|
10/15/09
 There are stories coming in about a new cat food recall of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball cat formulas. Here is the press release from Diamond Pet Foods, with details of the recall:
Voluntary Recall – EASTERN US ONLY
Diamond Pet Foods has issued a voluntary recall on the following date codes of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball cat: RAF0501A22X 18lb., RAF0501A2X 6 lb., RAH0501A22X 18 lb., RAH0501A2X 6lb. All retail outlets shipped the above lots were contacted, asking them to pull the product from the store shelves. The retailers were also asked to contact their customers via email or telephone requesting them to check the date code of the food. However, if you or anyone you know has these date codes of Premium Edge cat food, please return them to your retailer.
Symptoms displayed by an affected cat will be neurological in nature. Any cats fed these date codes that display these symptoms should be immediately taken to a veterinarian.
Product testing proved no contaminants were discovered in the cat food; however the cat foods were deficient in thiamine. Diamond tracked the vitamin premix lot number that was utilized in these particular cat foods and have performed testing on another lot of Premium Edge cat food that used the same vitamin premix, and it was not deficient in thiamine. No other neurological signs have been reported on any other product manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods.
Dr Janet Tobiasson Crosby, who writes About.com’s Vet Blog describes the clinical signs to look for, and their treatment:
As noted in the press release, clinical signs are neurological in nature.
Signs seen with Thiamine deficiency
- Generalized weakness
- Not eating
- Staggered “drunk” gait
- Neck curved downward (cervical ventroflexion)
- Tremors
- Seizures
Treatment for Thiamine deficiency is easy once diagnosis is made – injections or oral replacements of Thiamine. Clinical signs typically resolve quickly with treatment.
If your cat is not eating, vomiting, or showing any of the signs above, please see your veterinarian immediately for assessment. The same is true any time your pet is not behaving normally, and especially if exhibiting neurologic signs.
It appears that most incidents are concentrated in the Rochester, NY area, according to RocNow.com:
Cat food recalled after several area pets sickened
Bennett J. Loudon – Staff writer
Local News – October 15, 2009 – 9:47am
At least 14 cats in the Rochester area have been sickened by problem cat food that has been voluntarily recalled by the maker.
On Oct. 3 Diamond Pet Foods, based in Meta, Mo., announced the recall of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat Food and Premium Edge Hairball Cat Food, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The food, sold in bags with the codes RAF0501A22X, RAF0501A2X, RAH0501A22X, and RAH0501A2X, lacked thiamine, an essential vitamin for cats, which helps maintain a healthy central nervous system.
Problems associated with the cat food have been concentrated in the Rochester area. There has been one other case of a cat affected by the food in New York City, according to the ASPCA.
See related Cat's Meow entries:
06/20/09
 On May 21st, NUTRO announced a “voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods, saying, “This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error.” What they failed to mention was that the levels of zinc in the recalled food were sufficiently lethal to kill a 9-lb cat in two days.
The Pet Food Product Safety Alliance recently submitted an unopened bag of the recalled NUTRO food for testing. Here is their report:
June 16, 2009: The test results are back from an unopened bag of Nutro Max Cat Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor, Best by: 07 JUN 2010 07:17 2AD6 “A”. Zinc, as fed, came in at a deadly 2,100 parts per million. Using this food by Nutro recommended feeding guidelines, a pet eating this food would receive over 38 times the amount of zinc recommended by the National Research Council, or 175 mg. zinc a day. Using the most frequently cited median lethal dose for zinc of 100 mg. per kilogram of body weight, a 4 kilogram cat (9 pounds) would be exposed to the median lethal dose of zinc in slightly over 2 days. It is highly unlikely a pet exposed to this food would survive after being exposed to it for more than a few days to a week. Clinical symptoms consistent with pancreatitis would be the most likely outward signs of exposure to this food, with possible liver and kidney damage.
A receipt provided with the food we tested showed this bag was purchased a day after the recall was announced. It is our understanding the store had not been informed there was a problem with the food. Pfpsa.org is more than willing to cooperate in any way possible with any law firm willing to pursue a class action against Nutro. Click here for more information.
Even if your cats weren’t affected by the NUTRO recall, the food you’re feeding your cat may contain toxic levels of zinc.
For more information on the zinc issue–which goes beyond the recall–read Susan Thixton’s article, “Are Pets Being Legally Overdosed?” at TruthaboutPetFood.com.
Zinc toxicity symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, red urine, icterus (yellow mucous membranes) liver failure, kidney failure, and anemia, according to VeterinaryPartner.com.
See related Cat's Meow entries:
06/15/09
Nature’s Variety has issued a voluntary recall of two lots of its Freeze Dried Raw Product. For details, go directly to their website.
