Dog Food Recall

[matt_s]

Below is a list of brands currently affected by the Menu Foods recall of "cuts and gravy" style pet food in cans and pouches. The list is current as of the time of posting but may not be updated as frequently as the information at the links below.

For a complete list of pet food affected by the Menu Foods recall, go to the Menu Foods Recall Website (http://www.menufoods.com/recall).

Pruina has initiated a voluntary recall of some of their Alpo® Brand Prime Cuts In Gravy Canned Dog Food (no dry food). More information on this can be found at the Purina Website (http://www.purina.com)

The FDA has set up an area on their website for Pet Food Recall information (http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html)

(from the Menu Foods website: 4/2/07)
Recalled Dog Product Information
Recall Information 1-866-895-2708
Variety or Multi-Packs:

If you are in possession of a variety or multi-pack, please be sure to check the individual can or pouch rather than relying solely on the date coding on the side of the carton.

Americas Choice, Preferred Pets
Authority
Award
Best Choice
Big Bet
Big Red
Bloom
Cadillac
Companion
Demoulas Market Basket
Eukanuba
Food Lion
Giant Companion
Great Choice
Hannaford
Hill Country Fare
Hy-Vee
Iams
Laura Lynn
Loving Meals
Meijers Main Choice
Mighty Dog Pouch
Mixables
Nutriplan
Nutro Max
Nutro Natural Choice
Nutro Ultra
Nutro
Ol'Roy Canada
Ol'Roy US
Paws
Pet Essentials
Pet Pride - Good n Meaty
Presidents Choice
Price Chopper
Priority Canada
Priority US
Publix
Roche Brothers
Save-A-Lot Choice Morsels
Schnucks
Shep Dog
Springsfield Prize
Sprout
Stater Brothers
Stop & Shop Companion
Tops Companion
Wegmans Bruiser
Weis Total Pet
Western Family US
White Rose
Winn Dixie
Your Pet

[james_t]

SUPERVALU Recalls Select Private Label Happy Tails(R) Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In cooperation with San Francisco-based Del Monte Pet Products, SUPERVALU (NYSE:SVU - News) is voluntarily recalling from sale select private label Happy Tails® brand pet food items due to a possibility of contamination which may cause adverse health effects in pets. The products have been recalled from SUPERVALU's Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, and Star Market stores as well as its Albertsons stores in the Southern California, Northwest, and Intermountain West regions.

Out of an abundance of caution, Del Monte and SUPERVALU advise customers to refrain from feeding the following items to their pets:
• Happy Tails Beef Flavor Jerky Strips (All Sizes): production codes TPY7B08, TP7B09; best by dates August 8, 2008, August 9, 2008
• Happy Tails Meaty Cuts with Beef in Gravy Dog Food (All Sizes): production code BC7A29; best by date January 29, 2010

If they choose, customers who have purchased the Happy Tails® brand items that are subject to this recall may return the product to their local Albertsons, Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, or Star Market for a full refund.

Customers who have questions about this recall may call Del Monte, the product's manufacturer, at their consumer hotline, 1-800-949-3799.

[james_t]

ALPO(R) Brand Prime Cuts in Gravy Canned Dog Food Voluntary Nationwide
Recall

ST. LOUIS, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Nestle Purina PetCare Company today announced it is voluntarily recalling all sizes and varieties of its ALPO(R) Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food with specific date codes. The Company is taking this voluntary action after learning today that wheat gluten containing melamine, a substance not approved for use in food, was provided to Purina by the same company that also supplied Menu Foods. The contamination occurred in a limited production quantity at only one of Purina's 17 pet food manufacturing facilities.

Earlier today the FDA announced the finding of melamine in products related to the March 16 Menu Foods recall, and advised Purina of the source of the contaminated supply. Purina then determined that it had received some quantity from the suspect supplier. The company proactively notified the FDA and immediately began this recall process.

Purina is confident that the contaminated wheat gluten has been isolated to this limited production quantity of ALPO Prime Cuts canned products.

The recalled 13.2-ounce and 22-ounce ALPO Prime Cuts cans and 6-, 8-, 12- and 24-can ALPO Prime Cuts Variety Packs have four-digit code dates of 7037 through 7053, followed by the plant code 1159. Those codes follow a "Best Before Feb. 2009" date. This information should be checked on the bottom of the can or the top or side of the multi-pack cartons.

Purina's 5.3-ounce Mighty Dog(R) pouch products, manufactured by Menu Foods, were previously withdrawn from the market as a precaution on March 16 as part of the Menu Foods recall. ONLY Mighty Dog pouch products and specific date codes of ALPO Prime Cuts canned dog food are being recalled.

Importantly, no Purina brand dry pet foods are affected by the recall - including ALPO Prime Cuts dry. In addition, no other Purina dog food products, no Purina cat food products, Purina treat products or Purina Veterinary Diet products are included in this recall, nor have been impacted by the contaminated wheat gluten supply.

