Pet Food scandal - beware of lethal pet food brands!

Dr. Gajaprishthakara · May 9th, 2007, 12:27

don't have time to find a link but I caught the last half of a CNN story this morning on this issue which includes an interview with a man that has been arrested by chinese authorities

Nick-H · May 9th, 2007, 12:35

Melamine?

I think that's what all the woodwork in my new house is being sprayed with, isn't it?

Noodle · May 9th, 2007, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Melamine?

I think that's what all the woodwork in my new house is being sprayed with, isn't it?

You're NOT supposd to lick it, Nick!

Nick-H · May 9th, 2007, 15:13

Why? I'm getting bored with sucking the lead paint every day!

Digital Drifter · May 10th, 2007, 23:34

http://www.horsesass.org/?p=2883

FDA: the “Faith-based Dining Administration”

Operative word believe

Quote:

FDA and USDA believe the likelihood of illness after eating such pork is extremely low.”
– USDA/FDA, 4/26/2007

“We have no reason to believe that any of those are currently in the human food supply as a direct ingredient.”
– USDA/FDA, 4/26/2007

“We have no reason to believe that anything other than the rice protein concentrate or the wheat gluten have been a problem in the United States recently.”
– USDA/FDA, 4/26/2007

“But overall, we believe the risk to be extremely low to humans.”
– USDA/FDA, 4/26/2007

“We believe that the likelihood of illness from such exposure is extremely low.”
– USDA/FDA, 5/1/2007

“One of the reasons we believe that this is very low in humans is due to the dilution effect.”
– USDA/FDA, 5/1/2007

“We believe the situation in the poultry is very much like that for the swine.”
– USDA/FDA, 5/1/2007

“We do not believe that there is any significant threat of human illness from consuming poultry.”
– USDA/FDA, 5/1/2007

“We believe the likelihood of illness to humans, including infants, is extremely small.”
– USDA/FDA, 5/3/2007

“We believe the likelihood of a human illness is very remote.”
– USDA/FDA, 5/3/2007

“We have no reason to believe those animals are any risk to the public.”
– USDA/FDA, 5/3/2007

—

“There’s no tolerance for any of these compounds, either melamine or cyanuric acid. […] We just don’t know when we get these mixtures together. So there is no, really no acceptable level.”
– USDA/FDA, 4/26/2007

how's the last will and testament?

capt_mahajan · May 11th, 2007, 00:21

Maybe it should be the FUDA

capt_mahajan · May 16th, 2007, 19:51

Its not over yet.

"Royal Canin USA expands recall"

http://www.avma.org/aa/petfoodrecall...ews_070514.asp
(this homepage has regular updates too)

and

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls...anin05_07.html

birds · May 23rd, 2007, 12:27

The pet food was clearly only the tip of the iceberg:

The Dominican Republic and Panama has banned the sale of two brands of Chinese toothpaste because they may contain a lethal chemical responsible for mass poisoning deaths in Panama last year. Nearly 90,000 units of the toothpaste, imported from Panama and sold under the brand names Excel and Mr. Cool, have been confiscated by authorities in the Dominican Republic since late last week. Panama pulled thousands of tubes of the toothpaste from stores last week after tests showed they contained high levels of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in engine coolants.

Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/23/bu...oothpaste.html
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/...ood-Recall.php
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlates...654047,00.html

birds · May 23rd, 2007, 17:15

"Toothpaste is not something you'd swallow, but spit out, and so it's totally different from something you would eat," a company manager [of the toothpaste company], who declined to be identified, said by telephone from the eastern province of Jiangsu.

Are they completly off their trolley??

Source: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/PEK18216.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/22/bu...b&ei=50 87%0A

birds · May 26th, 2007, 13:04

After pet food and tooth paste it is now fish. In the US two people were taken into hospital because they ate fish from China which was labelled monk fish but turned out to be puffer fish, apparently one of the most toxic food you can eat.

Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business...ness-headlines

Does anybody know how much food stuff from China gets imported/used in products in India?

praks · May 27th, 2007, 22:25

Okay, the list of recalls looks pretty long. Now can anybody tell me which cat food available in India is safe. My cats are not too fond of Whiskas and looks like ProPac Cat food is out of stock. Does not leave me with much choice. There used to be a company based in Pune which made cat food but their products are not available everywhere. Venky's, the chicken company has started making dog food but not cat food yet.

