Recall Update: Thursday
Is tainted food maker in China back in business? Binzhou posts new ad on June 12.
Recall-Related News:
- Analyst says Menu Foods future is “cloudy at best.”
- Investors believe Del Monte is poised to take business from Menu Foods.
- Pet owner issues a challenge to the FDA on acetaminophen testing.
- Regarding report of melamine in Country Value brand in Korea: FDA spokesperson says they are “not aware of any South Korean lab or the Korean government having contacted the FDA with respect to analytical findings.”
PFI attacks ExperTox’s reputation. ExperTox stands by findings.
“Through our contacts in Texas, which is where the lab is located that conducted the analysis, we have learned there is genuine concern among key toxicological and analytical experts about the lab and the actual test results,†Gallagher said.
The Lab Manager for ExperTox told us today that her company stands by its finding.
Expertox’s Donna Coneley also said she doesn’t have any idea what Texas experts Gallagher and PFI are talking about.
“They never name the experts they’re working with,†Coneley said. “When someone says ‘people I know say this,’ it sounds to me like they’re trying to say there are experts who have looked into this and don’t agree with the findings. But I don’t believe there are.
“To me, it sounds like they’re talking about imaginary experts,†Coneley said.
Coneley said the only experts her lab has worked with about the findings are those with the FDA. In fact, she told us she had the FDA on another line during our interview today.
“The pet food manufacturing companies have had ten-minute discussions with us about how we did our tests,†she said. “But they’re not experts.
Union of Concerned Scientists says FDA is not taking scientific concerns seriously:
The FDA mission statement calls for “helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.” Unfortunately, scientists at the agency are concerned that science no longer plays this crucial role in the FDA’s regulatory decisions.
Independent science must be the driving force for decisions made by the FDA. Based on the survey responses from FDA scientists, it is clear that the agency needs to demonstrate a greater respect for independent science and improve both the transparency and accountability of its decisions.
Testing Your Own Pet Food?
Here’s our guide to making sure your test results are as accurate and trustworthy as possible. Share your test results with other pet owners and coordinate testing in this thread in our forums.
Add Itchmo New To Your Site: Keep other pet owners informed with recalls and other pet news with our widget. The widget will update automatically with the latest headlines. Get it here.
Check out our non-recall news below. And as always, we’ll keep covering all pet news.
Also, if you have questions or need help, try our ItchmoForums. Get your questions answered by great pet owners.
(Thanks for the tip Rebecca and menusux)
June 14th, 2007 at 7:10 am
I wish I could get every penny back of my money that ever went to fund the FDA. Their reaction is more victimizing to me than the initial poisoning as they are turning a blind eye. The FDA obviously wants all of this to go away. They would much rather all of us stay “ill-informed”. An informed public is much more dangerous to them than keeping us in the dark. Because of their recent handling (mishandling is more accurate) of the pet food recall and recent “human” food recalls, the FDA has proven they are understaffed, uneducated and completely ill-informed. It would not surprise me to find this a cover up as it has become too big for them to handle. The incompetence is overwhelming since this all began. I see nothing more than bumbling idiots running around with their heads cut off as they just don’t want to deal with this anymore. It is vital to keep this in the press and I still will forward news stories to my local affiliates and newspaper just hoping to keep this alive. I am amazed at how quickly the “aminopterin” lab got “shut up” after they still were standing by their results. How could something show up so blatantly and then “be a mistake” We all think now the results of the FDA are the ones with the incorrect results.
June 14th, 2007 at 7:21 am
Kudos to ExperTox for standing their ground. I’m moving from the view that FDA is a hapless group of incompetents that are easily manipulated by business interests to the view that they are shameless whores of business interests and will do anything to protect them. And if PFI thinks that innuendo about ExperTox’s methods and reputation will divert attention from these test results and the disgraceful actions of the manufacturers involved, it just proves once more that they think we’re all stupid and will believe anything. If I were one of the powers that be at ExperTox, I’d demand a full accounting from PFI about their “experts” while simultaneously filing a lawsuit for libel.
June 14th, 2007 at 7:31 am
This is the email I sent to Sen Durbin.
“My family and pets have been vitimized again. The FDA has decided to “stand down” as far as testing of acetaminophen. You should read the “Summary of the FDA Scientist Survey” from 2006 Union of Concerned Scientists.
The decision that their (FDA)test results are correct and “anybody who disagrees is incorrect” is so absolutely ridiculous. Who’s to say their reults are wrong. The FDA wants to minimize this as it has become so out of control—well if I find more than melamine in my 17 packets of pet food in my freezer, you will hear my name as I will make such a stink—I plan on testing the food from different labs as soon as I pay off my vet bills. The unfortunate part of all this is the fact that my cats may still get sickened as I do not believe it for one minute that this issue has been resolved. The melamine has supposedly been in there for years, my cats ate the same food for 10 years and all of a sudden–Acute Renal Failure in both cats—with my vet saying they were poisoned—aminopterin –acetaminophen—I can believe—melamine that they’ve been eating for years—I doubt it now. I’m sorry to sound so upset but the last 4 months I have spent every morning trying to find the latest safe food so my family doesn’t lose 4 beloved members due to someone’s incompetence (FDA) or GREED (pet food suppliers and companies)”
I doubt he’ll read this but hope if enough people send him info he’ll get back on the FDA.–Carol
June 14th, 2007 at 7:39 am
“Union of Concerned Scientists says FDA is not taking scientific concerns seriously”
When has the FDA taken any science seriously under this administration? This is the most anti-science administration we’ve ever had.
June 14th, 2007 at 8:14 am
Menu Foods made a fatal flaw when they bypassed the need to properly handle this crisis at the level of the pet owner and instead just tried to assure their account holders - BIG MISTAKE.
If pet owner issues have not been properly handled (dealing timely, honestly, and directly with issues of illnesses, deaths, compensation, trust, communication, etc..) then pet owners will just refuse to buy product from those account holders that continue to use MF - and that is now what is happening.
I urge all of us to continue to BOYCOTT against all those that need boycotting and continue to put the SQUEEZE on everyone. These multi-nationals will soon realize that dropping MF won’t be enough - it will be just a beginning - the first baby step in a long process towards truly caring about all animals and manufacturing safe, high quality healthy food for pets. That needs to happen first - it needs to be a true, sustained effort, and it needs to be quantified. Then -only then- will pet owners even consider whether or not to revisit some of these products.
Until EVERYONE starts taking the idea of animal health and welfare (no more testing), safety, quality, and optimal pet nutrition seriously, we will just find a way to safely and nutritiously feed our own pets - we don’t need this poison and low quality #$%^ that has been pawned on our animals.
WE DON’T NEED YOU!!!!!!!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 8:22 am
“That company’s fall from grace in the pet food industry, he said, may prompt other companies to begin using Del Monte as a contract manufacturer.
“Numerous pet food companies such as Procter & Gamble, Colgate and Nestle-Ralston used Menu Foods in contract manufacturing and are seeking excess capacity,” he said. “Del Monte has it and thus is in a unique position that is likely to be additive to earnings for some time.”
This too is a fatal flaw - until DM deals with their own horrendous products, buying out MF will be a catastrophe for them as well. We won’t buy their filthy products just we have refused to buy from MF, P&G, C&P, etc…ALL your names are associated with low quality, unethical practices, low QA & QC, unsafe foods, inhumanity, greed, and a long list of expletives.
June 14th, 2007 at 8:26 am
“Through our contacts in Texas, which is where the lab is located that conducted the analysis, we have learned there is genuine concern among key toxicological and analytical experts about the lab and the actual test results,†Gallagher said.
This is SOOO typical nowadays. They’ve read the Karl Rove handbook on how to handle a situation when you can’t “kill” the message–you go after the MESSENGER instead!
So, PFI, you can make a shadey statement, but you can’t list ONE factual reason why we should be “concerned” about ExperTox.
On the other hand, I’m sure we can come up with many reasons why we should be concerned about what PFI says/does. For starters you’re in the back pocket of the pet food manufactoring industry!
June 14th, 2007 at 8:36 am
FDA, PFI, DM, MF, P&G, C&P, etc…: ALL of you who have harmed our pets by your continuing actions and inactions:
Guess What? WE HAVE GOT YOUR NUMBER…we know the who the real liars, incompetents, and losers are - just look in the mirror.
June 14th, 2007 at 8:48 am
The notion that “you can’t fight City Hall” is long gone thanks to us loud mouthed baby boomers. My parents generation took the government at face falue but through the years we have smartened up and realize that the government SERVES the public so the PUBLIC needs to be involved. Agencies had gotten used to business as usual—but the tide has changed. My tax dollars pay for these agencies and personnel so they have to listen to the taxpayers. It is probably unpleasant for them now but it can’t be any other way. This reminds me of my very first job many years ago—they taught us just enough to do most of our job—they didn’t want us to know everything as that would be dangerous. Fortunately times change and now is the time to keep on our governement agencies and officials to demand that things be done correctly with full disclosure. We need to demand disclosure whenever the new “positive” test results are “proven” false. The FDA can not hide behide anyone. The PFI can not hide behind undisclosed results. Taxpayers have a right to see this information.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:10 am
From the ExperTox home page:
http://www.expertox.com/
“ExperTox is a certified federal small business contractor”
“Certification/Accreditation:
“FDEA–Federal Drug Enforcement Agency
“Department Health & Human Services”
(BTW-FDA is part of HHS)
Here’s an Itchmo link to PFI’s Texas Connection and what the doctor had to say about the pet food crisis BEFORE joining the PFI “National Pet Food Commission”:
http://www.itchmo.com/read/fda.....ment-28649
His interview did anything but reflect the PFI line of most food being safe. Here’s another Itchmo link which shows just how much PFI is doing to assist PF customers in choosing safe foods:
http://www.itchmo.com/read/fda.....ment-28666
None of the relevant links on the PFI site for non-industry work.
If the industry can’t see they are paying SmithBuckin, Duane-o and his band of boobs $ for doing nothing to represent them in a favorable light, they love to be cheated. Continuing to pay membership in PFI is also not going to make any possible federal charges re: selling adulterated and misbranded food disappear either. So the question is: why are all of you providing corporate welfare to PFI?
June 14th, 2007 at 9:16 am
I continue to be horrified, but not surprised, by the blatant “in your face” behavior of the FDA, PFI and other megacorporations. I DO NOT, for one minute, believe the FDA. They are trying hard to make this whole problem not their problem. I wish there was a way to designate where our tax dollars went . . .
I am a retired teacher who is paying off thousands of dollars of vet bills for my 11 year old cat who suffered ARF in November. She’s alive but has major health issues with a “guarded” prognosis. And I still don’t know whether the food I’m feeding her is safe!
This is one American who is terribly ashamed of her government, starting at the White House on down . . . and hoping that the “crazy pet parent bloggers” can help to turn things around.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:18 am
“In March, after several pets had died from the tainted “cuts and gravy” food, Menu was forced to initiate one of the continent’s biggest-ever recalls. About 60 million cans and pouches of wet pet food were affected.
The trust, which faces 90 class-action lawsuits over the poisonings, lost $17.5 million in its first quarter, a period that included half a month of the recall, which began March 16.”
After several pets died?? Several?? - how do these journalists or anyone for that matter reconcile several or even the oft quoted 16 deaths with over 90 class action lawsuits?? C’mon folks - use the small brain that has been god-given to put it together. This is NOT about a few deaths from a few tainted cans of pet food.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:27 am
2.33
Menu Foods stock as of right now - I love to watch the line plunge, plunge, plunge…let’s keep up the good work - CONTINUE TO SHARE YOUR OPINION OF MF, P&G, C&P, FDA, PFI, DM, ETC…..
June 14th, 2007 at 9:33 am
catmom5,
I am with you my 2 cats are on the road to recovery and I worry everyday as i feed them if I am doing more damage with what I am feeding trying to avoid PF. I hate not being able to trust anything, they both seemed to be having acid reflux again and I freaking out not knowing if the new bag of cat food I open about 2 weeks ago is bad, if the wild salmon, or boiled chicken is bad, or if they are just having another relapse symptom. I cannot afford to have every bag of food i buy tested before I use it. Sorry for ranting but this has been a stressful week with still no hope in sight.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Ive been reading the assessment info posted over at Pet Connection (which by the way appears to be down this morning for some reason) I keep seeing over and over, FDA asking questions of 6 experts. Over and over the 6 experts say additional testing is needed. Over and over FDA’s response says the experts agreed and the findings were appropriate. From what Im reading thats NOT what the experts were saying. FDA says their findings are valid and then say additional suggested considersations will be evaluated. Talk about spin!
Its the same thing we keep hearing from FDA over and over. Everythings fine, you crazy pet-parents (in my case ex pet-parent), just go bury your little heads in the sand. Nothing new hear to report, move on.
All this has done is convince me that there is even more out there that they dont want us to find out hence the obvious attempts to cover up info and intimidate labs that find damaging evidence. Shame on you FDA and PFI. And by the way Duane Eckedahl, I hope you lose your job real soon. Because of you more pets have died, all in the name of your bottom line, the almight dollar. I hope there is some zealous lawyer out there that sues both FDA and PFI.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:40 am
TAKE THE PLUNGE MENU FOODS! WHEN MF IS DEAD - THEN OUR PETS WILL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN…..
Menu Foods continues its downward slide, falls another 15%
Menu Foods Income Fund (MEWu/TSX) is down another 15% on Wednesday, after dropping more than 25% Tuesday on news the company had lost a major contract with one of its top customers.
