Recall Update: Thursday
Recall News:
- Nutra Nuggets finally announces recall after test results come back positive.
- Imported fish test positive for melamine.
- Chinese state paper slams China’s response to pet food recall.
- US and China talks end with no suggested regulations — leaves it up to the market.
- US begins checking all Chinese toothpaste imports.
Check out our non-recall news below. And as always, we’ll keep covering all pet news.
P.S. Have questions? Need help? Try our ItchmoForums and get your questions answered by great pet owners.
(Thanks to many reader tips)
May 24th, 2007 at 7:07 am
Thank you to the journalists and editors that have kept at it. This isn’t just an issue that has legs, it has wings. You have as much power as any large corporation. Please use it.
To the politicians that still can’t bring themselves to effect change- what would your parents or grandparents think? Would they be proud?
We lose battles every day. Food safety shouldn’t be one of them.
May 24th, 2007 at 8:20 am
I would like to know what the Ceo’s, Stockholders, and Gov’t officials are eating. What about your children and grandchildren? What is in the food that you eat at your Stockholders Meetings and Political events? Is one of your grandchildren wearing a lead laced bib right now? Are you drinking from a lead laced mug? Where does your toothpaste come from? Do you know? Do you test every imported item that comes into your house? Will one of your loved ones be the next to fall prey to this problem? This is a huge issue and should be on everyone’s high priority list.
I am not going to wait for that Food Safety Law. I control what I put into my pets and families bodies. My Husband and I control what trinkets and non-food items our children have. If it doesn’t say made in the USA (non-food), grown in USA, or All Ingredients Sourced From USA I am leaving it on the shelf. Simple as that.
Of course I realize that some non-food items you cannot get Made In USA. (Thats sad) That is when my thought process will go to “Can I do without it?” I am betting that most of the time the answer will be yes, and my bank account is going to grow.
If we do this and our children do this (they learn by example) I wonder how many generations it will take before these issues are not issues.
May 24th, 2007 at 8:44 am
For whatever reason water and orange keeps coming to mind. Water is a given, considering the chemicals, but I’m perplexed by the color. It will be interesting to see if there’s something to it.
I know, oooeeooo, but there ya go.
May 24th, 2007 at 9:20 am
PFI may not agree with us, but the cattle industry does, and they have more Washington clout than PFI:
http://www.foodproductiondaily.....ne-imports
Cattle industry calls for country-of-origin labeling
5/22/2007
“The US cattle industry has called on Congress this week for funding to immediately implement the mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) for meat and produce.
“The call, made to Congress, comes from Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund (F-Calf). They claim that concerns raised over the safety of imports have increased, while inspections have fallen.
“Mandatory country-of-origin labeling was approved by Congress in 2002 and has been implemented successfully for seafood, while its application to other food groups has been delayed.”
According to this article in Spokesman Review via USA Today (registration needed to view–free), the major US food imports from China are apple juice, honey, garlic and fish.
http://www.spokesmanreview.com.....?ID=190998
Since we don’t have COOL, it looks like one could start here to let them know we don’t want their questionable goods.
http://www.salon.com/news/feat.....ex_np.html
Salon.com
The truth about cat and dog food
Read the entire article free by clicking the link on the first page.
May 24th, 2007 at 9:48 am
Homegrown, I am doing the same. I buy no garlic powder, it is all Chinese. I use fresh garlic when it is USA. I almost never eat green onion anymore. The stores figured out we are checking labels so they even hide the shipping boxes. Unless it has a USA tag I do not buy. It mostly comes from Mexico (e-coli land).
I had been a chicken eater. Now I am back to beef, despite mad-cow, because the mela chicken is unlabeled and looks like any other chicken. No more bacon or sausage because mela hog is unlabeled too.
Be careful of Product of Canada labels. Canadian label laws are different. They do not have to indicate country of origin. I have seen this label on both cashews, and coffee, when neither can be grown in Canada. The food can apparently be called a ‘product’ of Canada even if it is not grown there.
