Complaint resolution service publishes case studies, recall information and consumer news.

FDA is advising pet owners that recalled pet food may still be on the shelves in some retail establishments. FDA urges retailers across the country to be vigilant in removing all products associated with the pet food recall, which began on March 16, 2007.

To verify the effectiveness of the recall, FDA has conducted approximately 400 checks of retail stores across the country. Based on the checks, FDA believes most companies have removed the recalled product; however, some have not. FDA will continue to monitor retailers’ efforts to remove these items from the shelves.

“FDA’s priority is to make sure that cats and dogs have safe food to eat, said Stephen Sundlof, D.V.M., director of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.” Many of us are pet owners and animal lovers, and we want pet owners to feel assured that we are doing everything we can to make sure that all contaminated food is off the shelves.”

In related news, Menu Foods, Inc., a private label manufacturer based in Streetsville, Ontario, Canada, expanded its recall on Tuesday, April 10, to cat food not previously subject to the recall. The varieties of cat food in the United States and Canada now being recalled are included in the list below. A complete list of Menu Foods’ recalled products, including the new items, can be reviewed at www.menufoods.com.

The company acted after receiving information from FDA, which had confirmed test results it received from a laboratory at University of California, Davis. The UC-Davis lab found that canned cat food which had not been included in Menu Food’s earlier recalls tested positive for melamine, a chemical used as a fertilizer and in the manufacture of cutlery and kitchenware.

The company informed FDA that it had shipped wheat gluten purchased from China and contaminated with melamine from its Emporia, Kansas plant to its plant in Streetsville. Some of the products produced with the contaminated wheat gluten also were shipped to the United States. FDA investigators and officials with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency were in the Ontario facility on April 11.

Since March 16, recalls of pet food products, including certain varieties of dog food, have been conducted by Menu Foods, Inc., Hill’s Pet Nutrition, P&G Pet Care, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, Del Monte Pet Products, and Sunshine Mills, Inc. Extensive information about the current pet food situation can be found at the FDA Web site, www.fda.gov. There is now a single list of all recalled pet food located at http://www.fda.gov/ora/fed_state/recalls/Recall.xls which will be updated with any new recall information when announced.

LIST OF NEWLY RECALLED PRODUCTS:

Cat Food
Brand	Look For This Date on The Bottom of Can or Back of Pouch	Variety Description	Can / Pouch	Size	UPC
Americas Choice, Preferred Pet
	Jan/2/10	Flaked Tuna 3oz	Can	3oz	54807-59114
Your Pet
	Dec/19/09	Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz	Can	3oz	72036-29026
	Jan/24/10
	Nov 06 09	Sliced Variety Pack 3oz	Can	3oz	72036-40013
Pet Pride
	Dec/19/09	Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz	Can	3oz	11110-86264
	Jan/24/10
	Nov 06 09	Sliced Variety Pack 3oz	Can	3oz	11110-86003
	Dec 05 09
	Dec 06 09
	Jan 23 10
	Jan 24 10
Laura Lynn
	Jan/2/10	Flaked Tuna 3oz	Can	3oz	86854-02407
	Dec/19/09	Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz	Can	3oz	86854-02406
Nutriplan
	Dec/19/09	Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz	Can	3oz	41130-06755
Price Chopper
	Dec/19/09	Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz	Can	3oz	41735-12828
Publix
	Jan/2/10	Flaked Tuna 3oz	Can	3oz	41415-08327
	Dec/19/09	Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz	Can	3oz	41415-08827
	Jan/2/10
	Jan/24/10
Stop & Shop Companion
	Jan/2/10	Flaked Tuna 3oz	Can	3oz	88267-00286
Winn Dixie
	Dec/19/09	Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz	Can	3oz	21140-19419
Nutro Products
	All Dates	Chicken Cacciatore 3oz	Can	3oz	79105-35205
	All Dates	Orleans Seafood Jambalaya 3oz	Can	3oz	79105-35206
	All Dates	Beef Ragout 3oz	Can	3oz	79105-35207
	All Dates	Alaskan Halibut/Rice 3oz	Can	3oz	79105-35221
	All Dates	Kitten Chicken/Lamb 3oz	Can	3oz	79105-35202
	All Dates	California Chicken 3oz	Can	3oz	79105-30011
	All Dates	Lamb/Turkey Cutlets 3oz	Can	3oz	79105-30014
	All Dates	Salmon/Whitefish 3oz	Can	3oz	79105-30013
	All Dates	Beef/Egg 3oz	Can	3oz	79105-30015
	All Dates	Turkey/Chicken Liver 3oz	Can	3oz	79105-30016
	All Dates	Seafood/Tomato/Bisque 3oz	Can	3oz	79105-30017
	All Dates	Hunters Stew with Duck 3oz	Can	3oz	79105-30018
	All Dates	Hunters Stew with Venison 3oz	Can	3oz	79105-30019