According to Cormark Securities analyst Aleem Israel, Procter & Gamble canceled its contract for Menu’s “cuts & gravy” style pet food product.
P&G accounted for 11% of Menu’s 2006 “cuts & gravy” revenues and 20% of the company’s overall sales.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:41 am
We have the power of the dollar and of the vote. We do not have to pay people to poison us and our pets or to protect the interests of business. As long as we remain firm in our position to put these criminals out of business and to put everyone who ever worked for Bush out of a job we can prevail. The most important thing now is keeping the pressure on and getting out the word. I read daily of cats and dogs dying and I don’t even think their owners considered their food. Most people think the recall was a one time thing in March and that it is over. It will never be over for some of us.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:41 am
Sandi, I think they’ve already stuffed Duane into the closet. Kurt Gallagher seems to be wearing the idiot hat in the interim.
Frankly, I hope ExperTox sues the shorts off Kurt & his band of spin doctors.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:42 am
NEXT WILL BE THE HEADS ROLLING AT FDA AND PFI - THEY ALL NEED TO BE GONE AND SOON…
June 14th, 2007 at 9:44 am
I would not feed one more morsel of any pet food again. After losing my cat to 9 lives wet food, my dog is on home made food exclusively.
They can all go out of business as far as I am concerned!
June 14th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Serious miscalculation by all these losers on the will of pet owners and the love of our pets and what we will do to protect and nurture our animals or, if needed, to exact unrelenting vengeance on those who have done and continue to do harm by their actions and inactions.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:53 am
Menu Foods executives cash in prior to food recall
KEITH MCARTHUR
June 12, 2007
Top executives at Menu Foods Income Fund were granted more than $1-million in bonuses weeks before the company initiated a massive recall of tainted cat and dog food. According to a document filed last week with securities regulators, the company’s top five executives received $1.2-million in bonuses on Feb. 12, with respect to the company’s 2006 performance. On March 16, Menu foods recalled 60 million containers of pet food after it learned that animals were suffering kidney failure and dying after eating the food. MEW.UN (TSX) fell 1 cent to $4.09.
I think we need some slick lawyers to go after these guys personal bonus’s - to me, this proves that they knew what the deal was. I have no doubt now.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:53 am
“This whole pet-food thing has been a PR nightmare for everyone, and some steps have to be taken, even though it’s been found that Menu Foods is not at fault.”
………………
It’s a PR nightmare because MENU FOODS CAUSED ITS OWN NIGHTMARE by not recalling foods as soon as it knew pets were dying! I hope they go down big time. [>>].
Have the Canadian stock trading authorities started to investigate Mark Wiens, CFO of Menu Foods, about selling his Menu stocks?
If DelMonte Pet Foods thinks it’s going to pick up where Menu Foods left off, it’s in for a HUGE SURPRISE! It’s not only Menu, but DelMonte as well, who dodged my questions on March 30, telling me they didn’t know or couldn’t say where their ingredients came from and couldn’t say “because the focus of the investigation might change again” when they were scrambling behind the scenes and KNEW they were going to do a recall the next day. That CS rep was scrambling and didn’t know what to say until she let the cat out of the bag. So, they were following the practice of — if the investigation shifts from one ingredient to another, we can breathe a sigh of relief and hope the recalls pass us by.”
THAT is the kind of business practice that angers customers and turns them away for good with no hope of redemption. It’s the greed to want to squeeze every cent out of customers when pets were dying when they knew they had tainted products on the shelves — that’s what angers customers and causes them to boycott all DelMonte products. Right then, I knew I would never buy another DelMonte Pet Foods product or DM human food product again. Yes, I have all the names of the DM products printed that I am avoiding.
My cat (kidney disease now) used to eat 9 Lives canned cat food (made by DelMonte, for those who don’t know) all his life. He vomited predictably every 7 -10 days, sometimes a few days in a row and sometimes a few times a day. My *former* vet said he just had a sensitive stomach like her cat. When I switched away from 9 Lives canned cat food on March 30th, my cat has vomited only ONE TIME (1) in 75 days — that’s once in 75 days due to a hairball!!! His fur is no longer clumpy, matted, and sticky feeling as it was from around November till the end of March, and he’s playing more like a kitten! What a positive change in my cat! My dog that died in Feb. used to eat Snausages treats made by DelMonte Pet Foods. Well, Snausages are off my list, too, because of the answers DelMonte gave me. I would never feed my new puppies Snausages because I’m finished with DelMonte for good. My pups are getting cubed cooked liver and chicken for treats.
As far as the FDA… The FDA is CORRUPT and WORKS FOR BIG BUSINESS AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES TO GET AND KEEP PRODUCTS IN THE MARKETPLACE — NOT FOR THE SAFETY OF CITIZENS, which is its stated goal!
FDA SCIENTISTS WHO CARE ABOUT SAFETY AND TRUTH IN TESTING ARE FLEEING WORK AT THE FDA. YES, THOSE WITH ETHICS, JUST THE ONES WE NEED, ARE LEAVING!! ANY FDA SCIENTIST WHISTLE-BLOWERS OUT THERE? Does your government pension mean more than doing the right thing and divulging what you know? You could be saving lives every day! Any large private ethical corporation would welcome your honesty and pay you top dollar for your skills, and you would go down in history for helping to change how our federal agencies, big business, and the government operate!
Read the survey and narrative responses in PDF format from the FDA scientists who divulge that they have been approached by upper-level management (who are closer to politics) to alter results in their reports and not disclose information about the dangers of products.
THIS PRESSURE TO WORK FOR BIG BUSINESS IS WHY PETS WILL CONTINUE TO DIE!!
LINK IS BELOW:
“Summary of the FDA Scientist Survey†from 2006 Union of Concerned Scientists. Read the links listed in green for the survey questions & answers and very candid narrative responses from FDA scientists.
Taken from the article:
“Of the 997 FDA scientists who responded to the survey, nearly one-fifth (18.4 percent) said that they “have been asked, for non-scientific reasons, to inappropriately exclude or alter technical information or their conclusions in a FDA scientific document.” This is the third survey UCS has conducted to examine inappropriate interference with science at federal agencies.”
http://www.ucsusa.org/news/pre.....sured.html
June 14th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Our government agencies do not change. I’m another old-timer, so this is one of those stories again. Back in the early 70’s (1st oil crisis), they were looking for alternatives to oil. A wonderful agency called the Atomic Energy Commission had the brilliant idea they could use tiny nukes out west to “liberate” enough natural gas to not need fuel oil anymore. A leading scientist named Dr. John Gofman, a medical physicist around since the Manhattan Project went public describing the injuries/illnesses that low level radiation would cause. The AEC thought they could ruin him by rumor and innuendo. However, the man’s credentials were too good and the AEC ended up looking like absolute morons, and still do to this day. Smooth move, FDA. Why would you think that trick would work this time? You already look like a bunch of morons. No more, please, you’ve convinced us.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Another thing in the assessment is experts saying no long term studies have been done to show whether cancer might arise. Ive been seeing quite a few posts lately here and on Pet Connection about pets being diagnosed with cancer. I hope its not due to the pet food but I think its a real possibiity that we could be dealing with.
And one expert also said that allergy type symptoms should be considered. I remember before our cat died, that she had real watery eyes off and on and no one could ever figure out why. Is this a coincidence? I wonder if any other folks out there noticed anything similar with their pets?
June 14th, 2007 at 9:59 am
I just tried to call the Pet Food Institute. I asked for Kurt Gallagher who is the spokesman for PFI that issued that disingenuious quote attempting to cast doubt on ExperTox. After being put on hold I was told that he was in a conference call and sent into voicemail. I then called back and asked to speak to someone about PFI-and was told that Mr. Gallagher was the only one. I want to know 3 things:
1) Who are the “key toxocological” & “analytical experts” that you refer to as your “contacts in Texas”?
2) What is the “genuine concern” you have about the lab?
3) Who provides your funding?
If anyone else would like to try to find the answers to these questions here is the contact info:
202-367-1120
email- info@petfoodinstitute.org
http://www.petfoodinstitute.org/contactpfi.htm
we need to remind them that they list “promoting the overall care and well-being of pets” ABOVE “representing the pet food industry before federal and state governments” on their own website-
http://www.petfoodinstitute.org/whatispfi.htm
June 14th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Way to go Rick!
June 14th, 2007 at 10:03 am
2.310 from 2.33
MF stock change in 2 minutes…
June 14th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Go Get ‘Em Rick - Be Relentless!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Sandi K
I hate to say it but my vet said almost every animal that come into her office anyore seems to have cancer, she feels this is going to be the long term fallout of all the survivors.
Also, I notice geisha eyes were really wet the other evening, i thought it was just because she gets upset sometimes when I leave the house. HMMM now i am going to pay more attention.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:28 am
I am not a scientist & certainly do not claim to be but let me jot down my thoughts on this latest “finding” from the FDA & anyone is welcome to correct me.
If you (FDA “scientists”…..& I use that term loosely) are out to validate findings of acetaminophen in pet food that ExperTox found, would you not test the same food? I know, how silly of me to ask that question. I just read that the pet owners refused to allow the samples to be removed from ExperTox & it was AFTER the FDA’s testing that they even contacted the lab…..which leads me to believe that they were testing random samples of pet food but obviously not the same ones as ExperTox had tested. Excuse me? I’m afraid this doesn’t validate anything except perhaps that the FDA has their heads (collectively) up their patooties.
The sad part of this is that pet owners, not following this like we are, will now believe the FDA & keep on buying pet food off the shelves. After all, isn’t the FDA out there to insure our food safety? The only thing they are insuring is that all the powers that be will get a six figure job with the PFI after they get thrown out of their jobs, which won’t be soon enough for me.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:29 am
Sandi K, KiKi–
Thanks for the support! I hope others are contacting them as well-I sent an email. Will update if/when I get response. Anyone else who contacts them sould post their experience & response.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:30 am
PFI and Galllagher reveal your contacts and prove the statement below or face a slander law suit.
I have the resources to do this, you have 2 days.
“Through our contacts in Texas, which is where the lab is located that conducted the analysis, we have learned there is genuine concern among key toxicological and analytical experts about the lab and the actual test results,†Gallagher said.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Doug,
you wouldn’t happen to have the resources to get criminal charges filed on the various players would you . . . ?
June 14th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Important Stay-Safe Alert: Counterfeit Colgate Toothpaste Found in US:
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/sto.....paste.html
CBC-June 14, 2007
“The Colgate-Palmolive Company said Thursday that five-ounce tubes of counterfeit toothpaste sold in discount stores in four U.S. states under a Colgate label are being recalled because they may contain a poisonous chemical.
“MS USA Trading Inc. of North Bergen, N.J., the importer involved in the initial recall announcement, said the toothpaste may contain diethylene glycol, a chemical found in antifreeze.
“The company said the toothpaste, imported from South Africa, was sold in discount stores in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. “Made in South Africa” is printed on the box and includes Regular, Gel, Triple and Herbal versions.
“The trading company said the problem was discovered in routine testing by the FDA. It said no illnesses have been reported to date. The same chemical has led to the recall of several brands of toothpaste imported from China in recent weeks.”
SA news says they turned up on their shelves too and from the discrepancies in the labels, appear to be counterfeit Chinese imports.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:41 am
yep, contaminated toothpaste - this is just the tip of the iceberg. I have no doubt that most of our products are tainted.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Another part of the article on Consumeraffairs.com says this:
A spokeswoman for Menu Food said the company had no comment on ExperTox’s findings. But spokeswoman Sarah Tuite told us: “The Pet Food Institute (PFI) has provided comment.â€
http://www.consumeraffairs.com.....all57.html
Menu Food is using PFI as their “sheild” to keep themselves as far away from it as they can.
PFI should be doing more testing and investigating before they rush to provide cover for a pet food company by attacking an independent lab.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Hundreds of dogs and cats have been made sick by tainted pet food, and recent nationwide recalls of pet foods have left millions of pet owners deeply concerned with the food industry’s ability to ensure the safety of its products.
Visit American Humane’s website and tell Congress to pass the Human and Pet Food Safety Act of 2007>>
Even before the recent pet food recall, bacterial outbreaks were discovered in several human foods, such as spinach, tacos and peanut butter. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 76 million people suffer from food poisoning each year. Without more trustworthy regulation of the nation’s food supply, both humans and pets will remain vulnerable.
In response to growing concerns across the nation, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) recently introduced the Human and Pet Food Safety Act (H.R. 2108). This bill would establish critically needed mandatory federal standards to ensure the safety of the nation’s food supply.
Specifically, the bill would:
* give the FDA the power to order mandatory food recalls;
* establish mandatory processing and ingredient standards;
* require more inspections of domestic and international food processing plants;
* create a warning system to identify contaminants early on;
* enable the FDA to work with veterinarians and public health officials to uniformly disseminate information about food contamination and update recall lists on the FDA website; and
* require food processing companies to maintain records and make the records immediately accessible to the FDA upon inspection.
Most importantly, the bill would also allow the FDA to fine companies that neglect to report possible contamination.
Send a message to your member of Congress at American Humane’s website>>
Thank you for helping make a difference on this important issue!
Michael Lawley,
Care2 Campaign Team
P.S. If you cannot see the links in this email, please visit: http://go.care2.com/e/sapd/JKej/rCmH
Care2.com, Inc.
