Rat Poison Found in Recalled Pet Food

[MacNut]

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 23) - Rat poison was found in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs, but scientists said Friday they still don't know how it got there and predicted more animal deaths would be linked to it.

After the announcement, the company that produced the food expanded its recall to include all 95 brands of the "cuts and gravy" style food, regardless of when they were produced. The company also said it would take responsibility for pet medical expenses incurred as a result of the food.

The substance in the food was identified as aminopterin, a cancer drug that once was used to induce abortions in the United States and is still used to kill rats in some other countries, state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said.

The federal government prohibits using aminopterin for killing rodents in the U.S. State officials would not speculate on how the poison got into the pet food, but said no criminal investigations had been launched.

The pet deaths led to a recall of 60 million cans and pouches of dog and cat food produced by Menu Foods and sold throughout North America under 95 brand names. Some pets that ate the recalled brands suffered kidney failure, and the company has confirmed the deaths of 15 cats and two dogs.

The company expanded the recall - which initially covered only cans and pouches of food packaged from Dec. 3 through March 6 - after the FDA alerted it that some products remained on store shelves.

There is no risk to pet owners from handling the food, officials said.

The Food and Drug Administration has said the investigation into the pet deaths was focused on wheat gluten in the food. The gluten itself would not cause kidney failure, but it could have been contaminated, the FDA said.

Bob Rosenberg, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Pest Management Association, said it would be unusual for the wheat to be tainted.

"It would make no sense to spray a crop itself with rodenticide," Rosenberg said, adding that grain shippers typically put bait stations around the perimeter of their storage facilities.

Scientists at the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University and at the New York State Food Laboratory tested three cat food samples provided by the manufacturer and found aminopterin in two of them. The two labs are part of a network created after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to keep the nation's animals and food supply safe.

"Any amount of this product is too much in food," Hooker said.

Aminopterin is highly toxic in high doses. It inhibits the growth of malignant cells and suppresses the immune system. In dogs and cats, the amount of aminopterin found - 40 parts per million - can cause kidney failure, according to Bruce Akey, director of Cornell's diagnostic center.

"It's there in substantial amounts," Akey said.

Donald Smith, dean of Cornell's veterinary school, said he expected the number of pet deaths to increase. "Based on what we've heard the last couple days, 16 is a low number," Smith said.

recalled food:
http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html
http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html

Experts advise owners to call their veterinarian if a pet has eaten recalled food and shows symptoms of possible kidney failure. An animal could be in trouble if it:

· Stops eating
· Appears tired and lifeless
· Seems excessively thirsty
· Urinates much more than usual
· Vomits
· Has diarrhea
· Seems to have abdominal pain

[mcarnes]

I wish my neighbors dog wold eat some of that. Damn thing barks all night.

[MacNut]

I wish my neighbors dog wold eat some of that. Damn thing barks all night.And if I owned that dog I would tell it to bark louder. Dogs bark its what they do.

[Bobdude161]

And if I owned that dog I would tell it to bark louder. Dogs bark its what they do.

And that's when you poison your neighbor.

[hana]

Some people just shouldn't be able to have a dog....

I heard on the news that since pets are not seen as family members, but property, there's a limit to what some of these unfortunate pet owners with poisoned pets (I've seen quite a few on the television in the past few days...haven't you....it's pretty sad) can sue the pet food company.

So, I guess we have to go with some sort of organic pet food?

And did anyone see why they are saying that it is just wet pet food (pouches and cans) that is part of this recall and not the dry stuff? Would the dry stuff have been processed at a different plant with different ingredients that weren't affected?

[MacNut]

And did anyone see why they are saying that it is just wet pet food (pouches and cans) that is part of this recall and not the dry stuff? Would the dry stuff have been processed at a different plant with different ingredients that weren't affected?It is only pet food by one company. Other companies are not affected. Dry food is probably made in a different factory.

[CanadaRAM]

It is only pet food by one company. Other companies are not affected. Dry food is probably made in a different factory.

Did you miss the bit about it being sold under 95 different brand names?

[MacNut]

Did you miss the bit about it being sold under 95 different brand names?But one company made it. I don't think they make dry food. I feed my pet dry food. Is dry pet food safe?

