| MENU FOODS ISSUES STATEMENT CONFIRMING EXPANSION OF PET FOOD RECALL 03/24/07 MENU FOODS PRESS RELEASE ISSUED MARCH 24, 2007 |
| A rumor began popping up on blogs today stating that Menu Foods denied the numerous news reports from yesterday that their CEO expanded the recall (see the headline, below). Breitbart.com seems to have dispelled this rumor in a news release late today (3/24/07). The report quotes a statement from Menu Foods, issued today (Saturday), and offers, in part, the following: |
| The Canadian company that sold tainted pet food blamed for at least 14 pet deaths expanded its product recall Saturday, saying it worried consumers could still find the products on store shelves. |
| Toronto-based Menu Foods said some of its pet foods, possibly tainted with a toxin used as rat poison, were still being sold. |
| The company said store owners should remove all of its products, regardless of the production date. |
| "As a result of reports from the FDA (US Federal Drug Administration) 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," the company said in a statement. |
| "Menu Foods remains concerned that consumers are able to purchase recalled items," it said. |
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| MENU FOODS (AGAIN) EXPANDS LIST OF RECALLED FOODS 03/23/07 |
| [Menu Foods] expanded its recall to include all 95 brands of the "cuts and gravy" style food, regardless of when they were produced. The company also said it would take responsibility for pet medical expenses incurred as a result of the food. MORE ► |
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| RAT POISON TO BLAME FOR SOME POISONINGS 03/23/07 |
| A source close to the investigation tells ABC News that the rodenticide, which the source says is illegal to use in the U.S., was on wheat that was imported from China and used by Menu Foods in nearly 100 brands of dog and cat food. MORE ► |
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- News conference scheduled for Friday afternoon
- New Hampshire vet: 50% mortality rate
- Pet food recall unprecedented in its scope.
- Newsweek: Is pet food properly regulated?
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| itchmo!seattle: SEVERAL UNCONFIRMED REPORTS OF IAMS DRY FOOD CAUSING ILLNESS 03/23/07 |
| Itchmo has been hearing of several independent reports that Iams dry pet food has caused illnesses in at least three independent cases. MORE ► |
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| ABC NEWS: THOUSANDS MORE PET DEATHS EXPECTED 03/22/07 |
| [D]octors at New York's Animal Medical Center suspect there will be a much larger rash of cases after learning of an additional 200 cases of kidney failure in animals. MORE ► |
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| IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OFFERING TO TEST DECEASED PETS & FOOD SAMPLES FOR TOXINS 03/22/07 |
| Itchmo!Seattle: Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is offering to test the food sample and perform an autopsy of your loved one. Considering that this would require you to send the body of your pet and at least 2 cups of food, it may be an emotionally difficult thing to do. But for those of you who are determined to find out what caused your pet’s death, this could be the best cause of action. MORE ► |
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PETCONNECTION ONLINE DATABASE MARCH 22nd TALLY:
1,364 deceased pets (808 cats, 556 dogs) |
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| PET FOOD EXPRESS RESTRICTS SALES OF ALL MENU FOODS-MADE PRODUCTS 03/22/07 |
| PFE’s current sales policy on wet dog and cat food, includes company names of premium foods made by Menu Foods that are not on the recall lists (Nature's Variety, Wellness, Castor & Pollux, Newman’s Own Organics, Wysong, Innova) and company brands NOT made by Menu Foods (Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul, Canidae/Felidae , Breeder's Choice/Pinnacle (except for Chicken and Oats formula which is made by Menu), Natural Balance, Solid Gold, Triumph/Evolve, Merrick, Kal Kan (Pedigree, Cesar, and Whiskas) MORE ► |
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| CANADIAN CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST MENU FOODS 03/22/07 |
| The Notice of Action, issued today in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, alleges that certain Menu Foods failed to implement quality assurance procedures and failed to adequately test the dog and cat food prior to introducing it into the Canadian market. MORE ► |
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| WISCONSIN LAW FIRM FILES CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT 03/20/07 |
| PET FOOD LAWSUIT: "If you believe you have been victimized by contaminated pet food, and you would like to provide us with your information, and you are potentially interested in being a class representative in another lawsuit in another state (other than Wisconsin) feel free to go to this link, and provide us some information." Press Release (pdf file) |
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TRADER JOE'S RECALLS ALL MENU FOODS-MANUFACTURED PET FOOD |
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WHO'S TELLING THE TRUTH? Kansas City Star reports a very different version of events than that of the *official* account given by Menu Foods. How did it Happen? from the vetcetera blog |
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| LAWSUITS FILED AGAINST MENU FOODS: Both suits seek class action status |
| Chicago Woman Sues | $25 Million Suit filed in Federal Court |
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| MENU FOODS, FDA, MEDIA, FOOD COMPANIES GUILTY OF INACTION: |
| Catmanager's blog, vetcetera, offers a veterinarian's POV: The Nonresponders |
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| FDA: MENU FOODS' CONTAMINATED KANSAS PLANT NEVER INSPECTED & IS STILL OPERATING, INSPITE OF RECALL. itchmo!seattle has the scoop |
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FDA HAS RECEIVED "OVER A THOUSAND REPORTS": While anecdotal, this information is the first number we've heard from either the FDA or Menu Foods. This information comes from a dogster.com forum posting by a dog parent whose dog died eating the recalled food. |
| I just found out some disturbing news from a lady at the FDA. They called me back and said that Angel was among over a thousand dogs and cats. They said they are taking it very serious and took a full report, they said her symptoms are what many other pets suffered with. over 1000 can you believe it, i am shocked! The 10 that are reported were lab animals, 10 out of their 60 died. So the media doesn't even have the full news of this. |
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| WDJ 2007 TOP APPROVED WET DOG FOODS FOR 2007: Looking for a safe alternative wet food for your dog? Whole Dog Journal, a monthly guide to natural dog care, published its top approved guide on March 15, 2007. Included in the list are product details and company contact information. So far as we can tell, three of the companies on the list use Menu Foods for some or all of their manufacturing -- Nutro (Natural Choice), Wellness & Castor & Pollux (verified via phone call) -- however, we strongly recommend you call or email the companies listed to confirm they do not use Menu Foods for ANY of their products before feeding any of these listed products to your pet. Even though these companies may explain their products do not contain wheat gluten, the FDA has not conclusively determined that it is, in fact, the wheat gluten which is the cause of the problem. Note that many of these companies also make food for felines, as well, and might be worth checking out. |
| WDJ 2007 Top Approved Wet Foods | Whole Dog Journal website | WDJ's press release on the recall |
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DID MENU FOODS LIE TO THE FDA? Menu Foods told the FDA their first reports of illness were received on Feb. 20, 2007--not in Dec. 2006 as reported in the Canadian media. |
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| CLASS ACTION YAHOO GROUP: For pet owners whose pet or pets have become ill or died due to renal (kidney) failure from eating Menu Foods cat or dog food. Includes instructions on what to do if you suspect your pet or pets have been adversely affected by any of the recalled foods. |
| Menu Group Class Action (Requires membership, which is free.) |
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