Consumers should immediately stop feeding ALPO Prime Cuts products with the above-listed date codes to their dogs and consult with a veterinarian if they have any health concerns with their pet.

Purina guarantees all of its products, and consumers can receive the full replacement value of the recalled products. Consumers can visit us at www.purina.com or call 1-800-218-5898, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT, to receive more information.

Purina is fully cooperating with the FDA and made the decision to voluntarily recall this product in consultation with the FDA.

Source: Nestle Purina PetCare Company

Web site: http://www.purina.com/

[james_t]

Nutro Dry Pet Foods Do Not Contain the Ingredient Wheat Gluten

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Food and Drug Administration today reiterated that it has no intention at this time of expanding the Menu Foods recall to include dry food, Nutro Products wants consumers to know:

* Nutro's dry pet foods do NOT contain wheat gluten.
* Nutro's dry pet foods do NOT contain imported grains.
* Nutro's dry pet foods are NOT produced by Menu Foods.
* NONE of Nutro's dry pet foods are subject to the Menu Foods recall.
* Pet owners should feel safe and confident feeding Nutro dry pet foods to their pets.



"Even prior to this extremely disturbing incident at Menu Foods, our dry dog and cat foods were not produced using wheat gluten," said Dave Kravis President and CEO of Nutro Products. "We know that there is confusion among consumers about what foods are safe to feed their pets right now. We can categorically say that Nutro's dry pet foods do not contain the ingredient wheat gluten or any imported grains, they are unaffected by the Menu Foods recall, and it is absolutely safe to continue feeding these products to your pets."

According to Kim Noetzel, vice president of marketing and community relations for the Arizona Humane Society: "We are reassuring pet owners that based on the information we have, dry food products, including those from Nutro, are safe to continue feeding. We are in contact with Nutro and have complete confidence in their products and in the information and resources they have been providing us. We will absolutely continue working with them throughout this situation."

Nutro's products are 100% guaranteed and all returned product will be refunded.

Nutro customers may check Nutro's website (www.nutroproducts.com) or contact Nutro's Consumer Hotline (800) 833-5330 for further information about its products. Nutro's website will be updated as more information becomes available. Additionally, general information about Menu Foods' recall is available at www.menufoods.com/recall/



Source: Nutro Products

[lindal]

My old dog picked the worst time to learn a new trick.
Last Friday, she used her newfound ability to open latches and lids to get into the hamper where I kept the cats’ new bag of Hill’s Prescription dry cat food and chow down.
The next day, I learned from my vet that the MD dry food — recommended because I have one cat who is diabetic — had been recalled because it might contain the same contaminated wheat gluten found in other recalled pet foods.
I spent the rest of the weekend watching the dog and the cats for symptoms of poisoning, and wondering if any pet food on the market is really safe. Rather than take any more risks, I rushed to the grocery and bought hamburger and brown rice, cooked it up with some vegetables, and fed that to them.
Everybody’s fine so far, and I’ve finally calmed down a bit. But I felt the same anguish other pet owners have felt in the last few weeks wondering if their four-legged family members would be the next to fall victim to the contaminated foods.
One of the ironies here is that many of the contaminated foods are premium brands, such as Eukanuba, Iams, Hill’s, etc., that pet owners pick because they believe they are healthier. But pet food manufacturers, like manufacturers in many other industries, contract out the preparation of their products to third parties. The contract firm, Menu Foods, makes a variety of products under a variety of brand names. And it uses the same suppliers for almost everything — from the cheapest foods it makes to the most expensive.
My heart goes out to people who’ve already lost pets. I know how devastated I would feel if I were in that position. My pets are like kids to me and I would never knowingly do anything to jeopardize their health.
So what’s a pet owner to do? I don’t plan to keep cooking for mine. It’s time consuming and the food I make them isn’t as well balanced as the commercially prepared diets, at least for the long term. And the diabetic cat is still on a Prescription canned food, which hasn’t been recalled, to keep his blood sugar in check. Until I know more, I figure he’s at greater risk if he goes off his special food.
I’m checking into special foods made with human-quality ingredients — there are several available in specialty pet stores and online — and watching the newswires closely for the latest recall news. I will post anything new I learn about the recalls as quickly as I can.
And I’ll probably keep waking up the cats and dog periodically to see if they’re OK — how can you tell if they’re lethargic when they sleep 90 percent of the time anyway? But if I’m going to lose sleep over this, then darn it, so will they!
Linda Lipp, associate editor, Business Weekly

[lindal]

