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The Definitive Guide to the Dog Food Recall of 2007

Intro: This report will give you all the information about what the problem is, how it started, how to know if your dog is sick, and what to do if you think your dog has eaten tainted food. If you only want to download the list of recalled food, click here - Updates to this story will be added to the bottom of the page as they come in.

Our pets are members of our family – they share our homes and enrich our lives. They love us unconditionally (most of the time anyway) and when they are threatened in any way, we worry, we fret, and we want answers. But most importantly, we want to know what we can do to protect them and how to prevent it from happening again.

The unprecedented recall of over 60 million packages of ‘chunks and gravy’ pet food by Menu Foods has had both the manufacturers and the FDA chasing their proverbial tails.

On March 16th, Canadian company Menu Foods Income Fund issued a general recall on over 100 brands of wet pet food produced between December 3rd, 2006 and March 6th, 2007 at two of their US based plants. The recall was based on several of the palatability tasters displaying signs of renal failure.

Within 24 hours, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) where on site searching for possible contaminates at the Emporia, Kansas and Pennsauken, New Jersey Menu Foods plants

The recall was as large and far reaching as Menu Foods is the foremost North American supplier of ‘chunks and gravy’ – formed meat chunks in gravy. Specialized equipment is needed to produce the formed chunks forcing smaller private label companies to outsource to manufacturers such as Menu Foods.

Private label companies like Wal-Mart and Kroegers literally rent the production line to produce their product. The manufacturer supplies nutritionists who work with the small companies to produce a unique formula and production begins. The downside to this is they use ingredients supplied by the manufacturer resulting in why so many seemingly different and unrelated companies are part of the recall.

Large premium manufacturers have the option of purchasing their own equipment although the initial cost is high or outsourcing much like the smaller companies. However, they not only have their own formulas and nutritionists but will also supply their own ingredients and have their own standards for testing both raw materials and the finished product.

The initial testing to discover the nature of the contaminate was carried out by both internal and external sources as required by the FDA. As something as unlikely as melamine was not suspected, it took two weeks to name the offending toxin.

However, on March 24th, an audible sigh of relief could be heard throughout the pet world when the New York State Food Laboratory discovered Aminopterin in a contaminated sample.

Aminopterin is an outdated immuno-suppressant chemotherapy drug used as early as 1947 to treat children with Leukemia. Newer and more effective drugs have since replaced it.

Note: It was reported that Aminopterin is used as a pesticide or rodenticide. This is unsubstantiated and the only reference of the drug every being used as rat poison was a 1951 patent issued to Lederle Laboratories. However, Aminpterin is unstable and deteriorates in light and heat making it an unrealistic rodenticide.

The relief did not last long as no other lab could identify the Aminopterin and the trace quantity – parts per billion or trillion - detected would not cause the damage that veterinarians throughout the country were reporting in their patients.

The dates of the food manufactured in initial recall Menu Foods ordered coincided with the change of suppliers, narrowing the search to the suspected wheat gluten. Testing of the raw material and the finished product showed both contain melamine.

Wheat gluten is an ancient food developed in China centuries ago as a meat substitute for Buddhists. It is made by washing wheat dough until the starch is washed away. It is an excellent source of protein and is a thickening agent that the pet food industry uses to make gravy.

Melamine was detected through blood work and urinalysis of the ill patients or necropsy of deceased patients. Menu Foods and FDA tested the contaminated food and confirmed that melamine was in all probability the culprit causing the renal failure in animals that ingested the food.

Melamine is used as a fertilizer in Asia. However, in North America, we are more familiar with it as a great asset in the kitchen. Many utensils, plastic dishware, and even our kitchen cabinets are made or coated with melamine. In its raw form, it is a white or colorless crystal that is known to cause irritation of eyes, nose, throat and skin in humans as well as cancer of the bladder in male rats and chronic inflammation of the kidneys in female rats.

