Merrick Pet Care Recalls Texas Hold’em Dog Treats
Firm warns of possible salmonella contamination
A Texas pet food company is again expanding its recall of beef-flavored dog treats because of continued concerns about salmonella contamination.
Merrick Pet Care, Inc. on Monday announced it’s widening the companys July recall to include all lots of 10 ounce Beet Filet Squares and Texas HoldEms treats, saying the products have the potential to be tainted with the bacterium that causes food poisoning.
This is the third time in recent weeks the Amarillo-based company has issued a recall involving various lot numbers of the treats, which were shipped to distributors and retailers nationwide.
In July, Merrick pulled 86 cases of its beef filet squares off the market after a sample analyzed by the Food and Drug Administration tested positive for salmonella. Earlier this month, the company pulled another 83 cases of those treats — and the Texas HoldEms treats — off store shelves. On Monday, Merrick recalled all lots of the treats sold in 10 ounce plastic bags because of ongoing concerns about salmonella contamination.
The company, however, said it has not received any reports of illnesses linked to the recalled treats.
Salmonella poses a health risk to animals and people who handle products tainted with the bacterium, the FDA said.
Salmonella poses a health risk to animals and people who handle the products tainted with the bacterium, the FDA said.
Sunshine Mills Expands Dog Food Recall
The products may have elevated levels of aflatoxin
Sunshine Mills is expanding its earlier recall of dog food products that were made with corn that may contain aflatoxin at levels exceeding FDA guidelines.
The expansion includes corn-based pet food products produced between April 3, 2020, and April 5, 2020. aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mold by-product from the growth of Aspergillus flavus and can be harmful to pets if consumed in significant quantities.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
A listed of the affected products sold in retail stores throughout the U.S. may be found here.
China Blocks Us Inspectors Seeking Answers To Pet Poisonings
Rice Protein Suspected in Latest Round of Recalls
Rice protein concentrateSource: Binzhou Futian Biology Technology, Ltd. Web site
“It is unacceptable that the Chinese government is blocking our food safety inspectors from entering their country and examining facilities that are suspected of providing contaminated pet food to American consumers,” Durbin said.
“We have asked for two things in our letter today — that the Chinese government allow our inspectors in and that the Chinese ambassador to the United States meet with Congresswoman DeLauro and me to discuss the larger issue of contaminated food being sent to the U.S. These are reasonable requests and we hope that we can find a level of cooperation with the Chinese.”
Durbin and DeLauro learned about China’s refusal to grant the food inspectors visas during a meeting Wednesday with FDA Commission, Andrew von Eschenbach. The Capitol Hill meeting focused on the latest pet food recall — announced by Natural Balance earlier this week after the company learned some of its products contained rice protein tainted with the chemical melamine.
That chemical is used in plastics and fertilizers, but is not allowed in human or pet food, according to the FDA.
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Fda Warns Pet Owners Of Pet Food Containing Dangerous Toxin
To date, 28 dogs have died after consuming Sportmix pet food
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a safety advisory concerning pet food containing high levels of aflatoxin, which is toxic to pets. The agency said 28 dogs have died in connection to the pet food in question and eight others became ill.
The FDA said it has found that certain lots of Sportmix products, manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods, caused the canine deaths and illnesses. The company voluntarily recalled the products last week.
The agency said it is still looking into whether more products contain high levels of aflatoxin. In total, nine lots of Sportmix products have so far been found to contain high levels of the toxin.
Case counts and the scope of this recall may expand as new information becomes available, the FDA said in its announcement.
One In Six Animals Died In Pet Food Tests
Millions of Animals at Risk as Investigators Seek Cause of Latest Outbreak
Federal investigators say they’re focused on gluten — a protein source commonly used as filler — as the most likely source of contamination in the 60 million cans and pouches recalled late last week.
The recalled wet-style dog and cat food was made by Menu Foods, based in Ontario, Canada. The company said it began receiving complaints of kidney failure and deaths around Feb. 20 and began running tests Feb. 27.During those tests, the company said it fed its products to 40 to 50 dogs and cats. Seven of them died. The company said the toxin appeared more deadly to cats.
As usual in cases involving contaminated food, many possible victims are already dead and buried, making it difficult for pet owners to be sure what killed their animals.
“Between January 10 and 20, I lost two rabbit beagles and on Feb. 10, I lost a lab,” said Lionel of Buckhannon, W. Va. “They quit eating and drinking and became dehydrated and died within a week.”
“My neighbor ran up a $300 vet bill. The vet had no idea what was happening,” Lionel said. He said his dogs had eaten Big Red, one of the recalled brands.
John of El Dorado, Calif., had a similar experience. “Our dog recently died from acute renal failure, she was in good health and only 10 years old,” he told ConsumerAffairs.com.
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Topaz Wafer Rolls Recalled On Melamine Fears
Industrial chemical contaminates more food products
Melamine contamination continues to trigger recalls of food products. In the latest melamine scare, National Brands Inc. has recalled all its 4.76-ounce and 12.3-ounce cans of Topaz Wafer Rolls.