275 Shoreline Drive, Suite 150
Redwood City, CA 94065
http://www.care2.com
Click here to sign.
https://secure2.convio.net/aha/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=439
June 14th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Sandi,
My shep puppy who is a year old is having eye problems…watery eyes, gook in them. She did eat the poison food months ago..along with my other doggies. She is the only one with eye problems. She never had this problem before. BUT–we live in Arizona and it could be from all the dust, dirt and crap in the air.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:11 am
I am so disgusted with the FDA, PFI and all else. i’m getting really worried about this. I’m going to call and write letters again today. we need answers. Now. And the vet who said He couldn’t tell us what pet food was toxic? Don’t vets, like Drs. have to a sign a paper saying -will do no harm? this is harming pets. We could be feeding the wrong food. Beneful keeps advertising on My TV. It almost killed my dog, and I can’t stand to watch it on TV.
And yes, one of My cats was diagnosed with cancer and put down. It was so quick, one day He was fine and then all of a sudden this. It doesn’t make sense to Me. And I know there are pets dying every day. That is the horrible truth about all these lies.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Re: DelMonte foods.
I posted yesterday that the DelMonte food plant in Portland, OR was raided by ICE and detained over 160 illegal workers. The working conditions were horrible, and some of the detainees were taken for medical attention.
These companies not only use cheap, poisonous ingredients to make more money, they hire illegals deliberately! The illegals work for low pay and won’t squeal on the company about working conditions, because they don’t want to be deported!
I think this is the right link——
www.kgw.com/news-local/stories.....fff56.html
June 14th, 2007 at 11:14 am
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200.....e/us_china
June 14th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Re: DelMonte hiring illegals–
If I stole someone’s identity, it is a federal offense and I could go to federal prison!
The illegals and those aiding and abetting them, are victimizing those whose identities they have stolen. 90% of those workers in that plant were illegal?! Many of the identities stolen were from senior citizens!
DelMonte and the REST of these greedy companies that con’t care diddleysquat about humankind or their pets need to be put out of business.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:25 am
I don’t really see where DM is going to be any better than MF. Once they get all the additional orders, they will start out doing the right thing (maybe) & then slowly but surely go down the tubes & become just another MF under a different name.
Personally, I wouldn’t feed any canned food to my dog. Feeding her 1/4 c of dry is scary enough but at least the remainder is people food. Of course, with the FDA being the ones responsible for the safety of our food, I don’t even know that people food is good for her or any of us for that matter. It’s a very sad situation when you can’t trust any of these organizations that are supposed to be there for the people & our pets…..none of them represent anything more than covers for the PF manufacturers.
I guess their work won’t be done until people are dying in huge numbers. Then there won’t be any more pesky, hysterical, off-the-wall pet parents. How nice for them.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Sorry, that last post should have read “covers for PF companies” not manufacturers.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Just a note on Snausages. I had a partly used bag in my cupboard, at the beginning of the poisonings. I completely switched to home feeding and making dog treats. So about, three weeks later, I picked up the Snausages to throw them out. The bag was puffed up full of air or gas of some kind. This was carefully tied up in a plastic bag and put in the garbage. I think these Snausages were fermenting in the bag.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:34 am
ATTENTION: PET FOOD INSTITUTE & KURT GALLAGHER:
I HOPE YOU END UP IN COURT BECAUSE…
I JUST **CALLED & EMAILED EXPERTOX** THE SLANDEROUS QUOTE
THAT KURT GALLAGHER, SPOKESMAN FOR THE PET FOOD INSTITUTE
SAID ABOUT EXPERTOX, INC.!
I just called and emailed Expertox the quote from Kurt Gallagher, spokesman for the Pet Food Institute, about the PFI casting doubt on Expertox’s findings. I told them to forward my email to their CEO and LEGAL DEPARTMENT & lawyers. I also told them we are behind Expertox, know their results are valid, and thanked them for testing the pet food.
Do YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Call ExperTox about this. Don’t pester them with hundreds of calls because they do not have any customer service representatives, and they do not list email addresses on their site, but we (some of us) should let them know we are outraged over what the PFI said about them and stand behind them. ExperTox will get the idea of how widespread the quote and how it could potentailly damage their reputation and may pursue legal action.
ExpertTox Home Office
ExperTox Laboratory Services
1803 Center Street
Deer Park, TX 77536
Phone: 281-476-4600
EXPERTOX should SUE the PET FOOD INSTITUTE and KURT GALLAGHER for saying unsubstantiated things about ExperTox.
I say SUE SUE SUE. Expose the Pet Food Institute for its unsubstantiated claims, trying to discredit Expertox and potentially ruin Expertox’s reputation.
SUE the Pet Food Institute and all its members!
Gotta love the power of the Internet and the power of the people! Speak out everyone!! We’re making changes and creating waves!! Speak against wrongdoing for our dead pets and those still struggling to survive. I’m sick of the corruption and lies, and I will make every wave, make that TIDAL WAVE, that I can!
Some of you here, please call Expertox and tell them what is being said about their lab and findings. I do not want to give out the worker’s email to whom I spoke.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:38 am
I forgot to add that ExperTox seemed unaware of the quote from the Pet Food Institute that is casting doubt about the lab’s results.
Let me proudly say that EXPERTOX IS AWARE OF IT NOW!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 11:46 am
IS THE FAKE BLOOD OLD NEWS? For anyone who didnt know…
First pet food, then toothpaste, now fake blood found in China
By AUDRA ANG
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BEIJING - Chinese authorities are investigating the widespread sale of fake blood protein to hospitals and pharmacies in China, state media reported Monday.
A newspaper reported one death from receiving the fake albumin, but authorities have not said whether anyone has fallen ill. A drug company salesman was detained.
http://www.chieftain.com/business/1181628269/5
June 14th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Awesome!! I hope PFI gets disbanded. It is nothing more than a bunch of pet manufacturer cronies -same as the whatchamacallit - AAAthingamajig that has no power or authority or experts (one employee) who so called certifies that pet food is to standard - although of course there IS no standard.
THIS WHOLE THING (FDA, PFI, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH) IS NUFFIN BUT A DECK OF CARDS (IF THAT) THAT THE “WINDS” OF THE IRE OF PET OWNERS WILL JUST DESTROY AND DEMOLISH - ALL CREDIBILITY, RESPECT, TRUST, AUTHORITY - YOU ALL HAVE LOST IT ALL!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 11:49 am
purringfur
Way to go! I hope others are contacting the Pet Food Institute as well!
June 14th, 2007 at 11:50 am
DON EARL: YOU’RE THE BEST!!!
“FDA ACETAMINOPHEN CHALLENGE”
found on Don’s site: www dot petfoodrecallfacts dot com
Thank goodness the pet owners were astute enough NOT to allow the poisoned samples to leave ExperTox’s property!!
June 14th, 2007 at 11:55 am
“Gotta love the power of the Internet and the power of the people!”
Yep, a new day has dawned - people and companies will actually be held accountable or held in disdain, as power of the people will begin to influence things. As long as we are steadfast and relentless…we will prevail, one way or the other.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:58 am
State Agriculture Field supervisor just left with pet food for testing - and at no charge.
http://itchmoforums.com/index......sg9409#new
June 14th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Sorry about my long posts above, but I’m VERY disgusted at the FDA’s refusal to test for acetaminophen — and the low-down FDA snakes in the grass, trying to get the poisoned pet food samples away from ExperTox AND now the CONTAMINATED TOOTHPASTE (which a relative may have just purchased).
People, keep typing and calling till your fingers are hurting! We’re making progress!
June 14th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead -
I just want to say thank you Itchmo and to all the members for speaking out and taking action. The only way we are going to make change happen is through relentless persistence and determination.
Never give up, never give in!
“Continuous, unflagging effort, persistence and determination will win. Let not the man be discouraged who has these.”
James Whitcomb Riley
http://www.youmeworks.com/never_give_up.html
http://www.swanepoel.com/artic.....e-2005.htm
June 14th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Thank you, Cynthia!
I know that quote (sort of) in my mind and use it a lot, in essence. Now I know who said it. It has probably been said by many, over the years, in many ways. Seems I remember a quote “a committed and tireless minority” ? can overcomel
June 14th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Here is the quote I was thinking of—an earlier version. I would say that us pet bloggers are “an irate, tireless minority–God willing we will prevail.
“It does not take a majority to prevail……but rather an irate, tireless minority keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.”
-Samuel Adams, Founding Father
June 14th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Great Quote!! Very apropos…
June 14th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
I was thinking, back in March we all to some degree thought the FDA was here to ‘protect’ Us. That no Food maker is out to intentionally make Us {’Any-one’ who eats food} Sick or die. That there was an element of caring. That the FDA could move mountains to Protect us and would if need be. How naive we were, tho I know the slippage had started before This food fiasco.
It’s now mid-June.
The FDA and PFI are total Enemies to Us. They treat us and any support we get in any form, as useless Loons.
They try to use their fading psuedo-powers to Scare Us. Scare us into acceptance and silence.
It would have bee different If they gone to Congress and said Hey we have a Serious ad growing problem here and we need *Emergency Funding* to put it dead in it’s Track NOW!
We’re under-funded and Broken.
Too badly for such a Heath issue as this.
I would have sent Tons letters to Congress to Support such a plea, request, then.
I would have been rigth there with them and been so Pleased for the Attention this would get and finally fixing this Huge problem.
I would have said FDA, PFI is Wonderful.
BUT alas they did not.
They Blame US! They thwart our every move. Try to discredit our Lab exerts. Food makers have hounded us. Teired to intimdate Us.
{which reminds me of one of Us Here- Pet Parent, who spoke to an FDA rep. {Ohio?} and was told, no we don’t want to test your food, it will take too long etc, you can get it tested YOURSELF.}
We get Our Own Test, make our Own foods, stop buying the suspected products. Steer clear of the junk they allow into the Market HERE After contaminantions-HERE.
It’s not only Cominginto the USA it’s being Contaminated HERE, put out and SOLD HERE, even WHEN THEY KNOW!
It’s gone from Real Bad t the absolute worse it could be.
NOW *WE* are the Enemy!
They fight us every step.
They won’t Fix it or make the moves to get the Funding to Fix it SO We become the Bad guys now.
So now the only thing that will work for me is Total Close down of them All. FDA, PFI, USDA.
A New couple of agencies need to take over.
That’s WHAT I’d support.
And to Hell with the PFI- they are only the Tick on the Butt of the Food Makers anymore!!!!!!!!
Nope they treat us so Badly. Some of us cry alot. Worry until we can’t eat or sleep. Some are nearing bankrupcty for the Expenses this has caused. Some are Lonely for the Pets they’ve lost.
I could go on but the Human and animal suffering is near unbearable to talk about, that is *Inflicted* Everyday upon Us; by these Officers of Safety.
BUT Some of US are Mad as HELL and we re Not going to listen to your Garbage ridden Spin!
We do it for ALL of Us here. Those who can handle it and for those who Can Not right now.
FDA-PFI, we could have worked together, in the begining. But you choose to toss us away like mindless children. Then JUMP us in the Dark.
Guess what, We’ve Grown up in the last 4 months, Real Fast.
Blind Trust is G-O-N-E Forever.
It Ain’t Gonna Happen NO More!
The Slanderous Libelous rhetoric is Over the Top.
You are DONE!
{sorry folks, I can’t contain this ‘feeling’ anymore these days}
June 14th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
I hope the lab sues PFI for defamation of character. I know you can’t sue a gov’t agency - sure wish we could. After what has been happeining with the FDA - no amount of added funds or personnel are going to change the agenda of the chairman.
Following this now for many months, originally thought it was an unusual occurrance. Now, I agree with everyone, this is the tip of the iceberg. There has been outright greed, manipulation,strong arm tactics,and disregard for human or animal life. GMO’s,pesticides,herbicides,faulty documentation,and the list goes on. The FDA needs to go. We need a new agency that is independent of gov’t and corporations. An agency that protects the people,animals and environment.
There has not been one grain of kibble in my house since March 28th and from this point forward, there never will be. I can never forgive PFI for their shenanigans and downright disdain for us. The humans in our household now eat only organic,local whole foods. Yesterday we switched all household products to enviromentally friendly - the wash smells better, the dishes are cleaner, and no more peeling hands! I hope the corporations start to feel the pinch.
Katie
June 14th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Kiki said: from quote “According to Cormark Securities analyst Aleem Israel, Procter & Gamble canceled its contract for Menu’s “cuts & gravy†style pet food product.”
None of these big companies can be trusted. They were willing to sacrifice animals lives for profit once - and that’s one too many times. I don’t care who they get to make their crap food full of crap ingredients. These foods aren’t healthy to begin with, even without killer toxins added to pump up stocksucker profits. Menu was a shell company working for all these greedy bisturds. They’ll just set up another one and continue to ignore petowners concerns and pets lives will again be at risk.
As far as DelMonte taking over: Didn’t Menusux post info on the mela-tonnage sitting in a Pittsburgh PA warehouse, originally tagged for DelMonte?
June 14th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
You guys miss this blog? Hmmm….