Freeze Dried Raw Product
Nature’s Variety News – June 12, 2009
Nature’s Variety recently identified two lots of Freeze Dried product that didn’t meet our quality standards. These products do not represent a health hazard to your pet. We have voluntarily withdrawn distribution of these specific products:
- Freeze Dried Raw Chicken Formula (UPC # 69949 60151) with a “best if used by” date of 05/25/10
- Freeze Dried Raw Beef Formula (UPC # 69949 60251) with a “best if used by” date of 05/25/10
 Our distributor and retailer partners have kept control of these products, and because we retrieved these products so quickly, it is very unlikely that you purchased this batch of food. If, however, you believe you may have purchased one of these products, you may contact Nature’s Variety at 1.888.519.PETS (7387) for a full refund or replacement.
We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us by clicking CONTACT US at the top of this page, or call our Customer Service Team directly at 1.888.519.PETS. We will be happy to respond to you as quickly as possible.
Our Commitment to Quality
At Nature’s Variety, we’re committed to product quality. Our team is passionate about providing nutritious products, formulated with high quality meat, poultry, and fish protein. Our Quality Assurance Team takes extra care to ensure the wholesomeness of our premium foods.
Nature’s Variety has and will continue to enforce strict quality standards as we offer our nutritious foods to your special pet. Thank you for your continued trust in Nature’s Variety. Be assured, your pet’s health and happiness is our first priority.
See related Cat's Meow entries:
06/04/09
 On April 21st, we reported that the FDA confirmed an investigation into complaints from consumers over deaths and illnesses related to the ingestion of NUTRO cat foods. On May 21st, NUTRO issued a voluntary recall (click here for details).
Lisa Wade McCormick of ConsumerAffairs.com has been following the NUTRO Food Recall story closely and written a series of articles on NUTRO’s handling of consumer complaints and the recall. Her most recent article is reprinted, in part, here (there’s a link at the bottom to the complete article).
Cats sickened by recalled pet food; NUTRO denies responsibility
By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com
Copyright 2009 © All Rights Reserved
June 3, 2009
Don’t tell Christina W. that NUTRO hasn’t received any complaints about the two varieties of cat food the company recently pulled off the market. The Maryland woman and owner of five cats doesn’t believe that claim, which the pet food maker continues to tout on its Web site.
Christina says she put NUTRO on “official notice” Tuesday that one of the flavors of cat food included in its May 21 recall — NUTRO Max Indoor Weight Control — made her beloved cat, Jake, seriously ill.
“I called them this morning and told them first and foremost that if they didn’t have a recording machine on now, they should turn it on because I was making a formal complaint,” says Christina, who confirmed the dates and UPC codes on Jake’s food matched the ones included in the recall.
NUTRO recalled seven flavors of its NATURAL CHOICE COMPLETE CARE and NUTRO MAX dry cat foods, saying the products contained incorrect levels of zinc and potassium. The company blamed the problem on a production error by its U.S. premix supplier, Trouw Nutrition. One of the premixes contained excessive levels of zinc and low levels of potassium, NUTRO said. The second contained low levels of potassium.
Christina has no doubts that the problems with NUTRO’s recalled cat food played a significant role in Jake’s illness.
“He has eaten Nutro food for the past two years,” she says, adding her 13-year-old cat received a clean bill of health in March. “We were a week into a new bag (of NUTRO) when his illness became apparent.” Over the weekend, she says, Jake suddenly started having bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. He also became lethargic and dehydrated.
“I rushed him to the emergency vet (on Sunday), where he was diagnosed with elevated liver enzymes.” On Monday, a sonogram revealed Jake had pancreatitis.
“He’s still in the hospital and in pain, and we’re waiting to see if his liver enzymes return to normal,” Christina says. “His prognosis is ‘okay’ — as long as his liver and pancreas can recover. The poor thing has an IV stuck in his leg. His little arm is shaved. He’s already had to have blood drawn several times.”
“A horrible death”
Christina say it’s heart wrenching to see Jake in so much agony. “He howls and cries and bangs his head against the top of his cage,” she told us. “It’s a horrible thing to have a cat survive 13 years illness free (and then) to have him brought down by his own food.
“I’m furious, to say the least. I can’t convey enough how devastating this is to our family – both Jake’s illness and the concerns we have that any of the four others may might also follow in his spiraling health. And if Jake dies, furious isn’t even close to describing how I’ll feel.”
Christina isn’t the only pet owner who is convinced that NUTRO’s recalled dry cat foods caused their pets’ illnesses. Some even believe the recalled foods contributed to their cats’ recent deaths.
They’re grieving cat owners like Shira D. of Carson, California. “My cat is dead due to NUTRO Max,” she wrote us, adding the UPC codes on her cat’s food match the ones included in the recall.
“My three-year-old healthy indoor cat, Angel, became ill on (Saturday) May 16, 2009, after beginning a new bag of NUTRO Max cat food. We took her to the vet on Monday where they had to do a blood transfusion on her.”
Angel’s health, however, continued to deteriorate. She died “a horrible death” a few days later.
