Alert!! Pet Food Recall!!!

[Yme2]

HAVE YOU VISITED THE ASPCA PET FOOD RECALL RESOURCE CENTER TODAY?
With new foods added to the list of recalled products earlier this week, the ASPCA continues to warn pet parents to stay extremely alert to the situation. “Please stay abreast of recall news, which you can do via our Pet Food Recall Resource Center on our website,” says the ASPCA’s Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine, Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.

Murray further urges companion animal caretakers to remain extremely vigilant to their pets’ well-being. “If they have eaten any of the recalled foods or show any of the signs generally attributed to kidney failure—or illness in general—please take them to your veterinarian immediately,” cautions Murray.

For more on this issue, please read our most recent press release if you haven’t already done so. And if you have a blog, website or MySpace profile, please help us to spread the message by adding our Pet Food Recall Resource Center banner to your page.

Recall -- Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Chenango Valley Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Certain Pet Foods
Contact:
Dennis J. Bobita
(610) 821-0608

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- May 17, 2007 -- Chenango Valley Pet Foods previously recalled dry pet foods manufactured with a shipment of rice protein concentrate supplied by Wilbur-Ellis that possibly contained melamine contamination. Chenango Valley Pet Foods is now expanding the recall action to include those pet foods that do not contain rice protein concentrate but were manufactured during periods when rice protein concentrate formulas were processed. The recall of these products is precautionary due to the possibility of cross-contamination.

The following dry pet foods are involved in this recall action:

DOCTORS FOSTER & SMITH LAMB & BROWN RICE FORMULA ADULT DOG FOOD, NET WT. 6 LBS. (UPC 25141 28244), 15 LBS. (25141 30074), and 30 LBS. (UPC 25141 06043); Date Codes: Best By Feb 09 09 and Best By Feb 26 09;
SHOP RITE REDI-MIXT DOG FOOD FOR DOGS, NET WT. 25 LB. (UPC 41190 00555), Date Code: Code C7107;
LICK YOUR CHOPS KITTEN & CAT FOOD, NET WEIGHT 4 LBS. (UPC 32976 25915), and 18 LBS. (UPC 32976 25925); Date Code: Best Used By April 29 08;
SHEP chunk style dog food, NET WT. 20 LBS. (UPC 41498 14142); Date Code: Best By March 14 08;
8 in 1 Ferret ULTRA-BLEND ADVANCED NUTRITION DIET, NET WT. 20 LBS, UPC 26851 00413, Code: C7072;
Bulk Lamb & Brown Rice Formula Dog Food, Date Code: Feb 09, 08, sold to one consignee SmartPak.
Health Diet Cat Food Chicken & Rice Dinner NET WT. 1.81 kg/4 LB (UPC 78198 01594), 4 kg/8.8 LB (UPC 78198 01599), and 8 kg/17.6 LB (UPC 78198 01585); Code C7072;
EVOLVE KITTEN FORMULA, NET WT. 3 LBS. (UPC 73657 00250) and 7 LBS. (UPC 73657 00251); Date Code: Best Used By Sept 13 08. Evolve has recovered 99.5% of the product from its distributors and is working with dealers to recover the remaining inventory.
No illnesses or injuries related to these products have been reported to date.

Pet owners who have purchased the pet foods listed above should immediately discontinue using the products and return them to the place of purchase for full refund. Pet owners should consult with a veterinarian if they have any health concerns with their pet. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-610-821-0608.

[KittyTyme]

THESE SOBs
Records Say Company Harassed Pet Owners
By Elizabeth Weise
USA Today
(May 26) - The pet food company that recalled six million cans of contaminated dog and cat food made repeated harassing phone calls to pet owners who had lawyers and said they didn't want to talk, even after a judge ordered it to leave them alone, court records show.

Lawyers from six of the more than 80 law firms representing clients who believed their pets were harmed by Menu's pet food brought a motion in federal court in New Jersey Wednesday seeking to stop Menu from "bullying" people who had called the company since the recall was first announced two and a half months ago.

U.S. District Judge Noel Hillman in Camden, New Jersey agreed with them.

"It's one thing for two people to sit down at the table and voluntarily agree to settle their case, it's another thing to harass people on weekends through automated phone calls," Hillman said to Edward Ruff of Pretzel & Stouffer, Menu's lawyer.