I have lost faith in processed foods, from frozen dinners to commercial breads. I still get bread but I have stopped going to the freezer case because the big companies that make these processed foods seem to have no problem buying cheap ingredients from China but they have a problem telling us when they are putting a Chinese ingredient into the product.
I had been trying to buy USA, but this pet food episode has changed my lifestyle big time.
It is not a temporary thing. You cannot forget how sick your pets were because of junk slipped into their food. The image will not go away. The distrust is permanent.
I do not see any sign the food industry wants to give up the Chinese money maker. I have not heard a single food ad that said “Our company uses only good American raised ingredients”. The silence is deafening
May 24th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Yesterday I went to Central Market to buy produce. They have everything labeled with country and if grown in the U.S., the state also. I bought only produce grown in the U.S. and organic if possible. I noticed they had local produce too. So maybe they are starting to get the hint that people are tired of guessing where their food comes from.
Before that, I had gone to my local health food store to buy produce and everything there was from Mexico, South America, etc. Most was not labeled except for those tiny stickers on the fruit. When I asked if they had any tomatoes from the U.S. she looked at me like I was crazy and said, “They’re all organic”. I told her I was looking for U.S. produce only. That’s when I went to Central Market.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Can’t wait to get my garden going. In the mean time I will grow tomatoes in pots.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Memorial Weekend–local farmers’ markets in my area will be starting. My grandmother taught me to can more than 40 years ago, so I guess I will be busy this summer. There is a “special needs” school near here and they have a horticulture/agriculture program. I know they grow garlic so maybe I can figure out how to dry and powder it myself. Hey, it’s worth a shot.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Chinese buyers signed 27 contracts worth an estimated $2.7 billion with U.S. soybean export companies. In Iowa, 10 contracts were signed for 2.2 million metric tons of soybeans worth $700 million. Some of the agreements were signed when the Chinese delegation visited the state capitol in Des Moines on May 17.
So I guess the Chinese need to add poisons to it so they can sell it back to us gullible Americans?
Or is it they buy the good food from us for themselves and send us their toxic products and poisonous foods?
Ironic isn’t it?
http://wallacesfarmer.com/inde.....p;fpstid=2
May 24th, 2007 at 10:31 am
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6686627.stm Health officials in the United States say they are checking all shipments of toothpaste imported from China for contamination with toxic chemicals.
Panama and the Dominican Republic have reported finding diethylene glycol, a chemical used in engine coolants, in toothpaste from China.
China is the second-largest exporter of toothpaste to the US after Canada.
The New York Times said a Chinese chemical maker had sold the industrial-grade chemical as glycerine, which is often used as a moistener in products from toothpaste to soap and cosmetics.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:33 am
I saw on one of the organic websites that the way to tell if whole garlic is from the USA is that the USA growers leave “brush” on the root end where the Chinese garlic cuts it straight across leaving no “brush” of roots.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:36 am
I think they are eating our food and selling us theirs. That is what happens when you have a trade surplus of 1 trillion US dollars.
I haven’t seen the lovely Christmas oranges in our produce department for several years now. That was a tradition. The best saved for the holidays. We no longer see first class produce in our local grocery stores
We buy their toys, overpriced linens, cheap tools, lamps and light fixtures that break within two months, bad fitting shoes, and clothes that are looking more and more Chinese in design. Anything factory made.
They buy our lumber, minerals, and crops. They don’t want anything we make except our Patents and Technology which they don’t pay for. They will buy the machines from our factories as they go under.
When Pillowtex, Americas biggest bedding maker went under, (thanks to Walmart, but that is another story) the looms were shipped to China. Now the people who wouldnt buy Pillowtex products, can by inferior bedding at a higher price made on the same looms by Chinese.
I sure don’t want the gluten in my bread made in Shanghai
May 24th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Off the subject but Clinton Portis was sent home from practice yesterday by Joe Gibbs for his comments supporting Mike Vicks dog fighting. Redskins are not taking his comments lightly.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:39 am
e wem said: It is not a temporary thing. You cannot forget how sick your pets were because of junk slipped into their food. The image will not go away. The distrust is permanent.