My vet suggested giving Pedigree Dog food to my cats. Anyone done this?

My cats are threatening to kick me out of their house so I need to know soon.

Meow!!!

machadinha · May 28th, 2007, 03:11

Is that vet into pets or more of the cattle variety?

Mrs. M. (animal caretaker) suggests, for what it's worth: dogs can eat cat food, but not vice versa. The composition isn't right (too much grains and stuff). Cats can't digest this sufficiently (absorb enough nutrients) and it might cause diarrhea. (Assuming Pedigree is the former Pal I've found it to be a renowned dog food brand as such btw. According to her same applies to Whiskas for cats. I've not been following all this poisoned food stuff btw.)

Depending on the cat's condition she suggests trying Whiskas all the same. Better to leave them hungry for a few days than get them used to the dog food. They should start eating it in the end.

If they really don't or start losing weight, try mixing with just a bit of the dog food (provided they like that of course). Same applies if they prefer canned food over dried food or vice versa, mix the one with just a bit of the other (or just sprinkle on top). If they sell e.g. Whiskas cat treats at well, you might try mixing with that.

Good luck. Try just the Whiskas or whatever is your choice for at least three days she says.

ps Trying to mix with natural ingredients is also an idea of course, e.g. heart, fish, the fish cooking water, etc. You can try to gradually lessen this if it catches on. Note that not all meat varieties may be suitable to cats. Beef should be good but might be tricky over there.

birds · May 28th, 2007, 11:18

On this link you can find the latest complete recall list. Note, that even now, almost three months later, still new products are added to the list.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petfoodrecall/

There is no information that any of the tainted products are available in India, so in theory all pet food products on sale in India are safe. However, there are still concerns so there is no harm in being cautious and for the moment feed your cat natural products like Machadinha suggests.

machadinha · May 28th, 2007, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by birds

There is no information that any of the tainted products are available in India, so in theory all pet food products on sale in India are safe. However, there are still concerns so there is no harm in being cautious and for the moment feed your cat natural products like Machadinha suggests.

Sorry but that's not what I suggested. I suggested mixing some natural ingredients with whatever you're trying to feed them, as cats can arguably be picky. (You can of course decide to prepare your own food for your pets, however it's a lot of pretty precise work, certainly for cats where you'd be be dealing with small portions at a time I imagine. Suggest getting the most up-to-date manual you can get on this should you decide to.)

I did hint however that I wasn't aware if there were issues with Whiskas in India, which this thread seemed to be about.

If "there is no information that any of the tainted products are available in India" however, I'm starting to wonder what these several pages have been all about. And are there none other than Chinese manufacturers messing about with their products for that matter?

Noodle · May 29th, 2007, 19:54

Praks, I totally agree with what machadinha advises! Don´t feed them solely on dog food but mixing a little Pedigree and Whiskas for a while won´t harm. Then phase out the Pedigree dog food and add boiled chicken, meat and fish (tuna is usually loved by cats), boiled egg, curd etc.

The only thing you should watch out for is when they don´t eat at all, which in cats can lead to severe liver problems (fatty liver - sometimes fatal) if continued for too long. In such a case it´s better to feed dog food rather than nothing at all.

May 9th, 2007, 12:35	#152
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,856	Melamine? I think that's what all the woodwork in my new house is being sprayed with, isn't it? __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

May 23rd, 2007, 12:27	#158
birds Adopt a stray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Goa Posts: 522	And now it is toothpaste The pet food was clearly only the tip of the iceberg: The Dominican Republic and Panama has banned the sale of two brands of Chinese toothpaste because they may contain a lethal chemical responsible for mass poisoning deaths in Panama last year. Nearly 90,000 units of the toothpaste, imported from Panama and sold under the brand names Excel and Mr. Cool, have been confiscated by authorities in the Dominican Republic since late last week. Panama pulled thousands of tubes of the toothpaste from stores last week after tests showed they contained high levels of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in engine coolants. Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/23/bu...oothpaste.html http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/...ood-Recall.php http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlates...654047,00.html

