May 9 2007
Recall RecapThe scope of the pet food recall continues to expand, and now consumers need to be aware of the growing human food recalls; namely pork and chicken meat known to be contaminated with melamine. The FDA has said that the food supply is safe on several occasions, only to be followed by news of more recalls. According to the AVMA, the first company to recall pet foods, Menu Foods, has "added 220 products to its existing recall list on May 2." (my emphasis)
- Stay up to date on the latest food recalls:
- AVMA Pet Food Recall List
- Menu Foods Expands Its Pet Food Recalls
Human Food Contaminated
The first news of human food contamination was that of a small hog farm in California -- the hogs had consumed melamine-tainted feed. Since then, the human food recall has extended to hog farms in several states as well as millions of chickens now being held for examination. Both hogs and chickens raised for meat in the US are often fed remnants from the pet food manufacturing process. Officials are currently unsure if the meat from animals known to have consumed melamine tainted food is toxic to humans.
- Officials order 20 million chickens held from market
- 20 Million Chickens Held Because of Feed
- Millions of chickens pulled over pet food recall
- Tainted Pet Food Contaminates Chickens, Pigs; Humans At Risk
- Human food eyed in pet food recall probe
- Pet Food Recall Extended to Human Foods
- ASPCA: Pet Food Crisis Far From Over
The original toxin identified, aminopterin, was not found on further testing of food or animal tissues. Soon after, melamine was identified as a potential toxin, even though it is not extremely toxic by itself. Cyanuric acid was identified as an additional toxin. Cyanuric acid is used as a chlorine stabilizer in pools and hot tubs, and according to the FDA, it may be added to certain animal feeds in accordance to regulations. How did these two chemicals cause so many deaths and illnesses in pets worldwide? From the start, researchers knew that the kidneys were affected -- suffering damage from crystal formation. Until recently, no one knew how those crystals were formed. A breakthrough came from a lab at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, when the two chemicals were mixed together in a test tube at the ph level of an animal kidney. Crystals formed immediately. The person who discovered the reaction was scientist Perry Martos. "If you can imagine an instantaneous kidney stone — that's essentially the way I would perceive it," says Martos.
- Pet Food Poisoning Mystery May Be Solved
- Melamine and Cyanuric Acid Interaction May Play Part in Illness and Death from Recalled Pet Food
In other news
In related news, many people are still wondering what to feed their pets, who to trust for the "real story" involving pet and human food contamination, and when this will all be over and behind us.
- FDA: Pet Food is Safe, Just Days After More Recalls
- Vet calming pet owners after food recall
- ASPCA: Pet Food Crisis Far From Over www.petdiets.com
Learn about pet nutrition, find out how to make your own pet food diet or sign up for a consultation for pet food recommendations at PetDiets.com.