“I will never forget the graphic images of her grasping for air,” Shira says. “I’ve never seen a perfectly healthy cat lose the ability to go to the bathroom in her litter box, lose her appetite, and lose her ability to play. She became extremely ill so suddenly after (eating from) the contaminated bag of NUTRO.”
See related Cat's Meow entries:
05/21/09
 On April 21, we reported that the FDA had confirmed a probe of NUTRO for pet food deaths and illnesses tied to consumption of NUTRO pet food.
Today, Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.
For more info, go to the Nutro website.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Franklin, Tennessee (May 21, 2009) — Today, Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.
Two mineral premixes were affected. One premix contained excessive levels of zinc and under-supplemented potassium. The second premix under-supplemented potassium. Both zinc and potassium are essential nutrients for cats and are added as nutritional supplements to NUTRO® dry cat food.
This issue was identified during an audit of our documentation from the supplier. An extensive review confirmed that only these two premixes were affected. This recall does not affect any NUTRO® dog food products, wet dog or cat food, or dog and cat treats.
Affected product was distributed to retail customers in all 50 states, as well as to customers in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Israel. We are working with all of our distributors and retail customers, in both the US and internationally, to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or distributed further.
Consumers who have purchased affected product should immediately discontinue feeding the product to their cats, and switch to another product with a balanced nutritional profile. While we have received no consumer complaints related to this issue, cat owners should monitor their cat for symptoms, including a reduction in appetite or refusal of food, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea. If your cat is experiencing health issues or is pregnant, please contact your veterinarian.
Consumers who have purchased product affected by this voluntary recall should return it to their retailer for a full refund or exchange for another NUTRO® dry cat food product. Cat owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-800-833-5330 between the hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST, or visit www.nutroproducts.com.
Recalled Pet Food
The varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods listed below with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010 are affected by this voluntary recall.
|
U.S. Product Name
|
Bag Size
|
UPC
|
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Kitten Food |
4 lbs |
0 79105 20607 5 |
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Kitten Food |
8 lbs. |
0 79105 20608 2 |
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Kitten Food (Bonus Bag) |
9.2 lbs. |
0 79105 20695 2 |
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Kitten Food |
20 lbs |
0 79105 20609 9 |
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Kitten Food (Sample Bag) |
1.5 oz |
none
|
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Adult |
4 lbs |
0 79105 20610 5 |
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Adult |
8 lbs. |
0 79105 20611 2 |
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Adult (Bonus Bag) |
9.2 lbs |
0 79105 20694 5 |
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Adult |
20 lbs |
0 79105 20612 9 |
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Adult (Sample Bag) |
1.5 oz |
none
|
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Adult Oceanfish Flavor |
4 lbs |
0 79105 20622 8 |
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Adult Oceanfish Flavor |
8 lbs |
0 79105 20623 5 |
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Adult Oceanfish Flavor (Bonus Bag) |
9.2 lbs. |
0 79105 20698 3 |
| NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Adult Oceanfish Flavor |
20 lbs |
0 79105 20624 2 |
|
|
|
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor |
3 lbs |
0 79105 10228 5 |
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor |
6 lbs |
0 79105 10229 2 |
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor |
16 lbs |
0 79105 10230 8 |
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor (Sample Bag) |
1.5 oz |
none
|
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Indoor Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor |
3 lbs |
0 79105 10243 8 |
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Indoor Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor |
6 lbs |
0 79105 10244 5 |
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Indoor Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor |
16 lbs |
0 79105 10245 2 |
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Indoor Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor (Sample Bag) |
1.5 oz |
none
|
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Indoor Adult Salmon Flavor |
3 lbs |
0 79105 10246 9 |
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Indoor Adult Salmon Flavor |
6 lbs |
0 79105 10247 6 |
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Indoor Adult Salmon Flavor |
16 lbs |
0 79105 10248 3 |
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Indoor Weight Control |
3 lbs |
0 79105 10249 0 |
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Indoor Weight Control |
6 lbs |
0 79105 10250 6 |
| NUTRO® MAX® Cat Indoor Weight Control |
16 lbs |
0 79105 10251 3 |
For more info, go to the Nutro website.
This comment was left, which might help any of you affected by the recall:
Cat owners with cats affected by Nutro food should call the FDA in their area http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators/default.htm as well as talking to Lisa McCormick at consumeraffairs.com I keep reading on Twitter that Nutro reports no sick cats yet I am seeing there and here that is not true. The truth needs to get out. It seems like Nutro wants to minimze this recall. Remember this was found by a paperwork problem not actual testing of the product at Trouw Nutrition, who was the supplier of the pre-mix, or at Nutro with pre-or post production. Cat owners may still be feeding this. You can make a difference by reporting the illnesses, or sadly worse, cat deaths. I wish someone was able to reach out to me in the 2007 recall…I had two cats poisoned and felt completely alone…
See related Cat's Meow entries:
04/21/09
The FDA just confirmed that it is investigating NUTRO for pet food deaths and illnesses tied to consumption of NUTRO pet food. The following was just published by ConsumerAffairs.com. Note that a recall has not yet been issued, but the FDA is investigating claims.
