AUG. 21, 2007 - Wal-Mart has recalled Chicken Jerky
Strips from Import-Pingyang Pet Product Co. and Chicken Jerky from
Shanghai Bestro Trading. The products were taken off of shelves in
late July, following complaints from dog owners.
The owner of a 2-year-old Chihuahua told
Philadelphia television station WPVI that her dog died after eating
Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips. The station reported that an autopsy
found the dog died of an infection caused by toxic bacteria, such
as E. coli or Salmonellae.
Wal-Mart's statement Tuesday said customers
should be especially wary of jerky from Shanghai Bestro Trading
with the UPC number 0087784900006 and item number 839751.
The Food and Drug Administration did not list the two Wal-Mart
products on its recall Web site Tuesday. As recently as 2005, the
FDA blocked some pet treat imports from Pingyang Pet Product Co.
because of contamination with salmonella.
The giant retailer was involved in a massive pet
food recall in March, along with other retail stores, when Menu
Foods based in Canada recalled 60 million cans and pouches of pet
food that contained the chemical melamine - a contaminant
that's a byproduct of several pesticides.
The recall affected more than 100 brands
distributed by major chain stores, as well as neighborhood pet
stores.
The US Food and Drug Administration was also called
in to test pet-food manufacturing plants operated by Royal Canin
USA and C.J. Foods. Both companies voluntarily recalled dry pet
food.
The massive recall was thought to be limited to
contaminated wheat gluten exported from one or two sources in China
to ingredient suppliers in Las Vegas and California.
But as recently as May 31, the FDA alerted feed
manufacturers that ingredients containing melamine and related
compounds were found in products made in the United States by
Tembec BTLSR Inc. of Toledo, Ohio, and used by Uniscope Inc. of
Johnstown, Colo.
Melamine is not approved as a feed additive in the
US and was banned in China after thousands of pets became sick and
died from what officials believe was contamination by melamine and
other compounds used to spike grain that was exported from China
and used to make pet food in the US and other countries.
Tembec makes two products, AquaBond and Aqua-Tec II, which it
distributes for Uniscope. The products are used in fish feed.
Uniscope also makes a product for livestock feed called
Xtra-BondPigs. Feed manufacturers were advised to contact the two
US companies and discontinue use of the products.
However, the level of contamination is thought to be very low,
according to the FDA, posing no treat to human health.
People concerned about the possible presence of
melamine and other toxic additives have been having pet food tested
at private labs and veterinary centers, such as the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln's Veterinary Diagnostic Center.
A majority of pet foods affected by the recall were moist pet foods
produced as store brands by Menu Foods for Albertson's, Target,
Wal-Mart and other large name-brand chains. The company also
produces select brands for other large pet food companies, such as
IAM's. The initial recall involved products manufactured
between January and March 2007. The FDA updated the recal list on
April 6 to include a small group of dry foods and biscuits produced
for Del Monte, Hills and Purina. One additional Menu Foods product
was also added to the list.
Keeping Our Pets Safe
An unusually large number of dogs and cats were being treated for
kidney failure a full month before the recall, according to PETA
(People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.) The nation's
largest animal advocate group is pushing governments in both Canada
and US to take action in better-regulating and enforcing oversight
of the pet food industry.
Symptoms to look for in a sick pet or livestock
include lack of appetite, listlessness, increased thirst, increased
urination, vomiting, and diarrhea. A pet suffering from any of
these symptoms should be immediately taken to a veterinarian; also
report any animal illness or death to the FDA at 888.463.6332.
A detailed report about toxic substances found in pet foods,
prepared by Fiona MacMillan for a Michigan veterinarian, Dr.
Michael W. Fox can be found at http://tedeboy.tripod.com/drmichaelwfox/id88.html
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