Second Chinese Source of Tainted Pet Food Ingredient Found, More Recalls Could Follow

Reuters reported that Democratic Senators Dick Durbin from Illinois and Maria Cantwell from Washington said in a letter to the FDA on Monday that there is a second Chinese company that sold melamine tainted rice protein complex to pet food manufacturers. In their letter to the FDA the Senators wrote,""We have learned that in addition to Wilbur-Ellis, a second United States company imported a shipment of rice protein from China that is also likely to be contaminated with melamine," the senators wrote. "We request the FDA identify this second importer as well as those manufacturers to which it may have sold the contaminated product."

Senator Dick Durbin has been a one man army demanding new legislation and more FDA oversight of pet food manufacturing. A House of Representatives committee hearing on pet food and human food safety will take place on Tuesday, April 24. Pigs bred for slaughter that were fed the tainted pet food on a farm in California testes positive last week for melamine, prompting fears that melamine tainted pork products could be in the human food supply.

So far, five pet food manufacturing companies have recalled products made with tainted wheat gluten, corn gluten, and rice protein complex in the US. Companies in South Africa and Canada have also been effected. More than 100 brands of pet food ranging from high end organic products to low cost store brands have been recalled after tests found melamine in the foods that caused the illness and death of thousands of pets in the US.

Wilbur-Ellis, an American company responsible for importing some of the tainted rice protein complex, said that five American companies bought products containing the tainted rice protein complex. Three of those companies: Natural Balance, Blue Buffalo, and Diamond Pet Foods have initiated recalls on products containing the tainted rice protein complex. Wilbur-Ellis refuses to name the other two companies, who have not come forward or initiated recalls. Senator Durbin is calling for the FDA to demand the company name the other two companies so that their products can be tested for melamine.

Pet owners are anxiously awaiting the results of the FDA investigation. As more products are recalled everyday many pet owners are unsure of what foods are safe to feed their pets and are growing frustrated with what they see as inaction on the part of the FDA to protect their pets. The pet food industry is predicting a huge sales hit in the coming year as pet owners lose confidence in previously well-regarded brands and turn to alternative diets and homemade foods for their pets.