FDA Confirms Probe of NUTRO Pet Food Deaths, Illnesses
Menu Foods earlier revealed it was the target of a federal probe
By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com
Copyright 2009 © All Rights Reserved
April 20, 2009
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that the agency is investigating NUTRO pet food, following a series of unexplained illnesses and deaths. Consumers have been complaining for more than two years that their pets have become ill after eating NUTRO products; many have recovered when they were switched to other foods. The company has steadfastly denied that its food is to blame.
Until now, the FDA has been mum about whether it was actively investigating the company. Today, the FDA’s Division of Freedom of Information confirmed the agency has an ongoing investigation into NUTRO — and said that investigation could be criminal or civil in nature. The office did not elaborate on the nature or focus of that investigation.
The investigation came to light when the FDA denied a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by ConsumerAffairs.com seeking a list of complaints and lab results the agency has collected regarding NUTRO pet food. The agency denied the request and said that releasing the information could hamper “prospective or ongoing” action by law enforcement.
“The document(s) constitute record(s) compiled for law enforcement purposes, the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings,” wrote the FDA’s George A. Strait, Jr., assistant commissioner for public affairs.
Another pet food company, Menu Foods, said in a recent financial filing that the FDA had commenced a criminal investigation to determine whether Menu violated the Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act. The company noted that “additional actions or investigations may arise in the future.” It did not mention any other pet food companies. Menu last year settled a $24 million lawsuit that grew from the largest pet food recall in U.S. history.
NUTRO, which has extensive international operations, was acquired in 2007 by Mars, Inc., the privately-held Virginia-based food products company. Mars was fined a record €4.5 million (about US$5.8 million) last year by the German Federal Cartel Office (FCO) for not observing the required waiting period before closing the transaction. Mars had been by far the leading provider of cat and dog food in Germany prior to the merger.
Under pressure from the German regulators, Mars divested NUTRO’s Austrian and German businesses.
Worrisome trend
ConsumerAffairs.com filed its Freedom of Information request for NUTRO records last year after we uncovered a worrisome trend among dogs and cats across the country. An analysis of our complaints revealed that scores of pets from California to South Carolina had experienced sudden and recurring bouts of diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive problems.
The only common denominator among those dogs and cats was NUTRO pet food. In nearly every case, we also learned the pets’ conditions improved once their owners stopped feeding them NUTRO pet food.
ConsumerAffairs.com continues to receive complaints about NUTRO from dog and cat owners nationwide. In the past year, we’ve received nearly 500 complaints from pet owners who say their dogs or cats suddenly became ill after eat NUTRO. The problems these pets have experienced are similar: vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive issues.
Most of the complaints mirror one received last week from Linda P. of New Baltimore, Michigan.
“For three years, I have been feeding my dog NUTRO Natural Choice Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Small Bites Dry Dog Food,” she said. “The last bag I bought, I notice the food color was lighter than in the past. Me being who I am, I believed there was a changed in formula for the better. My Dachshund/Lab became ill, vomiting food chunks and yellow bile as well. We took him to the vet and I have been feeding him homemade chicken and rice and antibiotics and he is on the mend.”
She adds: “How can so many dogs get sick and nothing be done? Today I will start mixing his homemade food with a different brand of dry food. I never want anyone else to go through, what appears to be many, the same situation as our dogs. It will be a week or two before I’m sure my dog is okay.”
NUTRO denies it
NUTRO defends its products and insists its food is safe. Many NUTRO customers also tout the food, saying their pets have had no problems. And veterinarians say several factors can cause gastrointestinal problems in dogs and cats, including changes in diet, newly developed sensitivities to pet foods, and viral infections.
But pet owners who contact us on a nearly daily basis are convinced something is wrong with NUTRO’s food. And they say it’s no coincidence that so many dogs and cats have become sick — with the same symptoms — after eating various flavors of that pet food.
“NUTRO makes dogs sick,” says Erin of Encino, California. “It is a fact and I’m outraged that nobody is taking it off the shelf.”
Erin says her three-year-old Puggle was a healthy active dog until she started eating NUTRO Natural Choice Lamb Meal & Rice Formula and NUTRO Max Beef & Rice Dinner Chunks in Gravy: “After about two weeks of this food, she became sick. (She was) constipated for a few days, then had diarrhea, and finally vomiting and was always extremely thirsty. The last straw was her laying lethargic on the couch with white gums.”
That’s when Erin rushed her dog to the vet.
“The vet said she had allergies, prescribed an antibiotic and cortisone and gave me a bag of Science Diet. I feed her the Science Diet in place of NUTRO because it was free, and she was fine within a week.”
Erin, however, says she made the mistake of switching her dog back to NUTRO after the Science Diet was gone.
