Pet Food Recall

Originally Posted by Duchess15

So is Blue spa select still safe?? I just bought some today and didn't find out until today that the rice protein concentrate is in some of their products! I only bought the dry. I am assuming they are talking about wet food, or is it dry also?
What am I suppose to feed them now?

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Here is the link you need to read if you are feeding Blue Spa Select Kitten food:http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls...falo04_07.html as one production run of their kitten food was just recalled as of yesterday.

Sharky has started a thread on rice/wheat gluten free foods to consider feeding.

Ps it is their dry food that was recalled.

Originally Posted by Tarasgirl06

Dear Jean44:

Have you asked him about/do you know about Methigel? My Samuda had crystals and blockages at times, and his doctor put him on Methigel, which helped greatly. It's a gel paste similar to Petromalt, but supplies Methionine, which aids in preventing the formation of crystals in the urine. Since we moved here, however, he has not needed it once, nor has he had any problems. We think it's the water that's made the difference, as our old neighborhood was between a Superfund cleanup site and a sewage treatment plant (yes, really!) and the water there was -- you guessed it! -- well water. He wouldn't drink bottled water, and so I believe that was the problem. Up here, the water is a lot cleaner and purer, hence no problems.

BTW, your cats are gorgeous and Eric is such a cutie! I always say I don't like to "play favorites", but I must admit to a weakness for the little black shorthairs, especially males. My sweet King Sunny-A-Cat, who left me several years back, is the reason.

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Thank you for the compliments on the cats. They happily accept any kind words. You've got quite a crew also! They are all beautiful.

Yes, I've heard about Methigel. I'd be willing to use it but it is the Methionine that my vet objects to. Thus no Methigel. I'm glad it worked for Samuda. I know other forum members have had good luck with it.

The FDA is filing a criminal investigation regarding pet food contamination and more information about the hog farm quarantine in California. Both of these links were on the Itchmo site.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...r=emailarticle

http://www.boston.com/business/globe...es_human_fare/

from the second link

Meanwhile, The Blue Buffalo Co. of Wilton, Conn., stunned to learn that its pet food contained the tainted rice protein concentrate, now will demand that, if its American suppliers must use imports, they will choose trusted countries like Australia , Canada , New Zealand, and the European Union nations, which have more rigorous standards

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I wonder what standards are used to consider a country as "trusted" and if China was trusted until now or what....

Originally Posted by Javern

from the second link




I wonder what standards are used to consider a country as "trusted" and if China was trusted until now or what....

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Yeah ... hummm ...

Originally Posted by Javern

from the second link

I wonder what standards are used to consider a country as "trusted" and if China was trusted until now or what....

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Yes- makes you wonder if anyone investigated the Chinese companies before purchasing from them. Or is it a matter of $$$- cheaper is better?

I think a lot of companies lose a lot of their ethics when money is the bottom line. I won't say that all of these companies are unethical in their priorities.. I'm sure that some of them are more concerned about the animals than about the money, however.. I think we need to keep in mind that really, any successful business's bottom line is production costs v. profit.. a more ethical company would choose a slightly higher production cost if it made the animals safe.. but a less ethical one would choose the cheapest thing they could get away with.

Obviously several of these corporations chose money over pet safety, given how long they kept the problem under wraps.

Originally Posted by Jean44

Itchmo is reporting a Canadian recall of Royal Canin due to a new contaminant in rice gluten. Now it's cyanuric acid- chemically related to melamine. I'll post today's link to Itchmo although this information may be in the prior news section by tomorrow.

What chemical will be found next? I wonder if cyanuric acid also enhances the apparent protein content of food?

http://www.itchmo.com/

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Dear Jean44:

Sure appreciate the update, even if it's frustrating and depressing. We need to know these things, for the wellbeing of our loved ones. Thanks.

I don't know if this link has been posted previously, my apologies if it has. It seems to be a complete list of the recalled foods due to Melamine and RPC. Don't be fooled by the statement under the title regarding brands with Melamine contamination. The list includes foods recalled due to RPC.
http://www.itchmo.com/recalls.html

And to further enlighten you about the abilities of the FDA to protect the food supply.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...120187&page=15

Originally Posted by Jean44

I don't know if this link has been posted previously, my apologies if it has. It seems to be a complete list of the recalled foods due to Melamine and RPC. Don't be fooled by the statement under the title regarding brands with Melamine contamination. The list includes foods recalled due to RPC.
http://www.itchmo.com/recalls.html

And to further enlighten you about the abilities of the FDA to protect the food supply.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews

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Dear Jean44:

I hadn't seen it before, and very much appreciate your putting up the URL's for us. I share these with other websites so that the information is as widely disseminated as possible. We all greatly appreciate the opportunity to gain as much knowledge as possible in the wake of such a huge tragedy.

I got this email from Nutro today:



April 23, 2007

Dear Nutro Customers,

We know many of you have questions about the FDA's latest reports that melamine was found in rice protein concentrate (also referred to as rice gluten). We want to address those concerns as well as provide you with information on our use of corn gluten, which we include in some of our pet foods as an ingredient in the form of corn gluten meal.

