Pet food recall: Dry food, too? How about... people food?

I'm blogging over at PetConnection about the FDA's press conference this morning about the pet food recall, in which they announced that melamine, not amniopterin, was found in tested samples of pet food implicated in the recall, as well as the urine and kidney tissue of animals from Menu's test laboratories:

In an FDA press conference this morning, a reporter asked the FDA’s Dr. Stephen Sundlof if people could be feeding unsafe food to their pets right now, because the FDA won’t reveal the name of a company - that makes dry “kibbled” food as well as “wet” pet food - that received wheat gluten from the same source Menu did.

The response? “It is possible, but I think we’ve been following every lead that we can. My sense is that we have gotten most of it under control.”

As soon as we have any information, he assured reporters at a press conference this morning, we’ll notify the public. Except for the name of the company, it seems.

There's more and worse. Click on over.

Comments

[blogsomebody]

You should feed your dogs more homemade food and then you would not have to watch your dogs suffer when the commercial plants mess up the formula. I like to cook healthy meats, rice and vegetables and I use fresh herbs etc. This has got to be more healthy then canned dog food. Who knows what they put int that stuff.

[Christie]

I've been feeding homemade to my dogs and cats for TWENTY ONE YEARS. Was that aimed at ME?

[KT]

I suppose that this will result in an amazing diet. I did want to drop a few pounds ... :/

[roxane ramsey]

menu foods needs to be banned forever in producing ANYTHING IN THIS UNITED STATEAS OF AMERICA I AM SICK OF THIS FOREIGN TRADE CANT UOU SEE EVERYBODY HATES US AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HURT US ANYWAY THEY CAN 9-11 WAS THE START NOW WE HAVE THE MURDER OF OUR LOVED ONES JUST AS BAD OR WORSE WAKE UP AMERICA ARE WE GOING DOWN LIKE THIS? DO SOMETHING BEFORE IT IS TOO TOO LATE i CANT BELIEVE WE ARE TAKING THIS SO HO HUM AND LAW SUITS NOT THE ANSWER MY FELLOW AMERICANS NOT THE ANSWER PUT MENU FOODS AND ALL THEIR FRIENDS TO REST ACROSS THE BORDER WHERE THEY BELONG STOP ANY TRADE WITH THEM AND PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS ANYWAY YOU CAN PLEASE SOMEONE HEAR ME AND SEE THE LIGHTT

[roxane ramsey]

i think the time has come to dowhat we did to cuba and they never hurt us as bad as this STOP ALL TRADE WITH CANADA how long will they last lets just see its really time to do something

[KT]

Damn Canadians! Oh wait ... my best friend is Canadian. Hmmm.

[Cathy]

Go take a break Christie. You (and Gina) deserve it. Nothing more is going to be forthcoming today. I really really thought there would be some answers, though all I have are more questions. I'm going to go read some (more) science fiction myself!

Though I do hope people will pick up their pens, write the FDA, state officials, congress people, etc. and let them know that we want a system that works. Please let them know that pet parents vote and have locking jaws.

[John]

I really don't see this being a US/Canada issue. Could just as easily have happened with a US producer. Ye gods, look at the lack of supervision that goes into food produced in the US for people - you think it's any better for pets!?

Now, on to practical issues: I feed my dog dry dog food (don't hit me, please - she eats a lot better than I do). I'm reading the label and I don't see wheat gluten as a listed ingredient. Does that mean I'm safe for the moment?

[Ron Smith]

Hi All,

Canadian pets are dying too . . .

Here's something positive we might all do to help. If you go to www.petitionz.org you can "sign" the PETition calling for enforced regulation and arms-length testing of pet food or vote anonymously in the polls.

Let's let the industry and the politicians of both countries know that they have to do something NOW.

Please spread the word.

A PETitionz Volunteer

[Jennifer Warren]

Those of you that have been making your own dog food, what do you prepare for your pets? We are so worried about what to feed our cats and dogs that we are scrambling all around to all the of the whole food markets in town searching for the most natural dog and cat foods possible. A family vet said to keep all purchased dog and cat foods away from them. You just never know what is going to be hidden inside. Help, those of you who know what to make and how to make it.
Thanks,
Jennifer and Nicole

[PBurns]

For a post on the uneasy relationship between pet food, PETA and wheat gluten, see >> http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/2007/04/peta-pet-food-and-wheat-gluten.html

P