|
|
News Archives |
| Home | Products | Sales | Sizing Guide | Photo Gallery | For Kids | News | Pet Resources | About Us | FAQs | Ordering | |
|
| |||||||||||
|
Click on a link below to see the full story. FDA Announces New Chemical Found in Recalled Pet Food Advice for Pet Owners after Nationwide Menu Foods Recall Hills Pet Nutrition, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Single Product, Prescription Diet™ m/d™ Feline Dry Food, Only Product Containing Wheat Gluten Alpo® Brand Prime Cuts In Gravy Canned Dog Food Voluntary Nationwide Recall Petrapport Issues Recall of Pig Ear Dog Treats Purina to Voluntarily Withdraw Mighty Dog® 5.3 Ounce Pouch Products in Response to Menu Foods Recall FDA Announces New Chemical Found in Recalled Pet Food SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- In a press conference March 30, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced they had identified melamine, a substance used as a fertilizer and in the production of plastics, such as kitchenware and whiteboard surfaces, in tested samples of recalled pet food from Menu Foods. The substance was also identified in urine and tissue samples taken from sickened cats and from the kidney of one cat that had eaten the recalled food. Melamine is primarily used in Asia as a fertilizer but is not approved for that use in the United States. It is used in plastic kitchenware in this country. On March 23, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Dr. Donald F. Smith announced that scientists had identified aminopterin as a toxin present in samples from Menu Foods. In today's press conference, however, Dr. Stephen Sundloff, director of the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, said that no independent testing laboratory has confirmed aminopterin in tissue or food samples. Tests conducted by a Menu Foods client, the FDA, and Cornell University have all identified melamine, Dr. Sundloff said, and the FDA is no longer focusing on aminopterin. The FDA stated that data concerning melamine toxicity in animals is lacking and cannot be certain it is linked to the illness or deaths of animals eating the recalled foods. The FDA recommends that existing protocols on treating pets affected by the recalled food is the best course of action. Information from the American Veterinarian Medical Association. The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 75,000 member veterinarians engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine including its relationship to public health and agriculture. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access up-to-date information on the association's issues, policies and activities. Back to top Advice for Pet Owners after Nationwide Food Recall SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), in response to a national pet food recall, offers the following information and advice to concerned pet owners: Menu Foods, Inc., a Canadian private-label pet food manufacturer based in Streetsville, Ontario, has issued a recall on all its "cuts and gravy" style dog and cat food products produced at its facility in Emporia, Kansas, between December 3, 2006, and March 6, 2007. This recall includes 90 brands across the entire manufacturing spectrum. A complete list of affected foods including date and product information codes is available at: http://www.menufoods.com/recall. If you have any of the products identified on these lists, immediately stop feeding them to your pet. If you suspect that your pet has been affected by a recalled food, do the following three steps to help your veterinarian with your pet's diagnosis:
Although the exact cause is not currently known, animals that have become ill after consuming these products have shown signs of acute kidney failure. Dr. Sandra Willis, DVM, a board certified diplomate and communications chair with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and member of the AVMA Council on Communications, advises that signs of kidney failure include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in water consumption and also changes in urination. Anybody who has a pet that exhibits these signs should take the animal to a veterinarian. "Owners shouldn't panic, because there can be a wide variety of reasons a pet might exhibit these symptoms," Dr. Willis explained. "But it's always prudent that, when a pet is exhibiting any signs of illness, the pet owner should contact their veterinarian immediately." A veterinarian may call for a urinalysis and blood work, and might also perform additional tests, such as an x-ray or ultrasound, to rule out other possible problems such as bladder and kidney stones. If it has been determined that the cat or dog has been affected by consumption of the recalled pet food, a veterinarian could decided to treat the illness with medications and/or intravenous fluids. "If the kidney disease is severe, such as the animal is not urinating at all, the veterinarian can refer or consult with a specialist from the ACVIM for more specialized care," Dr. Willis explained. Owners of pets affected by the recalled pet foods who wish to report the incident should contact the FDA, by going to the FDA Web site to find the FDA complaint coordinator in their state. Information from the American Veterinarian Medical Association. The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 75,000 member veterinarians engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine including its relationship to public health and agriculture. