The 2007 pet food recalls comprise the contamination and wide recall of many brands of cat and dog foods beginning in March 2007 and the ensuing developments involving the human food supply. The recalls in North America, Europe, and South Africa came in response to reports of renal failure in pets. Initially the recalls were associated with the consumption of mostly wet pet foods made with wheat gluten from a single Chinese company. After more than three weeks of complaints from consumers, the recall began voluntarily with the Canadian company Menu Foods on 16 March 2007, when a company test showed sickness and death in some of the test animals. Soon after, there were numerous media reports of animal deaths as a result of kidney failure. In the following weeks, several other companies who received the contaminated wheat gluten also voluntarily recalled dozens of pet food brands. One month after the initial recall, contaminated rice protein from a different source in China was also identified as being associated with kidney failure in pets in the United States, while contaminated corn gluten was associated with kidney failure with pets in South Africa. As a result of investigating the 2007 pet food recalls a broader Chinese protein export contamination investigation unfolded, raising concerns about the safety of the human food supply.
By the end of March, veterinary organizations reported more than 100 pet deaths amongst nearly 500 cases of kidney failure, with one online database self-reporting as many as 3,600 deaths as of 11 April. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has received reports of several thousand cats and dogs who have died after eating contaminated food, but have only confirmed 14 cases in part because there is no centralized government records database of animal sickness or death in the United States as there are with humans (such as the Centers for Disease Control). As a result, many sources speculate that the actual number of affected pets may never be known and experts are concerned that the actual death toll could potentially reach into the thousands.
Overall, several major companies have recalled more than 5300 pet food products, with most of the recalls coming from Menu Foods. The contamination was caused by melamine in the affected foods. The Chinese company behind the contaminated wheat gluten has initially denied any involvement in the contamination, but is cooperating with Chinese and American investigators.
In the United States, there has been extensive media coverage of the recall. There has been widespread public outrage and calls for government regulation of pet foods, which had previously been self-regulated by pet food manufacturers. The United States Senate held an oversight hearing on the matter by 12 April. The economic impact on the pet food market has been extensive, with Menu Foods alone losing at least $42 million from the recall even without taking into account reduced sales. There have been several waves of recalls, many issued late on Friday evenings possibly to avoid media coverage, and the events have caused distrust in some consumers.
Reports of widespread and possibly intentional adulteration of Chinese animal feed with melamine have raised the issue of melamine contamination in the human food supply both in China and abroad. On 27 April the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) subjected all vegetable proteins imported from China, intended for human or animal consumption, to detention without physical examination, including: Wheat Gluten, Rice Gluten, Rice Protein, Rice Protein Concentrate, Corn Gluten, Corn Gluten Meal, Corn By-Products, Soy Protein, Soy Gluten, Proteins (includes amino acids and protein hydrosylates), and Mung Bean Protein. In a teleconference with reporters on 1 May, officials from the FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture said that between 2.5 and 3 million people in the United States had consumed chickens that had consumed feed containing contaminated vegetable protein from China.
Current research has focused on the combination of melamine and cyanuric acid in causing renal failure. Reports that cyanuric acid may be an independently and potentially widely used adulterant in China have heightened concerns for both pet and human health.
As of 7 May, United States food safety officials stated: "There is very low risk to human health from consuming meat from hogs and chickens known to have been fed animal feed supplemented with pet food scraps that contained melamine and melamine-related compounds"
Recall history
Main article: Timeline of the 2007 pet food recallsThe first recalls were announced by Menu Foods late on Friday, 16 March 2007 for cat and dog food products in the United States. In the ensuing months, many additional recalls were announced by Menu and other companies as the recall expanded throughout North America and to Europe and South Africa. Menu Foods acknowledges receiving the first complaints of sick pets on 20 February 2007 and initiated the recall following unexpected deaths after a regularly scheduled internal "taste test".
The recalls are related to contaminated vegetable proteins imported from China in 2006 and early 2007 and used as pet food ingredients. The process of identifying and accounting for the source of the contamination and how the contaminant causes sickness is ongoing.
Affected brands
The majority of recalled foods have come from a single company, Menu Foods of Streetsville, Ontario. Menu Foods' recalled products alone represent nearly 100 brands of cat and dog food, and as of 11 April are the only brands known to have caused sickness in animals. Below is an overview of affected brands, as provided by the FDA and the companies:
- Menu Foods: Over 50 brands of dog food, and over 40 brands of cat food. Almost all of the foods are wet foods, specifically the 'cuts and gravy' varieties. As a precautionary measure, Menu Foods also recalled all brands of food with wheat gluten in them even though the source of the gluten was not the same as the source behind the contaminated findings.
- Sunshine Mills: Around 20 brands of dry dog biscuit.
- Nestlé Purina PetCare: All sizes and varieties of Alpo "Prime Cuts in Gravy."
- Del Monte: More than a dozen brands of dry, or jerky-type, cat and dog snacks and/or morsels.
- Hill's Pet Nutrition: Science Diet Savory Cuts and a single dry cat food product, "Prescription Diet m/d Feline."