Posted under Recalls

Menu Foods Pet Food Recall
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is being recalled?

On March 16, Menu Foods, Inc. of Streetsville, Ontario, Canada initiated a voluntary recall involving a large number of both dog and cat foods produced at its facilities in Emporia, Kansas and Pennsauken, N.J. between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. The products are sold by many different distributors under a number of different brand names. At present, Menu Foods is recalling dog food products marketed by about 50 firms and cat food products marketed by about 40 firms. A full listing of all the recalled products can be found at http://www.menufoods.com/recall/. The affected products are moist (packaged in pouches) and canned diets. The products have been described as “cuts and gravy” style pet foods. Please see http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html

Q: What prompted the recall?

Menu Foods, Inc. initiated the voluntary recall after conducting routine tasting trials in which some animals developed kidney failure after eating the product being tested. The company had also received consumer complaints, some of which apparently involved kidney failure. The firm has undertaken extensive testing of the pet food products in question, but has not yet been able to find the source of the problem.

Q: When did Menu Foods first notify FDA of the problem and a possible recall?

On Thursday, March 15, 2007.

Q: What is wrong with the pet foods?

It is unclear what is causing the adverse effects reported by Menu Foods and pet owners. FDA is working with Menu Foods, pet owners, pet food companies, local veterinarians, and diagnostic laboratories to identify the source of the problem.

Q: Are only dog and cat foods involved in the recall?

Yes. The recall is only confined to pet food intended for dogs and cats. The affected products are moist (packaged in pouches) and canned diets. The products have been described as “cuts and gravy” style pet foods.

Q: What should I do if I have cat or dog food at home?

Please check the Menu Foods Recall Information at http://www.menufoods.com/recall/ to see if your pet food is involved in the recall.

If your pet food is not listed, the pet food is not affected by the recall and you can continue to feed it to your pets.

If the pet food is one of those being recalled, do NOT feed it to your animals. Feed your pets another pet food that is not included in the recall.

Q: Is dry dog or cat food affected by the recall?

At this time, no dry dog or cat food has been implicated in pet injury or death. The recall is confined to the list of products found at: http://www.menufoods.com/recall/.

Q: What should I do if I have cat and/or dog food included in the recall?

Do NOT feed the pet food to your animals. Return the pet food to the store where you purchased it and ask for a refund. Stores generally have a return and refund policy when a company has announced a recall of its products. If you cannot return the pet food immediately, store the food in a secure place where pets and children cannot get to it.

Q: What if my pet ate one of the dog and cat foods being recalled?

Monitor your pet. If your pet shows signs of illness (such as loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting), you should consult with your veterinarian immediately. If your pet is diagnosed with renal failure, we suggest you hold onto the food if the brand and lot numbers match the recall.

Q: If my dog or cat ate some of the recalled food, how soon after would I see any symptoms?

It’s difficult to say for sure, but usually within a couple of days. The important thing is to monitor your pet closely for signs of lethargy, loss of appetite and vomiting. If your pet shows any of these signs, please consult your veterinarian.

Q: What if I took my dog or cat to the vet as a result of the recall and I want to be reimbursed for my vet bills?

The FDA recognizes that there may be financial costs associated with any veterinarian visit; however, reimbursement for veterinary care does not fall under FDA’s regulatory authority.

Q: What is FDA doing about the recall?

FDA is conducting an investigation and working with Menu Foods and affected pet food companies to ensure that the recall is effective, and to identify the source of the contaminant. FDA is continuing to collect and analyze product samples in an attempt to identify the source(s) of the contaminant. FDA will continue to release additional information as it becomes available.

