Urgent :: Pet Food Recall... Urgent!!! - TOXIN FOUND

xocats

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Your kitty is adorable...

I am feeding Nutro dry but feel very insecure about any food that came from Menu Foods.
It is so confusing.


I wish that I had a better answer for you.
 

xocats

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I bought Innova yesterday after talking to a customer rep on the phone.
I was assured that Natura (Innova) did not get their food from Menu Foods.
Today I read a post that they do...
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=119886 Post #9.

I have PMed the member who posted the info about Natura to ask for their source.
We need sources when info. is posted so that we can investigate the info for ourselves.
The lives of our kitties are at stake.
 

rob119

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It may help to have some knowledge of where- state- illnesses and deaths are occurring. Maybe people should post that information. Obviously, we can't assume all is okay or all is not okay if there are or aren't problems reported directly in our area, but still it might be helpful.
 

beandip

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Originally Posted by white cat lover

OK, so I got an e-mail from PetFoodDirect listing info on Nutro pouches being recalled. The numbers & info on the PFD e-mail do not correspond with numbers that other places are giving out, such at Petsmart.

PFD e-mail info:
best buy type UPC code
Jan/08/09 Adult Cal Tuna 24x3oz\tPouch\t3oz\t79105362580
Feb/06/09 Adult Cal Tuna 24x3oz\tPouch\t3oz\t79105362580

Petsmart website:
UPC Code
7910536257 ADULT CALIF. TUNA SUPREME POUCH 3OZ

The big thing is the UPC code info differs!?!?
PFD better take my pouches back even if they don't match the info they have. I'm sure not feeding them!
Are the different UPC codes because one is the UPC for a case and the other is a UPC for a single pouch?

Petsmart should take the pouches back, no problem. They aren't requiring receipts, not here anyway. So it shouldn't matter where you got it.

Originally Posted by xocats

I bought Innova yesterday after talking to a customer rep on the phone.
I was assured that Natura (Innova) did not get their food from Menu Foods.
Today I read a post that they do...
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=119886 Post #9.

I have PMed the member who posted the info about Natura to ask for their source.
We need sources when info. is posted so that we can investigate the info for ourselves.
The lives of our kitties are at stake.
I think she mentioned in her post that it was Pet Food Express, but she didn't post the link. I'll see if I can find it.

Ok, here it is

http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfoo...&Section=About
 

crazyforinfo

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

I mentioned aflatoxin a few pages ago, though I'm pretty sure I spelled it wrong.
Aflatoxin can be in corn and barley.
Vomitoxin can be wheat and barley.

DH has tested barley and recalled brands Pet Pantry (doesn't exist anymore) and Pet Worth for vomitoxin before.


Not saying this is the problem, but that's some of what the plants do test for. And as I said in another post gluten meal isn't tested.
Originally Posted by icklemiss21

I have already seen several reports that have guessed at a fungal mold / toxin in the wheat gluten, but again until they release the info there isn't much we can do. It is important to realise that people have fed wheat gluten for a long time without these problems and that it was a 'bad' batch of whatever that has caused the recall
It's interesting that different words catch our attention in one sentence. I was actually focused on "heavy metals like cadmium and lead" for some reason. I should have highlighted that part. Maybe I didn't read about metals in other post either.
 

beandip

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Originally Posted by crazyforinfo

It's interesting that different words catch our attention in one sentence. I was actually focused on "heavy metals like cadmium and lead" for some reason. I should have highlighted that part. Maybe I didn't read about metals in other post either.
Yes, I don't want to contribute to too much speculation, but that sort of makes me wonder about the CANS ...especially if they (Menu) are supplying empty cans to some companies?? But that doesn't explain the pouches, nor does it explain why it's only "chunks in gravy" wet food that's been affected.


So I think I just dismissed my own theory.
 

sharky

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Originally Posted by beandip

Yes, I don't want to contribute to too much speculation, but that sort of makes me wonder about the CANS ...especially if they (Menu) are supplying empty cans to some companies?? But that doesn't explain the pouches, nor does it explain why it's only "chunks in gravy" wet food that's been affected.