“She again had constipation, followed by horrible diarrhea, and finally vomiting yellow bile and white gums,” Erin told us. “There is no way that all these stories are just coincidences … (not) if my dog is fine when she isn’t eating NUTRO and when she is eating it, she’s horribly sick. I have switched her back to Science Diet and all her symptoms are gone and her appetite has returned to normal.”
Another California pet owner says her dog also became ill after eating NUTRO pet food.
“My husband and I purchased NUTRO chicken and rice small bites for our two Chihuahuas,” says Jessica of Larkspur. “After about five days, our six-year-old male Chihuahua became lethargic, groaned a lot, developed a fever, was not excited to go on walks, and lost excitement for anything that used to bring him joy.
“My husband began to suspect it was the new food as he had only developed these symptoms after eating NUTRO. He has always been a healthy and active Chihuahua.”
The couple took the dog to their vet, who ran tests but couldn’t pinpoint the problem. “He was given antibiotics and we are crossing our fingers they work. Our Chihuahua can barely walk, he is groaning in pain, and is extremely depressed.”
Across the country, a longtime NUTRO pet owner in Pennsylvania told us her dog suddenly became ill after eating the food.
“I had been feeding my dog NUTRO for years,” says Amy D. of Webster, Pennsylvania. “I started feeding her NUTRO for sensitive stomachs about 6 months ago. At first everything seemed fine. Then my dog, who never urinated in my house, started having accidents (frequently). She needed to go out constantly and would squat repeatedly, come in, and ask to go right back out. I took her to the vet and began treatment for bladder infection. Upon finishing treatment it started all over again.”
Amy’s vet discovered crystals in the dog’s urine, which also had a high PH balance. The vet put the dog on another medication.
“In the meantime other than the restless pacing to go outside, she seemed disinterested and lethargic,” Amy says. “Then she began having extremely loose bowel movements (an awful bright yellow) in the house.”
Amy launched her own investigation and discovered the scores of complaints about NUTRO on ConsumerAffairs.com.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. Could it really be the dog food I had trusted so much making my beloved pet ill? I immediately threw away all my NUTRO dog food.”
Amy is now feeding her dog another brand of pet food. “And I’m thrilled to say she is her old self again. She no longer has to take any medicines and has no more accidents or uncontrollable urges. Thanks to this Web site and everyone who took the time to file a complaint, I have my healthy happy dog back.”
Not a fluke?
A pet owner in New York told us his puppy had the same experience as Amy’s dog after eating NUTRO. And he’s convinced it’s not a fluke.
“We got our dog two weeks ago and our puppy was healthy when we got her,” says Manny of Fresh Meadows, New York. “She started eating NUTRO Natural Choice for puppies, since it was recommended by a friend of ours. A week later, she started squatting to urinate, but only small drops or none at all came out. When she can urinate, it is frequent, in small amounts, and contains blood.”
Manny took his puppy to the vet, who prescribed amoxicillin.
“She received a sonogram, culture test, and urinalysis test. The results showed that she may have a stone in her bladder. The blood in her urine is caused by the stone scraping the bladder walls. The urinalysis test showed that she had a high PH balance. I don’t think it is a coincidence that I have the same exact problem as Amy,” adds Manny. “I wonder if something is wrong NUTRO pet food again. Our puppy is still sick.”
Our investigation into the complaints we’ve received about NUTRO pet food has also revealed:
• Six dogs unexpectedly died — or were euthanized — in 2008 after eating NUTRO pet food. Those dogs include two Italian Greyhounds in Indiana, a Beagle/Whippet mix in Pennsylvania, two German Shepherd puppies in North Carolina, and a Doberman Pinscher in Texas;
• The FDA investigated the April 2008 deaths of two Italian Greyhounds dogs in Indiana. The FDA tested samples of the NUTRO food those dogs ate, but did not find any toxins. An autopsy indicated the dogs died from antifreeze poisoning. The dogs’ owner doesn’t believe those results, saying there is no antifreeze around her home. No one has tested the NUTRO food the other dogs ate before they died;
• Two Italian Greyhounds at a military base in Italy became sick after eating NUTRO food. The dog’s owner told us she hopes the FDA is investigating NUTRO and urged the agency to move quickly. “It is hard to tell how many people at overseas military bases are feeding this (food) to their dogs and possibly killing them,” says Michelle M. who bought her dogs’ NUTRO food at the base’s commissary.
• A pet nutrition specialist for NUTRO told us she’s heard complaints about the company’s food making dogs and cats sick. She reported those concerns to her supervisor, but said they were ignored. She later resigned.
Some pet owners, however, tell us NUTRO is the only brand of food their dogs and cats can eat.
“My Shar-peis are the most sensitive dogs I have ever owned,” says Allison R. of Nampa, Indiana. “On the wrong food their hair falls out, their eyes weep and their ears get nasty. It takes me a good 3 months of only NUTRO dog food in order to reverse the affects of the other food. I have found that the senior diet is what works best, not sure why, but it seems to keep my Shar-Peis looking healthy.”
