Menu Foods Expands Its Pet Food Recalls
FDA Reports 2.7 Million Chickens Fed Contaminated Feed Already in Food System
SCHAUMBURG, Ill.(rushprnews) May 8,2007— Menu Foods added 220 products to its existing recall list on May 2. The expanded list now includes additional “cuts and gravy” style pet foods and select other products that do not necessarily include contaminated wheat gluten but have been affected by cross-contamination.
The products on the expanded list of recalled foods were manufactured in Menu Foods’ plants during the same period that contaminated wheat gluten was used at those plants, and they are being recalled now due to the possibility of cross-contamination.
Menu Foods has received both a report from a customer and study results that indicate cross-contamination. Menu Foods has previously recalled wet cat and dog food produced with adulterated wheat gluten supplied by ChemNutra Inc. For more information, see the Menu Foods Web site at http://www.menufoods.com/recall/.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) advises pet owners to check either the Menu Foods Web site or the AVMA Web site (www.avma.org) frequently for updates about these ongoing recalls.
In addition, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have learned that byproducts from pet food manufactured with contaminated wheat gluten have been used in chicken feed on some farms in the state of Indiana. This information came to light as part of the continuing investigation into imported rice protein concentrate and wheat gluten that have been found to contain melamine and melamine-related compounds.
At this time, the investigation indicates that approximately 30 poultry farms in Indiana received contaminated feed in early February and fed it to poultry within days of receiving it. The FDA has reported that approximately 2.7 million broilers that consumed contaminated food have already been slaughtered and sold for human consumption. Roughly 100,000 breeder chickens that were fed the contaminated product are under voluntary hold by the flock owners.
FDA and USDA believe the likelihood of illness from eating chicken fed the contaminated product is very low. Because there is no evidence of harm to humans associated with the consumption of chicken fed the contaminated product, no recall of processed poultry products is being issued. Testing and investigation are ongoing.
A comprehensive AVMA Pet Food Recall List is available at http://www.avma.org/aa/petfoodrecall/products.asp. The latest news on pet food recalls is available at http://www.avma.org/aa/petfoodrecall/default.asp.
The comprehensive AVMA Pet Food Recall List contains all recall information that has come to the attention of the AVMA, but it is not guaranteed to be complete. The AVMA encourages all concerned to contact the specific manufacturer regarding the status of any particular pet food or treat.
For more information, please visit the AVMA web site at www.avma.org.
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The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 75,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine including its relationship to public health and agriculture. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access up-to-date information on the association’s issues, policies and activities.
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