So I think I just dismissed my own theory.
Yeah if it is heavy metals another rd of recalls are likely ... wheat gluten is far simplier since it is a gravey thickener .... but see the Not made by menu thread
 

catsarebetter

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I know it's been asked..

I talked to my vet this morning and finally asked him about the food recall. (I know that sounds irresponsible of me, but Friday one of my cats had minor surgery on her foot, and yesterday the kitten had her spay surgery, and she's been a wild thing/crazy kitty)... so, I called him this morning and asked him about it and said that my fur-babies may have eaten an affected bite or five of food, but we weren't sure.. basically, what should I look for, what signs are there, how long does it take, how much food does it take.. et cetera.

His response was: *ANY* sign of illness is enough to have them tested. One of mine has been vomiting more than normal, but not considerably more, and one was a little "off" for a few days, although not close to the time when he was fed the packet food. If they've had *any* food or potentially any food, at any point, signs may develop shortly after, or later on.. it depends on the cat, the cat's metabolism, how much food, and basically all the factors are such a variable that there's just no way to tell.

So, I guess the message here is just simply keep an eye out for signs of any illness. I know vomiting wasn't on that list, but he wants to test her.

They also said that the wet food packets, even containing wheat gluten from companies not on the list are safe. I'm still paranoid, so I will be buying non-gluten packets for them to take their meds with.
 

swampwitch

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Originally Posted by orangetabgurl

no friskies or fancy feast right?
I'm wondering, too. I'm staying away from the Fancy Feast with wheat gluten in the ingredients, just in case.

A woman on another board lost both her Persians in early February, two weeks apart. She had fed them one of the taited foods, and has just realized why they died.
 

beandip

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I'm just hoping that the affected dates are somewhat accurate. Mine don't eat anything on the lists, except for a Nutro Pouch ...just every once in awhile. When I checked the dates on the ones I had just purchased, they were all from earlier batches...I guess there's slow turnover at my Petsmart.
I still returned them, of course.

I just wish we could actually feel like we knew *anything* concrete about what's going on.
 

urbantigers

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I checked a couple of pouches of nutro against the list and the UPC code matches although the dates don't (slightly later than the specified dates). I've contacted zooplus where I got them from as there's nothing on their website about it and there's been nothing about this over here. I'm throwing all my nutro out - better to be safe than sorry - even though that means 3 boxes plus some cans. I'm not taking a chance with my boys. I'm getting paranoid now about some recent vomiting Jaffa's been having. Probably totally unrelated but I'm keeping an eye on him and he's having no more nutro for a while.
 

catsallover

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Originally Posted by urbantigers

I checked a couple of pouches of nutro against the list and the UPC code matches although the dates don't (slightly later than the specified dates). I've contacted zooplus where I got them from as there's nothing on their website about it and there's been nothing about this over here. I'm throwing all my nutro out - better to be safe than sorry - even though that means 3 boxes plus some cans. I'm not taking a chance with my boys. I'm getting paranoid now about some recent vomiting Jaffa's been having. Probably totally unrelated but I'm keeping an eye on him and he's having no more nutro for a while.
Don't throw them out if you can- if they are included (and haven't been posted on the website yet) or are included later, you can at least get your $ back, but you may need the codes or something off of them
. You could put them in a trash bag or something and stick them in the closet until they get this all sorted out
.
 

javern

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Originally Posted by rob119

It may help to have some knowledge of where- state- illnesses and deaths are occurring. Maybe people should post that information. Obviously, we can't assume all is okay or all is not okay if there are or aren't problems reported directly in our area, but still it might be helpful.
one death and several illnesses have been reported here in central Iowa from this issue.
 

urbantigers

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Originally Posted by catsallover

Don't throw them out if you can- if they are included (and haven't been posted on the website yet) or are included later, you can at least get your $ back, but you may need the codes or something off of them
. You could put them in a trash bag or something and stick them in the closet until they get this all sorted out
.
Yh, I'll hold on to them at least until I've had a reply from zooplus about whether they will refund. I've written down all the BB dates and code numbers and they seem to all have BB dates outside of those published (either earlier or later) but one document listing recalled products didnt' give any BB dates and the codes matched so I'm not assuming they're safe to feed just yet.
 

techiegirl

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Originally Posted by Nellers

Doesn't this whole mess make you praise dry food?

The biggest eye opener to me is to see that so many brands are affected. We assume that this brand is better than that brand and I have seen the debates on this forum. Yet, these brands are all affected. So essentially that tells me there is no real difference if they are obtaining the wet food "goo" from the same source.
Just because the food is manufactured at the same facility has nothing to do with the recipe for each food - those are completely different. It was one ingredient that was in all of the foods that is the culprit. So no, all those foods are not the same.


I am amazed that so many people are shocked that a lot of companies outsource the manufacturing process. Welcome to the world of manufacturing. This happens for a lot of products. My favorite example is for eye pencils - there are 2 places in the WORLD who manufacture them - one in the US, one in Germany. The equipment to produce the eye pencils is very expensive so it makes sense to outsource.

Also, DO NOT THROW THE FOODS AWAY - RETURN THEM TO THE STORE!! If you just toss them, as a lot of people here said they did/will do, the companies don't have to do anything about it - they already got your money! But if you return them, they will need to take them back and dispose of them. Believe me, they would rather you toss them - it will cost them less!

My CRF cat eats Rx wet/dry and Nutro pouches. I had 14 pouches in my cupboard and every pouch but one a lot# on the recall list.
I went through this last year with the Royal Canin Renal LP recall. BAH!!! Now I have to go out and find her something else to eat and she HATES change.. Thank God for PetSmart's awesome return policy
 

sharky

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Originally Posted by techiegirl

Just because the food is manufactured at the same facility has nothing to do with the recipe for each food - those are completely different. It was one ingredient that was in all of the foods that is the culprit. So no, all those foods are not the same.


I am amazed that so many people are shocked that a lot of companies outsource the manufacturing process. Welcome to the world of manufacturing. This happens for a lot of products. My favorite example is for eye pencils - there are 2 places in the WORLD who manufacture them - one in the US, one in Germany. The equipment to produce the eye pencils is very expensive so it makes sense to outsource.

Also, DO NOT THROW THE FOODS AWAY - RETURN THEM TO THE STORE!! If you just toss them, as a lot of people here said they did/will do, the companies don't have to do anything about it - they already got your money! But if you return them, they will need to take them back and dispose of them. Believe me, they would rather you toss them - it will cost them less!

My CRF cat eats Rx wet/dry and Nutro pouches. I had 14 pouches in my cupboard and every pouch but one a lot# on the recall list.
I went through this last year with the Royal Canin Renal LP recall. BAH!!! Now I have to go out and find her something else to eat and she HATES change.. Thank God for PetSmart's awesome return policy
may i suggest if the sheba tubs and meow mix for decent sub
 

jcat

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Originally Posted by urbantigers

I checked a couple of pouches of nutro against the list and the UPC code matches although the dates don't (slightly later than the specified dates). I've contacted zooplus where I got them from as there's nothing on their website about it and there's been nothing about this over here. I'm throwing all my nutro out - better to be safe than sorry - even though that means 3 boxes plus some cans. I'm not taking a chance with my boys. I'm getting paranoid now about some recent vomiting Jaffa's been having. Probably totally unrelated but I'm keeping an eye on him and he's having no more nutro for a while.
I contacted zooplus on Saturday, and have yet to get an answer. There's a lot of confusion about the dates. The product codes are apparently always the same, and the production and best by dates are what's important. Some people have found matches, others haven't (I've been following the zooplus German forums.) The German importer/distributor was not aware of the recall!!!!! The Swiss importer/distributor claims the Nutro sold in Europe isn't the same as that sold in North America.


Why not return the food, and ask for a refund? Zooplus is usually good about taking back food your cats don't like, so even if their Nutro isn't affected, which isn't at all clear to me, they should give you a refund/credit note.
 

techiegirl

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Originally Posted by Javern

Pets that pass away next year or a couple years from now may have done so sooner due to damage from this tainted food. How would we know???
The toxins involved in this situation would cause ACUTE kidney failure - they would be healthy, get very sick and possibly die. There is no longterm effect in this situation.
 
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