A Tennessee pet owner also defends NUTRO pet food — and warns consumers not to jump to conclusions based on Internet complaints.
“I feed all of my dogs and cats Nutro products and they are just as healthy as they have ever been,” says Brenda of Springfield, Tennessee. “They have healthy shiny coats and their stools are firm.”
Gradual transition
Brenda also had some advice to pet owners switching brands of food.
“Do a gradual transition from the old food,” she said. “If you don’t, your dog will likely experience these issues. Not every bout of diarrhea, constipation, bladder infection, liver and kidney failure and loss of excitement to go on walks should be attributed to food. Your first responsibility as a pet owner should be to take your dog to the vet before you blame anyone. Do your research and don’t let any Web site diagnose your pet.”
NUTRO has repeatedly insisted its food is “100 percent safe” and meets all standards set by FDA, the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). A spokeswoman said all NUTRO products are tested for melamine, molds, toxins and other bacteria. And she called the complaints we’ve received “isolated reports of inaccurate information posted online.”
The company, however, set up a special a section on its Web site in response to the issues and concerns raised in our stories. NUTRO said it takes all customer complaints seriously and encouraged pet owners with concerns about the food to contact the company at 1-800-833-5330.
During our investigation, we’ve also contacted veterinarians about the problems pet owners say their dogs and cats have experienced after eating NUTRO. They’ve said it’s not uncommon for pets to have sudden bouts of vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems. They also said a number of factors — pet food, stress, or a viral infection — could be the culprit.
We also asked Dr. Steven Hansen, a veterinary toxicologist with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), to review some of our NUTRO complaints, in an effort to find out why so many pets have become sick — or even died — after eating NUTRO food.
“Unfortunately the cases are not consistent and appear to be anecdotal with no real definitive diagnostic findings,” Dr. Hansen told us. “Without any consistent trends in findings we can not do anything any further. This does appear to us to be a situation where bad things happen, but they are not likely food-related.”
Hansen, however, said consumers who suspect NUTRO’s food is a factor in their pets’ illnesses should have their animals examined by a veterinarian and document the problems.
“I would also recommend that if they suspect the food is the problem, they should take a freezer bag full of it — along with the label information that has the product’s name and lot numbers — to their vet,” he told us. “If the vet suspects the food is the cause, the vet should then contact the company and FDA. If there’s a problem, we need to document it and get supporting lab results.”
Owners anxious
The arguments back and forth don’t mean much to anxious pet owners, who say it’s about time some federal agency investigated NUTRO and its products.
“After so many complaints, how can this dog food still be on the market for consumers to purchase and feed to their dogs?” Andrea G. of Sicklerville, New Jersey asked us. “I have been feeding my Dachshund NUTRO Ultra dry dog food for many months. Suddenly, 10 days ago, he started vomiting yellow bile 1- 2 times daily.
“It makes me sick to think that I might be the one responsible for my dog’s vomiting by feeding him this food. I can only hope that something is done, very soon, to prevent other pets from becoming ill.”
UPDATE!
Here’s a comment left by Ed H:
“We began feeding our black lab nutro dog food ( Large breed adult ) and within a few days he was bloated and began puking up lots of yellow bile. We checked our yard for any foreign substance as well as the garbage pails to make sure he was not getting anything foreign, it appeared he was not. We then found nutro food on a big sale at the local store and purchased 4 35lb bags of it. Our dog jett has been sick and to the vet several times for and unknown illness. We first became aware of the food problem when we went on a vacation and boarded jett for the first time. The kennel provided food for Jett and it was not Nutro, ( we were concerned because it was not his normal diet ) He came home after our vacation and never looked better.It wasn’t several days later that he began to puke bile and belch and drink copious amounts of water. As of today April 24, 2009 we will no longer be feeding Jett any Nutro products, I’m glad to be made aware of this recall and problem with the Nutro dog food, It all makes sense to our family now.”
It’s frightening when you hear news like this about a food you are feeding your pets, especially if it’s the only food your cat(s) will eat. If you are feeding your pets NUTRO and they are vomiting yellow bile or experiencing problems with elimination, you should switch them to another food immediately and see a vet. With respect to this particular recall, most of the incidents seem to involve the dog food, not the cat food. That doesn’t necessarily mean the cat food is safe to eat, but if you have been feeding your cats NUTRO and have not experienced problems, there is probably no need to panic. You might consider transitioning them to another food until the FDA investigation is complete and either exonerates NUTRO or issues a recall. If you have senior cats or cats with health issues, they are far less well equipped to fight the ravages of tainted food, so consider that as you decide how to proceed.