Christine Says:
June 14th, 2007 at 11:50 am
I know this situation was scary, but to be honest, these comments are worse than a 9/11 conspiracy page. You guys really need to settle down. Why on earth would anyone think that pet food companies would knowingly poison their customers? That is nonsensical. I agree that Menu didn’t react in a timely enough fashion, and I wouldn’t trust them with anything for my cats. But, the FDA has no interest in lying about the further testing that has been done. Someone in a previous post had the nerve to accuse the pet food companies of “spreading rumors†to invalidate the testing done at the private labs. What is really going on is that you people are spreading rumors about foods that have been officially tested clean. Luckily for you, the internet is an anonymous place, and no one will be able to charge you with libel or slander.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
I say yah-yah to Ya Ya–After spending hours trying to call MF on the weekend of March 16-17, I just knew that when I finally called the FDA emergency line, they would have some direction/help for me—-Was I never more wrong. I surely have had my doubts about the FDA looking out for our interests since then. It took nearly a week of continued calls and messages left before the FDA actually talked to me—I couldn’t understand why they would not be interested in my 2 cats as they had reported only “a FEW ISOLATED cases of renal failure in the US” so I really wanted them to know both of mine were affected here in a small town in RI but when I asked the woman to whom I finally gave info, she had said they didn’t need my food for testing or my cats as they had “plenty” so in my eyes there was lie #1–there were certainly more reports than they admitted to. And they continue to this day three months later. lie lie lie–I only can imagine they just want to downplay this as it is a real circus for them now. They made the same mistake that MF has made–try to make it go away!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Re: eye gunk
While my dog was eating the PFI cont. products; we had big time eye gunk problems. One week we had very green mucous type discharge. The vet cultured it and did some eye tests. No positive cultures. Eye tests all negative. We live in Arizona also and thought perhaps sand, dirt, or pollen. But, it was off and on. Vet said it had to be the air. Amazingly…. since my dog has been eating home cooked - we have no more bad eye discharge.
Another thing we have noticed, since home cooking our dog is more alert in what she sees. Little bugs crawling among the stones, birds flying in the air, etc. Has anyone else noticed better eyesight?
Katie
June 14th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
http://www.blackwing.com/produ.....pet%20food
Any thoughts on the above organic pet foods?
June 14th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
AnnH, are You “Offy” in the forums? Do you mind my asking that and what State possibly?
“Offy” is a cute handle :-D
June 14th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
http://www.lacensebeef.com/shop/meat-for-dogs
Any Thoughts on this?
June 14th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
I just received word that my email has made its way to ExperTox’s Lab Managers and the ExperTox owners.
I told the person that I put out a call here at itchmo for some of you to call ExperTox to show your support of them/their findings and to tell them how outraged you are over the PFI’s derogatory quotes about ExperTox.
Since there are no actual customer service reps to answer phones, we are pulling someone away from his/her regular job, which we don’t want to do repeatedly. I told the person to call me if ExperTox receives too many phone calls and that I would post a note immediately for people to stop calling there.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Barb GSD Mom, Simple- Christine must be a troll or PFI employee.
Ignore ‘her’.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Barb, GSD MOM Says:
June 14th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
You guys miss this blog? Hmmm….
Christine Says:
June 14th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Barb, was that on this thread? It doesn’t show up for me.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Barb, I saw that and ignored it. Figured FDA or PFI employee.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Regardless of all other matters, the Menu Foods’ knowledge of their packaged death in pouches by December, 2006 and the refusal to mount a total and complete recall resulted in thousands of deaths. When they are delisted and broke, it will be time to follow the paths of the executives like Henderson and that stock-selling CFO just to make certain that if they try to form something out of the bones of their previous crimes, it will come to the same end.
Whether canned or pouched—if Menu makes it, never buy it again.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
If Christine is an FDA employee, doesn’t it just frost your cookies that WE are paying HER to SPY ON US?!
June 14th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Carol,
I knowwhatyou mean about the FDA when i finally got through to them and told them my story about my suspect food and my 2 sick cats and she asked about the ingredients etc…and then had my vet fax over the cats records of treatment I thought finally someone is going toblow the whistle on this company that is refusing to come forward. I couldn’t of been more wrong. That was the end of march begining of April and it is now June. I know Garyn had called with the same plant numbers to the FDA about her cat dying from the same food.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
IMO–I think waiting 3 weeks with dead test animals to announce “a problem” may be up right there with “willingly poisoning pets”–my opinion may be swayed by the number of tears in my home and the number of dollars spent (thousands) to try to keep my cats alive after doing something so risky as feeding them……..si I’d really like to be one of the first to know if there may be a potential poison in food again—3 weeks won’t do this time.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
From the article on EperTox:
———————————–
“They never name the experts they’re working with,†Coneley said. “When someone says ‘people I know say this,’ it sounds to me like they’re trying to say there are experts who have looked into this and don’t agree with the findings. But I don’t believe there are.
“To me, it sounds like they’re talking about imaginary experts,†Coneley said.
————————————
That’s exactly right. Fox ‘News’ and their rabid guests use much the same tactics, only with them it is, “Some people say…” Really? One. Name ONE. Yet, they never do. What. A. Shock.
As soon as the words “Some people say” or “People I know say this,” they’re lying. But the ignorant lap it up because it reinforces what they want to believe.
We live in insane times.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
You guys are right–I will ignore “her”. I found it on yesterdays blogs.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Just a thought on purringfur’s post abut Support for Expertox: you could call the
AccuTraceTesting number and leave a message with one of the receptionists ‘there’ {one is Veronica. I think the other is Rita?} and ask them to pass it on to Expertox. :-D
They are very nice ladies!
I’m sure they’d keep a ledger/count of the Supportive calls and pass them along, ask them to!
Otherwise the Email to Expertox is Great Idea! They will See the support right there :-)
Good Idea purringfur!
AccuTrace # 1-800-224-9551
June 14th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
YES! YaYa, I AGREE! And good for you Katie. I like what your doing. I’m not buying into what our government and the corporations are trying to shove down our throats either. I eat only organic produced in the USA, cook organic for my pets and buy all earth friendly products from Seventh Generation. I stay out of Walmart and try to buy locally and buy products made in the USA.
Geez Barb, who is that Christine??? Is she working for the FDA?
June 14th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
YaYa, yes, the Cincinnati office was happy to take the information on the food products our dogs were getting, I even explained the early symptoms of our dogs and was informed that that was not the symptoms they were seeing, so began to question the person, then realized he was not aware of what was found regarding the crystals in the urine. An update> the Tizwhiz dog food was negative, also the California Natural that I started feeding recently was negative in a 2-in-1 lab test at Expertox that I got this week. Three other foods that were tested in a 3-in-1 lab test showed Cyanuric Acid 220ug/g, therefore, am waiting on the separate testing of each of the 3.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Why are we bothering the labs who are doing the testing? They are smart enough to stand up for themselves and don’t need the distraction. Save your emails and calls for the politicians who will not respond to this crisis until they think it will cost them an election.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Katie–What part of Arizona do you live in? I live in Desert Hills. My GSD pups eyes are always watery and crusty. I brought her in to the vet several times. He said it could be allergies. He gave her eye drops. He ran all kinds of tests on her. Including all the blood work & urine test. Her kidneys were slighly elevated–this was about 8 weeks ago. I brought her in twice to get her blood work done. All because I added the wet crap that was poison. I tell ya–I had to educate my vet on the german shepherd breed. He WAS clueless. What are you feeding your dog?
June 14th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Sandi and Barb,
You both wrote about problems with your pet’s eyes. I had something similar happen. After being poisoned by the pet food, my dog’s right eye started get cloudy then it became infected, with pus coming out of her eye! It was terrible. The vet gave her antibiotics and eye drops and the infection went away but now she can’t see out of that eye. The first day she lost her sight was really traumatic for her. She ran from room to room as if she was frightened. I couldn’t calm her down. I took her to my vet and he said she was acting so strangely because she lost her eye sight so fast. He said dogs who lose their eye sight quickly are much more frightened by it then dogs whose sight goes slowly. She has adjusted the best she can and stay a bit closer to me now. I hope this answers your question.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Rick,
I also emailed the PFI with your questions.
1) Who are the “key toxocological†& “analytical experts†that you refer to as your “contacts in Texas�
2) What is the “genuine concern†you have about the lab?
3) Who provides your funding?
I won’t hold my breath waiting for an answer though.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
A friend’s dog suddenly went blind, and my cat has one eye that he keeps squinting. My cat had an ever so slight “tremor” to his head once or twice, lasting just several seconds each, shaking it side to side about 1/2 inch in either direction. He also did a lot of sneezing (as did my dog that died), which he never did before. I next noticed that he kept squinting his one eye, which he still does to this day. He’s been to the vet at least 4 times about his eye, having staining drops put in and inspecting his eye with a bright light. No foreign objects in there, but something’s going on.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
YaYa, I love what you said. Very good!
When I called the FDA about My 3 dead cats, they acted like they didn’t really care. And they wouldn’t test the food, it still hasn’t been testd.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Thank you JJ! Please keep up posted on those test results! Maybe consider sending a copy of the positive tests to Don to post with the growing numbers there.
Who makes those foods? Do you know? I’m not familiar with them.
I hope things are Better there for you.
Yeah I luv the FDA reps who said Oh those aren’t on the ‘recall” {magic} list I have.
They totally disqualified ANY others right then and there.
And I Never could get through on the phone to the Food makers {2 dif ones}. stopped trying after 3 weeks.
I always thought it was When there Were SYMPTOMS/Sickness is when the FDA Did- paid attention! Wrong.
But they {FDA} got ALL my info up to a certain Date. Told me to freeze open and save the unopened.
They did not call back for more after a while.
But the symptoms went on after I stopped the food. Long time to recover. Till I took charge, {had already decide it was the food before March 16th, as it was a BAM! moment here with her}
Vet, treatment, homemade food, checking ALL aspect of anything she gets now.
And a slow amazing turn around. I’d say my Cat was Better through ME, what I did and did Not do, before she was BETTER :-D
DESPITE any Friggin’ {Non}recalled Help.
When any “official” institution whether FDA, USDA, PFI Pet Food Maker/manufacturer GETS HITS, as many as they have had and Continue to get; Without a Recall *Immediately* and Does NOTHING about any of it; That’s When {dear Christine} WE CALL THEM AS WE SEE THEM!
Greedy and Lazy Liars and Dangerous Hockers.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Ann,
Sorry to hear about your dog. My vet gave my girl doggie antibiotics & eye drops. It keeps coming back. I may try benadryl. I really do not have a good feeling about Canidae. Just my opinion. I am going to add more home cooked to their dry. This whole thing makes me sick to my stomach.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
My girlfriend just called her cat has jaw cancer that is not treatable……………it has all ready eaten half the jaw bone she is beside herself. Going to bring the cat home for a while and keep him comfortable then he will be put down when that is no loger and option vet wanted to do it right now and my friend said no way, she didn’t take him there to die today. I do not blame her that cat is expecting to be picked up today and go home, she cannot break that trust.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
purringfur
My cat Geisha is always blinking her one eye like something is in it? What do you think it is that is happpening????????????? What were you feeding your cat and what are you feeding it now? I was using FF, Hills c/d and eukanuba. Now just Kumpi……..anyone have any issues with Kumpi my cats seem burpy or something???????????????????? This whole thing is driving me nuts
June 14th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Oh Lorie, please send Our Good hopes and prayers to her. It doesn’t sound good but I understand her wanting some time with him. I don’t know how he’ll be able to eat after a while tho. :-(
June 14th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Barb,
I use Benadryl and it does help my dog. It’s not a cure but it does help. You may want to try it. I hope your dog gets better soon.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
YA YA,
she is a good cat mommy and will not let him suffer she will know when to let go. She has all ready been through this twice in her life time. She says they get a look in there eyes asking to be let go. She is also blaming herself for not catching it sooner. She the one who taught me to force feed my cat when she had her URI. She even had her one cat in her wedding with the rings tied to his collar.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Here is the website for Tizwhiz, difficult to get as many places do not carry their products. We had a major problem back in 1999-2000 when our dogs got sick, then me, so had to find another dog food.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Ann Jackson Says: I won’t hold my breath waiting for an answer though.
I won’t hold my breath, either!
Sorry about your dog. Glad she has you there for her.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Lorie,
When did you notice the eye thing begin to happen. Did it just start with the change of food or was it before?
Could be your kitty is having allergies with the food he/she is eating. What do you mean burpy? My dog burps but dont believe I’ve ever heard my cat burp. Did this just start?
June 14th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
purringfur Says:
June 14th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Oh purr! Our poor cat had the same thing! She had the head tremor ever so slightly from side to side to that none of the vets could figure out! Along with the eye problem and other symtpoms. Oh this is making me sick to think about. She also was sneezing too but not all the time but we were so busy trying to get her to eat that we didnt stop and look at all these strnage symtpoms until after she was gone. Oh our poor girl!
June 14th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Here is the website for Tizwhiz, it didn’t get posted previously…. http://www.tizwhizfeeds.com/
June 14th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Randy, On the Ranch meats, I looked briefly at the La Cense one. It sounds good but, I didn’t check whether they butcher and ship it themselves or not.
That, I think You should check on Ok.
When a Big ranch does Grass feed {which is Great} sometimes, they send them off to the feedlots {which I feel is Bad} to fatten them up More before Butcher. {this is where they get a blast of things like the cyanuric acid etc}
Ask them if they do or don’t get shipped to a feedlot or if it’s ALL done at the ranch. And ask about Any Melamine.
Do this with both that you posted, to help you with your decision. That’d be my advice.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
What “they, our elite ultra wealthy opponents” . . . the people who are going on the attack such as the PFI know, is that people are not aware of many things. And can not be aware of all things.
