Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is being recalled?
The following companies have initiated voluntary recalls of their Pet Dog and Cat Food food products:
On March 16, Menu Foods, Inc. recalled dog and cat foods produced at its facilities in Emporia, Kansas and Pennsauken, N.J. between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. The products are sold by many different distributors under a number of different brand names. A full listing of all the recalled products can be found at http://www.menufoods.com/recall/. The affected products are moist (packaged in pouches) and canned diets. The products have been described as “cuts and gravy” style pet foods.
On March 16, 2007 -- Nestlé Purina PetCare Company announced that as a precautionary measure, it was voluntarily withdrawing its 5.3 ounce Mighty Dog® brand pouch products that were produced by Menu Foods, Inc. from December 3, 2006 through March 14, 2007. On March 30, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company voluntarily recalled all sizes and varieties of its ALPO® Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food with specific date codes http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/purina203_07.html . Consumers can call 1-800-218-5898, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT or visit http://www.purina.com/ to receive more information.
On March 30, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., voluntarily recalled Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01599.html . The cat food is sold exclusively through veterinarians. Consumers can contact Hills at 1-800-445-5777 or visit http://www.hillspet.com/ for more information.
On March 31, Del Monte Pet Products voluntarily recalled select product codes of its pet treat products sold under the Jerky Treats ®, Gravy Train ® Beef Sticks and Pounce Meaty Morsels ® brands as well as select dog snack and wet dog food products sold under private label brands http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/delmonte03_07.html. A complete list of affected brands and products can be found at http://www.delmonte.com/petfoodrecall.html. Consumers can contact Del Monte at 1-800- 949-3799 for further information about the recall.
Q: What is wrong with the Pet Dog and Cat Food?
FDA laboratories have found a substance called melamine in samples of pet food and in the wheat gluten used as an ingredient in the pet food. Additionally, Cornell University scientists have found melamine in the urine and kidneys of deceased cats that were part of a taste testing study conducted for Menu Foods.
Q: What is melamine?
Melamine is a small, nitrogen-containing molecule that has a number of industrial uses, including as an industrial binding agent, flame retardant and as part of a polymer in the manufacture of cooking utensils and plates. Melamine has additionally been used as a fertilizer in some parts of the world. It is not registered for use as a fertilizer in the United States.
Q: What is wheat gluten and how is it used in Pet Dog and Cat Foods?
Wheat gluten is a mixture of two proteins obtained when flour of wheat is washed to remove the starch. One use of wheat gluten is as a filler and binder in wet-style, cuts-and-gravy-type pet food. It provides a gelatinous consistency and is used to thicken pet food "gravy." It also has uses in human food products as a stabilizer or thickener. It is not generally associated with food contamination.
Q: Has melamine been identified as the causative agent in the reported dog and cat illnesses?
The association between melamine in the kidneys and urine of cats that died and melamine in the food they consumed is undeniable. Additionally, melamine is an ingredient that should not be in pet food at any level. However, we are not yet fully certain that melamine is the causative agent. As in any investigation, we follow leads, use advanced forensics and try to narrow down the cause.
Q: What research exists regarding melamine in the Pet Dog and Cat Foods?
There is a scarcity of research in the published literature on melamine exposure in dogs and cats. We know of a 1945 published article in which dogs were administered 125 mg of melamine/kg body weight. The study reported melamine as having a diuretic effect, but no toxic effects were noted. We are not aware of any studies in the published literature involving the administration of melamine to cats.
Q: How did melamine get into the wheat gluten?
At this time, we do not know how the melamine got into the wheat gluten.
Q. Where did the contaminated wheat gluten come from?
We have traced the source to a single supplier, Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology, of China.