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12/14/08
There have been quite a few new boutique pet food companies that have emerged in the wake of recent pet food recall scandals. The following is an article about a personal chef in Ontario, Canada, who has expanded her line to include pet food. There wasn’t enough information to determine if this is a valid concept — this pet food is based on people food, which will not fulfill a pet’s dietary requirements, some common people foods can be lethal to cats, and neither Chapman nor Fraser has a veterinary background — but if I had the money to do it, I would love to have a purrsunal cat chef to give my cats a fresh, safe, alternative to processed pet foods. I think all of us sometimes wonder if it’s just a matter of time before our cats’ favorite brand shows up on a recall list.
Anyway, here’s the article from the Town Crier online:
Bringing trust back to pet food
By Kelly Gadzala
For cat and dog owners, “people food” means a mouthful.
It’s the stuff we often feel iffy about feeding our pets, but it’s also the stuff we’ll let fall from the dinner table when our four-legged pals are begging for burgers.
Personal chef Tabitha Chapman can relate. The owner of the Riverdale-based meal delivery and catering company Enjoy Not Cooking wasn’t so sure about feeding cats and dogs people food. She says clients used to ask her to prepare “a little something” for their pets when she’d drop off their meals. But she’d always say no.
A former non-pet person, Chapman is now making Shepherd’s Pie for her new cat Isabella as the co-owner of the new Trust Pet Cuisine, a personal chef service for cats and dogs. It’s the same food she and colleague and chef Jorge Portecarreo make for their human clients at their Eastern Ave. kitchen, only with less spice and seasoning, she says.
However, test kitty Isabella wasn’t so sure at first.
“Weeding her off the bad stuff was a trial,” Chapman says. But now Isabella looks and acts healthier and happier, she says. “Even her attitude reflected the food she ate.”
 PARTNERS IN KITTY CUISINE: Karen Fraser, left, and Tabitha Chapman whoop it up over a fresh batch of cat food. The pair created meals for cats and dogs using people food as its base. Chapman didn’t seriously consider making people food for pets until approached a year ago by Karen Fraser, author of Women Like Me, The Women’s Business & Networking Directory and known for her entrepreneurial leadership and volunteer initiatives.
Fraser had been making meals for her brood of cats since the March 2007 Menu Foods pet food recall but was finding the process of preparing and cooking meat and vegetables time-consuming. She was looking for a personal chef and partner and found it when interviewing Chapman for a Women Like Me profile.
While Fraser says they aren’t bashing an entire industry of pet food makers — she admits there’s good pet food on the market — she does say some pet foods contain nasty byproducts.
Trust meals are delivered fresh or frozen and don’t contain processed food products, preservatives, or byproducts, she says. There’s an organic line, and a lesser-priced premium line containing whatever additives found in the people food it’s made from.
Fraser researched for a year and consulted with several animal experts before Chapman developed the recipes with Portecarreo. While researching Fraser had to be critical of what some experts were saying when they recommended certain foods for pets.
“I thought, ‘Would I eat that?’”
“We take everything with a grain of substitute salt,” she says of the nutritional benefits of certain ingredients, as research inevitably changes. She notes oat bran was going to save the planet 10 years ago and now no one talks about it.
Even so, Fraser and Chapman plan to keep abreast of the current trends and adapt recipes to reflect new findings. They don’t do nutritional testing on their food though Fraser says it’s 100 percent nutritious.
Meanwhile in the vet community, there’s “a general silence with notable exceptions.”
“They don’t want to know,” she adds, noting veterinarians make a lot of money off pet food.
Her vet doesn’t approve of what she’s doing, Fraser adds, but then when the vet saw one of her kitten’s coats, she commented on its silkiness.
“I think she’s conflicted.”
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11/26/08
Mars has extended the scope of its previous voluntary recall of dry cat and dog food that may have been tainted with Salmonella. Here are the details:
Mars Petcare US Announces Extension of Voluntary Recall
Last update: 5:07 p.m. EST Nov. 25, 2008
FRANKLIN, Tenn., Nov 25, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ — Today, Mars Petcare US announced an extension of a previously announced voluntary recall of dry cat and dog food products manufactured at its Allentown, Pennsylvania facility with “Best By” dates between August 11, 2009 – October 3, 2009. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella. This voluntary recall affects product sold at BJ’s Wholesale Club, ShopRite Supermarkets, and Wal-Mart locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems. Healthy people potentially infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. On rare occasions, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
This action is an extension of the voluntary recall issued on October 27, 2008 of all sizes of SPECIAL KITTY(R) Gourmet Blend dry cat food produced at the Allentown facility on August 11, 2008. We recently learned that an additional sample of SPECIAL KITTY(R) made on September 25, 2008 at the Allentown facility tested positive for Salmonella. There have been no reported cases of human or pet illness caused by Salmonella associated with products produced at this facility. Mars Petcare US is taking an additional precautionary action to protect pets and their owners by extending the October 27, 2008 voluntary recall to include all dry pet food product produced at the facility with “Best By” dates between August 11, 2009 and October 3, 2009.