…because this blatant and deliberate adulteration with poison is now known to be longstanding, widespread and pervasive.
We will not stand by and allow poisoning of our people by a foreign “entity” including any large interests that solicit, cooperate in or abet the poisoning. We won’t stand for it, and we’re the deciders.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:43 am
e wem said: We buy their toys, overpriced linens, cheap tools, lamps and light fixtures that break within two months, bad fitting shoes,
watches with “leather” bands that are actually fake - nothing but a plastic film over a cardboard-like substance that falls apart w’in months.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:45 am
I don’t want any imported anything. But especially anything to do with flour. We use it in too many things. I get my flour from montana
http://www.wheatmontana.com/
I can make my own bread, can vegies and fruits in season for the winter months. We have a local meat locker and luckily I do have the ability to raise my own chickens. Free Range only. There are lots of online resources to make your own everything from soap to lotion. I suspect I will make it without the large corporation chinese products. ;-)
May 24th, 2007 at 10:45 am
e wem: They buy our lumber, minerals, and crops. They don’t want anything we make except our Patents and Technology which they don’t pay for. They will buy the machines from our factories as they go under.
unfortunately, the “THEY” you refer to must include the mega ntl corporations that are selling America out.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Susan,
I just bought a canning starter set. I came with a book on how to can, freeze and dry various fruits and vegetables. I’m starting with the boiling method after I master that I will progress to the pressure method.
I told my local hardware store where I bought the set that if they hear an explosion coming from just north of them the would know the canning lady blew up her tomatoes.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Zoe you’ll do just fine. It really is pretty simple.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:04 am
And tomorrow is Friday. Wonder if there will be yet more recalls. Better get our liquor, pepto bismol, comfort food, pain killers, etc ready for those of us who drink, get tummy aches, food cravings, and headaches from all this.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Think I’ll change my name to:
Escaped Lab Rat #637B
May 24th, 2007 at 11:25 am
itchmo administrator–do you want us to still look for an unopened bag of iams dry dog food. there was information about possible contamination in an opened bag on this site last evening. saw nothing today. are you still looking for a certain date code of this product?
May 24th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Susan, you can use a food dehydrator for the garlic, or else just slice the cloves and put them on a cookie sheet to dry (preferably out of strong light). Once dry, try a spice grinder (coffee grinder).
May 24th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Helen
I’ve been wanting to get a dehydrator. Do you know which is the best brand?
May 24th, 2007 at 11:50 am
The Food Safety issue is not totally off the table:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/.....zfront-hed
Chicago Tribune May 24, 2007
Currency dispute raising specter of U.S. retaliation
“Despite modest trade agreements announced by the U.S. and China on Wednesday, a heavy cloud still hangs over their economic relationship.
“There was no immediate agreement on the food-safety issue. The U.S. sought action after the deaths of pets in the U.S. who had eaten tainted Chinese-imported wheat gluten. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said more meetings are scheduled this week on that issue.
“Analysts said China would have to do much more. In Congress, “there is a lot of pent-up demand for getting results,” said Lael Brainard, an economist at the Brookings Institution.
“To many American businesses, labor leaders and politicians, revaluing the currency trumps all other matters. They argue that China’s currency is 40 percent undervalued, enabling it to sell goods in the U.S. at cut-rate prices and making American goods more expensive in China.”
And if this happens–revaluing the yuan–it will mean that quite a bit that is purchased from China because it’s ultra-cheap, will not be such a “bargain” any more; less imports of all types will enter the US from there. Some in Congress are talking about raising tariffs on Chinese imported goods; this also will make them more expensive to import. However they become more expensive is good news for those of us who are concerned about the food and medical products being exported from China–it means they stop becoming manufacturers’ “first choice”.
May 24th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
You ALL make such excellent comments…..so valid, and yet, so necessary.
