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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 9:01 am
Good article from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review...seems some scientists/doctors out there don't agree with the FDAs assessment that there is no risk to humans: Bad food effects unknown From the article USDA and FDA officials are quick to say that they believe the health risk to humans is minimal, and less than to pets, because of the "dilution effect." Animals tend to consume one type of food all the time, while humans eat a variety, they said. Dr. Rumbeiha, Dr. Bruce Dixon, director of the Allegheny County Health Department, and other doctors and veterinarians said that while people and many pets are unlikely to become seriously ill immediately after consuming tainted foods, they may be suffering kidney damage that won't be evident for years. Humans can function normally until nearly 90 percent of their kidneys shut down, and sometimes do not realize they have a problem until they need dialysis, said Dr. Stephen Sandroni, director of the division of nephrology and hypertension at Allegheny General Hospital on the North Side. "It's not unlike secondhand smoke; it's not unlike asbestos; it's not like aspirin and phenacetin, which affected kidneys. It's a slowly damaging process," Dixon said. "I don't think anybody has the data yet to suggest it's not a significant risk. I think it is."
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 9:13 am
CD, I dunno if there's any difference, but I bought local, organic chicken breasts the other day, when I made up my first batch of homemade food. Thinking ahead, I guess, although I'm not sure I made a connection between contaminated feed and chickens then. The funny thing is, well, OK, maybe not so funny. But I look at my brats and keep asking them why they aren't vegetarians like their mommy. And the look at me like "what? are you crazy???? gimme REAL food!" LOL. I agree with the article about the risk to humans. If something contaminates the feed, unless it's something that is expelled immediately, it'll be absorbed into the animal. The risk is pretty high that you'll get something you didn't bargain for, yes? And THAT is what all you non-vegetarians are eating! <G,D,R really fast!>
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Taterheadtwo
Member
09-29-2005
| Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 10:16 am
costacat, i want to be a vegaterian i really do, but yes a but a lame excuse, i never learned how to cook and when i try it always tatses alfull, im stuck in a rut fast food are proceses tc dinners, i buy fresh produce, frozen vegatables, but i have never been able to convert, im hooked adicte to process and my failures of not being able to overcome poor eating , truth is all are almost all meats mas grown for profits are fit, who wants tpo bet that the raiser doesnt wont eat what he raises to seel for the human public, bet he keeps his meats raise seperately, well cared and good grains, etc. i just hope this keeps going public and the way we raise, monitor, and sell ill raised grown foods will change, truth is what you dont know can and will hurt you.
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 2:38 pm
I'm beginning to think Sen. Durbin may be a little bit awesome, too...even if he is a Democrat . Why? See the Durbin-related links below: DURBIN, DELAURO INTRODUCE NEW FOOD SAFETY BILL IN WAKE OF WIDENING RECALLS Sen. Durbin’s remarks in the Senate
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 3:07 pm
PetSmart has expanded the recall of items on their shelves yesterday to cover 20 more products. They've just added it to their already existing list, so it is a little hard to pick out. I'm going to link to it, but if I have time later (because it is Whitney-walking time now), I'll try to put together a list and post it here. It would really help if I remembered how to create a table! (It looks to just be extensions on food that was already on the list...just additionaly UPCs or something.) PetSmart Handout - the list does have "Date Recalled" so just look for the 5/1 items to see the new additions.
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 5:07 pm
Okay, Menu has YET AGAIN expanded its list...and the list of new items is LONG...seems there might have been a cross-contamination issue as Menu says none of these foods were made with the ChemNutra gluten And here's the Canada version of the release...it MAY contain different items: Menu Foods Adds to Recall List - Canada I THINK the PetSmart foods recalled earlier are all from this list, but I need to double-check.
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 5:15 pm
Yes, the PetSmart additions are on the Menu list. Some good news: DURBIN FOOD SAFETY AMENDMENT APPROVED BY SENATE - Today the Senate passed, by a vote of 94-0, an amendment introduced by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) that will strengthen the nation's food safety system. This will only become law if the FDA funding bill, written by Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Mike Enzi, R-Nev., is approved. Don't know when they vote on this, but you may want to contact your Congressmen and urge them to pass it. Of course, I should probably find out what else is in the FDA funding bill before I recommend anything... And here's an article about that, too: Senate backs tighter pet food standards
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 5:23 pm
Oh, for pete's sake. Every time I check there is something new. Schnuck's brand has also expanded their recalls (and I don't see all of them on the Menu list) And I retract what I previously said, I am not seeing all the PetSmart recalls on the Menu list. So be sure to check the PetSmart list... here's the PetSmart list at Itchmo
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 5:24 pm
All of the PetSmart foods are still the cuts/gravy ones (the Authority brand). And yes, I WAS feeding the cats Authority! I'm glad Menu Foods expanded the recall, but geez. D'ya think they coulda done it sooner?
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 5:49 pm
Thanks again for doing the legwork on this thing, Cdbga. I use all the links that you post and send them to friends and family. Much, much appreciated. I sure hope that there's an end to this soon.