Recalled Pet Food
The dry cat and dog food listed below are made at our Allentown facility and sold at BJ’s Wholesale Club, ShopRite Supermarkets, and Wal-Mart locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia.
All code dates, regardless of brand, are listed in a similar format as noted below:
Consumers should look for “50″ as the first two digits of the second line.
Best By AUG 15 09 (Sample)
50 1445 1
Product Name / Bag Size UPC
Berkley & Jensen Bistro Blend Premium Cat Food 21.6# 00000 20052
Berkley & Jensen Small Bites & Bones Dog Food 52# 00000 14958
Ol’ Roy Puppy Complete Premium Dog Food 4# 81131 79078
Ol’ Roy Puppy Complete Premium Dog Food 20# 81131 79080
Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 4# 81131 17550
Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 4.4# 81131 69377
Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 8# 05388 67144
Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 20# 81131 17549
Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 22# 05388 60342
Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 44.1# 81131 17551
Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 50# 78742 01022
Ol’ Roy High Performance Premium Dog Food 20# 05388 60345
Ol’ Roy High Performance Premium Dog Food 50# 78742 05815
Ol’ Roy Meaty Chunks & Gravy Premium Dog Food 22# 81131 69630
Ol’ Roy Meaty Chunks & Gravy Premium Dog Food 50# 81131 69631
ShopRite Crunchy Bites, Bones and Healthy Squares Dog Food 20# 41190 04521
Special Kitty Original Premium Cat Food 3.5# 81131 17557
Special Kitty Original Premium Cat Food 7# 81131 17562
Special Kitty Original Premium Cat Food 18# 81131 17559
Special Kitty Gourmet Blend Premium Cat Food 3.5# 81131 17546
Special Kitty Gourmet Blend Premium Cat Food 7# 81131 17547
Special Kitty Gourmet Blend Premium Cat Food 18# 81131 17548
Special Kitty Kitten Premium Cat Food 3.5# 81131 17553
Special Kitty Kitten Premium Cat Food 7# 81131 17554
In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. A list of safe pet food handling tips can be found at: www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/petfoodtips080307.html
Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com.
SOURCE Mars Petcare US
Read Press Release here.
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10/27/08
 This just in… Mars Petcare US has issued a voluntary recall of a limited number of bags of SPECIAL KITTY(R) Gourmet Sold at Wal-Mart Locations in Fifteen States Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination:
FRANKLIN, Tenn., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Mars Petcare US today announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of bags of SPECIAL KITTY(R) Gourmet Blend dry cat food sold at Wal-Mart locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled following a positive test result indicating a potential contamination with Salmonella.
This product should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners should dispose of product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle) and return the empty bag to the store where purchased for a full refund.
Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems. Healthy people potentially infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. On rare occasions, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your
veterinarian.
There have been no complaints or reports of illness resulting from consumption or handling of the recalled product.
Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit http://www.petcare.mars.com.
Recalled Pet Food
Product: SPECIAL KITTY(R) Gourmet Blend Dry Cat Food
Best If Used By Date: AUG 11 09
Best If Used By Date Location: Back of bag
Production Lot Code: 50 XXXX X (Found on back of bag just after “Best
If Used By” date. Consumers should look for “50″ as the first two digits of the second line.)
UPC Code: UPC code numbers can be found directly underneath the bar code on the package. Please find recalled pet food UPC information below.
3.5 lb. SPECIAL KITTY (R) Gourmet Blend 81131 17546
7 lb. SPECIAL KITTY (R) Gourmet Blend 81131 17547
18 lb. SPECIAL KITTY (R) Gourmet Blend 81131 17548
Affected Stores: Wal-Mart locations in Connecticut, Delaware,
Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West
Virginia.
In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. A list of safe pet food handling tips can be found at:
http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/petfoodtips080307.html
Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit http://www.petcare.mars.com.
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09/23/08
 Mars Petcare U.S. has announced a voluntary recall of products manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential Salmonella contamination. This voluntary recall only affects the United States.
Mars Petcare US will work with retail customers to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or fed to pets. In the event that consumers believe they have purchased products affected by this voluntary recall, they should return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Specific product details and other information can be found at www.petcare.mars.com
Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com
If you’ve purchased one of the affected brands, here’s how to tell if it was from the Everson facility:
Production Lot Code - (found on back of bag just after “Best Before” date).
The products listed in the chart below are made at our Everson facility on behalf of a variety of retailers. All production lot codes, with the exception of PEDIGREE®, are listed in a similar format as noted below:
Consumers should look for “17″ as the first two digits of the second line. Sample:
Best By Feb 18 09
17 1445 1
For PEDIGREE® the Everson code date format is as follows:
Consumers should look for “PAE” on the bottom line – the sixth, seventh and eighth digits. Sample:
PEDIGREE ® Small Crunchy Bites
Best Before 02/2009
808G1 PAE01 12:00
For a complete list of affected UPC codes, go to the Mars Petcare website.
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