[Vision2020] FDA's Update on Tainted Pet Food

[debismith at moscow.com]

For the first time since my gluten allergy diagnosis, I'm happy to have it. No wheat, no gluten, 
no problem when (not if) it is determined the contaminated gluten made its way into human 
food as well as pet food. More shopping at the Coop, less shopping at discount food stores. I 
want to know what ingredients are in everything from dishsoap to pork chops!
Debi R-S

From:           	"Saundra Lund" <sslund at roadrunner.com>
To:             	<vision2020 at moscow.com>
Date sent:      	Sun, 22 Apr 2007 08:38:47 -0700
Subject:        	[Vision2020] FDA's Update on Tainted Pet Food

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01615.html




From: Press releases about FDA Recalls
[mailto:FDA-RECALLS-L at LIST.NIH.GOV] On Behalf Of FDA Recalls Sent:
Sunday, April 22, 2007 6:49 AM To: FDA-RECALLS-L at LIST.NIH.GOV Subject:
FDA's Update on Tainted Pet Food



FDA Update on Pet Food Recall


This listserv covers mainly Class I (life-threatening) recalls. A
complete listing of recalls can be found in the FDA Enforcement Report
at: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html






April 22, 2007 

Media Inquiries: 
301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries: 
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FDA's Update on Tainted Pet Food


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating an
imported shipment of rice protein concentrate which has been found to
contain melamine. The rice protein concentrate may have been used as
an ingredient in some pet foods. FDA's investigation of the rice
protein is being carried out by specialists in FDA headquarters and in
eight FDA district offices. Thus far, the following has been
established: 

*	The suspect shipment of rice protein concentrate was imported and
offloaded during the week of April 2, 2007 by Wilbur-Ellis, an
importer and distributor of agricultural products, including rice
protein concentrate, with headquarters in San Francisco, CA.  The
source of the product is identified as Binzhou Futian Biological
Technology in China.   *	The shipment consisted primarily of rice
protein concentrate in white bags, but also included one pink bag that
was labeled, in part, with the word "melamine." *	On April 15,
Wilbur-Ellis notified FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine about the
suspect shipment. On April 16, FDA launched a nationwide investigation
tracing eight import entries identified as being shipped from the
Chinese firm since July 2006.  FDA testing revealed melamine in both
the white and pink bags.  *	Wilbur-Ellis has initiated a recall of all
suspect rice protein concentrate it had imported and distributed; see
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/wilburellis04_07.html. 

FDA investigators have obtained records showing distribution to five
pet food manufacturers in seven locations.  Investigators are
currently inspecting all five manufacturers and collecting additional
samples, as appropriate.

*	FDA initiated inspections at Royal Canin USA and C.J. Foods and, as
a result, both companies have voluntarily recalled certain products;
see http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/royalcanin04_07.html and
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/bluebuffalo04_07.html. *	FDA also
has confirmed the presence of melamine in finished pet food products
containing rice protein concentrate.  Those products, and others
within the same product line, are currently under recall by Natural
Balance Pet Foods and are labeled as: Venison and Brown Rice canned
and bagged dog foods; Venison and Brown Rice dog treats; and Venison
and Green Pea dry cat food; see
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/naturalbalance04_07.html. 

If FDA's investigation determines that additional pet food products
have been manufactured from the suspect rice protein concentrate, FDA
will expect manufacturers to initiate voluntary actions to remove
these products from the marketplace. FDA will continue to communicate
its findings promptly. 

In a related development, the California Department of Food and
Agriculture (CDFA) issued a press release on April 19, 2007, stating
that CDFA laboratory testing had detected melamine in urine from hogs
at the American Hog Farm in Ceres, CA.  For further information, see:
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/exec/pa/pressreleases/PressRelease.asp?PRnum=CD
FA07-0 38. Due to the involvement of animal feed, FDA is working with
CDFA on this development.

FDA continues to work comprehensively to protect the nation's pet food
as well as to conduct a full investigation to determine any impact on
the human food supply.  The agency is now sampling all rice protein
concentrate from China and continues to sample all wheat gluten
imported from China, and it is ready to increase its surveillance of
other products, if necessary. 

To search for the latest list of recalled products, which will be
updated when new information is received, please see:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petfoodrecall/.

####

FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts Page:
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html 

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