Our customers have also brought to our attention confusion that has been caused by the media in reporting the new recall of some Natural Balance pet foods. Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. is not in any way affiliated with Nutro Products nor Nutro's Natural ChoiceÂ[emoji]174[/emoji], MAXÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] or Ultraâ„¢ brands.

I hope the following information is helpful in clearing up any confusion you may have.

Regarding Rice Protein Concentrate:

(1) Nutro uses rice protein concentrate in some of its products because it provides an important source of protein for pets, especially for those with digestive sensitivities and allergies.

(2) Independent laboratory tests have confirmed that the rice protein concentrate (also known as rice gluten) used in Nutro's pet foods does not contain melamine.

(3) It has been reported that the Natural Balance recall is focused on products containing rice protein concentrate provided by Wilbur-Ellis Company. Nutro has NEVER purchased or used rice protein concentrate from Wilbur-Ellis Company in any of our pet foods.

Regarding Corn Gluten:

(1) Nutro uses corn gluten meal in some of its pet foods because it is a source of sulfur amino acids, which are important for skin and coat health. Corn gluten meal also helps as a natural urine acidifier that is important for both cats and dogs.

(2) All of the corn gluten meal that Nutro uses in its products is produced in the United States.

Nutro customers may check Nutro's website (www.nutroproducts.com) or contact our Consumer Hotline -- (800) 833-5330 -- for further information about our products. We will continue to post updated information on our website and our customer service representatives are working diligently to respond to each and every call and email personally.

We understand that the pet food recall has caused continued confusion and frustration and we are doing everything we can to provide you with the information you need about our products. We will continue to keep you updated.

Sincerely,

Dave Kravis
President & CEO
Nutro Products

I received this in this morning's email from Petplace.com:

Last week, it was reported that melamine contaminated not only wheat gluten but also rice protein concentrate and corn gluten. All of these products originated from China and were distributed to the
U.S. and Canada. This lead to the recall of several more products
including lines within "Natural Life", "Natural Balance", "Royal Canin" and "Spa Select". This is affecting several foods, many of which are dry foods.

PLEASE keep your eye on the recall list! I suspect there will be more. Most of the foods have been pulled from the grocery shelves but you may still have some recalled foods at home. For a full history of the recall and a phone number and link to the full list, go to our Pet Food Recall Update (click the following link):

http://clicks.aweber.com/z/ct/?injFXHzCN_NX5xTgsoIs0A


One question that many of you asked is: What is the FDA Doing to Investigate the Pet Food Contamination? I checked around and found some information for those of you that are interested. They have an ongoing investigation but still don't know 100% the cause of the problem. For the full story go to our article "What is the FDA Doing to Investigate the Pet Food Contamination?" (click the following link):

http://clicks.aweber.com/z/ct/?sFAP_ksK3Ar9LUgeUCtY_w

I hope that this provides more information.

Originally Posted by Jean44

There may be a second company that imported contaminated RPC. This is hardly surprising. Pet food companies say they didn't purchase from Wilbur-Ellis- no guarantee of safety in that statement.

This is another good reason to go grain free if at all possible.

http://www.reuters.com/article/lates.../idUSN23332213

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Dear Jean:

Thanks for the daily update . How is your clowder?

Senator Dick Durbin is asking for our help.
Please forward an email to FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach -- tell him that it's time for the FDA to improve the safety of our pet food supply now!
Ask everyone you know to do it too.
You will be on his mailing list but that is a small price to pay for safer pet food.
On behalf of Dexter and Sadie who were harmed by eating toxic food we say thanks.

Here is a link to the letter that you can send.
http://ga3.org/campaign/petfoodsafety?rk=EdxRym71cMuZE

Thanks for that link. I edited it so I could add some personal comments and sent off the email. I hope others here will do the same

Originally Posted by xocats

Senator Dick Durbin is asking for our help.
Please forward an email to FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach -- tell him that it's time for the FDA to improve the safety of our pet food supply now!
Ask everyone you know to do it too.
You will be on his mailing list but that is a small price to pay for safer pet food.
On behalf of Dexter and Sadie who were harmed by eating toxic food we say thanks.

Here is a link to the letter that you can send.
http://ga3.org/campaign/petfoodsafety?rk=EdxRym71cMuZE

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I have sent an email, and forwarded the link some of my friends. I hope they're inundated with email.

Originally Posted by xocats

Senator Dick Durbin is asking for our help.
Please forward an email to FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach -- tell him that it's time for the FDA to improve the safety of our pet food supply now!
Ask everyone you know to do it too.
You will be on his mailing list but that is a small price to pay for safer pet food.
On behalf of Dexter and Sadie who were harmed by eating toxic food we say thanks.

Here is a link to the letter that you can send.
http://ga3.org/campaign/petfoodsafety?rk=EdxRym71cMuZE

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Email sent today. I, too, hope the FDA is inundated with mail.