Where they are wrong, is taking advantage of this lack of knowledge of the way things are done, and people, when people put their faith and trust in companies to have integrity. Do the right thing, and have ETHICS.
This whole fiasco is INEXCUSABLE. A CRIME. A breach of trust and faith in the American People. Deaths, lies, spin, excuses, etc, etc.
I WILL NOT BACK DOWN. I am to old to lie, and I am NOT GOING TO START NOW.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Randy,
The burpy acid reflux type mouth gestures first started after their poisoning in March. They did it on Merrick and took them off of it and put them on total people food, plus Kumpi and everything was fine. I opened a new back of food about 3 weeks ago of the same kind and they both seem to be needing PEPCID again. I alos think i was feeding them too much salmon and not enough chicken just because the salmon is canned and wet like cat food and they will eat it out of the bowl, chicken they will only eat when I feed them.
Not sure about the eye twich when it started she could of done it forever but now like I watch her like a hawk I notice everything.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
purringfur
Consider taking your pet to a certified veterinary opthamologist or call the AVCO “The American Academy of Veterinary Opthamologists” Most vets don’t have a lot of experience in that field. Most of them are “general practitioners”. When a vet can’t give you a satisfactory answer, it’s best to consult a specialist.
http://www.acvo.com/
June 14th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
And I and our pets, are NOT going to be victims to “Marketing Magic” anymore.
COUNT ON IT. . . BELIEVE IT
June 14th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Anonymous Says:
June 14th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
As far as DelMonte taking over: Didn’t Menusux post info on the mela-tonnage sitting in a Pittsburgh PA warehouse, originally tagged for DelMonte?
Here’s the link to that story:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/.....10610.html
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review June 1, 2007
Pet food probe keeps local officials busy
“The wheat gluten being held in an Allegheny County warehouse was destined for Pittsburgh-based Del Monte Pet Products, but that company never bought or received any of that shipment, Gardine said.
“Del Monte previously recalled some dog food and cat and dog treats that had been made with some of the contaminated ingredients.
“The supplier holding the contaminated product wants to find an industrial use for it to avoid having to trash it, Gardine said. ”
Here’s the link to the DM recall information:
http://www.delmonte.com/petfoodrecall.html
“The Company took this voluntary recall action immediately after learning from the FDA that wheat gluten supplied to Del Monte Pet Products from a specific manufacturing facility in China contained melamine.”
Yet another link to a news story:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/7590507.html
Las Vegas Review-Journal May 9, 2007
“He rents space in five warehouses around the country and provides a variety of pet food ingredients to manufacturers and pet food ingredient distributors.
“He is also confident that CN will survive. MF is the only customer CN has lost, leaving 17 others.”
And the Itchmo link for the thread about the “wheat gluten” in the warehouse:
http://www.itchmo.com/read/con.....s_20070602
You’ll see my conclusion in the link for the thread above.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Lorie, Sandi: My cat’s “head tremor” was in August ‘06, I believe. My vet and another vet went into my cat’s third eyelid (didn’t know they had 3 eyelids) and looked all around. They found a “black speck” on the crease/fold of his 3rd eyelid, which they first thought was a cinder and tried to dislodge it with a cotton swab, but they determined it was just a skin freckle.
My theory is that pet food companies changed formulas and maybe got a batch of contaminated ingredients, something that causes a minor convulsion or seizure in animals. It’s only my theory, but I’ve seen too many reports of seizures & convulsions not to suspect the foods as a possibility. Again, this is only my theory.
I’m considering taking my cat to Cornell University because I’m told they have an extremely powerful light that can look even behind the eyeball without being invasive. Maybe they can determine if it’s neurological or something really there in the eye.
In November ‘06, I noticed the same thing about my cat’s fur a lot of other pet owners saw: the fur appeared to be clumpy, matted-looking, and sticky to the touch. The vet said he was probably just not grooming as much. After I changed foods at the end of March, his fur almost immediately looked silkier & feels so much smoother with no difference in grooming habits.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
LOL JJ! The Tiz Whiz Horse people! Now I know them! I did not know they made other ‘pet’ products. I see them on RFDTV! :-D
I’m glad it showed negative!
Just keep holdin’ on JJ, the rides not over yet, I’m sorry to say. But we Can do This! Then None of us will have to “worry” {dare I say that?} in the Future.
NEW STANDARDS a Commin’!
Begining with Honesty and Full disclosure!
June 14th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Here is a tip I have used to get through to top level people (it worked for my brother when he put it to the test).
Once you have the name of the person you need to contact, when you call and speak to the receptionist, or operator, state that you want to speak to “so n’ so” because you are so pleased with their product and would really like to tell the “person in charge” about your satisfaction with their product(s). You may not always get to that person, but you stand a good chance of at least getting a call back from “someone”.
This also works when you say you want to write to “the person in charge” your glowing letter about their product. You can usually get the name and address, and perhaps even an e-mail of that person.
My brother had a problem with his “AAA Brand” computer and couldn’t get someone in the US to answer his call in to customer service. He did what I suggested, and got the name of the person at the top. Not only did he get through, but they connected him with someone (in the US) who was really able to help him.
Call it the “Flies & Honey” theory. You can count on the big ego of high level people to want to hear how great they are.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
To purringfur… what are you feeding your cats now? My cat Hacoona has IBD and a lot of more recent issues, including fur that is somewhat matted and oily. She is also very thin. I had her into the vet in March (right after the pet food recall) and in May and her bloodwork came back perfect both times.
Her bloodwork may be just fine, but her health is not that great. She had a seizure over memorial day weekend and has a slight twitch now.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I give up. My message got stuck in itchmo,s spam system. I’ll cange the link and post again and risk a double post…
purringfur
Consider taking your pet to a certified veterinary opthamologist or call the AVCO “The American Academy of Veterinary Opthamologists” Most vets don’t have the experience in that field. Most of the are “general practitioners”, so when they can’t give you a satisfactory answer, it’s best to consult a specialist.
http://www.acvo.org/locate_an_ophthalmologist.htm
June 14th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Lisa Clay
what were you feeding I cannot remember? And what have you decided to use now? This whole thing is such a nightmare, and I think there is something wrong with all of them.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
To Lisa Clay:
My cat has been eating Solid Gold Blended Tuna canned food (purple can) since March 30th, made in Thailand by Blue Sky Pet Foods, a division of Merrick. It’s made in Thailand (Yikes!), but it is only supposed to contain tuna, just enough water for processing, and kitty vitamins/supplements.
I switched to this food because I wanted to get a food with as few ingredients/grains/carbs as possible. For me, Solid Gold was the answer, although I’m always looking for something else that might have a little less protein. He has not eaten any dry food since March 30, which I understand is not good for a cat with kidney disease. My vet sold me some Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d dry food, which I used for a short time until Hill’s recalled a canned food. When I learned that, I told my vet I didn’t trust any Hill’s food and that it was only a matter of time before some dry foods and treats would be recalled because I didn’t believe it was only in the wet foods. I returned from the vet and within two hours, I believe, was the start of dry food and treat recalls.
My vet was feeding her cat the Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d dry, and was so interested in what I was feeding my cat because he stopped his constant vomiting, which he did his entire life on DelMonte’s 9 Lives canned Shredded Turkey in Gravy. I told her I was stopping all dry food because I’d read that it was bad for cats with kidney disease. She didn’t protest at all.
My cat has vomited only one time since the end of March, when before the food switch, he used to vomit regularly every week or so, a few times per day or even for a few consecutive days. For me, the Solid Gold, so far, has been working, and his little esophagus thanks me daily. I’m so glad I switched and his vomiting stopped. I do not work for Solid Gold, just relating my (so far) positive experiences with it for 2 1/2 months.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
TO Cynthia (cynthiak23) Says:
June 14th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I give up. My message got stuck in itchmo,s spam system. I’ll cange the link and post again and risk a double post…
purringfur
Consider taking your pet to a certified veterinary opthamologist or call the AVCO “The American Academy of Veterinary Opthamologists†Most vets don’t have the experience in that field. Most of the are “general practitionersâ€, so when they can’t give you a satisfactory answer, it’s best to consult a specialist.
http://www.acvo.org/locate_an_ophthalmologist.htm
…………………..
Thank you, Cynthia, for your suggestion to go to a specialist. Cornell University is one of the top veterinary schools in the U.S. and is particularly known for its opthamology department. Often, leading experts/researchers in the field work on your pet or residents under the supervision of a leading expert do the work. People drive from neighboring states and even from Canada to have their pets seen there.
They’re very expensive, but Cornell has the equipment and other departments right there if another department needs to be called in. I’ve spent so much money at Cornell, I feel as if I own a part of the animal hospital and should have a chair in the waiting room with my name on it. I do not work for Cornell University, but have been a client off and on for over 8 years.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
purringfur–I used Solid Gold Tuna to get my first cat with ARF to eat on her own again but I was afraid of too much phosphorus in it-she was put on a phosphorus binder so I try to use non-seafood types–although she did love it—no problem with your kitty’s phosphorus level?? I guess I’ve just been reading too much so it’s hard to remember.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
I dont know if anyone has posted this or not but, I just saw on the news that some toothpaste has been recalled again. This time it said made in s. africa. anyone know any more???
June 14th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Re: contacting Gallagher try their main offices:
http://www.smithbucklin.com/contact/
Thank you for your interest in SmithBucklin. If you have a current or expected need for association management services, we encourage you to call us at +1.800.539.9740.
http://www.smithbucklin.com/about/clients.cfm
Business Trade
Full-Service Management
Pet Food Institute
Or Grabowski, their mouthpiece at Levick:
http://www.levick.com/resources/team/grabowski.php
Gene Grabowski
Senior Vice President
202.973.1351 • ggrabowski@levick.com
June 14th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Gerry, the toothpaste is counterfeit Colgate sold in 4 states–I only remember NY, NJ –it says made im s. africa on box—hopefully someone else knows the other 2 states–
June 14th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmr.....06_07.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — New York, New York — June 14, 2007 — The Colgate–Palmolive Company today warned that counterfeit toothpaste falsely packaged as “Colgate” has been found in several dollar-type discount stores in four states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. There are indications that this product does not contain fluoride and may contain Diethylene Glycol. The Company stated that it does not use, nor has ever used, Diethylene Glycol as an ingredient in Colgate toothpaste anywhere in the world.
The counterfeit toothpaste can be easily recognized because it is labelled as “Manufactured in South Africa.” Colgate does not import toothpaste into the United States from South Africa. In addition, the counterfeit packages examined so far have several misspellings including: “isclinically” “SOUTH AFRLCA” “South African Dental Assoxiation”.
Counterfeit toothpaste is not manufactured or distributed by Colgate and has no connection with the Company whatsoever. Colgate is working closely with the US FDA to help to identify those responsible for the counterfeit product.
Consumers who suspect they may have purchased counterfeit product, can call Colgate’s toll-free number at 1 800 468 6502.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Lisa Clay Says:
June 14th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Lisa, you said your kitty’s lab work came back OK, did you get the urine checked? If not, you might want to consider it as problems are sometimes showing up in urine not labwork. Our vet found in 3 dogs, normal blood work but the problem from eating tainted food, showed up in their urine tests.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
http://www.commondreams.org/ar.....6/14/1885/
Keeping An Eye On Transgenic Crops, by David Suzuki
Brief excerpts: “..North Americans have been eating transgenic foods and using products made from their crops for over a decade.”
“…Another common type of transgenic crop has an insecticide “built-in.†These crops have been genetically engineered to produce an insecticidal toxin that wards off pests. One of the most well-known has been engineered using a certain kind of bacterium called Bt.”
“..Disturbingly, the researchers had to resort to obtaining much of their information on Bt crops through the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, because the companies that produced them did not publicly disclose it. The researchers also note that the debate around transgenic crops has been a heated and emotional one, “However, in the case of GM crops, scientific analyses have also been deficient. In particular, many experiments used to test the environmental safety of GM crops were poorly replicated, were of short duration, and/or assessed only a few of the possible response variables. “
June 14th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Penn and Maryland are the other 2 states–there are misspellings on the box too–
June 14th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I guess it’s obvious who’s good with the computer and who isn’t (me)!
June 14th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
http://www.commondreams.org/news2006/1030-02.htm
Stealth Closure of Principal EPA Chemical Library
Unannounced Move Hampers Agency Scientists’ Review of New Chemicals
Oct 2006:
brief excerpt:
“The Office of Prevention, Pollution and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) Library, in EPA’s Washington D.C. Headquarters, had provided research services to EPA scientists who review industry requests for the introduction of new chemicals into the market. Among other holdings, the library contained –
• Unique toxicological studies on the potential effects of pesticides on children;
• Up-to-date research on genetically engineered chemicals and other biotech products; and
• Extensive literature on emergency planning and chemical risk assessments.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
AN EYEOPENER:
Spilling the Beans http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/091206I.shtml
By Jeffrey M. Smith Institute for Responsible Technology August 2006
whistleblower says genetically engineered crops may cause disease.
…..he took the opportunity to let his colleagues know how enthusiastic he was about [del] technology that was going to reduce waste, decrease poverty and help the world. Soon after the meeting, however, his world was shaken.
“A vice president pulled me aside,” recalled Kirk. “He told me something like, ‘Wait a second. What Robert Shapiro says is one thing. But what we do is something else. We are here to make money. He is the front man who tells a story. We don’t even understand what he is saying.’”