Hillman entered a consent degree on Wednesday ordering Menu Foods to have no contact with anyone who believes their animal was injured by its product without a lawyer being involved.

Calls to Ruff on Friday by USA TODAY were not returned.

Menu Foods has hired Crawford & Company of Atlanta, an insurance adjustment company, to contact pet owners who called the company to report animal illnesses or deaths. Operators at the company directed USA TODAY to call back Tuesday after the holiday.

Jay Edelson, a lawyer with Chicago-based Blim & Edelson which represents over 400 owners, says he believes Menu has received close to 30,000 calls from owners across North America who claim their pets were injured.

At a previous hearing on May 18, the judge had cautioned Menu and Crawford that they should not contact people who had joined one of the lawsuits against the company. Legally, Menu cannot contact those plaintiffs directly but must go through their lawyers.

But affidavits presented in court on the 23rd showing that even pet owners who clearly told Crawford representatives they had retained a lawyer were being called both personally and by what the judge described as 'blaster' computerized phone banks, sometimes numerous times.

Ruff blamed the problem on the fact that Monday, May 21 was a holiday - Victoria Day - in Canada. Menu is based in Ontario, Canada.

Hillman was unyielding.

"It seems to me that Menu Food is out to do whatever Menu Foods wants to do in a way that could adversely impact the rights of (possible members of the class action suit," he said.

Menu's representatives asked owners to sign releases which waived their right to get advice from a lawyer," Edelson said.

"It appears that the company was engaging in a cynical strategy, designed to settle some of the strongest claims cheaply and induce pet owners to give up information it might be able to use to defend against others," his firm said in a letter released to pet owners on Friday.

At the end of May a federal multi-district litigation panel will meet in Las Vegas to determine which court the more than 800 cases against Menu will be heard in. The panel is expected to announce a decision by mid summer.

[janking]

OMG..This is just disgusting...but you cant be too surprised by it either. Its just like most companies..all they care about are profits and reputation. If I were the judge in this, I would have really hurt them where it counts...slap a HUGE FINE on them for every phone call they made to pet owners. No, scratch that..those companies should be SHUT DOWN ENTIRELY and their profits distributed to animal hospitals and shelters, etc. Plus the CEO"S should be thrown into the slammer for a period of not less than THEIR WHOLE NASTY LIVES...

[crispy]

Wow, what a bunch of cowardly bullies!!!!!!!!!!!! Shame on them for their horrible tactics. They did wrong and now they should face the music and put up AND shut up.

[mom2bichons]

I agree 100% with Janet and Chris. Bullies who think only of themselves and they are super cowards!

[janking]

New Contaminant Found In More Pet Food



NEW YORK, June 6, 2007—With reports that acetaminophen has been found in brands of cat and dog food not included on the Menu Foods recall list, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today reminded pet parents that vigilance is the key to keeping their pets safe and healthy—coupled with a strong dose of common sense.

“Though reports of dogs and cats poisoned from the Menu Foods recall seem to have abated, this news is extremely worrying,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, a board-certified toxicologist and senior vice president with the ASPCA, who manages the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), located in its Midwest Office in Urbana, Ill.

“Our data show that if an average-sized cat ingests as little as one extra-strength acetaminophen pain-reliever caplet and is not treated in time, it can suffer fatal consequences,” continued Dr. Hansen. “Depending on the amount ingested, clinical effects can include a condition called ‘methemoglobinemia,’ which affects the ability of blood cells to deliver oxygen to vital organs, or even liver damage.”

“At this point, we have very little information as to the actual level and concentration of this reported contamination, so it’s extremely important to be able to recognize any potential warning signs of this kind of poisoning.” However, early information on this contamination suggests that concentration levels are not high enough to have an adverse effect on most dogs; cats are more at-risk.

Dr. Louise Murray, director of medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital (BMAH) in New York City, and a board-certified internist, elaborates further. “Cats are especially sensitive to acetaminophen toxicity for two reasons. First, they don’t have enough of a specific enzyme that enables the body to metabolize the drug well. Second, cats are typically more susceptible to red blood cell damage than certain other species of animals. Put these together with a high dose of acetaminophen, and you have a potentially deadly combination.”