Q: How many confirmed pet illnesses and deaths have been reported to the FDA?

It is difficult to determine confirmed illnesses and deaths associated with the recall. Since the recall was announced, FDA has received many complaints and we are following up. The FDA’s primary concern is in identifying the source of the contaminant, assuring that the recall is effective and providing information to the public.

Q: What if I need more information about the recall?

Consumers with questions may contact Menu Foods at 1-866-895-2708. Some of the other affected pet food companies whose products are included in the recall may also have consumer question lines. Check the product label of the pet food. Some firms have also notified FDA that they have issued press releases; links to these press releases are available on the FDA internet page, Pet Food Recall, at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html.

Q: What if I want to report an adverse action about a pet food?
Consumers and veterinarians who wish to report adverse reactions or other problems can go to the FDA internet page at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html to obtain contact information for the FDA complaint coordinator in their state. When reporting an adverse event or complaint, please try to have the following information:

• • Brand name and lot numbers for the pet food fed to your dog or cat when it was ill
  • If your pet received treatment by a veterinarian, the name, address, and telephone number of attending veterinarian
  • Date illness first noticed
  • Signs displayed
  • Any veterinary reports available

Q: What advice do you have for veterinarians concerned about this pet food recall?

• Veterinarians who have case files and post mortem results relative to cases where renal failure is involved and the clients were feeding food involved in the recall are encouraged to contact FDA through the complaint coordinator in their state http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html. FDA is gathering as much information as possible to identify the nature and the extent of the problem.

Q: I understand Menu Foods, Inc. is focusing on wheat gluten as the possible source of contaminant? Is this true?

Menu Foods, Inc. suspects that wheat gluten might be the source of contamination; however, as part of the ongoing investigation, FDA is looking at all ingredients.

Q: What is wheat gluten and how is it used in pet foods?

Wheat gluten is a mixture of two proteins obtained when flour of wheat is washed to remove the starch. One use of wheat gluten is as a filler and binder in wet-style, cuts-and-gravy-type pet food. It provides a gelatinous consistency and is used to thicken pet food “gravy.” It also has uses in human food products as a stabilizer or thickener. It is not generally associated with food contamination; however, it could possibly become contaminated by a toxic mold or other substance.

Q: How does FDA regulate pet food?

The FDA’s regulation of pet food is similar to that for other animal feeds. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) requires that pet foods, like human foods, be pure and wholesome, safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled. In addition, canned pet foods must be processed in conformance with the low acid canned food regulations to ensure the pet food is free of viable microorganisms (see Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 113). There is no requirement that pet food products have premarket approval by FDA. However, FDA ensures that the ingredients used in pet food are safe and have an appropriate function in the pet food. Many ingredients such as meat, poultry, grains, and their byproducts are considered safe “foods” and do not require premarket approval. Other substances such as mineral and vitamin sources, colorings, flavorings, and preservatives may be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) or must have approval as food additives. (See Title 21 CFR, Parts 73, 74, 81, 573 and 582). For more information about pet foods and marketing a pet food, see FDA’s Regulation of Pet Food and Information on Marketing A Pet Food Product.

Q: What are the labeling requirements for pet foods?

The FDA regulations require proper identification of the product, net quantity statement, name and place of business of the manufacturer or distributor, and a proper listing of all the ingredients in order from most to least, based on weight. Some states also enforce their own labeling regulations. Many of these regulations are based on a model provided by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). For more information about AAFCO, please visit its website. There are two documents on CVM’s web site that provide more details about labeling requirements: Interpreting Pet Food Labels and Interpreting Pet Food Labels — Special Use Foods.

Q: Have there been other recalls involving pet foods?

Yes. The following are recent pet food recalls: In February 2007, FDA recalled Wild Kitty raw cat food http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01562.htmlafter Salmonella was detected during routine testing performed by FDA. In December, 2005, Diamond Pet Foods initiated a voluntary recall after aflatoxin was discovered in their product http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/diamond12_05.html. For information on other pet food related recalls, please see http://www.fda.gov/cvm/petfoods.htm.

Posted under Recalls