Two varieties of Natural Balance dry pet foods have been recalled. From the company’s web site:
We are receiving consumer complaints regarding the Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food, and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Foods. We do not know what is wrong with the food at this time, but we have heard that animals are vomiting and experiencing kidney problems. Although the problems seem to be focused on one particular lot, as a precautionary measure, we are pulling all dates of Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Food from the shelves.
Please discontinue feeding all Venison and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food, and Venison and Green Pea Dry Cat Food.
The FDA has updated its statement on the pet food recall. It’s a useful backgrounder. No mention is made, specifically, of the lastest development.
Apparently, the regular conference of pet food executives held here in Chicago was pretty gloomy:
One month after an unprecedented pet food recall, manufacturers and experts gathered Monday in Rosemont for a conference that will examine pet issues ranging from obesity prevention and “skin and gut health” to customized diets.
Only one presentation is devoted to the recall, but “it’s on everyone’s mind,” said Tim Phillips, editor of the trade magazine Petfood Industry, sponsor of the three-day event.
The conference, now in its 15th year, is being held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel. More than 900 participants from around the world have registered for the event, which is closed to the public.
Previous conferences also have been closed to the news media, said Phillips, who said some industry executives have received “serious threats” since the pet food contamination story broke.
The mood of the $15 billion industry is one of worry, said Phillips, acknowledging that the recall has hurt consumer trust.
On March 16, Menu Foods Inc. of Ontario recalled 60 million cans and pouches of wet pet food. Several other companies also recalled some dog and cat food, and Menu Foods has expanded its list to a broader range of dates and varieties. The recall now includes some dry products.
Tests on the tainted food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have pointed to wheat gluten imported from China that contains melamine, a chemical used in plastics. Wheat gluten is a protein source.
Experts have not confirmed that melamine was the only source of the problem.
