|
 WASHINGTON---The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified State authorities Thursday that swine fed adulterated product will not be approved to enter the food supply. Based on information currently available, FDA and USDA believe the likelihood of illness after eating pork from swine fed the adulterated product would be very low; however, the agencies believe it is prudent to take this measure.
FDA determined that a shipment of rice protein imported from China was contaminated with melamine and melamine-related compounds. The product was imported during the week of April 2 by Wilbur-Ellis, an importer and distributor of agricultural products. The rice protein was used in the production of pet food and a byproduct was used to produce animal feed.
The contaminants in question include melamine and melamine-related compounds, including cyanuric acid, the combination of which is a potential source of concern in relation to human and animal health. Scientific research indicates that melamine alone, at detected levels, is not a human health concern. However, no scientific data exist to ascertain the effects of combining melamine and melamine-related compounds. Therefore, a determination has not yet been made regarding the safety of the product.
Because the animal feed in question was adulterated, USDA cannot rule out the possibility that food produced from animals fed this product could also be adulterated. Therefore, USDA cannot place the mark of inspection on food produced from these animals.
USDA is offering to compensate producers who euthanize swine that were fed the adulterated product. USDA is authorized to use Section 32 funds to restore farmers' purchasing power. USDA is also offering the expertise and assistance of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service personnel in carrying out depopulation activities, to ensure animals are euthanized and disposed of in accordance with Federal and State laws.
FDA and FSIS are coordinating with State authorities in eight states where the adulterated feed is known to have been purchased. Eight pork producers in the states of California, Kansas, North Carolina, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah are known to have purchased the feed. These combined operations involve approximately 6,000 hogs. All of the animals are currently being held under state quarantines in California, North Caroline, New York and South Carolina. In Kansas, Oklahoma and Utah, producers agreed to hold the animals until further notice. Authorities are also in contact with a feed mill in Missouri that might have received adulterated feed.
Pork and pork products derived from animals that were fed the adulterated product will also be destroyed. In California and Utah, pork from federally inspected plants is being held under FSIS direction. In SC, a state inspected plant is voluntarily holding swine that were fed the adulterated product. FSIS, FDA and state authorities are in the process of determining whether any meat from animals that were fed the adulterated product has entered commerce. If that has occurred, FSIS will work with states and industry to take the appropriate action.
FDA and FSIS are continuing the effort to trace the adulterated feed. If additional producers are identified who fed the adulterated product to animals, they will also be offered compensation by USDA for depopulation and disposal.
On Thursday, more dry pet food was removed from the shelves. The pet food contamination started on March 16 with the recall of more than 60 million cans and pouches of wet cat and dog food and nearly 100 brands manufactured by Menu Foods of Canada.
Since that time, a dozen or more manufacturers have recalled dog and cat food, both wet and dry in addition to treats, after numerous reports were received that pets were developing kidney failure.
Drs. Foster & Smith Adult Dry Lite Dog Food and Adult Dry Cat Food have been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer because the products could contain rice protein concentrate tainted with melamine. Preliminary tests for melamine contamination have been negative, but final test results from the FDA are expected within two weeks.
The recalled food lots are: Adult Lite Dry Dog Food item numbers 14180, 14262 and 14263, or Adult Lite Dry Cat Food item numbers 12855, 12856, 13864 and 13865 purchased between January 22, 2007 and April 19; and Adult Lite Dry Dog Food item numbers 14178 and 14179 purchased between Feb. 2 and April 19.
Until final test results are available from the FDA, Drs. Foster & Smith request its customers discontinue feeding their pets the food from the lots listed above. The manufacturer is also contacting all customers who have purchased the affected products and advises customers that none of the other Drs. Foster & Smith foods contain rice protein concentrate.
For more information, see Drs. Foster & Smith Web site at http://www.drsfostersmith.com/general.cfm?gid=568.
Chenango Valley Pet Foods is working with the FDA and voluntarily recalling pet foods manufactured with a certain shipment of rice protein concentrate. The company was informed by Wilbur-Ellis that the rice protein concentrate shipped to Chenango Valley Pet Foods may be contaminated with melamine, and instructed Chenango Valley Pet Foods to recall any pet foods manufactured with the rice protein concentrate. Melamine is an industrial chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers that may lead to illness or fatalities in animals if consumed.
The pet foods were sold to customers in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, who further sold the products to their customers through catalog mail-orders or retail outlets.
Chenango Valley claims only the following dry pet foods are involved in the recall:
DOCTORS FOSTER & SMITH CHICKEN & BROWN RICE FORMULA ADULT LITE DOG FOOD, NET WT. 5 LBS., 12.5 LBS, and 25 LBS; Code dates: Best Used By Jan 24, 09; Best Used By Feb 8, 09; Best Used By Feb 26, 09; Best Used By April 10, 09; Best Used By April 17, 09;
DOCTORS FOSTER & SMITH CHICKEN & BROWN RICE FORMULA ADULT LITE CAT FOOD, NET WT. 3 LBS. and 7 LBS.; Code date: Best Used By March 13, 09;
LICK YOUR CHOPS LAMB MEAL, RICE & EGG CAT FOOD, 4 LBS. packages, Code date: Best Used By April 29, 08;
Bulk CHICKEN & BROWN RICE FORMULA ADULT LITE DOG FOOD sold to one consignee (SmartPak) in a 2000 lbs. tote, Ship date: Feb 9, 2007.
Pet owners who purchased the pet foods should immediately discontinue using the products and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Pet owners should consult with a veterinarian if they have any health concerns with their pet. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-610-821-0608.
Kirkland Signature Super Premium Canned Food, item # 38436, best buy dates of Aug. 21 08 to April 15 of 09, has also been voluntarilly recalled.
A comprehensive American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians Pet Food Recall List is available at http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/products.asp. The latest news on pet food recalls is available at http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/default.asp and http://www.thepetfoodlist.com/petfoods_pg2.htm.
Dogs or cats who have consumed the suspect food and show signs of kidney failure (such as loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting) should be seen by a veterinarian.
To read the extensive coverage of the pet food recall, visit www.northcountrygazette.org and search the site for pet food recall. 4-27-07
© 2007 North
Country Gazette
|
