Pet Food Recall Affects Human Food Supply

The fate of 20 million chickens raised for human consumption is in jeopardy as it was discovered that they were fed contaminated chicken feed. As many have feared since the pet food recall this past March, the contamination is not stopping with the pet food supply. There is a very real possibility of the contaminated ingredients working their way into the human food supply. While 20 million chickens are but a small fraction of nine billion chickens raised annually in the United States, the feed contamination poses such a threat to the human food supply that three government agencies are getting involved. They include the Agriculture Department, the Food and Drug Administration, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency.

Currently, the fate of the meat from the chickens is in limbo. "Meat from the birds can't go into commercial use without the USDA's inspection seal, which is being withheld until the risk assessment is completed, Williams said." (Daniel) It is not yet known what risk the chicken fed contaminated feed poses to humans, but no one is taking chances. Federal officials are not releasing the names of the businesses that raised the chickens in question until all investigations have been completed.

Unfortunately, the contaminated pet food has made its way into the human food chain more than once. "Federal investigators have been trying to determine how much of the tainted pet food had been used in feed for hogs and chickens. Hog farms in at least six states may have received tainted pet food for use in feed. Those animals also have been barred from market." (Daniel) Fortunately, the issue was caught before the pork and chicken made its way to the dinner table. However, it will take the full cooperation of federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

While the official FDA website does not have much information with regards to contaminated pet feed finding its way into the human food supply, the USDA website provides a transcript of a press release that was conducted in light of the discovery of the contaminated chicken feed. For anyone wanting the most up to date information with regards to the possibility of contamination in the human food supply, it is recommended that you visit the USDA website. For additional information of the ongoing pet food recall, the FDA website has a thorough, up to date list of products affected.

Sources -

Daniel, Douglass K. Associated Press. Fox News Article. "20 Million Chickens Held Because of Feed." http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007May05/0,4670,PetFoodRecall,00.html

Food and Drug Administration website. www.fda.gov

United States Department of Agriculture website. www.usda.gov