Pet Food Recall Updates Thread

[Curbside Prophet]

Seems Eagle Pack is in the "battle" as well....check your bags for rice protein! Note that I have never seen Eagle Pack (Prism) listed on any of the recall list - but check the info below - - sounds like they've made a quick switch in their recipe.

Please note - these are exerpts from a larger Dog Food Project post - please see entire article here:
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=main¼/a>? (scroll down)
Clarification on labeling rules

April 20, 2007 2:11 pm

One topic that has come up frequently in the past few days, especially due to more foods being recalled due to possible contamination, is the legality of pet food companies using outdated packaging material.

Yesterday the following question was asked on the forum at OurDogsOnline:

Natural Balance said label laws prevent them from putting ingredient stickers on bags, therefore they were 'forced' to continue using up their old bags even though the formula changed.

Eagle Pack made one formula, a Prism one, with rice protein. They've removed that ingredient and reflected the change with ingredient stickers on the bags until the new ones arrive in May.

Is Eagle Pack breaking some law, or is Natural Balance lying?

I wanted to provide up-to-date information, so I contacted John Marsman, the nutritionist at Eagle Pack for some first hand information, and this is what he told me:

For a while AAFCO sort of looked the other way about allowing makers to use up bags. At the AAFCO meeting 3-4 years ago they made a specific statement that they would no longer permit this.


Dog Food Project says:

<<The ingredient list does not have to contain all the ingredients present in a food. There are two exceptions:

1. A company does not have to declare ingredients that it did not add but were already present in a food ingredient bought from a supplier.
2. Any ingredient that is deemed a "processing aid" rather than an actual food ingredient.>>

This is getting a little too close for home with me...I guess I need to get up to speed on a BARF diet.

[briteday]

In our local paper today was an Associated Press story stating that "Foster and Smith Inc. recalled its Doctors Foster and Smith Adult Dry Lite Dog and Adult Dry Lite Cat food after supplier Wilbur-Ellis Co. recalled rice protein concentrate.
Preliminary tests found no melamine, and final tests are expected within two weeks, the company said in a statement"

Also mentioned in the same story (sorry I couldn't find an online link) is the contamination of hog feed in SC made by Diamond Pet Foods in Gaston, SC. Hogs in 6 states may have eaten the feed. However they also stated that none of the contaminated hogs entered the food supply. The contaminant that the hogs tested positive for was again the melamine in the rice concentrate.

[RonE]

I think what we are seeing now is at least some companies becoming proactive and removing products for testing BEFORE any animals die.

This is from the Chicken Soup website:

Diamond Pet Foods has announced it is withdrawing a limited number of canned products manufactured by American Nutrition. This action is limited to three specific canned products: Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Kitten Formula 5.5 oz. cans, and Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Puppy Formula 13 oz. cans, and Diamond Lamb & Rice Formula for Dogs 13 oz. cans.

Diamond Pet Foods has not received any indication of quality or safety issues, including pet illness, with the three withdrawn products. However, because American Nutrition informed the company that these three specific products may include rice protein concentrate, Diamond Pet Foods felt this action was necessary for the protection of its customers and their pets.

Customers with these products should stop feeding them immediately and return them to their retailer for a full refund.

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul dry pet food and dog treats ARE NOT part of any pet food or treat recall.

[mayatheshepherd]

Nice to hear that people have found out about foods and averted danger to their pets.

Itchmo (itchmo.com) has a good summary of this event, and they offer free email updates specifically on the recall to people who sign up for them.

[wildthing]

May 2, 2007 NEW ALERT!

The alert now includes ALL VEGETABLE PROTEIN PRODUCTS: wheat gluten, rice gluten, rice protein, rice protein concentrate, corn gluten, corn gluten meal, corn by-products, soy protein, soy gluten, proteins, and mung bean protein.
More information including a link to the FDA Alert can be found on my blog
Pet Food Recall

[Curbside Prophet]

Mix of chemicals may be key to pet-food deaths
POSTED: 5:18 p.m. EDT, May 1, 2007
Story Highlights
* Researchers have found melamine and cyanuric acid in pet food
* Scientists: Together, the two chemicals can form fatal crystals in kidneys
* FDA: 17,000 consumer complaints, more than 4,000 pet deaths
* FDA will begin to stop importation of some products for human food use

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/01/recall.riddle/

[onyxdaily]

I just got an email alert from Itchmo. It says the ASPCA is recommending avoidance of all non-USA protein sources.
Excerpt from alert
Full details:
http://www.itchmo.com/read/aspca-say...-over_20070503

This is the most sweeping safety recommendation on the pet food recalls
issued by the ASPCA.

ASPCA Says: Avoid All Non-US Protein Supplements. “Crisis Not Over”
May 3rd, 2007

This is the headline of their press release today: “As Pet Food
Recall Expands, ASPCA Warns Crisis Not Over: More Cases May Be Seen.”

Many of you have already called manufacturers, and a recommendation
from the ASPCA the same.

“We are strongly recommending that pet parents immediately
investigate, via their pet food manufacturer’s Web site or by calling them
directly, where the ingredients—specifically protein
supplements—are sourced from.”

Given the current situation and until this crisis is resolved, the
ASPCA is recommending pets be fed products containing U. S.-sourced
protein supplements only.

