3/25/07: MORE WET PET FOOD RECALLED by Menu Foods

[AZBlue]

As of right now the information put forth is a little confusing, but it seems that all "cuts and gravy" food is being recalled, not just the ones with the earlier posted codes.

From Menu Foods' website: "As a result of reports from the FDA and various media outlets that some recalled lots of "cuts and gravy" style wet pet food remain on store shelves, Menu Foods has asked all retail outlets to immediately remove all impacted varieties of wet pet food posted at www.menufoods.com , regardless of the date code. Menu Foods remains concerned that consumers are able to purchase recalled items."
http://www.menufoods.com/recall/PRESS%20RELEASE03241409.htm

This statement from the Canadian press is a bit confusing though (first it states the same as above, then it states all brands should come off the shelf): "The Mississauga, Ont. based Menu Foods is asking retailers to remove all wet food items as a safety precaution, regardless of the date code. In a weekend release, Menu Foods said that even brands not on the official recall list should be taken off the shelves."
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/agriculture/story.html?id=4fe22b79-1685-440d-8174-bb65ed04443e&k=4093

For now my family has stopped feeding our pets any and all wet food. I know a lot of DU'ers have said the same thing, but I wanted to post this just as an FYI. Between this and the other thread that mentions possible Iams Dry Food contamination, I figure we all need to share as much information as possible about this!

[sandnsea]

1. They make mush wet food too

I don't know what else to call it, you know the mushy stuff. So I think your subject might be wrong, if it's just all 'cuts and gravy'.

[AZBlue]

2. Yeah, I know what you mean - the "pate" kind.

But I couldn't tell - is it just "cuts and gravy" style or are they taking them all off the shelf just to be safe?

(on edit: I changed "all" to "more" to cover both scenarios)

[sandnsea]

5. The Canadian one seems to say 'all'

All varieties of wet cat and dog food. I wish it were more clear. I think I'm going to feed my dog people food. I've got a big pot of beans left over, that should last a few days. She'll be smelly, but at least she'll be safe. :)

[China_cat]

29. They've recommended that ALL Menu Foods

wet foods be taken off the shelves.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

3. Mighty Dog was on list, my grocer had it on sale & on shelf

Lowes Foods had cans of Mighty Dog marked down and clearanced.

Harris Teater had them at regular price.

I wonder if people are going to trust anything that went through
Menu Foods processing plant?

[snowbear]

12. I have Mighty Dog in cans.. I hope that's ok?

It just said "pouches" for that brand.. ..

But geez.. now I'm worried.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

14. save the cans but dont feed to your pet

save the cans in case your dog gets sick, and you need to prove the
link.

Menu Foods extended the recall, supposedly because the stores were "confused" and not pulling
all affected pet food.

We don't know the full story here, do we?

If you have a small animal, you can feed them deli sliced turkey or other meats,
or table scraps.

I have two small dogs, they get some dried food but they get deli turkey or chicken,
which is as cheap as canned dog food.

I think even Whole Foods has some pet food affected by this.

[snowbear]

19. Thanks. I'll do that..

I've been afraid to give it to them..

I have a small dog (cockapoo) and a medium scruffy terrier.. Aside from dry food, they love a can a day..

Today I forked out some bucks and got them some Cesars. Geez, they LOVE that stuff!!!

Pretty pricey stuff though..

[AZBlue]

20. "We don't know the full story here, do we?"

I think that's really the crux of the problem. I am worried about what else is going that we're not aware of yet.

[AZBlue]

25. I don't. I wish I knew of a list of ALL the brands that come from them.

eom

[China_cat]

31. here are the lists

cat food
http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html

dog food
http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html

[Individualist]

35. From the OP...

"In a weekend release, Menu Foods said that even brands not on the official recall list should be taken off the shelves."

[China_cat]

37. Yes, but the question was what BRANDS were affected

[orleans]

4. got a question....

"Recall Update - Menu Foods pet food recall has reportedly been expanded to include all varieties of its wet dog and cat food, amid mounting fears that the tainted products are still for sale."

http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21271101.shtml

QUESTION: the menu foods list for dogs says mighty dog pouch
the mighty dog website says the cans are okay
does this new bit of news now mean all varieties of canned mighty dog should be discarded?

and does this mean ALL wet food regardless of the chunks & gravy?

and do you have a link to the iams dry thread?

(sorry for all the crazy questions)

[AZBlue]

8. No worries - I still have questions myself.

First, I do have the link to the iams thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=502805&mesg_id=502805

and the info can be found at:
http://www.itchmo.com/read/several-unconfirmed-reports-of-iams-dry-food-causing-illness_20070323


Now, for your other questions, I'm afraid I'm as confused as you - one source indicated it's just "cuts and gravy" but the other source made it sound like all their wet foods. What we're doing is holding onto the cans of non-cuts and gravy style (not discarding them), but not feeding our pets with them until we know for sure - I would think in the next day or two they will re-issue a more specific list. Luckily our pets eat a combination of wet and dry, so it won't be too hard to do that. If you are feeding just wet, that will be more difficult - I'd say if you are using the same cans you've been using and see no problems, you're probably ok - and just keep an eye out for updates? Wish I had more definite info for you!!

[orleans]

10. thanks az--n/t

[Princess Turandot]

21. From reading their website and a few articles elsewhere..

it appears they are concerned that stores are not removing all of the tainted foods because of confusion over manufactured dates/plant numbers.
Instead of telling stores to remove only those cans of "Food X" that they manufactured with a specific code on the bottom, they are now asking that that all cans of "Food X" be removed to simplify matters and assure the bad food is gone. "Food X" herein stands for the various brands of 'cuts and gravy' products on the recall list. They are not saying that every can of food ever manufactured by them is tainted.

