Sunday, January 20, 2013

Publix Super Market - RECALL thier brand of Chicken Tenders Dog Treats. (Florida)

~FLORIDA RESIDENTS ONLY~


LAKELAND, Fla. —  Publix Super Markets is issuing a voluntary recall for Publix Chicken Tenders Dog Chew Treats because it may contain trace amounts of antibiotic residue. The UPC, located on the back right-hand corner of the product, is 41415-18527 and the product comes in a 3.5oz bag. This product was sold in Publix grocery stores in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.
“As part of our commitment to food safety, including that of our four-legged family members, potentially impacted product has been removed from all store shelves,” said Maria Brous, Publix media and community relations director. “To date, there have been no reported cases of pet illness. Consumers who have purchased the product in question may return the product to their local store for a full refund. Publix customers with additional questions may call our Consumer Relations department, Monday-Friday, 8a.m. – 7p.m., at 1-800-242-1227 or by visiting our website at www.publix.com/contact.”
Publix is privately owned and operated by its 157,000 employees, with 2011 sales of $27.0 billion. Currently Publix has 1,067 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. The company has been named one of FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” for 15 consecutive years. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized as tops in the grocery business, most recently by an American Customer Satisfaction Index survey. For more information, visit the company’s website, www.publix.com.

CADET Chicken Jerky Treat RECALL

More chicken jerky treats RECALLED. Reason: China and other countries are approved to use certain antibiotics however those antibiotics are not approved in the US. Its apparent that these antibiotics are making pets ill or leading them to death.




No other Cadet Brand products are affected by this withdrawal

IMS Trading Corp today announced it is voluntarily withdrawing its Cadet Brand Chicken Jerky Treat products sold in the United States until further notice.
The Company is taking this action after learning this week that the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets (NYSDAM) found trace amounts of antibiotic residue in samples of Cadet brand Chicken Jerky Treat products. These antibiotics are approved for use in poultry in China and other major countries, including European Union member states, but are not among those approved in the U.S.  Cadet Brand Chicken Jerky Treat products are safe to feed as directed and have not been linked to ANY illnesses in dogs or humans. However, due to regulatory inconsistencies among countries, the presence of antibiotic residue is technically considered an adulteration in the United States.
At first, New York State authorities requested that IMS Trading Corp remove Cadet Brand Chicken Jerky treats from retail locations only in the state of New York.  We have decided to expand this and conduct a voluntary withdrawal of these chicken treat products nationwide.
A double testing program is being established to check for these antibiotics in China (point of origin) and the United States before we consider to sell these products in the future.  Testing will be based on a scientifically sound statistical sampling program.
There is no indication that the trace amounts of antibiotic residue are linked to the FDA’s ongoing investigation of chicken jerky products. The trace amounts of antibiotic residue (in the parts-per-billion range) do not pose a health or pet safety risk.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

More Jerky Treats Recalled

I have been saying this over and over to all my friends and family about these jerky treats that have been killing pets for over a year now but have yet to be PULLED from the shelves of PetsMart and Petco and other pet supply stores. DO NOT FEED YOUR PETS THESE CHINA PRODUCTS!!!

I'll say it again...
DO YOUR RESEARCH
DO NOT BY CHINA OR TAIWAN PRODUCTS

The report is below.

St. Louis, Missouri, January 9, 2013 . . . Nestlé Purina PetCare Company and its wholly owned subsidiary Waggin’ Train, LLC today announced it is voluntarily withdrawing its Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brand dog treats sold in the United States until further notice.
The Company is taking this action after learning this week that the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets (NYSDAM) found trace amounts of antibiotic residue in samples of Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch chicken jerky products. These antibiotics are approved for use in poultry in China and other major countries, including European Union member states, but are not among those approved in the U.S. Antibiotics are commonly used globally, including in the United States, when raising animals fit for human consumption. Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch products are safe to feed as directed. However, due to regulatory inconsistencies among countries, the presence of antibiotic residue is technically considered an adulteration in the United States. This finding does not pose a safety risk to pets.
New York State authorities initially requested that the Company remove Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch chicken jerky treats from retail locations in the state of New York, which we have agreed to do. In addition, because of the differences in U.S. and Chinese regulations, Nestlé Purina decided to conduct a nationwide voluntary withdrawal.
“All of us at Waggin’ Train care deeply about pets and their owners, and the quality of our products is of the utmost importance,” said Nina Leigh Krueger, President, Waggin’ Train LLC. “Waggin’ Train has served millions of pets and their owners very well. In the final analysis, our Company and our loyal consumers must have total confidence in the products we sell and feed our pets. Once we understand and determine how to comply with the technicalities of different regulatory frameworks, we will work with all appropriate parties to define the best way to supply the market.”
Nestlé Purina contacted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding NYSDAM’s findings. There is no indication that the trace amounts of antibiotic residue are linked to the FDA’s ongoing investigation of chicken jerky products. The trace amounts of antibiotic residue (in the parts-per-billion range) do not pose a health or pet safety risk.
No other Purina treats or pet food products are affected by this withdrawal. In addition, Canyon Creek Ranch dog and cat foods, which are manufactured in the United States, are not included in this withdrawal.
For product refund or more information call our Office of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-982-0704 or go to www.waggintrainbrand.com

Bacteria Found in Merrick Canned Cat Food

I have done some research on Merrick and I have always liked their foods. I like their ingredients and that they make a Low Glycemic food for diabetic pets. That's hard to come by. Unfortunately every once in a while things slip through the cracks. Merrick Cat Canned food may have mold. Below is the report.


