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By Rob | March 20, 2007
Read this article taken from wfaa.com:
Pet Killers
WASHINGTON - Seven animals died in tests of suspect dog and cat food by the manufacturer after complaints the products were poisoning pets around the country, the government said Monday.
A federal investigation is focusing on wheat gluten as the likely source of contamination that sparked a recall last Friday of 60 million cans and pouches of the suspect food, said Stephen F. Sundlof, the Food and Drug Administration’s top veterinarian.
The ingredient, a protein source, is commonly used as filler.
Agency investigators are looking at other ingredients as well. The wet-style pet food was made by Menu Foods, an Ontario, Canada-based company.
Menu Foods told the FDA it received the first complaints of kidney failure and deaths among cats and dogs from pet owners on Feb. 20. It began new tests on Feb. 27.
During those tests, the company fed its product to 40 to 50 dogs and cats and some seven animals - the mix of species was not immediately known - died, Sundlof said. The contamination appeared more deadly to cats than to dogs, he said.
The recall now covers dog food sold throughout North America under 51 brands and cat food sold under 40 brands, including Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba. The food was sold under both store and major brand labels at Wal-Mart, Kroger, Safeway and other large retailers
I can’t describe how reading something like this news article makes me feel. It makes me want to call up my old friend Frank Castle and send him on up to Canada. I’m not saying that to be witty or humorous, either. I’m serious.
We’ve all read about the danger certain kinds of pet food is posing to our animals. It’s scary, but I’m sure all of us have emptied out our cupboards of the stuff. I had some of it here that my roommate and I are pretty sure was causing Cecil the Cat’s stomach problems that he’s had in the past. We no longer give him this food, and he’s been fine…but looking at him sleeping over on the couch makes me wonder how a company like this can willingly kill a cat like him. What kind of people are these that are testing this food to see if it will kill these animals?
There’s got to be another way of testing it. I’m no scientist, but I’m sure one could easily come up with a way. We don’t need to be killing animals to prove something will kill an animal. I, personally, know that a bullet will kill a cat but don’t have to shoot one to prove it.
My old French teacher, Mr. Townsend, used to tell our class that we made his “blood boil.” Now, I know how he felt.
March 20th, 2007 at 11:06 am
I’m racing around trying to study for a final and get moved into my new place. Was wondering if you guys have found a full list of the companies that deal with Menu Foods. I’m fairly certain, without digging the pouches out and looking, that my cat’s food isn’t on their list but I’d hate to be wrong.
And yeah, fuck testing on animals. My problem is this…what the hell are they putting into the food that would require testing in the first place?! My dad’s side of the family have always made their own pet food. Rice, veggies, chicken hearts, other meat, brewer’s yeast…makes a hell of a lot of sense. I think my new rule of thumb will be: If I wouldn’t dare to ingest it, my pet won’t be subjected to it.
March 20th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
http://menufoods.com/recall/