Menu Foods only manufactures wet pet food in cans and foil pouches. Dry pet food is not part of the Menu Foods recall.
http://www.purina.com/company/press/2007/MightyDog.aspx

[ReanimationLP]

Did you miss the bit about it being sold under 95 different brand names?

Heh, I knew the store brands were the same as the premium stuff with a different label.

I feel bad for those who were suckered into buying the premium name like Iams or Predigree.

[mikemodena]

I'm so glad I always buy my cat the Stop&Shop brand :D

[princealfie]

I wish my neighbors dog wold eat some of that. Damn thing barks all night.


Hilarious! Actually my sister and I used to feed the neighbor's dogs some weeds back when I lived in Kentucky. Man, that's why they call it the bluegrass state :)

[Bobdude161]

Hilarious! Actually my sister and I used to feed the neighbor's dogs some weeds back when I lived in Kentucky. Man, that's why they call it the bluegrass state :)

They would eat weeds? Would the weeds make em sick?

[psycoswimmer]

My friend's dog had kidney failure because of the tainted food. :(

[jessica.]

It is actually quite sad. My business banker's dog died about 2 weeks ago. He didn't know why until the news broke and I guess he has a lawyer and there'll be a class-action suit. It's really sad though because in the end, it's hard to price out the cost of a loved pet.

[Bobdude161]

It is actually quite sad. My business banker's dog died about 2 weeks ago. He didn't know why until the news broke and I guess he has a lawyer and there'll be a class-action suit. It's really sad though because in the end, it's hard to price out the cost of a loved pet.

3/5 compromise

[mcarnes]

And if I owned that dog I would tell it to bark louder. Dogs bark its what they do.

Your neighbors must love you. What makes people like you think they own the frickin street? Are you just born with an ******* mentality or do you genuinely think your needs are more important than everyone else?

[MacNut]

Your neighbors must love you. What makes people like you think they own the frickin street? Are you just born with an ******* mentality or do you genuinely think your needs are more important than everyone else?No I had a neighbor like you that hated animals and would yell and scream more then the dog ever could.

[MacNut]

3/5 compromiseI think you will see big pay outs after all the cases are settled.

[mcarnes]

No I had a neighbor like you that hated animals and would yell and scream more then the dog ever could.

Hmmmm, never yelled or screamed at a dog before. Seems kind of pointless. But tonight I'll try some rat poison mixed in a few hot dogs. Great thread, thanks for the idea.

[MacNut]

But tonight I'll try some rat poison mixed in a few hot dogs. Great thread, thanks for the idea.And if your lucky you will go to jail for doing it.;)

[DakotaGuy]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2975912&page=1&US=true

Interesting piece of information here...
"Investigators, meanwhile, are looking into whether the rat poison came into the United States on an ingredient used in the recalled food. ABC News has learned that Menu Foods bought wheat gluten, the only ingredient changed in its plants, from China. That possibility raises questions about the safety of pet and other food products in the United States."

Question one is WHY ON EARTH are we now buying Chinese wheat when we have a HUGE abundance of good quality wheat raised in North America? I know probably because it is cheaper...just wait until the bread companies decide that Chinese wheat is cheaper and start to put it into products that people eat? Scary! I would imagine there are very few laws that regulate the safety of food products in China.

I grew up on a wheat and cattle farm in South Dakota and hearing this makes me sick. We worked hard to provide everyone with a safe and high quality product and now because of money these companies won't even spend a few more dollars to buy domestic grain.

[Abstract]

And if your lucky you will go to jail for doing it.;)
I don't like small dogs and their barking either, but god I hope you're right.

[yg17]

I heard on the news that since pets are not seen as family members, but property, there's a limit to what some of these unfortunate pet owners with poisoned pets (I've seen quite a few on the television in the past few days...haven't you....it's pretty sad) can sue the pet food company.


Which is a shame, isn't it? I'd be more upset over the loss of my dog than I would be over the loss of some of my family members.

Fortunately, we feed our dog Science Diet which isn't affected. But I really feel sorry for anyone who lost their pet :(

[runplaysleeprun]

I've already thrown out most of the empty cans, but I had a brand of wet cat food on the list, just not sure about the dates/kinds (salmon, chicken, beef, mystery meat). I got two kittens about a month or 2 ago, but they seem to be doing fine right now at any rate.