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access up-to-date information on the association's issues, policies and activities. Back to top Hills Pet Nutrition, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Single Product, Prescription Diet™ m/d™ Feline Dry Food, Only Product Containing Wheat Gluten Topeka, KS -- In accordance with its over-riding commitment to pet health and well-being, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food from the market. Hill's is taking this precautionary action because during a two-month period in early 2007, wheat gluten for this product was provided by a company that also supplied wheat gluten to Menu Foods. U.S. Food and Drug Administration tests of wheat gluten samples from this period show the presence of a small amount of melamine. Prescription Diet m/d Feline Dry represents less than one half of one percent of all Hill's products. This is the only product Hill's currently sells in the United States that contains wheat gluten from any supplier. No other Hill's Prescription Diet® or Science Diet® products are affected by this voluntary recall. Hill's Science Diet Savory Cuts Feline canned cat foods, manufactured by Menu Foods, were previously withdrawn from the market as a precaution. Together with this earlier withdrawal, less than 1% of all Hill's products have been affected. The voluntary recall of Hill's Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food involves discontinuation of all retail sales and product retrieval from sellers. This recall does not include Prescription Diet m/d Feline canned food which contains no wheat gluten. Consumers should stop using this product and return it for a refund. All Hill's products carry a 100 percent guarantee, and consumers can receive a refund for recalled product. Hill's expects to resume shipment shortly of a reformulated version of this highly beneficial product that will not contain wheat gluten. Please check with your veterinarian for an alternative Prescription Diet until m/d Feline dry is reformulated and made available again. Following is a list of Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry products included in this recall:
Hill's has been fully cooperating with the FDA since the outset of its investigation and made the decision to voluntarily recall these products in consultation with the FDA. We deeply regret any concern that this has caused our valued customers. For more information, consumers can contact the company at 1-800-445-5777 or visit www.HillsPet.com for details. Information from Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. Back to top Alpo® Brand Prime Cuts In Gravy Canned Dog Food Voluntary Nationwide Recall No Dry Purina Products Involved St. Louis, Missouri -- Nestlé Purina PetCare Company on March 30, 2007, announced it is voluntarily recalling all sizes and varieties of its ALPO® Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food with specific date codes. The Company is taking this voluntary action after learning today that wheat gluten containing melamine, a substance not approved for use in food, was provided to Purina by the same company that also supplied Menu Foods. The contamination occurred in a limited production quantity at only one of Purina's 17 pet food manufacturing facilities. Earlier today the FDA announced the finding of melamine in products related to the March 16 Menu Foods recall, and advised Purina of the source of the contaminated supply. Purina then determined that it had received some quantity from the suspect supplier. The company proactively notified the FDA and immediately began this recall process Purina is confident that the contaminated wheat gluten has been isolated to this limited production quantity of ALPO Prime Cuts canned products. The recalled 13.2-ounce and 22-ounce ALPO Prime Cuts cans and 6-, 8-, 12- and 24-can ALPO Prime Cuts Variety Packs have four-digit code dates of 7037 through 7053, followed by the plant code 1159. Those codes follow a "Best Before Feb. 2009" date. This information should be checked on the bottom of the can or the top or side of the multi-pack cartons. Purina's 5.3-ounce Mighty Dog® pouch products, manufactured by Menu Foods, were previously withdrawn from the market as a precaution on March 16 as part of the Menu Foods recall. ONLY Mighty Dog pouch products and specific date codes of ALPO Prime Cuts canned dog food are being recalled. Importantly, no Purina brand dry pet foods are affected by the recall -- including ALPO Prime Cuts dry. In addition, no other Purina dog food products, no Purina cat food products, Purina treat products or Purina Veterinary Diet products are included in this recall, nor have been impacted by the contaminated wheat gluten supply. Consumers should immediately stop feeding ALPO Prime Cuts products with the above-listed date codes to their dogs and consult with a veterinarian if they have any health concerns with their pet. Purina guarantees all of its products, and consumers can receive the full replacement value of the recalled products. Consumers can visit us at www.purina.com or call 1-800-218-5898, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT, to receive more information. Information from the Nestlé Purina PetCare Company website. Back to top Petrapport Issues Recall of Pig Ear Dog Treats SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- Petrapport, Inc., a New Jersey-based manufacturer of dog treats, is voluntarily recalling pig ear dog treats it imported from a Chilean company because the pig ears have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella, the company announced March 23. Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs. Dogs that become ill from salmonella generally will have a fever and diarrhea that may contain blood or mucus. Affected animals may seem more tired than usual, and may experience vomiting. Some dogs may also exhibit decreased appetite and excess salivation, the company said. "Food safety is important not only for human health, but animal health as well," said Dr. Roger K. Mahr, DVM, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association. "If any of your animals are exhibiting the signs, you should contact their veterinarian for examination and possible treatment." Young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems may also contract salmonella if they come in contact with the product. Laboratory testing has confirmed that samples of Full-Cut Pig Ears dog treats sold by BJ's Wholesale Club in 25-count packages under the "Berkley & Jensen" brand with no lot number and only the expiration advisory "BEST IF USED BY 2009" (without referencing a specific month) were contaminated with salmonella. BJ's Wholesale is a membership warehouse retail club operating more than 160 locations along the East Coast from Maine to Florida, and in Ohio. Additional testing of other pig ear dog treats from shipments between August 2006 and December 2006 has not revealed any additional evidence of salmonella contamination, but Petrapport announced that it is voluntarily recalling them out of an abundance of caution due to concern that the pig ears imported during this period may not have been effectively irradiated for salmonella before shipment from Chile. The voluntary recall includes dog treats sold by BJ's Wholesale Club in its 25-count packages of "Berkley & Jensen" Full-Cut Pig Ears dog treats with no lot number and only the expiration advisories "BEST IF USED BY 2009" (without referencing a specific month) as well as "BEST IF USED BY SEPTEMBER 2009," "BEST IF USED BY OCTOBER 2009," "BEST IF USED BY NOVEMBER 2009," and "BEST IF USED BY DECEMBER 2009." Also included within this voluntary recall are the following lots of pig ear dog treats sold in bulk by other retailers under the "Petrapport" brand:
While there have been no confirmed illnesses to date, consumers should immediately stop feeding these treats to their dogs. These products have been removed from the sales floors and the sales inventories of all retailers, the company said. Consumers who purchased any of the above-identified pig ear dog treats should discontinue use of the products and can return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund, according to the company. Contact: Petrapport at 800-447-3872 Ext. 110 Information from the American Veterinarian Medical Association. The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 75,000 member veterinarians engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine including its relationship to public health and agriculture. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access up-to-date information on the association's issues, policies and activities. Back to top Purina to Voluntarily Withdraw Mighty Dog® 5.3 Ounce Pouch Products in Response to Menu Foods Recall St. Louis, Missouri -- Nestlé Purina PetCare Company today announced that as a precautionary measure, it is voluntarily withdrawing its 5.3 ounce Mighty Dog® brand pouch products that were produced by Menu Foods, Inc. from December 3, 2006 through March 14, 2007. This withdrawal is in response to the recall initiated earlier by Menu Foods, a contract manufacturer that does limited business with Purina as well as with other pet food manufacturers. Only Mighty Dog 5.3 ounce pouch products are being withdrawn by Nestlé Purina, including those pouches contained in multi-packs. Importantly, no Mighty Dog canned products, or any other Purina products are affected by Menu Foods' recall. While Purina has no indication of any product quality or safety issues specifically related to our Mighty Dog pouch products, Purina is taking this proactive action out of an abundance of caution in response to the Menu Foods recall. Consumers who have the indicated Mighty Dog 5.3 ounce pouch products should discontinue feeding them to their dogs and can receive the full replacement value of the withdrawn products by calling 1-800-551-7392. The Mighty Dog pouch products and pouches in multi-pack cartons have code dates of 6337 through 7073, followed by the plant code 1798. This information should be checked on the bottom or back panel of the individual pouches. Specifically, if the code following the "Use By" date begins with four numbers from 6337 to 7073 followed by the plant code 1798, then the pouch is included in this voluntary withdrawal. Purina regrets any inconvenience and apologizes for any concern caused by this product withdrawal. The Company will continue to take any and all actions necessary to ensure the quality and safety of our products. Contact: Nestlé Purina PetCare Company at 1-800-551-7392 Information from the Nestlé Purina PetCare Company website. Back to top |
| Home | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Shipping & Returns Policy | Terms & Conditions | Site Map |
|