The most common effects of acetaminophen poisoning in cats include swelling of the face and paws; depression; weakness; and difficulty in breathing. “We also see a condition called ‘cyanosis,’” said Dr. Hansen, “which is literally when their gums and tongue start turning a muddy color due to the lack of oxygen.”

In 2006, the APCC received more than 78,000 calls to its hotline involving common human drugs such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements—a 69 percent increase over 2005.

Until more information is provided by the U. S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the ASPCA urges pet parents to keep an eye out for any signs of illness in their pets, and also report any changes in dietary consumption or behavior to their veterinarian immediately. Those considering a home-cooked diet for their pets should do so in consultation with their veterinarian, or visit the ASPCA’s Web site for more information.

“It is important to remember to never give any medication to your pet without first talking to your veterinarian, and always store potentially poisonous substances in a secure cabinet above the countertop and out of the reach of pets,” said Dr. Hansen. “If you think your pet has ingested a poisonous substance, you should take her to your veterinarian immediately.”

The ASPCA continues to monitor the pet food recall situation, and is providing regular updates and advice for pet parents, at its Pet Food Recall Resource Center at www.aspca.org/recalll

[KittyTyme]

I read about this.. but where did they find it.. what food was it in..? OMG what's next???

[Yme2]

PET FOOD RECALL UPDATE: ACETAMINOPHEN FOUND IN BRANDS OF CAT AND DOG FOOD NOT ON MENU FOODS LIST
With reports that acetaminophen has recently been found in some brands of cat and dog food not included on the Menu Foods recall list, the ASPCA is urging pet parents to stay vigilant to signs of illness in their pets as large doses of acetaminophen, just like many other human medications, can be extremely toxic.
“At this point, we have very little information as to the actual level of concentration of this reported contamination," says Dr. Steven Hansen, a board-certified toxicologist and Senior Vice President with the ASPCA, who manages the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. “Our data shows that if an average-sized cat ingests as little as one extra-strength acetaminophen pain-reliever caplet and is not treated in time, he can suffer fatal consequences.”

Adds Dr. Louise Murray, a board-certified internist and Director of Medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City, “Until the U. S. Food & Drug Administration releases its findings from this new investigation, we urge pet parents to keep a close eye on their pets, and report any changes in dietary consumption or behavior to their veterinarian immediately.

As we continue to monitor the pet food recall situation, the ASPCA advises pet parents to keep abreast of developing news by visiting the ASPCA Pet Food Recall Center regularly for the latest information available.
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=recall

[mom2bichons]

This is way beyond ridiculous. I want to injure the people who are doing this. I am serious I understand people who go "postal" and take out people. If any of these jerks (to put it mildly) would injure mine or any of my forum families pets I will take them out....I swear by it.

[Yme2]

PET FOOD RECALL UPDATE: ASPCA BELIEVES FEAR OF ACETAMINOPHEN IN PET FOODS TO BE UNFOUNDED
Pet parents justifiably alarmed by the recent news of acetaminophen contamination in cat foods can rest easy. ASPCA experts have kept close contact with veterinary toxicologists at the University of California (Davis), who conducted independent tests on cat foods to analyze for this contaminant. Based on their negative findings―which support those of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as reported in the press―we believe that fears of widespread acetaminophen contamination are unfounded.

“A few weeks ago, we received three cans of cat food supplied for testing by an individual pet owner," says Dr. Robert H. Poppenga, a board-certified veterinary toxicologist running the Toxicology Section of the California Animal Health and Food Safety System at UC Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine. "We were told that this was the same food that had tested positive for acetaminophen and cyanuric acid at a private laboratory in Texas. We immediately began conducting our own rigorous tests on these foods, and all the samples came back negative for this type of contamination."

Adds the ASPCA's Dr. Steven Hansen, a board-certified veterinary toxicologist and Senior Vice President, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, “The bottom line is that neither did the FDA’s tests confirm the presence of acetaminophen, nor did those conducted by UC-Davis—nor has the APCC managed any clinical cases to date. As a result, we want to reassure the public that, based on this information, we believe any fear of acetaminophen contamination in pet food is unfounded, and pet parents should rest easy on that account.”

We will continue to monitor developments in the Menu Foods recall situation and related information, and will provide regular updates and advice for pet parents at our Pet Food Recall Resource Center.