……The scientist dismissed these newly created proteins in the cotton plant as unimportant background noise, but Kirk wasn’t convinced. Proteins can have allergenic or toxic properties, but no one at [del] had done a safety assessment on them. “I was afraid at that time that some of these proteins may be toxic.” He was particularly concerned that the rogue proteins “might possibly lead to mad cow or some other prion-type diseases.”
Kirk had just been studying mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) and its human counterpart, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). These fatal diseases had been tracked to a class of proteins called prions.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
2006 http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/091306EA.shtml Bush Administration Plans Even Bigger EPA Cuts for ‘08 Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) Wednesday 13 September 2006
• Closure of Laboratories. The plan calls for closing 10% of EPA’s network of laboratories and research centers in which much of the agency’s basic and applied science concerning pollution monitoring, toxicological effects and other public health issues is conducted. By 2011, the laboratory network, comprised of approximately 2000 scientists, would shrink by 20%;
SEE LINKS AT THE SITE:
Look at multiple studies showing EPA’s diminishing capacity.
See the debilitating effects that current cuts are already having on EPA research capabilities.
View how corporate contributions are influencing cash-starved EPA scientific research.
Revisit ongoing closures of EPA technical libraries and information infrastructure.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Bogus Ingredients Harmful, Hard to Spot
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-b.....amp;src=ap
AP June 14, 2007
“American consumers are being ripped off and their health possibly put at risk because of bogus ingredients slipped into imports ranging from toothpaste to dietary supplements.
“Suppliers who substitute cheaper ingredients for the real thing seldom get busted because the government and private labs review few of the products flooding in.
“Recent bouts of bad ingredients in pet food and toothpaste showed how suppliers can fool the limited safety checks.
“Ingredient substitution is not a priority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, unless officials conclude consumers are being exposed to harm. As a result, regulators only take action after problems surface.
“Such complications are underreported. Companies haven’t had to relay incidents to federal regulators, though new tracking requirements begin in December.
“Based on fallout from the pet food case, the FDA is assessing how it can outthink suppliers who try to substitute in harmful ingredients.
“”Are there other incentives of an economic nature that could ultimately pose a safety hazard?” said David Elder, director of enforcement in FDA’s regulatory affairs office. “That’s clearly some thinking and some work that we have before us.”
“It’s a huge task: There are thousands of ingredients that could be altered in untold ways.”
June 14th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Thanks Ann–will try benadryl instead of taking her to the vet, again.
June 14th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Hi Barb GSDMom, I would also recommend looking into a *Spray* benadryl. It’s good for “moving targets” :-P
And lots of cats will lick a cream/oinment off fast.
Dogs just move! LOL
I don’t see the Spray type mentioned too often, so thought I would.
June 14th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
A Del Monte FYI:
http://www.chron.com/disp/stor.....90142.html
~HONOLULU — The federal government said Wednesday it recently fined Del Monte Fresh Produce Co. nearly $25,000 for improperly using pesticides at its Kunia farm in 2004 and 2005.~
http://pacific.bizjournals.com.....aily9.html
~The James Campbell Co. has reached agreement with federal officials on a consent decree on the Del Monte Superfund Site on Oahu, the Environmental Protection Agency said Monday.
The case concerns a toxic chemical, once widely used in pineapple fields, which has been linked to serious health problems in workers who handled it. ~
Be Safe… It’s Almost Friday!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
ANONYMOUS at 4:52 & 5:01: GM Crops / Bt cotton crop
I read the entire article about the sheep dying from eating Bt cotton, which was footnoted in the article. It’s shocking the sheep died so quickly with so many of the symptoms our dogs and cats exhibited, especially the depression (lethargy?), cough, mouth lesions, stomach bloat, red (blood?) in urine.
The major symptoms as reported by the shepherds were:
Sheep became dull/ depressed after 2-3 days post grazing
Cough with nasal discharge
Reddish and erosive lesions in the mouth
Bloat
Blackish diarrhea
Sometimes red coloured urine
death within 5-7 days of grazing on the Bt cotton fields
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6494
………………………..
Do you think GM grains as well were involved in the pet deaths? Thanks for the informative article!
June 14th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Menu Foods closed at $2.18 today.
June 14th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Latest 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. This listserv covers mainly Class I (life-threatening) recalls. A complete listing of recalls can be found in the FDA Enforcement Report at: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html
Counterfeit Colgate Toothpaste Found
Contact:
Allison Klimerman 212-310-3770
Tom Paolella 212-310-2774
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — New York, New York — June 14, 2007 — The Colgate–Palmolive Company today warned that counterfeit toothpaste falsely packaged as “Colgate” has been found in several dollar-type discount stores in four states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. There are indications that this product does not contain fluoride and may contain Diethylene Glycol. The Company stated that it does not use, nor has ever used, Diethylene Glycol as an ingredient in Colgate toothpaste anywhere in the world.
The counterfeit toothpaste can be easily recognized because it is labelled as “Manufactured in South Africa.” Colgate does not import toothpaste into the United States from South Africa. In addition, the counterfeit packages examined so far have several misspellings including: “isclinically” “SOUTH AFRLCA” “South African Dental Assoxiation”.
Counterfeit toothpaste is not manufactured or distributed by Colgate and has no connection with the Company whatsoever. Colgate is working closely with the US FDA to help to identify those responsible for the counterfeit product.
Consumers who suspect they may have purchased counterfeit product, can call Colgate’s toll-free number at 1 800 468 6502.
June 14th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Thank You Janie! Awesome news! WoooHoooo!
Here’s a few questions to consider. {I’ve not read these newest articles concerning GM grains here but}, I do know, China Too is Huge on GM “junk”.
You can look this one up on the Net; China got caught putting GM rice into noodles etc. and other food products that were found in the UK. People were eating it. This was just about 2 years ago. That’s 1 example.
BUT the Bigger questions might be, when one of these Illegal GM grains is found, {or their illegal food products} whether In the field or on the Shelf, in the USA OR China for examples;
Just WHAT the heck do they DO with it THEN?!?
I’ve been doing alot of reading on this and another aspect of “manipulating” things in Food products or grown crops or products lately. IT’S WAY over the Top of thought.
But, it Is All Real and Happening Now.
I’ve been Very concerned about These parts alone.
Hopefully soon I can post much more about this scary stuff and some links.
But we’ve got to think about it even so, as it’s apparent; Our Pets and livestock are Already a “Dumping Ground”.
Now, I’ve got to go Eat or I’ll drop! :-)
June 14th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Discount counterfeits can be dangerous
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/.....ports.html
AP-June 14, 2007
“Discount stores that scour the world for deals sometimes give shoppers something they didn’t bargain for: bogus products of uncertain origin that may even be dangerous.
“A prime example: this week’s recall of toothpaste believed to be both counterfeit and toxic.
“Government tests on the toothpaste, bought by federal investigators at a discount store in Maryland, revealed it contained diethylene glycol, a chemical found in antifreeze, a Food and Drug Administration spokesman said Thursday. Although the toothpaste was labeled as “Colgate,” Colgate-Palmolive Co. said the imported 5-ounce tubes were falsely packaged counterfeits.
“Even though many bogus goods, including the toothpaste, have murky origins, signs point to overseas - and China in particular. That country was the source of 81 percent of all phony goods seized in 2006, according to federal statistics.
“The recalled toothpaste was labeled as made in South Africa but its toxic ingredient previously has been found in Chinese-made toothpastes. Colgate-Palmolive pointed out the packages it had examined bore several misspellings, including “SOUTH AFRLCA.” That suggests even the bogus product’s true origin may have been faked.”
http://xmxls.en.alibaba.com/pr.....Label.html
COLGATE Self-Adhesive Label
See how easy it is….
June 14th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
I need to find GOOD & SAFE dog & cat kibble. Any suggestions?
June 14th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Barb, GSD Mom–my dogs get watery/goopy eyes within a day or two of introducing something to their homecooked diet that they are allergic to. They seem to be really sensitive to a lot of foods & with the home cooking I’ve been able to test new things easily & see how they do. I wonder if yours isn’t allergic to the rice or one of the meats in Canidae.
Mine are really allergic to chicken (so are their sister & brother in california) & I suspect also to rice. I feed them a few cans of Canidae a week in case they’re missing viatmins/minerals in their home diet & they seem to have a little flair up in their symptoms from it. Corn is a big no-no for them, goopy eyes & really itchy 2 days after adding to there food. It’s a real pain, not sure why they turned out so sensitive & they are not quite 2 years old.
You might try the Innova line of dry foods (Natura). The Evo has potato in place of grain but I’m not sure if you want that much protein. They do use Menu for their canned, don’t know if you’re boycotting, but their dry is made at their own plant (unlike Canidae). California Natural is also made by them, but I think a few people have had pets get digestive upsets from it. There’s also Orijen that people have been raving about, may have to order that one. They just came out with a fish based one (all Canadian fish, human grade) which might be good for meat allergies.
June 14th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Sara–Canidae/Felidae, Orijen, Natura line (NOT Nutro or Nutra)–they make Innova, Evo, California Naturals & Karma organic…….
can anyone think of anything else for dry? my brain is fried
June 14th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Lorie- about the burping;2 of my smaller dogs & my neighbors large dog were doing it. Wellness,Natura & Timberwolf all said it could be a reaction to higher protein levels in new food. All3 suggested lamb because it is lower in protein than beef or chicken. Don’t know if that was it but all3 stopped after switching to lamb & rice. When I make chicken or turkey,fish or beef homemade I use egg whites for part of the protein. Supposedly easier to digest.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Regarding head tremors,
When I was researching feline pancreatitis and learning about it’s effects on the liver, I read (somewhere ?) that liver disease can cause neurological problems like head tremors.
Other things can also cause tremors, but it might be good for your vet to eliminate possible liver problems.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Leslie K,
Thank you I think that makes perfect sense, I think I OD’d them on wild can salmon. Yikes. Sometimes I think I do more harm then good trying to avoid this darn wet food. So frustrating.
So I should try adding egg white to their diet. Will try anything, cannot take all this unusual behavior worries me to death.
After all the talk today about goopy eyes I keep looking at their eyes.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
This is what China wants-
http://www.foodnavigator.com/n.....p?id=39578
June 14th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
petslave,
Thanks. I’ll give one a try. I feel I must get it tested first. Isnt this a shame….
June 14th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Leslie K,
I think I remember you saying that one food made your 2 dogs sick. What was it?
June 14th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Sara, I’m also doing good on Dry KumpiKat {it only comes dry for cats}. If you switch over any fods for the KumpiKat it is a little high in protein. Might do as do and make yur own WET for the Cat and KumpiKat for a dry and the vitamins etc. in it.
It ’s been more than a month for this product and so far so Good.
And if you have questions, go to the Web-site and get the phone number and call, you’ll most likely talk to the owner. She’ll answer any questions.
I don’t have a dog but they have Canned and Dry for Dogs. www.Kumpi.com.
Maybe someone else here feeds the Dog food.
Nothing left is ‘perfect’. just watch your pets and all outward showing of problems.
We are All trying our Best. Hope this and what the others have posted help you!
June 14th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
I hear that everyone is having good luck with Evo.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
YaYa,
Thank you. This is really hard trying to find something that is safe. I made some chicken the other night and prayed the chickens were not given anything for a headache.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Did someone say something about cookies?
June 14th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Are there any safe cookies out there?
Do I dread Friday’s or look forward to them?
What will tomorrow bring?
June 14th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
sara Natura does test all their food already and have been. I have been using Karma dry for my dog as it is 95% organic for the last 9 months. Her coat grew in thicker, shines, eyes are clear and bright, very healthy appetite, no more runny stool as she had when I used the Nutro Holistic dry (has synthetic vit k so stopped using it in the Nutro). Natura’s site www.naturapet.com and Karma is www.karmaorganic.com
June 14th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
LOL Sara, it’s good to laugh in hard times. You made e laugh!
You too Cookie :-D
June 14th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
This is “Sugar Baby”. I’m hacking in from a long-forgotten cannery in Sandusky, Ohio.
Please, don’t try to contact me as it may alert those above me to my “knowledge”.
There’s too much for us to loose now. You wouldn’t believe how much these old money-hungry men can sweat when the heat is on.
I want you all to know i’m proud of you. With your “opening of the eyes”, and your quest for truth.
Believe me, these guys have it coming.
It’s unfortunate that you guys cracked the secret kitten/puppy killing plan and not the one to enslave all dolphins. If you guys want to have nightmares like “me”, I’ll fill you in one day after we win this fight.
You got ‘em on the run.
Keep up the good fight.
I’ll keep traking whats going on here, and alert you of any new situations.
Viva la Itchmo!
June 14th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Sara- We think it was Evangers dry dog pheasant & rice. The symptoms started within 3 days of eating it.They started to feel better as we added Cal Nat lamb & rice to it. Went away totally when we went to only Cal Nat for dry. I had a problem months earlier w/ Iams small bite & 1 of my neighbors had trouble w/SD lamb & rice. I also had trouble w/Pur 1 sens systems. Had it tested & it had large amounts of Vit e all thru the bag.We are going to test the Evangers,SD & Wellness. I can’t do the Iams because I had mixed in some of the Pur 1 to it.
I know what you mean about Friday ! I don’t sleep very well on Thursday nights.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Well hey, Sugar Baby, thanks for the encouragement.
