Month: April 2007

People on the forums at Itchmo.com organized a postcard blitz to urge that the number of pet deaths be accurately reported. It’s in the thousands instead of 16. There are details about what to say and whom to send them to. You are asked to send postcards if your animal died. Please mail your cards on Saturday the 28th.

Howl911 has provided more suggestions and templates. For a donation, they’ll make and send the postcards for you.

You can find out much more on the recall on my Pet Food Recall Archive Page.

A reminder about the nationwide march tomorrow, Saturday the 28th.

Marches are being held in:

• Austin, TX
• Archbald/Peckville, PA
• Jacksonville, OR
• Las Vegas, NV
• Los Angeles, CA
• Oceanside, CA
• Portland, MA
• Reno, NV
• Uniontown, PA

with events pending in:

• Boston, MA
• Ottowa, Canada

I know that post title looks like a bad joke, but it’s not. It’s another recall. Chenango Valley Pet Foods recalled Lick Your Chops Lamb Meal, Rice & Egg Cat Food. They also recalled certain varieties of Drs. Foster & Smith and SmartPak.

Turns out Chenango Valley Pet Foods was the fifth company Wilbur-Ellis sold rice protein concentrate to and they make some of the varieties of the brands mentioned above.

You can find out much more on the recall on my Pet Food Recall Archive Page.

American Nutrition Inc. has issued a recall for a number of brands of pet food it manufactures for other companies. Review the link for specific varieties and lot numbers.  Several of these companies say American Nutrition added rice flour protein without their knowledge or consent. (second page) In fact, Blue Buffalo calls it product tampering and I don’t blame them.

Canned Cat Food:

• Blue Buffalo
• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
• Harmony Farms
• Natural Balance

Canned Dog Food:

• Blue Buffalo
• Canine Caviar
• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
• DiamondPetFoods
• Harmony Farms
• Kirkland Signature
  
• Mulligan Stew
• Natural Balance

Dog Treats:

• Natural Balance
• Blue Buffalo

You can find out much more on the recall on my Pet Food Recall Archive Page.

The FDA has revealed more disturbing news. Another company besides Wilbur-Ellis may have bought melamine tainted rice powder concentrate. But, the FDA isn’t naming names—again.

Thousands of hogs may have been fed contaminated, salvage pet food. Hogs on farms in California, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, and possibly Ohio are being quarantined and tested. A chicken farm in Missouri may also have used salvage pet food and is being investigated. It isn’t illegal to feed livestock salvage pet food.

The FDA says it’s being “proactive” by starting testing of six grain products—corn gluten, corn meal, rice bran, rice protein, soy protein, and wheat gluten—which are used in human food products like bread and baby formula. I’m not sure what they think the definition of ‘proactive’ is. Thankfully, our Legislators are demanding answers and threatening to withhold FDA officials’ salaries if there isn’t prompt action.

It’s a good thing in light of China’s poor track record for food safety.