients from contaminating the brand.

Companies that are serious about food MAKE THEIR OWN.  Let's face it, not everyone should be in the pet food business.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMHO, there are no perfect foods.  We can only try to manage the risk by being informed consumers.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Shana says:<br />
July 23rd, 2007 at 2:37 pm </p>
<p>&#8220;How can we know what we are feeding our babies is safe?&#8221;</p>
<p>Shana, </p>
<p>I&#8217;m assuming you don&#8217;t have a special needs kitty, and therefore have limitied choices, but here goes (and I don&#8217;t mean to sound like a broken record):</p>
<p>1.  You can improve your odds by NOT using food from companies that have EVER been involved in a recall.  Even though a specific food has not been recalled, if other foods by that company have been recalled, then don&#8217;t use their food - any of it. </p>
<p>Here&#8217;s why.  Within a PF company, the common denominator between their foods is the management team.  Managers that creates quality standards for one food create quality standards for the other.  The only difference is packaging and marketing hype.   </p>
<p>2.  You can improve your odds by not buying brands that are &#8220;made&#8221; by multi-national, publicly held corporations. </p>
<p>The customers of such companies are their stockholders and NOT pet owners who buy their food.  Their top priority is the bottom line of their P&amp;L statement, so they want to sell the cheapest food for the highest price.  &#8220;High quality&#8221; and &#8220;healthful&#8221; are words used by their marketing departments.</p>
<p>3.  You can improve your odds by avoiding companies that refuse to answer your questions with facts.</p>
<p>Call the company and ask them who makes their food, what is their testing protocol, how do they qualify their suppliers.  Ask to speak to their quality assurance manager.</p>
<p>4.  You can improve your odds by avoiding companies that delegate their manufacturing and quality assurance to contract companies. </p>
<p>Just to name a few, Menu Foods, American Nutrition, and Diamond are all contract companies that provide food to the BIG BRANDS.  Apparently, contracts between the parties were not robust enough to prevent tainted ingredients or substituted ingredients from contaminating the brand.</p>
<p>Companies that are serious about food MAKE THEIR OWN.  Let&#8217;s face it, not everyone should be in the pet food business.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<br />
IMHO, there are no perfect foods.  We can only try to manage the risk by being informed consumers.</p>
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		<title>By: Bill</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38322</link>
		<author>Bill</author>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:25:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38322</guid>
		<description>How come at the FDA Hot Topics Pet Food Recall where is says updated July 23rd,there is no mention of the Natural Balance dog food recall.
The last entry is late May</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>How come at the FDA Hot Topics Pet Food Recall where is says updated July 23rd,there is no mention of the Natural Balance dog food recall.<br />
The last entry is late May</p>
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		<title>By: susan</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38264</link>
		<author>susan</author>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:09:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38264</guid>
		<description>Has anyone had any problems with the new Beneful prepared dog food?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Has anyone had any problems with the new Beneful prepared dog food?</p>
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		<title>By: Shana</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38232</link>
		<author>Shana</author>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:37:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38232</guid>
		<description>I bought some NB canned cat food on 7/18 Wed. It was the seafood one with the Blue label.  I gave my boys half of the can. The next day one or both of my cats got sick several times. I didnt think anything of it and gave them the rest of the can on Fri 7/20. Some time before Sat morning someone got sick again.  With all the recalls and this latest one even though It doesnt include cat food. I am afraid and frustrated. How can we know what we are feeding our babies is safe.  I can not make their food myself, I dont have the time or resources to make sure it is done properly and balanced. I just want someone to step up to the plate and do what it takes to make sure the food they are selling is safe.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I bought some NB canned cat food on 7/18 Wed. It was the seafood one with the Blue label.  I gave my boys half of the can. The next day one or both of my cats got sick several times. I didnt think anything of it and gave them the rest of the can on Fri 7/20. Some time before Sat morning someone got sick again.  With all the recalls and this latest one even though It doesnt include cat food. I am afraid and frustrated. How can we know what we are feeding our babies is safe.  I can not make their food myself, I dont have the time or resources to make sure it is done properly and balanced. I just want someone to step up to the plate and do what it takes to make sure the food they are selling is safe.</p>
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		<title>By: Trudy Jackson</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38230</link>
		<author>Trudy Jackson</author>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:26:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/natural-balance-recalls-food-due-to-botulism-risk-1815#comment-38230</guid>
		<description>Well, guess what just happened to Me? And I thought I was being so careful. First, remember I lost 3 cats to food and one very sick dog? also i live where I can't get much in the pet food . so, I am trying to make homemade for the cats and dogs. I also give the cats some canned because I want to make sure they get enough vitamins. 
I have a cat who is 20 years old. She was at the vets last week, because she won't stay hidrated. She has an appoiment for this Fri. to have some bad teeth out. So, she is on antibiotics, and I give Her fluids every day. I bought Her a can of Friskies, the  special diet for urninary problems. as i opened the can and gave it to Her, I saw something black in it. So I looked all through the food and pulled out this funny black peice of plastic. At least it looks like plastic. I took the food away from Her and put the piece in a baggie. What in the world is going on? This cat has lived to be 20 and now some strange thing in Her food? What is it, I wonder? I hate the PFI. I am so upset I feel like screaming and crying at the same time. Haven't We all been through enough? My God, this cat has made it to 20 , i'd like for Her to keep on going. So, they are Still putting things in the food. and no one gives a damn, and no one is going to stop them. I'm going to go out of My mind.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Well, guess what just happened to Me? And I thought I was being so careful. First, remember I lost 3 cats to food and one very sick dog? also i live where I can&#8217;t get much in the pet food . so, I am trying to make homemade for the cats and dogs. I also give the cats some canned because I want to make sure they get enough vitamins.<br />
I have a cat who is 20 years old. She was at the vets last week, because she won&#8217;t stay hidrated. She has an appoiment for this Fri. to have some bad teeth out. So, she is on antibiotics, and I give Her fluids every day. I bought Her a can of Friskies, the  special diet for urninary problems. as i opened the can and gave it to Her, I saw something black in it. So I looked all through the food and pulled out this funny black peice of plastic. At least it looks like plastic. I took the food away from Her and put the piece in a baggie. What in the world is going on? This cat has lived to be 20 and now some strange thing in Her food? What is it, I wonder? I hate the PFI. I am so upset I feel like screaming and crying at the same time. Haven&#8217;t We all been through enough? My God, this cat has made it to 20 , i&#8217;d like for Her to keep on going. So, they are Still putting things in the food. and no one gives a damn, and no one is going to stop them. I&#8217;m going to go out of My mind.</p>
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