I REALLY like the Viva la Itchmo!
Got em Sweatin’ you say, I like that too :-)
June 14th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
LeslieK, how are they doing tonite? Better I hope :-)
June 14th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Leslie K,
I have seen some negative comments regarding Evangers ? I may look into the Cal Nat. Thank you
June 14th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
To Barb, GSD MOM, YaYa, Elaine, Cynthia…
I am not a spy (though I don’t see how one could ’spy’ on a public website anyway), nor do I work for the FDA or PFI. I am a concerned pet parent as well, which is why I started checking this site regularly in the first place.
My point, though, is that those of you that comment on this site seem to jump to conclusions. Often times, in regards to specific recall announcements, people would panic despite details in the articles stating that recalls were ‘cautionary’ and not due to any positive test for contaminants.
When a company pulls an entire part of their line out of precautions, despite any mandate or contamination (which many of the companies did), that shows that they *do* care about the pets and the concern of the pet parents. It shows blatant disregard for profit, which is the exact opposite of what you all like to accuse them of.
Lastly, it seems that any slight abnormality in your pets’ behavior or health is automatically attributed to contaminated foods. Do parents assume that they must have fed their child contaminated Cheerios if he suddenly acts lethargic and gets a fever? No, because that would be considered insane and ridiculous. As is assuming that any illness that has befallen our pets since the recalls began has to do with tainted food, especially when the pets have not been eating anything on the recall list.
All the pet food companies have been rigorously testing their product since this all began. No one wants to be the next Menu, and no one wants to be responsible for the illness or death of any pet. If something belongs on the recall list, it will be there. Of course, it is sad when one of our dogs or cats falls ill, but it is unfair to say, “My cat got sick, he was eating Science Diet, therefore Science Diet should be obviously be recalled.”
June 14th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
YaYa-You wouldn’t know they were the same dogs . They are eating well, no accidents, no symptoms & playing again. My neighbors dog also.Its really scary when you se a chi who spends 1/2 the day playing & the other 1/2 on your lap or in your bed just lay on the floor & breath heavily. I’m telling you their faces actually looked sunken ! He had gained 1 1/2 lbs in a week [I think holding fluid]. Know they are back to normal weight & activity. Maybe just a coincidence but it sure seems food related to me.It was the only thing we did differently & my dogs don’t play with my neighbors dog. Other than our yards backing up to 1 another the food was the only common thing. We had tick serology done & it was negative. I’m just relieved it seems to be over. Would like to have the little guy retested for blood & urine but I think it will have to be at a new vet. I would drive up to my cousin but don’t think it is a good idea to use family when trying to prove its food related.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
“Bogus ingredients put consumers’ health at risk”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19230748/
June 14th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Barb,
I live in the Tucson area. We have a lot of construction going on, I think it’s the reason the vet thought environmental when the tests were all negative. The vets are having a hard time accepting my dogs food as the problem, except for her specialist. Her eyes can get a little watery from time to time and a very minimal crust in the corner but it isn’t what we saw in early March. And, since we went to home cooking no green gunk. What I see now is totally normal.
Barb, did your dog ever appear to be hot or running a fever? my dog had a really hot dry nose like she was dehydrated and fighting something. Her temp was never above 101 though. It was during that time that she had the green gunk.
Katie
June 14th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
***There is a REALLY SAD Story over undr the Fish Food Recall section. Posted by Tammy Today.
She has lost *47* Fish since Sunday this week through today!!!!!!!!!!!
These must be like KOI Fish. Some were 20 Years old and 20 Inches long!
This is Not Getting even Close to Better Imho!
These sort of fish are PETS too.
Names, personalities etc.
Does anyone remember who or what was said a couple weeks ago about Fish necrospy or Fish Vets?
I don’t but passed along my yearsold info from when I had sea water fish.
I am Livid and Sickened AGAIN!
Can you imagine lossing 47 of your pets in less than a week?!?
Please go Post some hopeful thoughts to her would you.
Nope not causing a Panic, Not at all :-P
Course some of us are Up on the whoe picture and been here a Long time for the Duration. And will be till this is DONE!
June 15th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Everybody:
Read the linked article at the top of this forum re: Menu Foods future “cloudy at best” and click on the leave a comment to the paper: This article says that “it was found that Menu Foods was not at fault” and “poisoning of hundreds of cats and dogs’”
Please challenge these clear misrepresentations of facts!
June 15th, 2007 at 12:20 am
Christine,
Itchmo, I promise to be nice! but…. Christine. My dog had all the symptoms of cont. food. When she originally saw a specialist he was stumped. We started to graph her symptoms against what she ate, exercise for the day, anything unusual in her environment. We analyzed what she ate, where she was specifically exercised, etc. And, guess what. When compared to purchases at Petsmart - her symptoms were dependent upon opening different new bags of food, same type but different lot #.s. The FDA has all my documentation.
Do you know what it is like to be scared at 1 AM, that your dog or cat is going to die? do you know what it is like to see your dog or cat really sick and test after test can find nothing wrong and the specialists have no answer. Than, the recall comes. However, your food is not on the recall. Do you know what your vet feels like when he can only find news in the NYT! because the PFI refuses to include them in : bad food sits on the shelves. Do you know what it is like to be told by a vet that your pet has kidney disease and from this point forward you will need to watch every crumb they eat for fear that it will cause further damage. Do you know what it is like to search the internet for info. on studies done on these chemicals in the labs: mice, rabbits, dogs , cats all have shown bladder lesions, liver lesions, inc. cancer, even the lab animals wanted more water for pete’s sake! Why didn’t the PFI and FDA tell us that was a symptom that should cause a red alert.
Isn’t it interesting that a dog or cat who has been healthy one day, dies within 24 hrs of eating cont. food. Than there are the pets who have long term issues. CKF problems. Liver problems. Eye problems. Seizures. Eat the food sick. Take the food away no symptoms.
And, the lucky one’s on the road to hopeful recovery. We don’t know what the outcome will be years from now. But, we do know the day, the exact day, they went to home cooked foods(beef,chicken,eggs,rice,veg of all kinds,yogurt,etc…) isn’t it amazing that the symptoms disappeared! And, low and behold, my dog has hair, dripping in hair. She was practically naked. She has loss the black pigmentation in her skin. She doesn’t itch. She doesn’t smell. She doesn’t have bad breath. She is alert. In fact she acts like she is 6 years younger. Her eyes are clear. The vets can’t believe it. They thought she would be malnourished on home cooking. Duh!!!
I believe that the dog food companies did something to the formulation of foods that caused my dog to have a bad outcome. Hopefully for her, and my heart goes out to all who loss a pet these past few months, she will have many happy years ahead. And, there will never,ever be another piece of kibble in my house. Someday, when we get a new pup it will be placed on home cooked or RAW.
I will no longer be ill informed. Thanks to the knowledgeable people on this blog and Itchmo, I am now becoming a well informed pet parent.
So, Christine: you can think what you want of me, call me hysterical or whatever, but I will be sure that every pet person I come in contact with, will know what happened to my dog.
Katie
June 15th, 2007 at 12:20 am
LeslieK, I agree about the family aspect right now. And am So Glad they are bouncing back to normal.
I’m wondering tho if we have to be more alert to “relapses” for this, for the ones who’ve survived.
We have no ‘history’ I’m aware of, of such poisonings to refer to for further info. :-P
I think we are fairly postive for this Time round, the poisonings started back in THIS round- Sept. 06
Thats when a significant number of pets began to start dropping. {and the Companies who Made the foods did Nothing yet} Teh it went Up even More in December more Dramatically. {folks called Menu Foods {for one company} and got nowhere then either}
Then Janurary and Feb. 07. And Menu Foods got ther Salary Bonuses and waited 1 more Month for the Stock sales to go in their favor BEFORE a Recall; which would Damges the Stock values and did the Day it Happened and every day since} Nope nuthin’ wrong “here’.
Do I got that Right folks?
So we’ve got WAVES, super strong levels and then maybe weaker ones. But all damaging to the pets.
In the mean time some other funny business has been going on and of course we got On and On the Stick.
And opened the China door.
But I think we are going to be seeing not only the permanent damages,in the survivors, but long term relapses possibly too.
I also think we might need to watch the mre in the heat. Taxes the heart and urinary systems more.
Aw heck sure, I’m gonna say it’s a Panic, it’s the only thing that will get THIS FIXED! Being naive and giving the benefit of the doubt? I Don’t THINK SO :-P
Yep, It’s a Panic, officially! :-D
June 15th, 2007 at 12:38 am
Thanks JeanS! Will do!
And I’ll even ask them about all that rigorous testing they did/do. The type that is Not with the proper {and expensive might I add} equipment nor the proper sensitivities, nor set to even come Close to detecting Acetominophen, or any other “funny business” that might get missed too.
How’s that?
I’ll post about all the time frames too!
Now that is Really Innocent!
June 15th, 2007 at 12:43 am
Mentioned here yesterday & today was the fact that the PFI consumer website, Pet Food Report had non-working links. Matter of fact, those links haven’t worked since this crisis began.
http://www.itchmo.com/read/rec.....ment-28857
“If the industry can’t see they are paying SmithBuckin, Duane-o and his band of boobs $ for doing nothing to represent them in a favorable light, they love to be cheated. Continuing to pay membership in PFI is also not going to make any possible federal charges re: selling adulterated and misbranded food disappear either. So the question is: why are all of you providing corporate welfare to PFI?”
We apparently had at least one PFI member reading this thread today and Duane-o (Who must have put his Regional Airline Association hat on for self-defense–another Smith-Bucklin turnkey organization.), Gallagher (Who might have been playing PFI CYA over this on that conference call.), and Nancy Cook were forced to actually DO something today–make the Pet Food Report site work.
http://www.petfoodreport.com/
Check it out–the biggest giggle are the interactive pet food labels for things like Nancy’s Nuggets and so on. The giggles start when you realize that according to the guidelines for rendering products, all mammals–including traditional non-food ones–are acceptable.
Nancy could very well be IN those nuggets, etc., and it would all be perfectly legal!
June 15th, 2007 at 12:58 am
“If something belongs on the recall list, it will be there.”
Uh huh, sure. If that’s true, then why do we KEEP getting NEW recalls almost every WEEK, and finding poisons in foods not recalled? Why are so many pet parents saying their pets died after eating food not recalled of the exact SAME symptoms?
To think all unrecalled food is safe equals to living in la la land, sorry.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:18 am
Hi ya PPukie, how is it there down on the border? Are you getting the Monsoon right now? Want mine? LOL
You are Very right, but let me add to your input.
Not only are Pets STILL getting sick.
Not only that Pets are Still DYING {including Fish!}
Not only are Recalls STILL going on
{wonder why that is with all that rigorous testing they do?}
Not only are pets having the Same *symptoms* as the ones who Got the Bad *Recalled* Foods
They are Also having Necrospies Showing: the Same POISONS and Damages as IF it were Recalled foods!
They are Also have Bloodwork Showing: the SAME Poisons as If they had the Recalled foods!
AND the Foods themselves, tho NOT Recalled are Showing: the SAME POISONS Plus even More Deadly Poisons NOW than BEFORE the Recalls IN NEW and Proper TESTINGS!!
WoW
Goooooooooo Figure!
June 15th, 2007 at 1:27 am
Has anyone had any Purina food tested? I keep hearing that people’s pets got sick eating Beneful and Fancy Feast. Tons of people feed Cat and Dog Chow or Purina One. Any of that been tested? I used to find my cats Cat Chow and Purina One before this whole mess started.
I am SO much more aware now. I did research. I read ingredients. I want to ask the vet about home feeding. I switched them to Whiskas and while maybe it isn’t the healthiest food around they have actually improved eating it because it has more meat in it than PURINA which is full of GRAIN.
Around the time of the recall Whiskers my eleven year old kept throwing up and I just thought it was old age or that she ate her food too fast. How naive I was! I am just so thankful that I didn’t lose her or Smokey my hyper two year old.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:31 am
P.S. Since this mess started I see tons of Purina food unbought on store shelves. Purina has only recalled TWO Products from TWO brands of food in this whole mess when obviously other brands are tainted. I wouldn’t mind seeing them drown along with Menu Foods…
June 15th, 2007 at 1:33 am
By the way hello Yaya! No Monsoons. lol I live in a desert and it’s already getting over a hundred degree weather over here for the Summer.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:36 am
I don’t know if any of the Purinas have been tested YET. But we’ve got plenty to pick from when the time comes :-)
I’m glad yours are doing better!
June 15th, 2007 at 1:51 am
Lorie and Leslie:
Didn’t I read somewhere that egg whites are bad for cats because they cause some sort of vitamin mal-absorption? Anybody know about this?
June 15th, 2007 at 2:01 am
Just a quick FYI. Purina also makes those Beggin Strips that my grandmother’s dog loves. He’s not getting those anymore either. Reading the ingredients, I doubt there was much if any real bacon or real meat in it.
