Today’s Update on the Pet Food Recall—4/9/2007

There’s not much new in the pet food recall today. Legislators are blaming regulators:

Pet Food Recall Update – The pet food inspection system is deeply flawed according to a leading advocate of food safety. Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.)is a leading advocate of improving food safety,who criticized the federal inspection process for both human and pet food. “The system is broken-down,” he said.

The Senate hearings are seeking an FDA response to the contamination that has killed pets and led to the recall of more than 100 brands.

Durbin is the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, who called for the hearing last week. He said he would like to see the FDA set national standards and inspection rules for pet food manufacturing facilities.

“The FDA is like a fire department that is only called after the house has burned,” Durbin said in a telephone interview.

Durbin also said he would like to see federal law changed to allow the FDA to order a recall of food intended for human or pet consumption instead of just relying on companies to do it voluntarily.

The agriculture appropriations subcommittee has planned a hearing for as early as Thursday.

The FDA is clearly feeling the heat. They’ve posted an update and synopsis of the recall to date which emphasizes the FDA’s role in investigating the matter. Here’s the conclusion:

  • 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.
3 comments… add one
  • Katie Link

    “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.”

    That may be true, but with new foods and treats getting put on the list what seems like every day, how do you really know which ones they are.

    I was on a stockup run for pet food this weekend (3 dogs and 2 cats and they all eat different food) and found myself looking at individual websites after I got home to see if they were on any list before I opened the bags. We shouldn’t have to do this. I’m not saying that pet owners shouldn’t pay attention to what is in the food they feed, but we shouldn’t have to be worried about contamination and weird additives in the food.

    As far as the FDA only getting involved after the barn door has been opened so to speak that seems to be the way they operate for the most part. It’s frustrating.

  • Agreed on all accounts, Katie. The FDA isn’t supposed to work this way. Under the Pure Food Drug Act of 1906 (which established the FDA), it’s supposed to operate proactively.

  • Rosemarie Link

    I lost my feline in December after the kidney’s failed. I am worried about the one I have left. For my two dogs and due to the constant changes with the different recalls I returned all foods to the store and read and studied which one I should feed and finally settled for Solid Gold. I am just suprised that I still see some of the food on the list in the store. Its a crying shame and I am worried that the responsible people get away with “a slap on the wrist.

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