Q. What is FDA doing to prevent further importation of contaminated wheat gluten?
FDA is requiring 100% sampling and review of import testing of all shipments of wheat gluten from China. Please see our import alert at http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia9926.html
Q. Did the contaminated wheat gluten from China get into the human food supply?
Import records, and records obtained during follow-up investigations reveal that all shipments of wheat gluten from the suspect Chinese supplier were purchased by a U.S. firm that supplies ingredients to pet food companies. At this time, we have no evidence to suggest that any of the imported Wheat Gluten from the suspect firm has entered the human food supply.
Q. Have you traced all of the contaminated wheat gluten?
We are still tracing the contaminated wheat gluten. If we learn that it has been used in the production of other pet foods, we will notify the public and take all appropriate steps to prevent further injury.
Q: What is FDA doing in response to complaints of illnesses related to dry Pet Dog and Cat Foods?
FDA is collecting and analyzing samples of dry dog and cat food in response to calls from veterinarians and pet owners.
Q: Are only dog and cat pet foods involved in the recall?
Yes. The recall is only confined to pet food intended for dogs and cats.
Q: What should I do if I have cat or dog food at home?
Please check FDA’s website at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html to see if your pet food is involved in the recall. If your pet food is not listed, the pet food is not affected by the recall and you can continue to feed it to your pets; however, if your pet exhibits a sudden on-set of symptoms including loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, stop feeding the pet food and contact your veterinarian. If the pet food is one of those being recalled, do NOT feed it to your animals. Feed your pets another pet food that is not included in the recall.
Q: What should I do if I have cat and/or dog food included in the recall?
Do NOT feed the pet food to your animals. Return the pet food to the store where you purchased it and ask for a refund. Stores generally have a return and refund policy when a company has announced a recall of its products. If you cannot return the pet food immediately, store the food in a secure place where pets and children cannot get to it.
Q: What if my pet ate one of the dog and cat foods being recalled?
If your pet shows signs of illness (such as loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting), you should consult with your veterinarian immediately. “The American College of Internal Medicine (ACVIM) has recommended that pets (dogs and cats) that ingested pet food that was on the recall list, whether showing signs of illness (lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, etc.) or not (asymptomatic) should be seen by their veterinarian for baseline blood chemistries and urinalysis in order to ascertain the status of their renal (kidney) function. (The ACVIM is the Official Organization of the Veterinary Specialties of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Large Animal Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Neurology, and Oncology. http://www.acvim.org/).”
If your pet is diagnosed with renal failure, we suggest you hold onto the food if the brand and lot numbers match the recall.
Q: If my dog or cat ate some of the recalled food, how soon after would I see any symptoms?
It’s difficult to say for sure, but usually within a couple of days. The important thing is to monitor your pet closely for signs of lethargy, loss of appetite and vomiting. If your pet shows any of these signs, please consult your veterinarian.
Q. In light of the recall, what should I feed my pets?
FDA encourages pet owners to consult with their veterinarian about their pet’s health and nutrition requirements. Please refer to the FDA website http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html for a list of recalled products that should not be fed to cats or dogs. Using products from companies that are not on the recall list will enable you to continue to provide safe, wholesome nutrition for your pets.
Q: What if I took my dog or cat to the vet as a result of the recall and I want to be reimbursed for my vet bills?
The FDA recognizes that there may be financial costs associated with any veterinarian visit; however, reimbursement for veterinary care does not fall under FDA’s regulatory authority.
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Q: What if I want to report an adverse action about a pet food?
Consumers and veterinarians who wish to report adverse reactions or other problems can go to the FDA internet page at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html to obtain contact information for the FDA complaint coordinator in their state. When reporting an adverse event or complaint, please try to have the following information:
Brand name, lot numbers and UPC code for the pet food fed to your dog or cat when it was ill. A lot number is a separate number assigned to each production lot of product. These are typically stamped on the bag/pouch or on the can lid. Lot numbers usually consist of a series of letters and numbers.
If your pet received treatment by a veterinarian, the name, address, and telephone number of attending veterinarian
Date illness first noticed
Signs displayed
Any veterinary reports available
