Pet Food Recall Rages On, Now Expanded to Dog Biscuits

It was announced Thursday that Sunshine Mills is voluntarily recalling some of its branded dog biscuits. Three weeks after the initial recall on certain types of pet food, consumers are left to wonder what they may safely feed their dog or cat and as a result, the Food and Drug Administration has been flooded with consumer complaints - over 12,000 in three weeks, double the complaints the FDA typically receives in a single year.

The recall began on March 16 when Menu Foods, Inc, recalled dog and cat foods produced by two of its facilities beginning in December of 2006. But, the tricky part is the Menu Foods pet food is sold under numerous brand names, making it difficult for some pet owners to identify which foods are or are not safe for their pets. Menu Foods has provided a comprehensive listing online at www.menufoods.com and mentions that the foods in question are "cute and gravy" style foods and moist packaged or canned foods.

Other pet food manufactures began recall similar products as a safety precaution. Later, on March 30, the recall expanded to dry food products when Hill's Pet Nutrition voluntarily recalled its Prescription Diet cat food. The food, sold exclusively through veterinarians, apparently not safe from the risks. The next day, del Monte Pet Products voluntarily recalled several pet treat products.

This week, the recall has now expanded again to include more than 20 brands of dog biscuits carried by Wal-Mart stores.

What is wrong with the pet food?

According to the FDA, a substance called melamine has been found in the wheat gluten used in pet foods. Melamine, a nitrogen-containing molecule, has also been found in the urinary tract system of deceased cats. This substance should never be present in animal foods and there is no denying it is the cause of animal deaths, and therefore the recall is essential until a safe food supply can be provided. No one knows how the melamine got into the wheat gluten, but the source of the contaminated wheat gluten has been traced to a single supplier, Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology, which is located in China.