How this substance was introduced to the wheat gluten is still under investigation. Over 70% of the world’s wheat gluten is produced in the European Union and Asia and North American suppliers ChemNutra Inc. imported the contaminated product from Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Company in Wangdien, China. They have since shut down their production of wheat gluten until the source of the melamine is discovered or adequately explained.

On April 5th Menu Foods pushed the recall back to include foods made between November 8th and March 6th. This coincides with the change in suppliers and helps to guarantee that the all pet food produced with wheat gluten from ChemNutra is clear of melamine.

Both human and pet food manufacturers are required to perform rigid screening processes and must comply with FDA standards. However, sometimes contaminates or substances slip through the cracks. For example, in 2006 there was a recall on spinach that carried e coli and caused at least one death. It was not a surface contaminate but instead absorbed from the ground by the plant and at this time there is no screening for absorbed contaminates.

Premium Dog Food Companies Affected by Recall

Nestle Purina Pet Care Company issued a recall on March 16th after hearing of Menu Foods tainted food between December 3rd, 2006 and March 14th, 2007. On April 5th, 2007, Purina extended the recall to include foods produced between November 8th, 2006 and March 14th, 2007 to match Menu Foods change in the recall of the contaminated foods. Menu Foods produced their 5.3 ounce Mighty Dog® brand pouches.

On March 30th, 2007, Purina included ALPO Prime Cuts in Gravy produced at their Crete, Nebraska plant to their list of recalled foods. ALPO Prime Cuts in Gravy produced at their Allentown, Pennsylvania plant are safe and not part of the recall. However, no other Mighty Dog® product in cans or Purina product is part of the recall. If you have any of the recalled products, receive the full replacement value of the withdrawn products by calling 1-800-551-7392.

Since the discovery of the melamine, Hill’s Pet Nutrition has pulled their feline m/d Prescription Diet – the only kibble or hard food to be a part of the recall – and Hill’s Science Diet® Feline Savory Cuts® canned food. For more information, consumers can contact the company at 1-800-445-5777 or visit www.HillsPet.com for details.

Proctor & Gamble who produce Iams and Eukanuba pulled their products on March 30th that contain wheat gluten although their products were not produced through Menu Foods, they used the same supplier making their products suspect. For more information, please visit the Iams website at http://us.iams.com/iams/global/Product_Recall.htm or call P&G Pet Care at 1-800-882-1591.

Del Monte Pet Products followed suit on March 31st and pulled their products that contain contaminated wheat gluten including Jerky Treats®, Gravy Train Beef Sticks®, and Pounce Meaty Morsels®. On April 6th, 2007, various Happy Tails, Dollar General, and Ol’ Roy products were added. Visit http://www.delmonte.com for a full list of products and product codes. Del Monte Pet Products customers can contact the Consumer Hotline at (800) 949-3799 or visit http://www.delmonte.com/contactus/Contact.asp .

The Long Term Effects

No one knows what the far reaching effects will have on the pet population. There have been 16 deaths – 15 cats and 1 dog – directly attributed to the tainted food.

Paul Pion, founder of the Veterinary Information Network, said that based on a survey of 1,400 veterinarians among its 30,000 members, an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 pets may have been afflicted by the food said to be contaminated with melamine and between 1,000 and 2,000 may have died.

The FDA and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) feel that a more realistic estimate is in the hundreds but then the AVMA continues to estimate medical costs resulting from the pet food recall could run from $2 million to $20 million.

What about the long term effects of the animals that initially survive the acute renal shut down? No one knows. The only testing of the effects of melamine ingestion in domestic animals was a paper published in 1945 where dogs were given 125mg/kg. A diuretic effect was noticed but no toxicity. This does not help much today as there is no way to measure how much melamine the affected animals ingested consequently no way to gage how much is actually toxic. As mentioned previously, tests have been run on rats and melamine was found to cause bladder cancer in male rats and chronic irritation of the kidneys in female rats.