Some concerning pictures and information has been shared with TruthaboutPetFood.com by a pet owner in California.  Numerous cans of Merrick Cat food (from two cases) appear to have a canning problem, the pet owner found mold covering the food.
Kitty Mom Michelle G. contacted TruthaboutPetFood.com with a concern over mold found in numerous cans of Merrick Cat Food purchased from Petflow (an online pet food provider).  In speaking with Michelle, she shared that not all the cans seemed to have a problem.  “Some of the cans opened fine and the pet food looked pink and normal.  But some of them didn’t seem to be sealed properly, there was no vacuum seal noise when it opened – there was a dead sound.”
With the cans in question, the pet food varied in amount of mold that covered the food – some “had worse mold than in the picture” (below).  And some of the cans in question, the pet food had no mold but appeared brownish (instead of pinkish meat appearance).
The pet food cans from Michelle’s cases are…
Merrick BG Chicken Grain Free Cat Food 5.5 ounce cans Best By dates are:  14 Mar 14 Lot number:  12074 CL2 20473 1203
Michelle has reported this to Merrick, Petflow, FDA, and tomorrow (when offices open) her State Department of Agriculture will be notified.  Several of the moldy cans of pet food are now in her freezer (double bagged) in hopes the FDA or State will want to do testing.  The rest of the case of pet food is also being held for testing.  She stated she will keep us advised on the investigations of each party.
Thanks to Michelle for sharing her story with us – and for reporting this to authorities and to Merrick and the retailer.  When/if more is learned, it will be posted.
Note:  Always closely examine and smell your pets food before feeding.  If anything appears not to be normal – if it doesn’t look the same or smell the same – do not feed it to your pet.  Always keep the packaging (can or bag) until you are certain your pet has not/will not suffer an adverse event from the food.  The FDA or State Department of Agriculture will not investigate without the packaging (this includes cans).

Until further notice I would say stay away from Merrick canned foods as a precaution. Mold can start to grow and NOT been visible to the eye. 

Monday, January 7, 2013

American Made and Manufactured Dog Products

First and foremost I would like to put out there.............
BUY AMERICAN MADE AND MANUFACTURED
Another thing I'd like to put out there................
DO YOUR RESEARCH AND CHECK IF IT'S 
AMERICAN MANUFACTURED


I say the second part because its easy to BAG the products in America 
but much cheaper to get the PRODUCTS from overseas. 
There is a difference. How do you find out?
Call the 800 number on the bag, research the compnay or finish reading this blog. :)

Here is my RESEARCHED list of great American made and manufactured products I trust to feed my dogs and any dog that enters my home.

1. Blue Buffalo - I always put Blue first. Its what I feed my dogs and from the watching my dogs like hawks (cause I have no kids) I have seen the 100% change in their overall performance, look, smell, feel and how much they love the taste. The company they currently use to manufacture the food is located in Bern, KS. However they have been working towards getting their own manufactured plant in Joplin, MS. 100% owned and operated by Blue Buffalo.

2. Dogswell - Their brands include Dogswell, Catswell, Happy Hips, Breathies, Vitality, Mellow Mut and Happy Heart. I have recently purchased their Vitality Turkey and Veggies. My dogs LOVED them and they did NOT get sick. I watch for that. 

"Most DOGSWELL products are manufactured in the US. Some of our treats are manufactured in China, but we hold these facilities to the same stringent quality standards we maintain at our US facilities. DOGSWELL sources its ingredients based upon where we find top quality ingredients and a high quality supplier whose facilities and practices meet our safety testing standards."

3. Fromm - Family owned since 1904. Many breeders work with Fromm which is a very small company only distributed by small pet supply stores or breeders. In my research I found their wet food is manufactured in China however their dry food and treats are manufactured in Wisconsin.

Halo Purely For Pets - Halo has a small product line but all their products are made and from the US. I could not specifically find their manufacture location. They are Co-Owned by Ellen Degeneres. Brands include Halo Spot's Stew for Dogs and Halo Spot's Stew for Cat. 

5. Colorado Naturals - These Pet treats are AMAZING!!! Although recently having a recall, all their products are American made and manufactured in Denver, CO.  On their website they have listed specific reasons on how to look for China made products and how to find out. CLICK HERE to read up.

**Labels can be deceiving. Under FDA regulations a package must identify that product's responsible party. Unfortunately a way around this is to to use the U. S. distributors name and address rather than the manufacturer. Check all pet treat labels carefully to be sure there are no statements such as "Made in China" or "Product of China.** 

These are just a few of the MANY dog food companies out there. If you would like me to do some research on the food you feed your dogs, feel free Contact me