The wafer rolls involved in this action were sold in four flavors and distributed at retail stores nationwide. The Spring Valley, New York, company said it has not received any reports of illnesses linked to the products. Customers with questions about this action can call the company at 866-238-5201.
This is the second melamine-contamination issue the company has faced in recent weeks.
In late November, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection warned consumers not to eat National Brand’s Topaz Wafer Rolls with Hazlenut Chocolate-Flavored Cream Filling because of melamine contamination.
A sample of those products tested by the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station Laboratory revealed the wafer contained 5 parts per million of melamine and the cream filling had more than 7 ppm.
That is well above the 2.5 ppm standard for melamine set by the Food and Drug Administration,
The Chinese-made wafers were sold at Ocean State Job Lot stores in Connecticut and identified as Lot # L821 99D.
Melamine is a chemical used to make plastic and fertilizers. It is not approved for use in human or animal food marketed in the United States and manufacturers are not allowed to deliberately add it to any food for U.S. consumers.
Lab Tests Again Find Acetaminophen In Pet Food
More evidence melamine is a ‘red herring?’Menu Foods, FDA don’t respond to cries for help
These results add to the growing number of cases in which toxicologists at ExperTox Analytical Laboratories in Texas have detected the over-the-counter pain medicine in dog or cat food.
Carol’s Cat Food
The tests performed by ExperTox earlier this month also detected another toxin in the foods: melamine. Thats the chemical that triggered Menu Foods massive recall in March of more than 60 million containers of pet food.
The Food and Drug Administration found the melamine in the wheat gluten imported from China, which pet food companies used to make their products. Thousands of dogs and cats nationwide suffered kidney problems or died after eating the tainted pet food.
ConsumerAffairs.com learned a Rhode Island pet owner bought the Special Kitty food in February one month before Menu announced its nationwide recall.Pet owner Carol V. said her two cats — Jessica and Smudge — nearly died after eating the tainted food.
To say the food made them sick is an understatement, she told us. It nearly killed them.
Now, shes beginning to understand why.ExperToxs lab results, she said, give her some insight into what made her cats so sick.
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Feds Probe Reports Of Dog Deaths Illnesses From Pork Bone Treats
Missouri company says it is “proud” of its products, refuses to compensate pet owners
FDA is aware of the issue and is looking into it, according to a statement the spokesman sent us. We take very seriously any potential harm to pets from products regulated under the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act and encourage consumers to report their concerns to the FDA. If warranted we will take appropriate action and notify the public.
ConsumerAffairs.com has received several complaints about one of the company’s treats — Real Ham Bones. Pet owners say the 8 hickory smoked pork femur bones — sold as treats — have splintered and caused their dogs to become violently ill or even die.
My dog ate the bone and died, said pet owner Christina N. of Collierville, Tennessee. The company denied my claim for vet bills. They said I chose to give my dog the bone. This was a very, very painful death for Buddy. Many dogs have died from this product. I had a necropsy done and still they claim it wasn’t their product.
A Texas pet owner also blamed the death of her dog on the companys chew bones: I purchased the pet treat for my dog and it killed him, said Kriss L. of Richardson, Texas. Words cannot express my grief.
Pet Food Makers Agree To $24 Million Settlement
Dog, cat owners would be compensated for medical expenses, cremation costs
The proposed settlement — triggered by last year’s recall of 60 million containers of melamine-tainted dog and cat food — was filed last Thursday in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey.
A hearing to approve the settlement is set for May 30.
The tainted pet food debacle started last March when Menu Foods of Canada recalled millions of containers of dog and cat food.
The company — which manufacturers dog and cat food under nearly 100 brand names — took that action after pets across the country that ate its food suffered kidney problems and became ill or died.
“The Settlement Agreement will create a Settlement Fund of $24 million that will allow a potential recovery of up to 100% of all economic damages related to the pet food recall that were incurred by pet owners and persons who purchased recalled pet food in the United States and in Canada, subject to several limitations,” Menu Foods wrote in a press release.
Under the proposed settlement, pet owners can file claims for medical expenses and reimbursement of burial or cremation costs. Pet owners who do not have documentation for these expenses can receive up to $900 each.
Jeniphr Breckenridge, one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys in the case, told the newspaper she is pleased with the settlement. “But at the same time, we recognize that there is no legal settlement that can compensate pet owners for losing a pet,” she said.
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Dog Owners Blame Jerky Treats For Their Pets’ Health Problems
Animals, like people, need a well-balanced and nutritious diet
Any dog owner will tell you that dogs will eat just about anything. But that doesn’t mean they should. It’s up to dog owners to be sure they’re feeding their furry friends a balanced, healthy diet.
Just like humans, dogs shouldn’t gorge themselves on treats and snacks at the expense of healtheir fare.
Snacks are often blamed, fairly or not, for canine health problems. One brand that’s currently taking heat from dog owners is Waggin Train, which makes chicken jerky and other snack products.