The bottom line is that any animal exposed to the recalled food could potentially have impaired renal function – even marginally. Encouraging them to drink water and ask your vet if feeding a low salt/low phosphorous diet will help keep your pet in tip top health.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Recall

Q: What do you do if you fed your dog or cat recalled food?

A: Even if the pet is not showing any symptoms of impaired renal function, take them to the vet for a routine examination, blood work and urine tests. Early diagnosis and treatment of melamine toxicity has increased the survival rate of afflicted pets. Many pets that seem perfectly healthy have shown to be affected by the melamine as their blood chemistry and urine were not within normal parameters.

Q: What are the symptoms of melamine ingestion?

A: “The American College of Internal Medicine (ACVIM) has recommended that pets (dogs and cats) that ingested pet food that was on the recall list, whether showing signs of illness (lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, etc.) or not (asymptomatic) should be seen by their veterinarian for baseline blood chemistries and urinalysis in order to ascertain the status of their renal (kidney) function. (The ACVIM is the Official Organization of the Veterinary Specialties of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Large Animal Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Neurology, and Oncology. http://www.acvim.org/).”

Q: Why are cats more susceptible then dogs?

A: Cats generally have a greater percentage of their food in wet form so by rights they would be ingesting more melamine per kg of body weight then a dog. Also, when a cat is not feeling well, they will begin to shut down faster then a dog – they will stop eating and drinking – hindering the body’s natural abilities to heal itself. Lastly, renal failure is more common in cats then dogs so there is a greater chance of underlying or undiagnosed kidney disease in a cat.

Q: What to feed in your dog instead of the recalled foods?

A: Any food that is not on the recall list is safe and can be substituted for a contaminated product. The important thing to remember is that although this is an extensive recall, commercially available diets are still the best option for your pets overall health. Home made diets are often lacking in nutrients and can subject your pet to other more common contaminates such as salmonella. Ask your veterinarian for suggestions on what would be a suitable diet change for your dog or cat.

Q: Will the use of wheat gluten be discontinued in pet food production?

A: Wheat gluten is a safe and healthy ingredient high in protein and easily digested that has been in constant use in human food production for hundreds of years. This isolated incident, although vast in how many lives it will affect, does not deem wheat gluten as an unsuitable pet food ingredient.

Q: What if I want to report an adverse action about a pet food?

A: 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, lot numbers and UPC code for the pet food fed to your dog or cat when it was ill. A lot number is a separate number assigned to each production lot of product. These are typically stamped on the bag/pouch or on the can lid. Lot numbers usually consist of a series of letters and numbers.
· 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 & A from the Menu Foods Website Updated April 11th, 2007

1. What exactly is covered by the Menu Foods Recall and for what timeframe?

The recall is limited to specific items that contain wheat gluten, in cans and foil pouches, produced on specific dates and times between November 8, 2006, and March 6, 2007 in three of Menu’s plants. In order to determine whether cat and dog food that your pet consumed is subject to recall, you should refer to the list of brand names on this website.

2. What should I do if I think my pet may have consumed the recalled product?

If your pet is exhibiting any signs of kidney failure please contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Symptoms include loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, disorientation and changes in water consumption and urination. If you suspect that you have fed the recalled pet food to your cat or dog, save any remaining pet food and the can or pouch. Open cans or pouches may be double-bagged in sealable plastic and kept in the freezer.

3. Who is going to pay my vet bills for sickness and death?

If Menu Foods product is the cause of sickness or death, Menu Foods will take responsibility. Menu has engaged a professional firm to manage your concerns and is currently contacting concerned pet owners who have reached our call center. Specific direction will be received from these individuals. Please keep copies of all your vet records and receipts for pet food purchases as well as vet bills.

4. What do I do if I have pet food that has been recalled?

Please return it to the retailer for a refund.