- Royal Canin Canada: Medi-Cal Feline Dissolution formula (canned).
- Royal Canin United States: Eight varieties of Sensible Choice, three varieties of Veterinary Diet, six varieties of Kasco dog and one variety of Kasco cat food..
- Natural Balance Pet Foods: Venison and Brown Rice canned and bagged dog foods, Venison and Brown Rice dog treats, Venison and Green Pea dry cat food, Chicken Formula Canned Dog Food 13 oz, Lamb Formula Canned Dog Food 13 oz, Beef Formula Canned Dog Food 13 oz, and Ocean Fish Formula Canned Cat Food
- The Blue Buffalo Company: Spa Select Kitten dry food All canned and biscuit products,
- SmartPak: LiveSmart Weight Management Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food
- Chenango Valley Pet Foods: Doctor's Foster & Smith Chicken and Brown Rice Formula Adult Lite Cat and Dog Foods; Doctor's Foster & Smith Lamb and Brown Rice Formula Adult Dog Food; Lick Your Chops Lamb Meal, Rice and Egg Cat Food; Shop Rite Redi-Mixt Dog Food; SHEP chunk-style dog food; 8 in 1 Ferret Ultra-Blend Advanced nutrition Diet; Health Diet Cat Food Chicken and Rice Dinner; Evolve Kitten Formula; bulk Lamb and Brown Rice Formula Dog Food; and bulk Chicken and Brown Rice Formula Adult Lite Dog Food
- Kirkland Signature: Super Premium Canned Food, item # 38436, best buy dates of "Aug. 21 08" to "15 April of 09"
- Diamond Pet Foods: Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Kitten Formula 5.5 oz. cans, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Puppy Formula 13 oz. cans, Diamond Lamb & Rice Formula for Dogs 13 oz. cans and Nutra Nuggets Lamb Meal and Rice Formula dry dog food
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) maintains a combined list of all recalled pet food varieties.
Impact on pets
Numbers of affected animals
By the end of March, veterinary organizations reported more than 100 pet deaths amongst nearly 500 cases of kidney failure, and experts expected the death toll to number in the thousands, with one online database already self-reporting as many as 3,600 deaths as of 11 April. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has received reports of approximately 8500 animal deaths, including at least 1950 cats and 2200 dogs who have died after eating contaminated food, but have only confirmed 14 cases in part because there is no centralized government records database of animal sickness or death in the United States as there are with humans (such as the Centers for Disease Control). For this reason, many sources speculate that the full extent of the pet deaths and sicknesses caused by the contamination may never be known. In October, the results of the "AAVLD survey of pet food-induced nephrotoxicity in North America, April to June 2007," were reported, indicating that 347 of 486 cases voluntarily reported by 6 June 2007 had met the diagnostic criteria, with most of the cases reported from the United States but also including
Forms - Abbey Pet Hospital
11070 San Pablo Avenue El Cerrito • map (510) 529-0777 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00am - 6:00pm Sat: 8:00am - 2:00pm Closed Sunday
ABBEY ANIMAL HOSPITAL
We are committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, preventative health care and health-related educational opportunities for our clients. ABBEY ANIMAL HOSPITAL strives to ...
Abby Pet Hospital
Abby Pet Hospital of Fresno and the Central California,4508 E. Ashlan Ave, Fresno, CA, 93726, for the best small animal veterinary care and needs,
Abbey House Veterinary Hospital
Abbey House Veterinary Hospital in West Yorkshire ... Abbey House Veterinary Hospital is one of the leading veterinary practices in Yorkshire with certificate holders in several ...
veterinarian for dogs and cats - Abbey Pet Hospital - El Cerrito ...
Abbey Pet Hospital and Dr. Lee Prutton, D.V. P provides excellent veterinary care for your dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents or small reptiles. We are located at 11070 San Pablo Avenue ...
Abbey Pet Hospital - El Cerrito, CA
Read 1 Review of Abbey Pet Hospital in El Cerrito, CA. DO NOT BRING YOUR PET THERE. horrible place. the vet is a butcher. Traumatized my cat and me. It is not acceptable to...
Abbey Pet Hospital 11070 San Pablo Ave El Cerrito CA - Veterinarians
This nonprofit website rates local service firms and provides unbiased consumer ratings and information on local veterinarians, auto & home repair services, health care providers ...
ABBEY ANIMAL HOSPITAL
We can take care of any medical needs your pet may need while at Staying at Abbey Animal Hospital. Pet Pharmacy /Images/ViewImage.aspx?maxHeight=300&maxWidth=500&Id=39683
Abbey Pet Hospital 11070 San Pablo Ave El Cerrito CA - Best in Show ...
This nonprofit website rates local service firms and provides unbiased consumer ratings and information on local kennels, auto & home repair services, health care providers, and ...
SMARTERyellowpages.com Listing for Abbey Pet Hospital
Dr Lee Prutton, DVM, Owner & Medical Director Click here to explore the website of Abbey Pet Hospital (2684-215) 11070 San Pablo Avenue (click for map)