[MACDRIVE]

Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/16977666.htm)

Menu Foods received its first consumer complaint about the food on Feb. 20. Sometime between Feb. 23 and Feb. 27, the company started a taste test, which killed nine of 25 cats. Subsequently, the company learned of three other cats and one dog that had died after eating its food.


Why did they have to test it on cats, why not a rodent of some kind? :confused:

[hana]

I've been looking for more info on this matter besides the major press..... perhaps even a few rumors. I ended up at dogster and found a blog it referenced on it's first page:

http://dogblog.dogster.com/

There's some pretty interesting information over there......

If I had a dog now, I'd be not feeding them any of those Menu Brands and be contemplating making them their food.....

[Sdashiki]

I feed my kitty dry food from a brand that falls under this recall.

Seems only wet-food is affected.

Whew.

[MultiM]

My dogs and cats get food only from the vet. They eat better than I do, nutritionally, but that's part of the resposibility taken on when getting a pet.

[IJ Reilly]

So if your cat vomits you should take it to the veterinarian?

Now there's some useful advice.

:rolleyes:

[jayb2000]

And if I owned that dog I would tell it to bark louder. Dogs bark its what they do.

Umm, no. Ignored, bored, un-exercised, and /or un-trained dogs bark. :rolleyes:

My dog does not bark, whether I am home or not. Neither does my neighbors dog. Nor my brothers dog, etc.

[thedude110]

Barking really depends on the individual dog.

My dog is well trained, well exercised, and ... well, she shouldn't be bored. Unfortunately, due to puppyhood trauma and general insanity, she barks. A lot. Especially when we're not home.

We control it with a citronella collar. But, like people, dogs deal with stress -- including the stress of abandonment -- in different ways (including fits of howling and barking).

[Mr. Burns]

I have 3 cats, and have been watching them closely since I fed them some of the products. No signs for a week, so I think they're safe. The real shame is that some slick lawyer and his/her firm is going to make a fortune off of the class action suit, and the pet owners will be lucky to have their vet bills paid. The pets that died will be the lucky ones, can you imagine the suffering those that don't are going to have to endure the rest of their lives? As far as wheat from China, this big production facility probably buys the cheapest deliveries it can from the world wide commodity markets regardless of point of origin, and unsafe food handling is not restricted to China. Read something awhile back about self regulating food industries in the US and the reduced federal staffing positions/inspections that made me want to exclusively buy from local producers like Abercrombieboy's family.

I wonder how many of the named pet food brands will sue Menu Brands for damages. That company is done and gone or is going to file bankruptcy/restructuring. I wonder what spin those companies will play when questioned about their claims of a premium pet food that they were bilking customers on when it contained the same stock products as the generic brands! We'll be business as usual in no time for sure!

[hana]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070330/ap_on_go_ot/pet_food_recall

Meanwhile, Hill's Pet Nutrition recalled its Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry cat food. The food included wheat gluten from the same supplier that Menu Foods used. The recall didn't involve any other Prescription Diet or Science Diet products, said the company, a division of Colgate-Palmolive Co.

[hana]

http://www.purina.com

Alpo® Brand Prime Cuts In Gravy Canned Dog Food Voluntary Nationwide Recall
March 30, 2007

The recalled 13.2-ounce and 22-ounce ALPO Prime Cuts cans and 6-, 8-, 12- and 24-can ALPO Prime Cuts Variety Packs have four-digit code dates of 7037 through 7053, followed by the plant code 1159. Those codes follow a "Best Before Feb. 2009" date. This information should be checked on the bottom of the can or the top or side of the multi-pack cartons.

=============================================

Since there doesn't seem much interest in this thread and this is Macrumors (not PetFoodRecallRumors) , I am going to post the websites I've been looking at for the latest news and rumors and discussion regarding the pet food recall I've been referencing ....then those who are interested can read up there:

Menu foods recall site: http://www.menufoods.com/recall/

Pet Connection: http://www.petconnection.com/index.php

More Pet reall discussion : http://www.howl911.com/

[IJ Reilly]

The source of the poisoning remains unknown.

Recall Expanded to Some Dry Cat Food

WASHINGTON — The recall of pet foods contaminated with a chemical used to make plastics has grown to include both wet and dry products, even as investigators remain uncertain about why the substance would be fatal to dogs and cats.

