Posted on 03/16/2007 2:53:30 PM PDT by Dysart
WASHINGTON - A major manufacturer of dog and cat food sold under Wal-Mart, Safeway, Kroger and other store brands recalled 60 million containers of wet pet food Friday after reports of kidney failure and deaths.
An unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food, Menu Foods said in announcing the North American recall. Product testing has not revealed a link explaining the reported cases of illness and death, the company said.
"At this juncture, we're not 100 percent sure what's happened," said Paul Henderson, the company's president and chief executive officer. However, the recalled products were made using wheat gluten purchased from a new supplier, since dropped for another source, spokeswoman Sarah Tuite said. Wheat gluten is a source of protein.
The recall covers the company's "cuts and gravy" style food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches between Dec. 3 and March 6 throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The pet food was sold by stores operated by the Kroger Company, Safeway Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and PetSmart Inc., among others, Henderson said.
Menu Foods did not immediately provide a full list of brand names and lot numbers covered by the recall, saying they would be posted on its Web site — http://www.menufoods.com/recall — early Saturday. Consumers with questions can call (866) 463-6738.
The company said it manufacturers for 17 of the top 20 North American retailers. It is also a contract manufacturer for the top branded pet food companies. Its three U.S. and one Canadian factory produce more than 1 billion containers of wet pet food a year. The recall covers pet food made at company plants in Emporia, Kan., and Pennsauken, N.J., Henderson said.
Henderson said the company received an undisclosed number of owner complaints of vomiting and kidney failure in dogs and cats after they had been fed its products. It has tested its products but not found a cause for the sickness.
"To date, the tests have not indicated any problems with the product," Henderson said.
The company alerted the
Food and Drug Administration, which already has inspectors in one of the two plants, Henderson said. The FDA was working to nail down brand names covered by the recall, agency spokesman Mike Herndon said.
Menu Foods is majority owned by the Menu Foods Income Fund, based in Ontario, Canada.
Henderson said the recall would cost the company the Canadian equivalent of $26 million to $34 million.
I am definately saving the link and tried to contact earlier but they said it would be 6 am before the brand names were out. You must understand, this kitty is less than a year old and is already spoiled and has chosen brand preference. I have a bunch of "best choice" still in the cabinet and those aren't his choices. From what I've read, these are mostly house brands which he refuses to eat. I'm thinking he's ok but found it strange he had this expensive disorder right when this came out.
I like dogs, they are much less picky and have way more personality than cats. But I have a daughter and she wanted a cat.
Ozark,
Did they test him for Leuk and FIV?
BTTT for tomorrow.
LOL,,,Sounds like long naps for you two(lap kitty)...;0)
Harley is being threatened with the Groomer !!
Next time it's the other way round !!,,,LOL;0)
(I have new leather gloves);0)
I think it's strange the way so many FReepers' pets have been ill recently, including mine....
What is the Groomer? Is that the name of the vacuum cleaner?
........
bump
I've been using Smuckers natural and Arrowhead Mills natural peanut butter; however, I am getting where I think just about any brand can be contaminated. I mostly try to get stuff that doesn't have any partially hydrogenated anything in it. I think they must have lobbied and can list anything with less than a certain amount of trans fat in it as not having any trans fat.
Please, please, please get your cats to the vet ASAP. As oprahstheantichrist mentioned, the vomiting is very troubling, especially if it's been more than a day.
Your cat would have a rough time here, we live on a no longer operating farm.
I tried the link you posted for Menu Foods, it does not work.
Yeah, the site is down, and has been for hours.
I hope those 'left overs' do not contain onions.
Thanks, I just realized I skipped Milwaukee_Guy.
The only 'bought' dog food my maltepoo will eat is Lil Ceasars. I cook for him- chicken and rice, liver and rice- and alternate. I cooked for my Shelties too. Canned dog food is vile, and I've never had a dog who would eat plain, dry dog food of any kind.
If you want your dog to have food with 'real meat' in it- cook it for them. It's much cheaper-and safer.
nope, and they don't get chocolate either!
Another excellent vet on raw feeding is Tom Lonsdale. You can get his book from Amazon.
The title is Raw Meaty Bones. I really do think he is better than Billinghurst.
You do not need to give supplements or mix up veggie slop.
All you have to do is give them raw meat and non-weight bearing bones in about the same percentage as they would eat if they were hunting on their own, along with plenty of fresh water.
It is best to get the above mentioned book and read up first. Then, you knopw exactly what your pets are eating, whether it is fresh and edible, and you will never need to worry about the cr@p they put in even the "best" pet foods.
Good way to give the tape worms, IMHO.
Wonderful news(not!) However my five are getting fat on Iams dry.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.