http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01615.html
FDA’s Update on Tainted Pet Food
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating an imported shipment of rice protein concentrate which has been found to contain melamine. The rice protein concentrate may have been used as an ingredient in some pet foods. FDA’s investigation of the rice protein is being carried out by specialists in FDA headquarters and in eight FDA district offices. Thus far, the following has been established:
The suspect shipment of rice protein concentrate was imported and offloaded during the week of April 2, 2007 by Wilbur-Ellis, an importer and distributor of agricultural products, including rice protein concentrate, with headquarters in San Francisco, CA. The source of the product is identified as Binzhou Futian Biological Technology in China.
The shipment consisted primarily of rice protein concentrate in white bags, but also included one pink bag that was labeled, in part, with the word “melamine.”
On April 15, Wilbur-Ellis notified FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine about the suspect shipment. On April 16, FDA launched a nationwide investigation tracing eight import entries identified as being shipped from the Chinese firm since July 2006. FDA testing revealed melamine in both the white and pink bags.
Wilbur-Ellis has initiated a recall of all suspect rice protein concentrate it had imported and distributed; see http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/wilburellis04_07.html.
As a result of notification by Wilbur-Ellis, Royal Canin USA and C.J. Foods voluntarily recalled certain products; see http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/royalcanin04_07.html and http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/bluebuffalo04_07.html.
If I'm deciphering this correctly, aside from the April 2 shipment to Wilbur-Ellis, there were seven other shipments from the Chinese firm in question since July 2006.
Shipments of what and to whom?
The (April 2) shipment to Wilbur-Ellis consisted primarily of rice protein concentrate in white bags, but also included one pink bag that was labeled, in part, with the word “melamine.”
On April 15, Wilbur-Ellis notified FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine about the suspect shipment.
So Wilbur Ellis waited 13 days, after they had shipped the protein to five customers, to notify the FDA. I guess that bag labeled "melamine" just didn't give them a clue. Too bad it didn't jump up and talk. ("Hey, over here, I'm melamine -- you know, like in the wheat gluten! Hey, pay attention!")