FDA Consumer Health Information

Consumer Update: FDA's Response to the Pet Food Recall (4/11/07)

FDA laboratories have found a substance called melamine in samples of recalled pet food and in the wheat gluten used as an ingredient in the pet food.

Melamine has a number of industrial uses, including use in manufacturing cooking utensils and plates. It has also been used as a fertilizer in some parts of the world, but it is not registered for use as a fertilizer in the United States. Wheat gluten is a mixture of two proteins obtained when wheat flour is washed to remove the starch. It is sometimes used to thicken pet food "gravy."

Melamine is an ingredient that should not be in pet food at any level. However, the FDA is not fully certain that melamine is the cause of the recent illnesses and deaths in cats and dogs that have eaten certain types of pet food. Research is scarce in the published literature on melamine’s effect on these animals. The FDA is pursuing all available leads and using advanced forensics to try to identify the cause of the problem.

The FDA has traced the source of the wheat gluten to a single supplier, Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology, of China, and has issued an import alert on wheat gluten from China (see www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia9926.html).

Records reveal that all shipments of wheat gluten from the suspect Chinese supplier were purchased by a U.S. firm, ChemNutra Inc., that supplies ingredients to pet food companies. At this time, no evidence suggests that any of the imported wheat gluten from this supplier has entered the human food supply.

The pet food recall began in mid-March 2007, when Menu Foods Inc. recalled all its "cuts and gravy" style dog and cat food produced at two of its U.S. facilities between Dec. 3, 2006, and March 6, 2007. The recall was prompted by reported instances of cats and dogs in the United States that developed kidney failure after eating the affected products, including nine cats that died during Menu Foods’ routine taste trials. The products are packaged in cans and pouches under numerous brand names.

The FDA’s investigation has determined that other manufacturers used the contaminated wheat gluten, leading to recall action by several other companies and expansion of Menu Foods’ recall to include all products manufactured with wheat gluten purchased from ChemNutra—which Menu Foods’ records show was first used on Nov. 8, 2006, and last used on March 6, 2007.

What pet food has been recalled?

For a list of recalled pet foods and other information, visit www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html

What to Do With Recalled Pet Food

 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. If you cannot return the pet food immediately, store it in a secure place where pets and children cannot get to it.

Signs to Look For in Your Pet

 Pet owners should be alert to signs of kidney illness, such as:

• loss of appetite,
• weakness or lack of energy
• vomiting

If your pet shows any of these signs, call your veterinarian

How to Report a Reaction to a Pet Food

Call the FDA consumer complaint coordinator for your geographic area. To find your coordinator, visit: www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html. Try to have the following information available before calling:

• 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 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, his/her name, address, and telephone number
• Date illness first noticed
• Signs displayed
• Any veterinary reports available.

What is the FDA Doing About the Pet Food Situation?

• The FDA’s investigation remains open and active, and the agency continues to follow leads to get closer to the root cause of the problem and to ensure that all contaminated product is removed from the market.
• The FDA has issued press releases, conducted media interviews, and maintains a Web site to provide current information that consumers, veterinarians, and regulatory counterparts need to support animal health. The FDA continues to give updates to broadcast media to keep consumers up to date on the recalled pet foods.
• All 20 FDA district offices are involved in taking consumer calls, and conducting inspections and investigations. More than 400 FDA employees are involved in sample pet food collection, monitoring of recall effectiveness, and preparing consumer complaint reports.
• At least six field laboratories and the FDA’s Forensic Chemistry Center are directly involved in active sample analyses. All FDA field laboratories are analyzing samples and are standing by to conduct additional analyses as needed.
• FDA veterinarians and toxicologists have been researching potential causative agents, analyzing possibilities, evaluating scientific and analytical information, and guiding and supporting the overall efforts.
• The FDA is working with its regulatory partners in all 50 state agriculture and health agencies to share information and to collaborate on investigative and analytical efforts.
• The FDA's Emergency Operations Center remains activated. It is managing the incoming information from pet owners, veterinarians, and others, and is making sure the information gets to the FDA’s scientists and inspection teams.
• The FDA issued an import alert, and continues to examine all imported wheat gluten from China, in order to prevent any further importations from Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology.
• The FDA continues to encourage food manufacturers to implement systems, in accordance with existing laws and regulations, that ensure the quality and safety of their products, including the quality and safety of ingredients purchased from their suppliers.

Date Posted: April 11, 2007