“After wondering why our dog was getting so sick, I started hearing about the Waggin Train Jerky Treats. I checked in her box of different treats and discovered that I have an almost empty bag of Waggin Train Jerky Tenders!” said Lucinda of Strasburg, Va., in one of many similar ConsumerAffairs postings. “I am so upset and broken hearted because my dog is dying! … Our sweet girl is dying because of this poison!”
Waggin’ Train insists its snacks are “made of premium chicken breast fillets” and says the “high-protein, low-fat treats are slow-cooked to seal in the natural flavors for a healthy and wholesome snack.”
Wellpet Recalls One Canned Topper Product For Dogs
The product may contain elevated levels of naturally occurring beef thyroid hormone
WellPet is recalling a limited amount of one canned topper product for dogs.
The product may contain elevated levels of naturally occurring beef thyroid hormone.
The company has received no reports of any health problems to date.
The the following product, a mixer or topper is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only, is being recalled:
- Wellness 95% Beef Topper for Dogs 13.2 oz, Best-By Dates of 02 FEB 19, 29 AUG 19 and 30 AUG 19, located on the bottom of the can.
The recalled product was distributed at pet specialty retailers throughout North America and online.
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Darwins Natural Selections Dog Food
Laboratory testing unearthed salmonella in multiple productions lots of Darwins Natural Selections brand meals for dogs. An immediate pet product recall was issued for packages of their turkey, duck, and chicken meals. This seems to be an on-going problem for Darwins as the company has recalled more than 23 tons of cat and dog food over a 14-month period.
Next: Watch out for cat products, too.
Pedigree Expands Recall Of Adult Complete Nutrition Dog Food
The product may contain a foreign material
The product may contain a foreign material.
The initial recall, which affected 22 bags shipped to Dollar General in four states, has been expanded to include 55-pound bags of the product sold in Sam’s Club in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.
Some of the affected production lot was originally said to be held in inventory but was instead released to consumers.
The company says it has received no reports of injury or illness associated with the affected product.
The lot codes indicated below should not be sold or consumed:
- 55-pound bags of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food sold at Sam’s Club will have the lot code 432E1KKM03 printed on the back of the bag near the UPC and a Best Before date of 8/7/15. See below for a list of Sam’s Club stores.
- 15-pound bags of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food sold at Dollar General stores will have the lot code 432C1KKM03 printed on the back of the bag near the UPC and a Best Before date of 8/5/15. See below for a list of Dollar General stores.
| UPC |
|---|
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Dog Gone Dog Treats Recall
The DPH explains in a press release that the three salmonellosis cases include two adults in their 70s and a child. Theyre all residents of Essex County who have handled the Dog Gone Dog Treats that are now part of the recall.
The agency further explains that one open bag from a customer and several unopened packages people purchased last week tested positive for Salmonella at the State Public Health Laboratory. The Dog Gone Dog Treats in this recall come from Georgetown and include chicken chips as well as beef liver and sweet potato chips. The products are dehydrated and not fully cooked.
Theyre available at Essex County Co-Op in Topsfield, New England Dog Biscuit Company in Salem, Gimme Chews & Moore in Haverhill, and Animal Krackers in Gloucester.
The DPH instructed all stores to remove the products from their shelves. Furthermore, the manufacturer isnt producing any additional treats for the time being.
Northwest Farm Food Cooperative Recalls Frozen Raw Cat Food
The product may be contaminated with Salmonella
Northwest Farm Food Cooperative of Burlington, Wash., is recalling frozen raw cat food.
The product may be contaminated with Salmonella.
No pet or consumer illnesses from this product have been reported to date.
The recalled product was sold from the company’s facility in Burlington, Wash., in 50-lb. blocks and cases of six 10-lb. chubs packaged in a white plastic bag labeled Cat Food. They have the production code Jul12015B, which can be found on the outside of the case , and no UPC code.
Customers who purchased the recalled product should stop using it and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, or dispose of it immediately.
Consumers with questions may call 757-4225 Monday Friday from 9:00 am 4:00 pm .
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Pet Owners Cheer Indictments In Toxic Pet Food Case
But additional indictments and safeguards are needed, they argue
Pet food makers last year recalled more than 150 brands of dog and cat food contaminated with melamine, a chemical that is not approved for use in human or animal food.
Thousands of dogs and cats nationwide suffered kidney disease or died after eating the adulterated food.
“When I first read about these , I was crying because I was sohappy,” said pet owner Carol V. of Rhode Island, whose two cats became gravely ill last February after eating melamine-tainted pet food.
“It was one year ago yesterday that my nightmare started. It made me feel really good that something was being done. I was shocked because I had not idea that these criminal investigations were going on. I thought they had fizzled,” she said.
But Carol and other pet owners are adamant that the investigation into last year’s pet food recall — the largest in U.S. history — must continue.
They say more companies should be held accountable for their roles in the deaths and illnesses of pets nationwide.
“I don’t think the American company that imported the wheat gluten should be alone in this investigation,” Carol said.