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 6:09 pm
Okay, as it turns out, the Updated Menu Recall list has items that aren't on their press releases. Yeah, that sounds like Menu. So, here's the list that Pet Food Tracker has up right now: 20 New Cat Brands – Menu Foods Recall on 5-2-07 due to cross-contamination 1. Cat’s Choice (This is NOT on their press release, but is on their “recalled Cat Product Information”) 2. Co-Op Gold 3. Despar (This is NOT on their press release, but is on their “recalled Cat Product Information”) 4. Fame 5. Feline Classic 6. Feline Cuisine 7. Giant Eagle (This is NOT on their press release, but is on their “recalled Cat Product Information”) 8. J.E. Mondou 9. La Griffe 10. Master Choice 11. Medi-Cal (This is NOT on their press release, but is on their “recalled Cat Product Information”) 12. Natural Ultramix 13. Nu Pet 14. Performatrin Ultra 15. Roche Brothers (Note: Dog food from Roche Brothers has been on the recall list) 16. Roundy’s 17. Stuzzy Gold (This is NOT on their press release, but is on their “recalled Cat Product Information”) 18. Triumph 19. Western Family Canada (Western Family US has been on the recall list) 20. Your Pet (Dog food from Your Pet has been on the recall list) 10 New Dog Brands - Menu Foods Recall on 5-2-07 due to cross-contamination 1. Co-Op Gold 2. Go Natural (This is NOT on their press release, but is on their “recalled Dog Product Information”) 3. Health Diet Gourmet Cuisine 4. La Griffe 5. Master Choice 6. Nu Pet 7. Performatrin Ultra 8. Triumph 9. Truly 10. Western Family Canada (Note: Western Family US has been on the list) Many thanks to Kim (from Pet Food Tracker) and Therese (from The Pet Food list) for taking the time to cross-reference and provide this info. Of course, this is just a brand list, if you see your brand on the list, go to the Menu lists to get the details - Menu Dog Food List & Menu Foods Cat Food List (Thanks for the thanks Vee. I'm glad you are getting such good use from my "work". I just want us to save as many furbabies as we can)
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 6:11 pm
Alright y'all, it is LATE for me...10:07pm here, but I have to be at work at 6am...so I really should be asleep already. I will be back in the morning to post any further updates...and possibly a few venomous remarks about these Menu people.
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Retired
Member
07-11-2001
| Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 6:25 pm
(((Cdbga))) Thanks so much for all this info. It is greatly appreciated. 
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 4:12 am
Good morning all! The good news is: No new recalls since I went to bed! But here are some links that may be of interest...and my thoughts on Menu Foods. 1. Menu Foods Recalls More Pet Food, Senate Wants Warning System - I don't think there's anything new in this, but its a nice summary or recent events. 2. Pet food lawsuit filed in Guilford 3. YOUR WHOLE PET - - Is Your Pet's Food Safe Yet? Why pet owners are worried and why that's not likely to change soon 4. I did a little more research into the bill Sen. Durbin's FOOD SAFETY AMENDMENT is attached to - FDA Reauthorization bill S.1082. Here are some links about it: Senate Considers Bill to Overhaul FDA Senate begins debate on prescription drug user fee act reauthorization bill This is the bill, itself...although I'm not sure which version is correct. It has a LOT of ammendments. Honestly, I wish Sen. Durbin would just introduce the Food Safety thing as its own bill, not attached to something else, because I'm not sure I'm in favor of this whole bill. 5. Okay, no vicious remarks about Menu. I'm more tired this morning than I am venomous. But, really...the fact that they had to be informed of cross-contamination by a customer's tests? They know their procedures, they should have known cross-contamination was likely and should have done their OWN testing. This far into the recall...to have this much added to the list...and considering that nobody was very happy with them to begin with. I really think that once this is all over and I go back to commercial food for my girls I will still not do business with anyone who uses Menu Foods. While they might not have been to blame for how this started (they didn't add the melamine or know it was there), they certainly deserve our disdain for how they've handled things since then. (Okay, so these are certainly negative remarks about Menu...but, honestly, last night I was about ready to post that they should be rounded up and shot...or tied naked to anthills, so I've calmed down quite a bit!) That is all for now. As always, I'll be back in to post updates.
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 11:29 am
China detains head of gluten export company
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Supergranny
Member
02-03-2005
| Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 11:57 am
"Melamine is mainly used in the chemical industry, but it can also be used in making cakes." I'm not buying any cakes made in China either!!
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 1:55 pm
Want to know what melamine looks like in wheat gluten?