They also recommend that your pet sees a vet if any recalled food was
consumed, not wait until they show symptoms. And extend fluid treatments
if the pet is found sick.

[Curbside Prophet]

Itchmo - Melamine Recall Foods List and Information

[ToysHaveMyHeart]

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01670.html

"FDA Expands Its Warning about the Risk of Botulism Poisoning From Certain Castleberry Food Products and Dog Food
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expanding its July 18 warning to consumers. This expansion is for consumers and pet owners regarding canned food products and dog food produced by Castleberry Food Company of Augusta, Ga., due to the risk of botulinum toxin. Castleberry is expanding the recall to include all of the following canned products with all "best by" and code dates, and FDA is warning consumers not to purchase or eat any of the canned products listed in the table below."


(I only listed the dog food...obviously )

Natural Balance Eatables dog food varieties:

Irish Stew with Beef Dog Food
15 OZ
23633-59860

Chinese Take Out with Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken Dog Food
15 OZ
23633-59861

Southern Style Dumplings with Gravy with Chicken and Vegetables
Dog Food
15 OZ
23633-59862

Hobo Chili with Chicken Pasta Dog Food
15 OZ
23633-59863

[skelaki]

WASHINGTON - A Georgia meat processor expanded its recall of canned meat products that may be connected to a botulism outbreak.
. The recall includes four varieties of Natural Balance dog food.
Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Castleberry's at 1-888-203-8446.
__
On the Net:
Castleberry's Food Co.: http://www.castleberrys.com/
Food Safety and Inspection Service: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/

[borzoimom]

Castleberry's Natural Balence has been recalled for botulism http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/N...Y&pageId=3.5.1

[Sadie's Human]

I have a warning to consumers who are trying to settle with Natural Balance Pet Foods, aka **** Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods. First some background. When the first recall happened, I wanted to be sure that I wouldn't feed my Dogs anything that would kill them, so I did my research online. I found a claim by Natural Balance that their dog food was made in the US, with all US ingredients, and no Wheat Gluten. I went right away to buy this dog food. I fed it to my dogs for 6 days before the older dog started vomiting. I had no idea what was going on. It couldn't be the dog food because they had assured consumers that their food was safe. Five days later, after much vomiting and a couple of trips to the Vet I learned that Natural Balance did use wheat gluten from China, and were recalling the dog food that I had paid a lot of money for in an effort to keep my pets safe. I submitted my Vet bills to them for reimbursement, and am still waiting to receive a check. They have sent me a Release that they want me to sign that says that I have received payment even though I haven't. It says that I agree that it is a compromise of a "doubtful and disputed claim". I will agree that it is disputed, because they don't seem to be able to admit when they have done wrong, but I do not agree that it is "doubtful". I believe their dishonesty is well documented. In addition to that, they are asking me to waive my rights given by section 1542 of the Civil Code of California to submit future claims for unforseen damages. PLEASE DO NOT TRUST THIS COMPANY. They have given me no reason to believe anything that they say. If anyone hears of a class action against this company, please let me know, because if I can't get my Vet bills reimbursed, then at least they should have to pay an exorbitant amount to a law firm. P.S. My losses in this matter of Vet Bills and recalled food equal $291. They have undoubtedly spent more that this already on people who are hired to wriggle out of paying damages. It makes me worry that there are going to be bigger problems in the future for my dog, and they are aware of the possibilities, and are not telling us.

[Dutchie]

Did your dog just recently get sick from natural balance or was this from the recal a few months prior?

[Sadie's Human]

I'm sorry. I should have been more clear. This is from the recall a few months ago. I am not angry at menu foods so much because it is possible that they were blameless in the whole thing. I am angry at Natural Balance, because they outright lied when they said that their food products all came from the US. When they issued the recall they said Oh, we just recently started using outside sources. If I had not been sure that their product was good I could have stopped feeding it to my dog as soon as she got sick. My trust in their word was misplaced, and I feel terrible that my dog suffered longer than she had to. Thank goodness that she seems ok now.

[daniela]

Found this link with the latest pet food recalls.
Supposed to be updated on the regular basis.
Check it out. At least I found it useful to have one spot
where I go and check for the recalls before I go shopping
for more food.

http://www.petsready.com/pet_food_recalls.php

Let me know what you think!

Daniela

[squirt1968]

Sadi's human you bought the canned not kibble right? Our dogs have the same name. At the time of recall she was on NB but it was the fish and sweet potato kibble and the kibble was not prt of the recall

[MoonStr80]

Pedigree has made it to the recall list... I know someone who feeds this product off line and SHE doesn't give a rat gooch about what dog food she gives her dogs!

http://www.veterinarypracticenews.co...t-updated.aspx

[RonE]

This thread has out-lived its usefulness and most of the last 20-or-so posts have been deleted as spam.

If there are new, current recalls, somebody can start a new thread. Anyone who use it to pimp for their e-books, websites or products will get a time-out to provide an opportunity to read the forum rules.

[Curbside Prophet]

NUTRO feeders, stay tuned.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...utro_foia.html


Edit: I hate the media.
http://www.wxyz.com/news/story/FDA-N...DNodwN3EQ.cspx