Growing up as a kid…we always had a BIG garden in the back….and I remember camping trips where we would pend a day(or two) picking wild blueberries, that my Mom would fabulous jam from! She also canned the fresh veggies from our garden….and we always had fresh potatoes down in the root cellar.
My Dad always got a side of beef from the butcher down the road….all cut and packaged that went into the giant deep-freezer in the basement. How I wish for those days now!!!!
To me the saddest thing is knowing that the money that we work our asses off for…is spent on slowly killing us as well. Remember, not EVERYONE is up to date on this whole fiasco. This is just so fundamentally wrong!!!….and although I now know the extent of it….and ways to avoid products that danger the lives of our families….it SO maddens me still, to think that providing the necessities of life, requires these ongoing investigations!
Boy….my parents had it SO right!!!…and they still have that garden every year!
BTW….mke sure that those Mason jars that we use for canning…..don’t come from China either!!! It would just be another “kick in the head” to know that they are making money off the misery that they “help” to create!
One last thing….someone commented earlier…wondering what foods and such, these CEOs etc….feed their kids and grandkids etc……I’d also LOVE to know the answer to how they make out their shopping lists for everyday necessities!
May 24th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
While I’m extremely furious over the imports from China and the vast quanities of it… We should also look into what is allowed (by USA standards) in our products as safe, be they laced/tainted or not!!!!
Just checked my Aq -Fr toothpaste, Ultimate White
ingredient listed sodium lauryl sulfate… according to this chemical glossary…
http://stason.org/articles/wel.....ducts.html
35. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: An ingredient in 90% of commercially available shampoo and conditioner. Corrodes hair follicle and impedes hair growth. Is found in car wash soap, engine degreaser, toothpaste, cream, lotion, and garage floor cleaners. Penetrates your eyes, brain, liver and remains there for long-term. Degenerates cell membranes and can change the genetic information (mutagenic) in cells and damage the immune system. May cause blindness and lead to cataracts. Eyes can not heal properly. Retards the healing process.
NOT HAPPY!!! - so many things we take for granted in our products also
May 24th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Helen and Zoe, Thanks for the advice. I do have a pressue cooker, but not a dehydrator. I just came back from a local VERY small farm. Eggs, free-range chicken, milk, honey, corn, berries. They buy organic feed but don’t want to go through the hassle of getting certified. They’re just too small. They have a dozen or so cows and sell locally only. Maybe I can make chicken (with bones and organs) for my cats. Now I need to check the classifieds for a chest freezer.
May 24th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Susan,
The farm you found sounds perfect. How did you locate it? I haven’t found anything like that near me.
Were you able to get the new Pitcairn book on sale?
May 24th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Zoe,
I remembered last fall I’d seen a tiny barn with a “honey for sale” sign on it. I had to find the back road I’d been on. Found it and they had signs for eggs and chickens. The eggs are brown and all different sizes. The farm looked like 50 years ago. Cows chewing on corn, chickens all over the place, bee boxes in back. Pop works the farm, Mom’s a legal secretary, kids combine work and school, and they get by. I saw the fattest barn cats I’ve ever seen.
I ordered the Pitcairn book locally. Should be in soon. Thanks!
May 24th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Weird. I was just eating a granola bar and I looked at the ingredients. Whey protein was listed. I googled Whey Protein + China and found out mainland China exports a product called “New Zealand Whey Protein.” Is that deceptive or what? Melola bar, I guess.
May 24th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
menusux: I tried to email Food Production USA about the Cattlemen’s article, but it would not go through. My questions were concerning the possible contamination of cattle feed, considering they are so vociferously on board all of a sudden. I wonder if the milk, cheese, etc, is contaminated. I’m sure it has been tested and haven’t heard any discussion of it at all. That probably isn’t a good sign.
May 24th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I wonder what the brands of the 20 millions chickens were?? Anyone know? I found this info:
Livingstone, California-based Foster Farms issued an assurance to consumers on Saturday, May 5, 2007, explaining that its chicken products are safe to eat because Foster Farms poultry feed does not contain any wheat gluten or concentrated rice. Furthermore, Foster Farms does not import any protein ingredients from China for its poultry feed. Foster Farms branded fresh chicken is always locally grown on farms it owns or operates in each of its markets (California, Oregon and Washington).
