FDA Releases Statement that Tainted Pet Food Still on Store Shelves

The FDA released a statement on April 12, 2007 that some stores still have tainted pet food on the shelves. "The Food and Drug Administration said it had inspected about 400 stores nationwide and still found some dog and cat food products affected by last month's recall by Canada-based pet food maker Menu Foods Income Fund and other manufacturers." (MSNBC) In its investigation, the FDA inspected approximately 400 retail outlets nationwide.

As a result of the widespread pet food recall, the Senate has set up a hearing to discuss the situation. "Sen. Richard Durbin, the Illinois Democrat who announced the hearing, has said he wants the FDA to work with U.S. states to improve manufacturing inspections as well as create a new database for veterinarians and pet owners to report concerns." (MSNBC) No representative of Canadian-based Menu Foods will attend the hearing.

In the FDA press release, the FDA states that they believe that most retailers have removed the pet food affected by the recall. However, not all have, and the FDA pledges to continue to monitor retailers in their efforts to sort out the tainted pet food. On April 11, 2007, it was announced that the tainted pet food was also shipped to Canada. It is unclear whether the Canadian and US governments will work together to resolve the expanding international recall.

In addition, the FDA press release not only details the path of the contaminated wheat gluten that sparked the recall, it also provides an updated list of recalled brands. "The company informed FDA that it had shipped wheat gluten purchased from China and contaminated with melamine from its Emporia, Kansas plant to its plant in Streetsville. Some of the products produced with the contaminated wheat gluten also were shipped to the United States. FDA investigators and officials with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency were in the Ontario facility on April 11." (FDA press release) The visit to the Menu Foods plant on April 11th, as well as completion of inspection efforts, prompted the FDA to issue a press release on April 12th.

Pet owners who are concerned that they may have tainted food in their home can visit the FDA website for additional information and an updated list of the recalled pet food brands. Many pet owners are opting to cook for their pets rather than take the chance that the pet food they purchased is tainted. The tainted pet food is blamed for a sharp increase in kidney failures in cats and dogs.

Sources: MSNBC, FDA press release