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March 23, 2007
Rat Poison Found in Tainted Pet Food
LIST OF AFFECTED PRODUCTS AVAILABLE AT END OF STORY
ALBANY, N.Y. - Rat poison has been found in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs, a spokeswoman for the State Department of Agriculture and Markets said Friday. Spokeswoman Jessica Chittenden would not identify the chemical or its source beyond saying it was a rodent poison. The Food and Drug Administration has said the investigation was focusing on wheat gluten in the food. Wheat gluten itself would not cause kidney failure, but the common ingredient could have been contaminated by heavy metals or mold toxins, the FDA said. State agriculture officials scheduled a news conference Friday afternoon to release laboratory findings from tests on the pet food conducted this week. The deaths led to a recall of 60 million cans and pouches of pet food produced by Menu Foods and sold throughout North America under 95 brand names. There have been several reports of kidney failure in pets that ate the recalled brands, and the company has confirmed the deaths of 15 cats and one dog. Menu Foods last week recalled “cuts and gravy” style dog and cat food. The recall sparked concern among pet owners across North America. It includes food sold under store brands carried by Wal-Mart, Kroger, Safeway and other large retailers, as well as private labels such as Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba. Menu Foods is majority owned by Menu Foods Income Fund of Streetsville. The company also makes foods for zoo cats, but those products are unaffected by the recall. The company’s chief executive and president said Menu Foods delayed announcing the recall until it could confirm that the animals had eaten its product before dying. Two earlier complaints from consumers whose cats had died involved animals that lived outside or had access to a garage, which left open the possibility they had been poisoned by something other than contaminated food, he said. A spokesman for New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said he was not aware of any criminal investigation involving the tainted food.
A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates was posted online by Menu Foods and is available at http://tinyurl.com/2pn6mm. The company also designated two phone numbers that pet owners could call for information: (866) 463-6738 and (866) 895-2708
Visitor comments
"I also think they need to update the law when it concerns a pet poisoning.Pets are like family and when you poison an animal, that poison could get in to the hands of the family member also..As I stated before children can get into poisoned animal food very easily and it could get into open soars and such,which could put anyone into serious trouble.So Yes! I vote for updating the law when it comes to CRIMINALS poisoning any animal..it's a threat to all man kind period!"
->By Diane Luchterhand on March 23, 2007 - 08:03
"Notice!If you should notice your pets acting sick,bleeding from the nose...This is due to the internal damage rat poison causes, looking listless and in pain after eating some poisoned food,do not ignore the symptoms and do not take a chance, take your pet to the vet as soon as possible,because the longer you Waite, the less chance your pet will survive the poisoning." ->By Diane Luchterhand on March 23, 2007 - 08:03
"Grassland Veterinary of Granton,WI has a list of the contaminated foods set up for visitors, so they can check the list.The animals and their owners are always our top priority, when it comes to the safety and well being of both owner and pet.Here is a something also to be aware of:You also have to be careful with young children who may find an open bag and then put some of the food into in their mouth and even get it on their hands it could be a serious matter. Please be aware that rat poison is very dangerous for all and is very hard to treat.I have seen so many animals come in and not leave, because of rat poisoning. It works from the inside and does internal damage to organs.So if you have any food that you may have bought recently that may be from the list, dispose of the item as prescribed by your local vet.They will give you directions on the proper way of disposal of the contaminated items. Remember, if you have other animals that could get to the contaminated food, like cats outside or neighbors with animals running loose, do not leave it where they can also get into it, because they could also get poisoned.When I clean a rat poison case, I wear gloves and after cleaning I wash my hands really good, I take special care with cleaning any animal cages and utensils that where used for a rat poison case,because Just a very little animal saliva could get into an open soar or cut and could cause poisoning, so be very careful and do not take any chances.Washing your hands after handling any contaminated bag and the food inside, is your best defense for keeping yourself safe."
->By Diane Luchterhand on March 23, 2007 - 08:03
"Thank you. I have cans I recently bought to feed my dogs that are on the list. Thank you, thank you"
->By Sharon Gurnaby on March 23, 2007 - 04:03
"People that do things like that should be placed on deadrow!!!!!!!!!!!"
->By Tom from belgium on March 23, 2007 - 09:03
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