Hill's Pet Nutrition became the first company to recall any dry pet food, saying its Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry cat food was made using wheat gluten purchased from a U.S. supplier of the vegetable protein source. That same unnamed company also supplied the imported Chinese wheat gluten to Menu Foods, which earlier this month recalled 60 million containers of the wet dog and cat food it makes for sale under nearly 100 brands.

Federal testing of those recalled pet foods and the wheat gluten they contained turned up the chemical melamine but failed to confirm the presence of aminopterin, a cancer drug also used as rat poison, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Cornell University scientists also found melamine in the urine of sick cats, as well as in the kidney of one cat that died after eating some of the recalled food.

Earlier, the New York State Food Laboratory identified aminopterin as the likely culprit in the pet food. But the FDA said it could not confirm that finding, nor have researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey when they looked at tissue samples taken from dead cats.

Experts at the University of Guelph detected aminopterin in some samples of the recalled pet food, but only in very small percentages.

"Biologically, that means nothing. It wouldn't do anything," said Grant Maxie, a veterinary pathologist at the Canadian university. "This is a puzzle."

The FDA was working to rule out the possibility that the contaminated wheat gluten could have made it into any human food. However, melamine is toxic only in high doses, experts said, leaving its role in the pet deaths unclear. Menu Foods announced the recall earlier this month after animals died of kidney failure after eating the Canadian company's products.

An FDA official allowed that it wasn't immediately clear whether the melamine was the culprit. The agency's investigation continues, said Stephen F. Sundlof, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Menu Foods said the only certainty was that imported wheat gluten was the likely source of the deadly contamination, even if the actual contaminant remained in doubt.

...

http://www.latimes.com/business/nationworld/wire/ats-ap_business10mar31,1,4805251.story

[Teris]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2975912&page=1&US=true

Interesting piece of information here...
"Investigators, meanwhile, are looking into whether the rat poison came into the United States on an ingredient used in the recalled food. ABC News has learned that Menu Foods bought wheat gluten, the only ingredient changed in its plants, from China. That possibility raises questions about the safety of pet and other food products in the United States."

Question one is WHY ON EARTH are we now buying Chinese wheat when we have a HUGE abundance of good quality wheat raised in North America? I know probably because it is cheaper...just wait until the bread companies decide that Chinese wheat is cheaper and start to put it into products that people eat? Scary! I would imagine there are very few laws that regulate the safety of food products in China.

I grew up on a wheat and cattle farm in South Dakota and hearing this makes me sick. We worked hard to provide everyone with a safe and high quality product and now because of money these companies won't even spend a few more dollars to buy domestic grain.
________________________________________________________

I am glad to have read your post. I am from Canada, and if we do not have enough wheat to feed the world, there is someone not counting right.
You have pointed out an important fact, though, the large multinationals are so tight, they are looking at saving a buck here or there, and putting our pet's health at risk. It should be punished, and I am glad there are class-action lawsuits forming, they deserve it. The larger the company, the more money they saved, well they can use that now to pay out damages.
Buying wheat from China, is like buying ice when you live in the North Pole, its absolutely asinine, when we product so much " safe" ingredients right here in North America. I think you will find, that there will be a backlash against the big pet pharm products, as they are full of garbage, hormones, bacteria, third grade ingredients, animal byproducts, ( that includes dead animals) and no wonder dog and cat cancers, diabetes and other illnesses are on the rise.
You gotta look at the food chain man! Pet Food manufacturers are killing our pets, for a few lousy bucks. Buy here, and be safe, and keep our farmers producing our own products. Thanks for the post.
Teri Salvador

http:/www.Doghealth1.com
a DOG BLOG ABOUT HEALTH.

[steamboat26]

I hope my dog hasn't eaten any of the 95 brands...

[DiJon50]

Which is a shame, isn't it? I'd be more upset over the loss of my dog than I would be over the loss of some of my family members.

Fortunately, we feed our dog Science Diet which isn't affected. But I really feel sorry for anyone who lost their pet :(

Peanut hulls are particularly susceptible to aflotoxin in addition to being heavily sprayed with pesticides. Hills Science Diet is one pet food that uses peanut hulls as a source of fiber in its formulas

http://www.homestead.com/VonHapsburg/petfood.html