May 28th, 2007, 03:11	#162
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,154	Is that vet into pets or more of the cattle variety? Mrs. M. (animal caretaker) suggests, for what it's worth: dogs can eat cat food, but not vice versa. The composition isn't right (too much grains and stuff). Cats can't digest this sufficiently (absorb enough nutrients) and it might cause diarrhea. (Assuming Pedigree is the former Pal I've found it to be a renowned dog food brand as such btw. According to her same applies to Whiskas for cats. I've not been following all this poisoned food stuff btw.) Depending on the cat's condition she suggests trying Whiskas all the same. Better to leave them hungry for a few days than get them used to the dog food. They should start eating it in the end. If they really don't or start losing weight, try mixing with just a bit of the dog food (provided they like that of course). Same applies if they prefer canned food over dried food or vice versa, mix the one with just a bit of the other (or just sprinkle on top). If they sell e.g. Whiskas cat treats at well, you might try mixing with that. Good luck. Try just the Whiskas or whatever is your choice for at least three days she says. ps Trying to mix with natural ingredients is also an idea of course, e.g. heart, fish, the fish cooking water, etc. You can try to gradually lessen this if it catches on. Note that not all meat varieties may be suitable to cats. Beef should be good but might be tricky over there. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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May 9th, 2007, 12:27	#151
Dr. Gajaprishthakara Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairo, South India Posts: 349	don't have time to find a link but I caught the last half of a CNN story this morning on this issue which includes an interview with a man that has been arrested by chinese authorities

May 9th, 2007, 15:13	#154
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,856	Why? I'm getting bored with sucking the lead paint every day!

May 11th, 2007, 00:21	#156
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 9,753	Maybe it should be the FUDA

May 16th, 2007, 19:51	#157
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 9,753	Its not over yet. "Royal Canin USA expands recall" http://www.avma.org/aa/petfoodrecall...ews_070514.asp (this homepage has regular updates too) and http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls...anin05_07.html

May 23rd, 2007, 17:15	#159
birds Adopt a stray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Goa Posts: 522	"Toothpaste is not something you'd swallow, but spit out, and so it's totally different from something you would eat," a company manager [of the toothpaste company], who declined to be identified, said by telephone from the eastern province of Jiangsu. Are they completly off their trolley?? Source: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/PEK18216.htm http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/22/bu...b&ei=50 87%0A

May 26th, 2007, 13:04	#160
birds Adopt a stray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Goa Posts: 522	After pet food and tooth paste it is now fish. In the US two people were taken into hospital because they ate fish from China which was labelled monk fish but turned out to be puffer fish, apparently one of the most toxic food you can eat. Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business...ness-headlines Does anybody know how much food stuff from China gets imported/used in products in India?

May 27th, 2007, 22:25	#161
praks Senile Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 314	Okay, the list of recalls looks pretty long. Now can anybody tell me which cat food available in India is safe. My cats are not too fond of Whiskas and looks like ProPac Cat food is out of stock. Does not leave me with much choice. There used to be a company based in Pune which made cat food but their products are not available everywhere. Venky's, the chicken company has started making dog food but not cat food yet. My vet suggested giving Pedigree Dog food to my cats. Anyone done this? My cats are threatening to kick me out of their house so I need to know soon. Meow!!!

May 28th, 2007, 11:18	#163
birds Adopt a stray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Goa Posts: 522	On this link you can find the latest complete recall list. Note, that even now, almost three months later, still new products are added to the list. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petfoodrecall/ There is no information that any of the tainted products are available in India, so in theory all pet food products on sale in India are safe. However, there are still concerns so there is no harm in being cautious and for the moment feed your cat natural products like Machadinha suggests.

May 29th, 2007, 19:54	#165
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,009	Praks, I totally agree with what machadinha advises! Don´t feed them solely on dog food but mixing a little Pedigree and Whiskas for a while won´t harm. Then phase out the Pedigree dog food and add boiled chicken, meat and fish (tuna is usually loved by cats), boiled egg, curd etc. The only thing you should watch out for is when they don´t eat at all, which in cats can lead to severe liver problems (fatty liver - sometimes fatal) if continued for too long. In such a case it´s better to feed dog food rather than nothing at all.

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