[AZBlue]

23. Look at those five fantastic faces!!

What sweeties!

[orleans]

6. and in another canadian paper..

"Several dogs and cats fell ill or died of kidney failure across North America.

"Menu Foods says it will compensate pet owners for any vet bills caused by the tainted food."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070325.wpeteats0325/BNStory/National/home

..."several"???

and will it compensate pet owners in the us for any vet bills as well?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

7. NBC17 Finds Recalled Pet Food Still On Shelves

NBC17 Finds Recalled Pet Food Still On Shelves

NBC 17.com, NC - Mar 23, 2007
Also on Friday, the president of Menu Foods said there are
still many unanswered questions.
Back in North Carolina there are dozens of cases potentially ...

http://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn/news.apx.-content-articles-NCN-2007-03-23-0016.html

[EFerrari]

9. Thanks for staying on this, AzBlue.

K&R

[AZBlue]

11. Thanks for the k&r - it's scary, isn't it?!

eom

[EFerrari]

16. Really scary. The brands I buy aren't on the list

by pure accident.

And I'm really worried about all my rescue buddies that have to buy on sale.

[AZBlue]

18. I know what you mean - I'm going to buy some cans to take to the humane society.

I know they rely on wet foods to entice scared cats and dogs to eat - I can't imagine what they are going through right now!

[Initech]

13. So how do we find out what brands are on this list?

As a pet owner, I need to know!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

15. go to www.menufoods.com

they have a list of brands for cats and for dogs.

also check their press release.

I think their website is getting tons of traffick, so you may have trouble.

[AZBlue]

17. From menu foods:

On their site:
http://www.menufoods.com/recall/index.html

you can click on either dogs or cats in the box in the upper left corner or on the links at the bottom of the page.

However, since this new info came out over the weekend, I'm checking that list again on Monday or Tuesday to see if it's been updated.

[Initech]

22. Thanks, none of the brands I buy are on the list.

[EFerrari]

24. Please rec the thread so people can get the info.

:(

[nicknameless]

26. It's being reported that ALL wet food by Menu is being recalled.

I posted that earlier
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x501936

Here are other sources for that information:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070325.wpeteats0325/BNStory/National/home
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21271101.shtml

[azurnoir]

27. Thank you for posting this

I don't buy the foods listed, but I have to wonder they had bargain brand cat foods listed and some premium that cost much more, does this mean people are only paying for the label and the contents of the can is the same?

[MedleyMisty]

32. Not necessarily

A lot of people have posted about working in factories that made stuff for a lot of different brands and said that the process was actually different for the higher-end brands. Yeah, it's anecdotal and all that, but it seems to be a bit of a gray area.

[piesRsquare]

28. Pet Food Recall Information

Updated info on pet food recall http://2blackcats.wordpress.com

Includes:

-Link to list of recalled foods
-List and link to other lists of safe foods for dogs and cats
-Links to FDA and PetConnection databases for reporting sick or diseased pets
-Link to info about filing class action suit
-Link to list of Grief Support numbers/contacts
-Information and recommendations from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
-Clinical/medical information regarding the toxin and case presentation
-Links to other blogs following the recall

...and so on.

Click on the link above. Pass it around. Check the blog often. Link to it. I update it regularly--been up many long nights working on it. I'm a veterinary technician and have been following this whole deal very closely. The info there is up-to-date and accurate.

[TZ]

38. Hey! (Pies you understand this-LOL)

You are working very hard and posting good info. Still thinking over what you told me about the cat bag too. Very interesting visual! Keep up the good work:yourock:

[OhioChick]

30. Interesting...

Especially after going to the grocery store last night and seeing all sorts of brands of canned still on the shelves.

Thanks for posting. K&R
:kick:

[Hepburn]

33. Thank you for the up-date. K&R

I have gotten a link to this thread out to my friends who have pets.

[AZBlue]

34. Kick for all the non-weekend DU'ers.

I've also noticed that the msm is ignoring this subject this morning. Nice.

[Trailrider1951]

36. My sister and I cooked food for our kitties on Sunday:

1 pound chicken livers ($1.33)
1 cup brown rice ($0.30)
sliced carrots, about 1/8 cup ($0.05)
a handfull of spinach ($0.05)
2 1/3 cups water ($0.00)

Bring water to boil in a large sauce pan. Add rice and stir. Bring back to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer 1/2 hour. Add chicken livers and veggies, stir and cover. Simmer for another 1/2 hour. Mash together ingredients and let cool before feeding. This recipe made about 4 cups of fresh wholesome food (for less than $2), and the cats and kittens LOVED it! Even my dog, who only gets Pedigree dry food, snapped up the leftovers. No more canned food for us!

[AZBlue]

39. I bet they loved it!

Did you add any vitamins or minerals to it? That's what worries me about making the food - I know for example they need taurine for their eyes and so on. I'm investigating either making the food or buying a "natural" brand - but there's so much info out there and a lot of it's conflicting, so I'm still researching...

[AllieB]

40. I'm not sure if spinach is good for kitties

Spinach is on the list of poisonous plants:

http://members.tripod.com/~Cicero/tsplants.htm

http://www.catsplay.com/thedailycat/2002-08-19/bringing_habitat/dangerous_plants/dangerous_plants.html

[Trailrider1951]

41. Oh, thank you sooooo much

for that list! I only added a bit of spinach because I thought it would be good for them!

Also, AZBlue, my cooked food is in addition to the whiskas kibble they eat, so they get vitamins from other sources, too. Thanks for caring! :hi: