Safe in Europe?

So far I have had an automated reply too from Purina, nothing from RC. I agree that we should bombard them - this could be a much greater scandal than we are seeing so far. I don't think they really know what they are getting - they just buy cheap ingredients from the lowest cost supplier anywhere in the world, often without the checks we have in the EU and USA.

Originally Posted by Epona

I have been worried about this myself. I just realised that the Royal Canin I feed Sonic (manufactured in France) contains wheat gluten so I'll be especially interested to hear their response.

For the UKers - JWB dry contains no wheat gluten, they use rice and maize. As far as wet goes - none of the Hi-Life pouches list any kind of wheat in their ingredients. The fish selection pouches contain tapioca gluten, not wheat gluten. Nature's Menu lists no wheat products in their ingredients. They do say 'Derivatives of vegetable origin' but I assume that refers to the added vitamins and minerals.

ETA: Sophie's Mum, I am so sorry to hear about your loss

What a sad first post to have to make, and I am sorry not to be able to welcome you to TCS under happier circumstances.

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I hope JWB don't use this rice
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...st/6482599.stm

Sophies mum, i'm so very sorry

I've just e-mailed them myself, and this morning i spoke to a Kate from Purina who assured me that their wheat gluten hasn't come from China. I asked her to confirm where it came from and she was sure it was home produced but would find out and e-mail me. As yet no e-mmail arrived so i'll be onto her again tomorrow!.

So what kibbles are safe over here does anyone know?

I have been using Jameswellbeloved but I am thinking of changing to Arden Grange
Because JWB has been bought out by Proctor & Gamble.
http://www.ardengrange.com/index.asp

I like the sound of that Ann! Do Pets at Home sell it or do you have to buy it direct do you know?. Either way i might try it as well seeing as it doesn't contain wheat gluten

Originally Posted by Rosiemac

I like the sound of that Ann!

Do Pets at Home sell it or do you have to buy it direct do you know?. Either way i might try it as well seeing as it doesn't contain wheat gluten

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I can't see it on Pets at Home web site.

Originally Posted by Anakat

I can't see it on Pets at Home web site.

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I've just registered with their site, and i've taken a note of their number to place an order tomorrow.

I'll have a good chat with them tomorrow when i ring but i really like the sound of their foods

Where did you find them Anne?

They advertise in The Countryman magazine
Please let me know what they say, then i will order some as well.

Originally Posted by Anakat

Please let me know what they say, then i will order some as well.

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I will no problem. It may be tomorrow evening when i get back to you because the computers are down at work

Is there anything you want me to ask them?.

Just the same stuff you want to know I expect, ie do they import ingredients? if so where from and how safe are they? Thanks.

Originally Posted by Anakat

Just the same stuff you want to know I expect, ie do they import ingredients? if so where from and how safe are they? Thanks.

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Ok i've made a note of that

FWIW: http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia9926.html
http://www.itchmo.com/read/fda-pinpo...luten_20070401

Thanks Tricia, i'll mention those and ask if they want them sent on.

Originally Posted by Rosiemac

Thanks Tricia, I'll mention those and ask if they want them sent on.

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There are some more links, but there's so much bickering and flaming going on at European sites I've checked out that it's hard to sort out what is reliable info, and what's not.

Nothing back from Affinity

I have had nothing either!

I don't know what it means for those of you in Europe because I don't know how they differ in their supplys or manufacturing but I just heard that Purina is issuing a recall on some of their foods here in the U.S. If my cats weren't so picky and such dry kibble addicts I would be making my own food for them.

Originally Posted by Sophie's Mum

This is my first time post on any forum site but I am so devasted at the loss of my beloved cat Sophie who was almost 12. She died yesterday after a very distressing four days of watching her suffer kidney failure and other organ breakdown. Her vet had never seen such a rapid decline in a healthy cat who had so much time left and so much love to give. Her death was very unexpected even by the vet. The reason for my post here is that late last year (2006) I started to feed her on Purina gravy foil satchets – "As Good As It Looks." She really seemed to enjoy this brand even though I was alarmed at the way the food she left would turn so hard and dry and even blocked up the sink! This particular gravy version has strangely disappeared from the store's shelves (both supermarkets and pet stores!) in the past couple of months. Friends in the USA who were concerned for Sophie's health, have informed me of the terrible crisis that is currently raging with regard to food recall. I cannot believe that Europe's animal food standards are higher than the USA and so would like to know if any other cat owner's currently share my distress and shock at the sudden loss of their pet and what can we do to prevent other beloved pets suffering so much. We are very concerned for our other two other cats who have followed the same diet as Sophie. She was until very recently an extremely active and healthy member of our family and we will miss her terribly.

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So sorry to hear this- hopefully Sophie is running free over rainbow bridge

I have personally checked with the Royal Canin Region rep here (as opposed to the Local country manager) and have been assured that none of their cat/dog foods contain anything that comes from China. So, I'm pretty much reassured - I know who to call and attack if any of my cats start to fail....

This is the reply I had this afternoon from Purina Europe:

"Thank you for contacting us with your concerns regarding the recent recall in the USA.

On March 30, 2007, NestlÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] Purina USA announced a voluntary recall of all sizes and varieties of its ALPOÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food with specific date codes. The Company took this voluntary action after learning on 30.3.07 that wheat gluten containing melamine, a substance not approved for use in food, was provided to NestlÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] Purina USA by the same company that also supplied Menu Foods. The contamination occurred in a limited production quantity at only one of NestlÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] Purina USAâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s 17 pet food manufacturing facilities.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on 30th March the finding of melamine in products related to the March 16 Menu Foods recall, and advised NestlÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] Purina USA of the source of the contaminated supply. NestlÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] Purina USA then determined that it had received some quantity from the suspect supplier, informed the FDA and immediately began a recall process.

Importantly, NO NestlÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] Purina Europe brand wet or dry or snacks pet food products are affected by this North American only voluntary recall. Nor is any pet food product involved in this recall exported to or sold in Europe. NestlÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] Purina Europeâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s wheat gluten suppliers have confirmed that our wheat gluten originates only from European sources and that it is not mixed with any other non European source of wheat gluten. In addition, our suppliers have also confirmed that no additives are mixed with this European sourced wheat gluten.

At NestlÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] Purina, nothing is more important to us than the health and well-being of the pets whose nutrition has been entrusted to us by their owners, and we deeply regret this unfortunate situation in the USA.

NestlÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] Purina will continue to take any and all actions necessary to ensure the quality and safety of our products.

We hope that we have reassured you regarding this matter and if we can be of any further assistance then please do not hesitate to contact us again. "

That seems to say that we are safe in Europe, for the moment. I have not heard from RC yet.