Foster Farms chickens are fed a highly-nutritious, balanced diet composed mostly of corn and soy meal, with added vitamins and minerals, the company said in a release, adding, Foster Farms is committed to producing the safest, most wholesome, highest quality and delicious poultry and poultry products.
May 24th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
You know–I found some cute lawn furniture at Home Depo–almost bought it until I saw on the box….”Made in China”.
May 24th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
It always makes me suspicious when farms or other producers say they do not import soy or corn etc from China. But what about the distributor they buy it from. There is such a murky trail of foodstuffs. They change hands and undergo reprocessing so many times.
I’m still wondering how much of the 2 known shipments of contaminated wheat flour have been physically accounted for. When the math is all done, we will have eaten the difference!! And how many other shipments have there been? Not an FDA priority right now.
Federal Depopulation Administration
May 24th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
A sickly looking tube of Mr. Cool toothpaste, contaminated with anti freeze, could be the personification of our need to implement the passed COOL legislation. Is it truly legal to not implement a law due to lack of funding or whatever their excuse is?
May 24th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
DMS:
You’re not alone–me very suspicious when they say they do not import anything from China. It seems all the dog food sites are saying these things and the next thing we know is they are on recall list. Very sad. Nutro sent me an email stating that their food is safe, once again. Who are you going to believe?
May 24th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
There is a company out here in Ohio called Gerber’s poultry who also does not import anything from China for their chicken feed, however they too use vitamins for their chickens and when I asked where the vitamins come from they could not tell me.
May 24th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Zoe, I don’t have a dehydrator. I only dry herbs, but a friend had one that just used fan and trays. I would look for one that doesn’t use a lot of heat. She used to dry fruit with it for snacks, and it worked well.
May 24th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Thanks Helen
I’ll look for one like that.
May 24th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
President Bush has signed a bill postponing the implementation of COOL over and over again. He is the reason why we don’t have it for the items approved in 2002. If we all die you should know who to blame. The buck stops with the incompetant C student we have running this country.
May 24th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Apparently our government has decided not to implement the Bioterrorism Act of 2002. Exactly where is all that Homeland Security money going? I guess making sure we only carry 3 oz of mouthwash onto a plane is a higher security issue than the safety of our food supply.
May 24th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
What a Great thread folks! {what an amazing group :-) }
Every one has some seriously Valid to say in each one.
I like many of you learned “home-cooking” at my Grandmothers knee. She was older when she had her kids and was fairly old when I learned from her. But I’d not give up Any of what she taught me!
You know many High Schools don’t even have Home Ec anymore???!
I learned alot about Nutrition in mine and more in my medical classes. And then more on my own over the years.
I cherish my similar memories of camping and having gardens and the meat in the big deep freezers. Going to the Hog farms, cattle and even turkey to pick out our “meat”.
I canned for years and it was some of my proudest type work. I haven’t since moving closer to a big City. Bout 5 years since I “really” did it. Tho drying my own herbs and such still. I grow alot of them in pots now. I can winter many over and pop them back out in the spring.
You’ve brougt back Tons of memories. :-D
Clean healthy Foods, Made in the USA products, things to be Proud of.
I hope WE can have an Affect on all of this Ugly, nasty, cheap, dangerous methods of Business practices.
Lord help the Future of the US if not. {’from within’}
Zoe, on the Tomato canning. I Really and Truly Still Believe in ‘Water-Bath method’ for most Acidic vegetables. Especially Tomatoes.
{things like Salsa I pressure canned}
I recommend getting hold of the Home Extension service in your Area. They offer many Food related classes and will answer Any questions over the phone as well.