Contaminated Wheat Gluten
Normal Wheat Gluten (Images are courtesy of the University of Guelph Laboratory Services)
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Friday, May 04, 2007 - 2:32 am
The Morning Update - Good morning all! Well, we made it through a Thursday with no new recalls. I don't think that has happened in a while. Lets see how Friday goes! Here are some links to get your day started: 1. In a shocking development, "Government inspectors are checking food makers who use protein concentrates to make sure none of the contaminated products found in pet food have reached other products." Yes folks, nearly 2 months into the recall, our FDA has actually begun inspecting food makers. Here are a couple of articles: FDA Begins Investigating Food Makers U.S. Investigators Visiting Pet Food Makers 2. ASPCA Says: Avoid All Non-US Protein Supplements. “Crisis Not Over” 3.Reported pet deaths at 8500 FDA says
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Friday, May 04, 2007 - 8:02 am
The FDA is so far behind on announcing recalls that when I got a SmartPak recall email from them today I had to check the blogs to see if this was new info. Something is VERY wrong about that. Anyhoo, it does look to be new. Here's the info: SmartPak has recalled all orders of LiveSmart Adult Lamb and Brown Rice SmartPak's Recall Page (You have to scroll to the bottom to see the new info Interesting to note that this was recalled May 2 (same day as the Menu recalls), but we are just hearing about it now. Although, in the notice it says SmartPak ships directly to customers only and that they notified their customers personally, stopped shipments, had shipments that were in transit rerouted...the same day they got tests back...so I guess I can give them a pass. No passes for the FDA, though. Also, since this is cross-contamination as well, we should brace ourselves for more recalls of this nature. Guess Whitney will be enjoying home cooking for a while longer.
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Saturday, May 05, 2007 - 2:28 am
Brief morning update, because I am at work at we are actually busy today (we have 1 crazy-busy week per month and this is it). Drs Foster & Smith recall expanded: Due to possible cross contamination with other foods, Drs. Fosters and Smith is recalling three additional formulas: (2 dry for dogs, 1 wet for cats) * Drs. Foster & Smith Dry Adult Dog Food Lamb & Brown Rice FormulaTM 6lb (#12965), 15lb (#12966) - with a “BEST BY” date of FEB 09 09 * Drs. Foster & Smith Dry Adult Dog Food Lamb & Brown Rice FormulaTM 6lb (#12965), 15lb (#12966), 30lb (#12967), 30lb Case Pack 2-bag (#13870), 30lb Case Pack 4-bag (#13871) - with a “BEST BY” date of FEB 26 09 * #27046-CKN Country Classic Dinners™ - Chicken Stew (canned cat food) — This was covered in the Menu Foods recall on Wednesday.
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Saturday, May 05, 2007 - 9:10 am
Alright, y'all, my crazy busy morning has ended up just being crazy. I'm stuck QC'ing "Fools Rush In" again, so I figured I'd do a little posting while I was watching it. 1.House Agriculture Committee Chair wants USDA in charge of food safety - Hearing will be held next week. 2.FDA Pats Itself on the Back — Not So Fast, Says USA Today: FDA Commissioners Letter USA Today's response 3. Alabama Leads the way with "Country of Origin" labelling 4. First Pork, then Chicken, now Fish? What are we supposed to eat?: Alabama State health workers have begun notifying restaurants and food distributors that catfish imported from China has been banned because officials have found large amounts of federally prohibited antibiotics in the catfish
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Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Saturday, May 05, 2007 - 9:13 am
Thank you Cdbga for all you hard work keeping us informed! 
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Cdbga
Member
10-04-2004
| Saturday, May 05, 2007 - 11:21 am
Thanks, Nick. I enjoy doing it. Very interesting article about Toxic Medicine produced in China (as well as a recall on Chinese glycerin). The details are very similar to the wheat gluten thing. Honestly, could we just ban imports from China, already? Anyway, here are the links: From China to Panama - a Trail of Poisoned Medicine FDA Advises Manufacturers to Test Glycerin for Possible Contamination Now, I've read some speculation that this glycerin thing might be connected to the Pet Food, because glycerin is widely used as an ingredient in pet food. And it has been said that the symptoms the pets were showing at first were consistent with antifreeze poisoning. But, this is just speculation.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Saturday, May 05, 2007 - 11:27 am
I read this every day and am so thankful for you Cd!!! I dont post here every day but want you to know that I thank you everyday!!and I know there are many others just like me! (((CD)))
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Saturday, May 05, 2007 - 5:31 pm
Same here. I had been feeding the dry Blue Buffalo Spa Select, Mature Chicken to Critter and had the Salmon flavor for Angelina until I put her on the canned (which I cringe thinking about because only after she was gone did they find out that they had unknowingly had the formula messed with . Critter loves loves loves the Spa Select dry, both kinds, but was throwing up more, so I went to Petsmart the other day and finally got some Royal Canin that is for ages 10 and over.. she's 17. I opened it and thought it didn't smell at all palatable..well.. she LOVES it!! So fingers crossed that they won't suddenly have a recall (I know they had one but it was all for canned or pouches. I think some of the pouch food from Iams and/or Nutro has now had the recall extended back in time and I haven't looked yet, but now wonder if Angelina was eating that back before I took her off those because sometimes she'd just wolf and throw up. I know she had cancer, not liver/kidney problems, but it still pains me greatly to know that she may have had the bad wheat gluten months ago and then the last week, bad rice.
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