5. Will I be reimbursed for the food that I return to the retailer even if my pet did not get sick?

Yes, if it is a valid product that is subject to the recall.

6. How do I know if the food I bought has been recalled?

The information is contained on this website. Not all date codes are subject to recall so please fully check the information on your can or pouch. The information on the website is organized by cat or dog then by brand and description.

7. I can’t get through to the 1-866 numbers. What is going on?

We apologize for the delay in answering every call; we were simply overwhelmed by the volume of calls. Menu has retained a series of interconnected call centers throughout North America. Even with many regional centers running simultaneously we have not been able to answer every call. As we announced in a press release on March 19, 2007, we have taken steps to significantly upgrade our call centers to handle the volume and we have added this Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQ”) section to our website to provide more information.

8. 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.

9. I’m just not sure if my dog or cat had any of the food that is being recalled. They act fine and don’t appear to have any symptoms. Should I be worried?

As always, remain alert for any changes in your pet’s health.

10. Are there other ways my pet might get sick and show similar symptoms?

Yes – antifreeze ingestion, certain rodenticides and some medications. Certain lilies have been shown to cause kidney failure if consumed by cats. Grapes have been reported to cause kidney failure in dogs and may affect cats. Physical damage from trauma and cancerous conditions can also cause kidney damage.

11. Has Menu Foods begun contacting consumers about claims?

The professional team hired by Menu began contacting consumers on Thursday March 23, 2007. In order to assist in our efforts to contact these concerned pet owners as quickly as possible we ask that those who have already reached us to refrain from repeat calls.

12. Is there a time that it is easiest to get through to the 1-866 number?

The best time to get through to a representative is between 4pm and 11pm EST when the call volume is at its lowest point in the day.

13. Has the source of contamination been identified?

The FDA announced, during a press conference on March 30, 2007, a preliminary finding of melamine contamination. Melamine was found in the suspect wheat gluten from China, samples of recalled finished products supplied by Menu and in animal tissues of impacted animals they analyzed.

14. How would melamine get into pet food?

It appears that melamine was introduced through wheat gluten from a specific supplier from China. The FDA announced, during their press conference of March 30, 2007, that their investigation had not identified any violations at either of the Emporia, Kansas or the Pennsauken, New Jersey facilities of Menu Foods. The FDA also announced that they did not find melamine in any of non-recall impacted samples of finished product or raw materials.

15. Is there aminopterin (reported as rat poison) in Menu Foods products?

The FDA announced, during their press conference on March 30, 2007, that they could not validate the findings announced on March 23, 2007. The FDA reported in the same press conference that no other lab had been able to substantiate the presence of aminopterin in finished product, raw materials or animal tissue samples that they analyzed. The FDA reported that aminopternin is no longer the focus of their investigation.

List of Products Involved in Recall

Download the entire FDA list here

At the time of this publication, April 18th, 2007, there are over 5500 products on the list – please double check the products you have in your cupboards as its status may have changed between when you first checked and the latest information.

If you have any questions regarding the status of the food you are feeding your pet, we strongly recommend that you contact the company directly and do not assume that the FDA list or any other list is entirely accurate.

Report written by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, the home of upscale dog beds and classy dog feeders

Update: 4/19/07

Following the discovery of melamine in imported rice protein, Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Inc. ordered a voluntary recall of all dog and cat Venison and Rice formula pet food and treats.

Melamine, the same contaminate in the previous recalls that began last month, in rice protein is thought to be an isolated incident and does not at this juncture foresee mass recalls similar to what has been seen in the last month regarding the contaminated wheat gluten. So far in the investigation, FDA Food Inspectors discovered a reused one ton bag that was pink instead of the usual white with ‘Melamine’ stamped on the side. It is common practise to reuse bags as the cost of continuously making new ones is prohibitive. However, normally bags for food products and bags for chemicals and the like are not swapped.

