Monday, April 09, 2007
Dog Food Recalls Current Facts
Current information from the FDA about recalled pet foods.
On April 5, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided an update on the recall on pet foods from Menu Foods. The Agency reported its latest findings in the ongoing investigation into the recent outbreak of cat and dog illness and death associated with pet food manufactured with contaminated wheat gluten.
HIGHLIGHTS
FDA launched an investigation within 24 hours after being notified by Menu Foods of a recall and investigators arrived at the company’s plant and searched for possible sources of contamination.
The same day, FDA consumer complaint coordinators nationwide began taking calls from consumers and veterinarians who reported illnesses potentially associated with the contaminated pet food. FDA has received over 12,000 reports in the last three weeks—more than twice the number of complaints typically received in a year by the consumer complaint coordinators.
In an effort to trace all of the contaminated product, the Agency conducted numerous inspections of manufacturers and warehouses identified as recipients of the suspect product. FDA has also been working with the affected firms to assist them with their product recall efforts.
FDA’s investigation identified the distributor of the contaminated wheat gluten as ChemNutra, of Las Vegas, Nevada. FDA worked with the firm to trace the suspect product, and identified its Chinese source.
FDA has asked the Chinese government to help us with the investigation which continues to determine how the melamine may have gotten into the wheat gluten.
FDA is currently sampling 100 percent of all Chinese wheat gluten being offered for import;
FDA Field laboratories confirmed the presence of melamine in shipments of wheat gluten received from a source from China. This was done through testing of samples of finished product and raw materials. Melamine is a product used as a fertilizer with other industrial and commercial uses.
FDA laboratories have conducted over 400 sample analyses, and to date have found 21 samples that were positive for melamine
To date, voluntary recalls of pet food products have been conducted by Del Monte Pet Products, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Menu Foods, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, P&G Pet Care, and Sunshine Mills. On April 5, Sunshine Mills, Inc., of Red Bay, Alabama, voluntarily recalled a portion of its branded dog biscuits made at its Red Bay, Alabama biscuit plant during part of March 2007. In addition, Menu Foods, Inc., voluntarily expanded its pet food recall for selected “cuts and gravy” pet food products, manufactured back to November 8, 2006. Both firms issued press releases which are accessible on the FDA website.
OTHER FACTS
This is an ongoing investigation.
FDA is conducting recall audit follow-ups to ensure an effective recall.
FDA continues to work with federal, state, and local partners, veterinarians, and members of the public as part of this investigation.
At this time there is no evidence that any wheat gluten contaminated with melamine has entered the human food supply;
Understanding the role of melamine in each of the dog and cat illnesses will require an extensive analysis of the information, assistance from outside sources, and perhaps further research;
FDA’s priority now is to assure that all contaminated product is identified and removed from store shelves. All the contaminated wheat gluten has been traced, and all the pet food manufacturers who have received contaminated ingredients have been identified and have initiated recalls;
Following the removal of all suspect products from retailers, there remains an ample supply of safe cat and dog food available at stores throughout the U.S.
The FDA has a dedicated pet food recall page on its website which has all of the current information including all press releases issued, frequently asked questions, as well as contact information for FDA consumer complaint coordinators. FDA urges members of the media and public to visit this page at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html.
Pending 