June 15th, 2007 at 9:15 am
connie Says:
June 12th, 2007 at 9:57 am
thought some of you might like to know: I just hung up the phone from talking to Dads pet foods & they tell me they ARE testing for 1.acetaminophin 2 cyanuric acid 3.aminopterin(rat poison)
4.diethylene glycol (DEG) 5. melamine. & MANY OTHER things
so far..so good… said they have documentation about ingredients being u.s. products
They also gave me the phone number of the fda(sorry I know how irked we’ve been so far) to get food tested. 1-800-224-9551.
update:
the fda # was a mesage saying go to this number for the lab : 1-281-476-4600. the voice that answered said “Ive been instructed to have all questions sent to the email of: (youre gonna love WHO the fda sent this too) Donna Conelley. This is her email address: customerservice@expertox.com
June 15th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Purina Puke
I WAS GOING TO HAVE MY ff TESTED THAT MADEMY 2 CATS SICK TWO CANS INTO A NEW CASE, ONLY TO DISCOVER EVEN THOUGH THE CANS ALL COME FROM THE SAME PLANT THERE ARE LIKE 6 DIFFERENT BATCH NUMBERS TO CHOOSE FROM AND I DO NOT HAVE THE OPEN CANS ANY LONGER TO KNOW WHAT THE BAD BATCH WAS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET ALL THE DIFFERENT BATCHES TESTED, BUT UNLIKE WHAT CHRISTINE SAYS ABOVE WHEN YOUR PETS BECOME ILL AND GAGGING AND DROOLING AND NOT WANTING TO EAT AND CANNOT USE THERE BACK LEGS YOU KNOW THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SO CALLED SAFE FOOD NOT ON THE FLIPPIN RECALL LIST AND UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO HER SHE JUST WON;T GET THAT. I FEEL SORRY FOR HER PETS. THESE PET FOOD COMPANIES ARE NOT TESTING ANYMORE NOW THEN THEY EVER HAVE. I WILL NEVER BUY PET FOOD AGAIN, BTW NO YELLING JUST NOTICED I HIT MY CAP LOCK
June 15th, 2007 at 9:24 am
jean: yes.
purina puke: Ive got one sample of purina waiting, but I already KNOW its bad. I just dont know whats in it.
left town 2 days. WRONG food was fed to the 2 DOGS. 1 dog ill + 4 cats!!! 3/4 cats who got ill do NOT go outside & the dogfood was the ONLY different thing they had access to while I was gone. dog is better. 3 of the cats better..one still needs some meds but shes mending as well. 2 days! it was an open bag of kibbles & chunks that the possums had been eating(cause the dogs WOULDNT touch it when I bought it quite a while ago). thats my 2nd purina issue. 1st was beneful in january. you know Purina is never going to acknowledge some of their products killing animals. Isnt corporate motto “Deny deny deny” ?
mine is now “dont buy, dont buy, dont buy”
June 15th, 2007 at 9:34 am
before y’all ask, NO I Still havent had the kibbles & chunks tested. I know what I had here was bad, some has been saved so I CAN get it tested, the rest has been removed so no one can get to it again.
sara make your own dog treats. open any people cookbook to the biscuit recipe & alter it for dogs ( I havent discovered a good cat treat recipe YET). ckn brothinstead of water or milk(if youre cookin ckn, save the juice) no oil..enuff in the broth(or use peanut butter if you want), got some ewww liver? chop it up, throw a handful in, or beef, or ckn, or flax seeds or any combination of these. add some dry milk, follow the rest of the recipe (close enough to it anyhow :) roll em out, cut & bake till theyre good & dry. my dogs will do any trick I ask of them & pass up rawhide for these! they like them best from the freezer. Put in a baggie they get softer & if you add meat refrigerated is better to keep them safe. Happy bakin’
June 15th, 2007 at 9:51 am
Christine,
Companies that are in the business of making food (pet or human) should NEVER (or very rarely) have to recall products.
The fact that many large contract companies have recalled hundreds of products indicates that the pet food industry has a HUGE SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM.
CEO’s have a responsibility to ENSURE that ROBUST QUALITY CONTROL PROCESSES exist which make such recalls unnecessary.
Just because companies can’t test for everything doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t test for some things.
Determining what testing is necessary requires a through knowledge of your industry combined with proper risk analysis.
ChemNutra, “the China experts”, apparently weren’t experts at knowing that spiking vegetable protein is common industry practice. The US companies who switched to a new supplier should have understood the risks and modified their business practices accordingly.
IMHO, US companies (Hill’s, IAM’s, Natural Balance, etc.) that outsourced to contract companies (Menu, Diamond) and then put their pet food business on “auto pilot” are negligent in the extreme.
The CEO of MENU, Mr. Henderson has an annual salary of $460K (Can). Might be a good thing if he used some of it to go back to school and study manufacturing engineering.
http://stocks.us.reuters.com/s.....1-Officers
The “shock and awe” of these guys is just disgusting.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Note to Lorie - I was feeding the recalled Nutro pouch food to all 3 of my cats prior to March 16th in addition to Evo, Merrick and Halo.
Hacoona, my cat who had the seizure, was eating the same food as everyone, including some of the recalled Nutro. In March, her blood and urine were all normal but she needed dental work. Follow up vet tests in the middle of May showed all normal blood work but she was thin and so the vet did not want to do the surgery. She had a seizure on Memorial Day weekend and although recovered from it, still has the twitches. She eats Merrick, Artemis, Evangers, sometimes Halo and begs for “people food” when we eat, so she also gets some of our chicken, and some of my boyfriend’s steak (organic, antibiotic/pesticide/hormone free meat). After she eats meat, she seems pretty content. She has had IBD for years.
Peaches, who has kidney stones, loved it. She eats mostly Halo now, but also eats some Artemis, Evangers and Merrick. She is healthy except for the kidney stones and she also gets clavamox regularly to keep her from getting UTIs.
Maggie, had a UTI after eating the Nutro - she also use to vomit regularly in the morning after eating just the gravy from the Nutro. Her urine is okay now. She eats Merrick, Artemis, Evangers, and sometimes some Halo. Her biggest health problem is she gets bad breath.
Note to Purringfur - thanks for the food name, I will look for the Solid Gold Blended Tuna.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Plain and simple inho, anyone who is now Truly Enlightened about the Truth and just settles down over this, is just a dim bulb.
We Are here to open the Door and let All the Light Shine on it, this disgraceful and disgusting methods of practices that has allowed these Pet Food companies to get away with THIS! It should have Never happen. {it should not Yet be going on!}
Settling Down just let’s it continue until the Next time.
There ARE Poisons in the pet foods. Un-recalled pet foods.
Heck the FDA employees Tell/told US to test *our own* Pet foods!
{and Now Rejects, the Results????!} HUH?!
The recent furor these companies state in regards to Testing, Should have been doing it all along. And Now had Better be doing it PROPERLY. Proper equipment and proper perimeters! Not just once but MANY times in the Entire process!
That means some serious Invvestment in a Lab with Real chemists in it, the Most sensitive Equipment or Shipping to a Acredited Lab with the same, doing the testing.
Hopefully we can get a statement {the guide questions} from a Lab, to write down, who does it RIGHT and then have that be our guide, to Asking food companies to compare with it.
“Yeah we test for melamine and cyanruric acid” is NO answer IMHO. Not at all.
It’s all in the details and diligences of the tester, and the equipment used.
We’ve already heard how one Lab finds something and another did not. If that’s due to the sensitivity of the testing, if it’s a Yes, Just how good is the Yes?
Is that going to Help Us down the road?
You can’t just glean the Recall lists these days and Truly be Safe. Or undrstand what hs bee going on the Entire time. IMHO
I also don’t think one could Add much in conversation, about the Safety factor, unless you invest more in the Whole Loooooong Picture.
And *those folks* don’t really understand a Recall process either.
WHO do they think the complaints Come from to try to get a Company to even check???
And FDA sure can’t help there! Not an ounce of power unless it’s Baby formula.
I got a cat Not a Baby!
And Who knows what it takes to get a Company, let’s say, like Purina; to CHECK to even Start the Recall process, IF it’s Not discovered by the company on their own that, they’ve got a Problem?
Not listening, not bothering to do it All properly in Checking, Real testing and then Honest Disclosure is Neligence, not owning Up is too, Imho.
Lack of Honesty and diligence is what we’ve been dealing with. Period.
Settle down? That won’t get a thing done in this business as we’ve found. Be good little citizen and shut up? That surely won’t fix it.
Who has learned, *been taught by the very people* we are Dealing with, on just HOW to handle THIS?
Taught us well.
Like for like. As hard as they say No, We say YES!
Who’s been good students to the Pet Food Industry?
US. And it’s a B_T_H!
But We ain’t Quitin’ til We become the Teachers!
June 15th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Lisa Clay,
Thanks for the info. Hope kitties stay on the road to recovery, along with mine and everyone else who have suvived this ordeal. Now we just have to hope we make the right choices with the crap we have left to choose from.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Lorrie, Have you heard anything more about the strange animal die-off that was happening there in Virginia about5 weeks ago? Just was wondering. Maybe it was this tulemaria(sp) that was on Itchmo’s homepage yesterday. {from mosquitoes?}
June 15th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Lorie - so sorry to hear about your friend’s cat with cancer. Has your friend seen an oncologist for a 2nd opinion? If not, please encourage her to do so.
I didn’t do that, and found out only when it was too late that laser surgery - which I never knew was even available for cats - would probably have saved my Bozo.
I mention this because the laser surgeon specifically talked about an example where he’d removed a large portion of a cat’s jaw.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
YA YA,
I just did a google search for anymore articles on that mess in Leesburg and no new news so far. I will keep you posted.
Kim,
She had the vet call an oncologist while the cat was under sedation and they said chemo would by 6 mos at best for about 3K and it would be very risky because of the location of the jaw and it has all ready eaten threw most of the jaw bone. Plus he is 11 years old.
I still say the radiocat procedure he had done for his thyroid a couple years ago caused the cancer.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
anyone that logs on to & reads the Itchmo forums is either STILL CONCERNED about what’s going on out there, and so does NOT believe everything is OK (aka concerend pet parent as Christine put it)
or is someone on the other side eavesdropping
June 15th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Connie, are you saying that the FDA is now askng us or telling us to USE Expertox for testing our foods???????!!!!!!!!!!
For real?
Or are you saying this is who THEY are now using??????!
Sorry, I was a little confused reading that post, to say the least :-D
June 15th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Katie, Lorie, etc…
I’m sorry to hear about your dog. I may have not made myself clear: I do not think that every food is fine. I personally would never feed Science Diet, Euk/Iams, anything made by Purina or Delmonte, any ‘grocery brands’, etc. This is not because I think that they are secretly contaminated, but simply because I think they are poor quality foods lacking nutritional value. I read the ingredient label on every bag, can or pouch that someone recommends that I feed my pet, and I know what ingredients to look for and what ones to avoid. Malnutrition as well as allergies to sub-par products can cause the symptoms you described, and would explain why your dog is doing better on a homemade diet.
And, yes, petslave, I do check here because I am not convinced that there won’t be more recalls. However, I do think that the FDA and PFI are doing everything they can to find out if anything else is contaminated. I do not think that companies are ignoring test results because they want to make money. From a business standpoint, it wouldn’t make sense for them to knowingly poison their customer base.
And Lorie, you have no reason to feel bad for my cats. They are healthier and more spoiled than most people’s children. I have kept up on the recall info because I am concerned about what has happened, I just think that some people here have taken it a bit too far when they start to accuse the pet food companies of purposely selling poisonous foods and not caring about the ramifications.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Christine your statement earlier said “All the pet food companies have been rigorously testing their product since this all began.” and then most recently said ” And, yes, petslave, I do check here because I am not convinced that there won’t be more recalls.”
If you are so convinced that everyone is rigorously testing their product, why the need to come here because you are not convinced there wont be more recalls, your statements contradict themselves. And why would that explain a vet and pet parent testing Nutro food that was not on the recall list after the first recall on 3-16, only to find out it was contaminated resulting in it being put on the recall list on 4-11 and many other foods continually being put on the recall list months afterwards. I also tried to tell them about the food and just got ignored. Im glad you have that confidence the food is safe but I dont and I question if you really feel that way if you have the need to come here to check. I dont know if you have Itchmo’s auto food recall notices sent to your e:mail addy? If not, that might be a good thing to do.
You indicate that the pet food companies wouldnt purposely add these toxins to the food as it would hurt their business and while that may be true, you can bet that once some of these companies found the toxins in their food, they did not do what they could to pull the product off the shelf immediately and even delayed doing so while they were scrambling to figure out how to deal with it so it wouldnt hurt their profit. There are many cases where it has been found they knew about contamination but did not reveal it until FDA or a private vet discovered it, at which point they had no choice. In the meantime, pets ate the food and became ill or died.
Im very glad your pets did not come into contact with any tainted food but that is not the case with many on this site. Im curious, what food do you feed your pets? You say you dont feed Science Diet, Euk/Iams, anything made by Purina or Delmonte, any ‘grocery brands’, etc. That rules out alot of foods that people normally bought before the recall, so Im curious what you feed them?
June 16th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Sandi,
My cats eat Blue Spa Select dry cat food and Wellness canned, which I’ve been feeding them for about two years. I am confident in these companies, as well as many other holistic lines that are often mentioned here (Eagle, Merrick, Solid Gold). I’m not entirely convinced that the recalls are over, which is why a check this site every few days. However, its more out of curiosity about other foods, and not the ones I’m feeding.
My point about overreacting is that there seems to be a general consensus among people that comment here that there is some sort of conspiracy going on, which I do not think is the case. That is not to say that I think it’s impossible for there to be more recalls. However, just because one pet has an adverse reaction to a food, that is not an indication that the food should be recalled.
June 17th, 2007 at 12:34 am
Thanks for the food info Christine