The rice protein and wheat gluten were from different manufacturers in China and again, different importers brought the ingredients into the US. Both ingredients contaminated with the same chemical seems odd but so far inspectors are not suspicious.

Natural Balance said it was recalling all its Venison and Brown Rice canned and bagged dog foods, its Venison and Brown Rice dog treats and its Venison and Green Pea dry cat food. The problem was identified within a few days of the new lot of food hitting retail shelves as Natural Balance received six phone calls in one day regarding the food nor did they wait for lot numbers or codes – fastest way to pull a product is to tell retailers to remove all of a type of food versus waiting for codes to become available.

The company also resold the ingredient to five pet food manufacturers, including Diamond Pet Foods Inc. of Meta, Mo. Diamond manufactured the dry dog and cat foods recalled by Natural Balance, Diamond Pet Foods spokesman Jim Fallon said. The fall out from that is not known at this time but testing is being done at the manufacturers to determine who else may need to recall foods.

For more information, please contact http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/ or call 1 800 889 4493.

Update 4/26/07

On April 24th, 2007 – Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Inc. issued a voluntary recall on several of their pet food products after receiving a half dozen reports in the same day regarding animals falling ill after consuming the food. Melamine, the same chemical that contaminated wheat gluten in hundreds of foods that have been recalled over the last month, was detected in the rice protein samples.

Since then, importer and distributor Wilbur-Ellis has issued a complete recall of all rice protein that entered the country from manufacturers Binzhou Futian Biological Technology in China.

On April 2nd, when shipment was received by Wilbur-Ellis, most of the rice protein was bagged in the usual white bags except one pink bag that was clearly marked melamine. It was thought at that time that it was a limited incident and that all infected products were recalled. However, melamine has since been discovered in all of the rice protein in that shipment and the FDA is testing all eight shipments of rice protein that has entered the US since July 2006.

Newly recalled foods include:

ROYAL CANIN VETERINARY DIET™ (available only in veterinary clinics)

Dry Dog Food

* Canine Early Cardiac EC 22™
* Canine Skin Support SS21™

Dry Cat Food

* Feline Hypoallergenic HP23™

ROYAL CANIN SENSIBLE CHOICE® (available in pet specialty stores nationwide)

Dry Dog Food

* Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Senior
* Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Puppy
* Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Adult
* Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Senior
* Rice & Catfish Meal Formula Adult

Blue Buffalo

3 lb. and 7 lb. bags of Spa Select Kitten dry food have the production code "BEST IF USED BY MAR 07 08

SmartPak

LiveSmart Weight Management Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food

Although it is still believed that no melamine has entered human food production, melamine has been found in urine samples of hogs at the American Hog Farm in Ceres, CA. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the FDA are working jointly to discover the cause quickly and hopefully prevent any further food recalls or illness.

All shipments of rice protein and wheat gluten that are imported into North America are currently being tested by the FDA no matter where the product was manufactured or what the ingredients were intended for – pet food or human consumption.

Update 5/1/07

As reported on April 17th, melamine tainted rice protein concentrate was discovered in a shipment that originated in China from Binzhou Futian Biological Technology.  On April 2nd, 2007, the suspect shipment was accepted by importer, Wilbur-Ellis, and then was distributed through several feed companies.

Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Inc, ordered an immediate recall on effected products after receiving six phone calls in one day from consumers reporting illness in their pets after ingesting the product.

Last week Natural Balance had issued a recall on their Venison and Brown Rice canned and
bagged dog foods, Venison and Brown Rice dog treats, and Venison and Green Pea dry cat food products. Note more products have been added to the latest batch of recalls – see list below for more information.

The FDA immediately began an investigation leading them to discover much of the contaminated melamine was purchased by American Nutrition Inc, a large manufacturer who produces specific types of food under private labels for independent companies.  

The FDA has since informed American Nutrition, Inc (ANI) that all products containing the contaminated ingredient must be recalled from all private labels.

