FDA Update and Synopsis on the Pet Food Outbreak
On April 5, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided
an update on the recall on pet foods from Menu Foods. The Agency reported
its latest findings in the ongoing investigation into the recent outbreak of
cat and dog illness and death associated with pet food manufactured with contaminated
wheat gluten.
HIGHLIGHTS
- FDA launched an investigation within 24 hours after being notified by Menu
Foods of a recall and investigators arrived at the company's plant
and searched for possible sources of contamination.
- The same day, FDA consumer
complaint coordinators nationwide began taking calls from consumers and veterinarians
who reported illnesses potentially associated with the contaminated pet food. FDA
has received over 12,000 reports in the last three weeks—more than
twice the number of complaints typically received in a year by the consumer
complaint coordinators.
- In an effort to trace all of the contaminated product,
the Agency conducted numerous inspections of manufacturers and warehouses
identified as recipients of the suspect product. FDA has also been
working with the affected firms to assist them with their product recall
efforts.
- FDA's investigation identified the distributor of the contaminated
wheat gluten as ChemNutra, of Las Vegas, Nevada. FDA worked with the
firm to trace the suspect product, and identified its Chinese source.
- FDA
has asked the Chinese government to help us with the investigation which
continues to determine how the melamine may have gotten into the wheat gluten.
- FDA
is currently sampling 100 percent of all Chinese wheat gluten being offered
for import;
- FDA Field laboratories confirmed the presence of melamine in shipments
of wheat gluten received from a source from China. This was done through
testing of samples of finished product and raw materials. Melamine
is a product used as a fertilizer with other industrial and commercial uses.
- FDA laboratories have conducted over 400 sample analyses, and to date have
found 21 samples that were positive for melamine
- To date, voluntary recalls
of pet food products have been conducted by Del Monte Pet Products, Hill's
Pet Nutrition, Menu Foods, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, P&G Pet Care,
and Sunshine Mills. On April 5,
Sunshine Mills, Inc., of Red Bay, Alabama, voluntarily recalled a portion
of its branded dog biscuits made at its Red Bay, Alabama biscuit plant during
part of March 2007. In addition, Menu Foods, Inc., voluntarily expanded
its pet food recall for selected “cuts and gravy” pet food products,
manufactured back to November 8, 2006. Both firms issued press releases
which are accessible on the FDA website.
OTHER FACTS
- This is an ongoing investigation.
- FDA is conducting recall audit follow-ups to ensure an effective recall.
- FDA continues to work with federal, state, and local partners, veterinarians,
and members of the public as part of this investigation.
- At this time there is no evidence that any wheat gluten contaminated with
melamine has entered the human food supply;
- Understanding the role of melamine
in each of the dog and cat illnesses will require an extensive analysis of
the information, assistance from outside sources, and perhaps further research;
- FDA's
priority now is to assure that all contaminated product is identified and
removed from store shelves. All the contaminated wheat
gluten has been traced, and all the pet food manufacturers who have received
contaminated ingredients have been identified and have initiated recalls;
- Following
the removal of all suspect products from retailers, there remains an ample
supply of safe cat and dog food available at stores throughout the U.S.
- The
FDA has a dedicated pet food recall page on its website which has all of
the current information including all press releases issued, frequently asked
questions, as well as contact information for FDA consumer complaint coordinators. FDA
urges members of the media and public to visit this page at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html.