{shoot for a lady who is over 45 or maybe lives on a Farm herself for Real canning experience :-P }
I found it best to start in the mornings. By the time the Sun is full blast in the later time of day; the Heat will be a bit much in the kitchen. But you’ll be mostly done by that time and in the Cool down phase of the whole process :-D
SAVES on the AC Bill too :-)
Have everything cleaned and cut etc the night before so you can jump right in in the Morning.
Line everything up and have all your ‘tools’ ready and GO!
You will not Believe how good a pot of chili or a Lasagna will taste, with Fresh canned tomatoes in them!
Oh and maybe the County or University Extension Services can point you to Fresh garlic etc. too, in your areas. {they also have Great web-sites AND Recipes!}
Use Them.
They’ve been sort of forgotten over the years.
{maybe they might keep stats yet on the calls they receive and will see a Rise in “Home-made” Questions and issues. Now that would be Interesting!}
May 24th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Thanks YaYa. I’m going to try everything you suggested.
May 24th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
http://www.commondreams.org/ar.....5/23/1391/ Bush Taps Fox for Consumer Henhouse brief excerpt: You almost have to admire the pure, unadulterated chutzpah. Of all the people out there to head the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Bush administration went ahead and chose Michael Baroody, the executive vice president of the National Association of Manfacturers (NAM) — a man whose job for the last 13 years has been to characterize almost all CPSC regulations as needless meddling by cantankerous, fear-mongering bureaucrats.
The magic of the marketplace has clearly worked for Baroody (the NAM pays him $344,607 a year to demonize regulation). So why not leave everything up to the simple laws of supply and demand? All government does is interfere with the ability of hard-working Americans to make money, right? And if the people really wanted safe products, why, they’d buy them, already! (Never mind that as lobbyist for the NAM, Baroody supported weakening guidelines to require companies report about product hazards so that consumers could make informed choices.) And if product users get hurt (like all those silly babies who keep getting injured in defective baby walkers), well, it’s probably because they’re stupid (unlike manufacturers, who never make a mistake).
May 24th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Sharon makes an excellent point: Exactly where is all that Homeland Security money going? I guess making sure we only carry 3 oz of mouthwash onto a plane is a higher security issue than the safety of our food supply.
FDA RELEASE THE IDENTIFIED 5TH TOXIN TO THE PUBLIC NOW
May 24th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Another $120B for the war in Iraq but we don’t have the money to make sure our food is safe. What’s wrong with this picture?
May 24th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Sharon,
I just looked at the FDA website regarding their 2008 budget.
“Total Budget: For FY 2008, FDA requests a total budget of $2.1 billion. This amount is $105.8 million more than the FY 2007 request and represents a 5.3% increase….
$21.8M to fund pay inflation for FDA’s world-class workforce
$10.6M to strengthen food safety
$11.2M to modernize drug safety
$ 7.2M to improve medical device safety and device application review
$21.3M to conducting more – and more timely – generic drug reviews; this amount includes a $5.6M increase in budget authority and $15.7M in user fees
$27.0M to establish reinspection user fees and export certificate user fees
$42.9M to continue to relocate FDA operations to our White Oak Campus and to pay the cost of essential infrastructure to support public health programs …”
$10.6 million to strengthen food safety. Can you believe it?
May 24th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
DMS Says:
May 24th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
menusux: I tried to email Food Production USA about the Cattlemen’s article, but it would not go through. My questions were concerning the possible contamination of cattle feed, considering they are so vociferously on board all of a sudden. I wonder if the milk, cheese, etc, is contaminated. I’m sure it has been tested and haven’t heard any discussion of it at all. That probably isn’t a good sign.
Found the Ranchers/Cattlemen’s website:
http://www.r-calfusa.com/
You might try contacting them directly at the e-mail address shown on this page with questions:
http://www.r-calfusa.com/News%20Releases/faq.htm
Phone: 406-252-2516
E-mail: r-calfusa@r-calfusa.com
Mailing Address: R-CALF USA, P.O. Box 30715, Billings, MT 59107
May 24th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Monkfish from Santa Fe Springs CA (Product of China)
Distributed to restaaurants!!
http://www.chron.com/disp/stor.....33039.html