Further investigation and controversy is imminent as the private label companies that ANI was manufacturing food for did not know that rice protein concentrate was being put in their products. Effected companies include Harmony Foods, Blue Buffalo and SmartPak to date.  Due to the mislabeling, the FDA issued a voluntary recall for all canned foods produced by ANI for these companies.

Discontinue use of these products if you have been feeding them to your pet and return the unused portion to the place of purchase for full refund. Even if your pet seems healthy and unaffected, Oh My Dog Supplies recommends a visit to the vet for full blood work and urinalysis as early detection raises the survival rate from melamine ingestion.

CAT FOOD

Blue Buffalo Spa Select Hairball Control Oven Roasted Chicken 3oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Blue Buffalo Spa Select Kitten Recipe Oven Roasted Chicken 3oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Kitten Formula 5.5oz 15 AUG 08 15 APR 09
Harmony Farms Country Chicken Entrée 3oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Natural Balance Ocean Fish Formula 3oz and 6 oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
DOCTORS FOSTER & SMITH CHICKEN & BROWN RICE FORMULA ADULT LITE CAT FOOD,
NET WT. 3 LBS. and 7 LBS.; Code date: Best Used By March 13, 09;
LICK YOUR CHOPS LAMB MEAL, RICE & EGG CAT FOOD, 4 LBS. packages,
Code date:  Best Used By April 29, 08

DOG FOOD

Blue Buffalo Beef Dinner 12.5oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Blue Buffalo Chicken Dinner 12.5oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Blue Buffalo Hearty Venison Dinner 12.5oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Blue Buffalo Lamb Dinner 12.5oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Blue Buffalo Salmon Dinner 12.5oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Blue Buffalo Turkey Meatloaf Dinner 12.5oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Canine Caviar Gourmet Beaver 13.2oz AUG 21 08 APR 15 09
Canine Caviar Gourmet Turkey 13.2oz AUG 21 08 APR 15 09
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Puppy Formula 13oz 21 AUG 08 15 APR 09
Diamond Lamb & Rice 13oz 21 AUG 09 15 APR 10
Harmony Farms Beef 12.5oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Harmony Farms Chicken 12.5oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Harmony Farms Lamb 12.5oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Harmony Farms Salmon 12.5oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Kirkland Signature Premium Dog 2-Flavor Variety Pack 14oz (24-pack) AUG 21 08 APR 15 09
Mulligan Stew Chicken 13.2oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Mulligan Stew Turkey 13.2oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Natural Balance Beef Formula 13oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Natural Balance Chicken Formula 13oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Natural Balance Lamb Formula 13oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
Natural Balance Venison & Brown Rice 13oz AUG 21 09 APR 15 10
LiveSmart Adult - Chicken and Brown Rice
LiveSmart Senior - Chicken and Brown Rice
LiveSmart Puppy - Chicken and Brown Rice
LiveSmart Adult - Lamb and Brown Rice

DOCTORS FOSTER & SMITH CHICKEN & BROWN RICE FORMULA ADULT LITE DOG FOOD,
NET WT. 5 LBS., 12.5 LBS, and 25 LBS; Code dates: Best Used By Jan 24,
09; Best Used By Feb 8, 09; Best Used By Feb 26, 09; Best Used By April
10, 09; Best Used By April 17, 09; Bulk

Update - 5/4/07

Menu Foods and the FDA have issued another recall on pet foods made with potentially contaminated wheat gluten.

On March 17th, Menu Foods issued a recall for foods made with wheat gluten from supplier ChemNutra Inc. As more information has become available, the recall has been widened to include all food made with wheat gluten regardless of supplier due to possible cross-contamination from the tainted ingredient.

The additional recall, although it looks extensive, represents less than 5% of the total already recalled foods.

Oh My Dog Supplies again recommends searching your cupboards for any foods on the list below and returning any unused portion to the retailer for a full refund. More importantly, have your pet checked over by your vet and request full blood work and urinanalysis.

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