Pet food recall advice and resources

Here’s the best advice and the most helpful resources I have found as I have researched the expanding pet food recall.
The most complete list of recalled foods and treats is at the Food and Drug Administration’s Web site, www.fda.gov. There are several links to recall information and the names of recalled products, both in the center of the home page and in the right column under “hot topics.”
Individual food companies and manufacturers also have information available at their Web sites or by telephone. These include menufoods.com, 1-866-895-2708; www.hillspet.com, 1-800-445-5777; www.purina.com, 1-800-218-5898; and www.delmonte.com/petfoodrecall.html; 1-800-949-3799.
Information is also available on the Indiana state chemist’s Web site, www.isco.purdue.edu. Robert Waltz, head of the chemist’s office, said pet owners who suspect their animal may have died from the contaminated food should call the Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab at (765) 494-7460.
If a pet shows signs of illness and you are worried it might have eaten a recalled product, lab director Leo Thacker advises owners to call their veterinarian immediately.
Pets that have died after eating contaminated food have experienced kidney failure, which includes symptoms such as lethargy or unusual fatigue, decreased hunger, vomiting or increased thirst or urination, Thacker said.
Nearly 100 cat and dog foods and snacks, so far, are believed to contain potentially contaminated wheat gluten from a plant in China. The FDA said it is still investigating and warned Monday that additional pet foods might be added to the recall. Keep checking the FDA Web site for additional recalls.
The FDA now has banned the wheat gluten imported from Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. in Wangdien, China. Initial reports said the tainted wheat gluten may have contained rat poison. Subsequent testing has revealed the presence of melamine, which is used in plastics, glue, fire retardants and other products. It also is a byproduct and a contaminant associated with some pesticides.
Published reports indicate cats may be more susceptible to melamine poisoning than dogs, just as they are more susceptible to some pesticides used in flea control products.
If you have fed your pet a recalled product — whether the pet has become ill or not — seal a portion of the food or treat in a plastic bag and place it in the freezer before you return the food to the point of purchase for a refund. That way you will have a sample, if needed, for future testing.
Finally, if you know of a dog or cat owner who may not have access to the growing list of recalled foods or information about the symptoms displayed by affected pets— perhaps an elderly relative, neighbor or friend who does not own a computer — call or visit them and make sure they are not continuing to use a recalled product.

Linda Lipp
Business Weekly

[james_t]

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - A pet food company announced Monday a nationwide recall of dog, cat and ferret treats that could be contaminated with salmonella. The bacteria could infect both animals and people handling the food.

The announcement is unrelated to the more extensive recall of melamine-tainted dog and cat food that led to kidney failure in pets around the country.

Eight in One Inc., a division of United Pet Group Inc., is recalling all packages of Dingo Chick'N Jerky, Dingo Kitty Chicken Jerky and Dingo Ferret Chicken Jerky.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in pets and children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. In pets, salmonella can cause diarrhea, fevers, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy and abdominal pain. Animals that do not get sick can infect other pets or humans.

The bacteria could also infect people handling the pet treats. Humans infected with the salmonella can experience fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. It could also cause more serious problems such as arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract problems.

Eight in One has received a report of a dog infected by salmonella, which lead to further testing of this product. Some, but not all, of the samples tested were contaminated.

The treats were sold around the country at Target, PetSmart and other stores.

The company asks consumers to throw away unused portions of the jerky treats. To obtain a refund, call 888-232-9889.

[matt_s]

Yesterday, Sunshine Mills, Inc. announced a Voluntary recall of varieties of Dog Biscuits that they produce. This includes the Ol'Roy brand sold at Wal Mart. For more information on this recall, refer to the company's website (http://www.sunshinemills.com/press_release.html).

[james_t]

AVMA Posts Comprehensive Pet Food Recall List

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA) has posted a comprehensive list of all pet foods recalled
in connection to a suspected wheat gluten contamination. The comprehensive
AVMA Pet Food Recall List is available at
http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/products.asp. This information has
been posted by the AVMA to help pet owners and veterinarians more easily and
quickly sort through the over 100 pet foods currently recalled.

The number and brands of pet foods that have been recalled in connection to
contaminated wheat gluten has grown since Menu Foods, a private-label pet
food producer based in Canada, initially announced the recall on March 16.
The AVMA Pet Food Recall list consolidates all manufacturer, brand and
formulation information.

The AVMA also reminds pet owners what should be done if an animal is found
to be affected by these contaminated pet foods. Most importantly, pets need
to be seen and treated by a veterinarian. If your pet shows signs of loss
of appetite, lethargy, vomiting or change in urination, consult a
veterinarian immediately.

The AVMA wants all veterinarians to know that any reporting problems with
the FDA complaint lines have been addressed and they should continue to call
the FDA's Consumer Complaint Coordinator for their state. A list of these
coordinators is available at:
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.

Pet owners must remain informed on the latest recalls, recheck all pet food
in their possession, and stop feeding their pets any of the recalled pet
foods that they have in their homes. Many veterinarians have reported that
animals have recently been made ill by foods recalled from store shelves
weeks ago.

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 the latest news releases on the pet food recalls, please visit the AVMA
web site at: http://www.avma.org/.

[james_t]

Menu Foods voluntarily recalls additional pet food made with ChemNutra wheat
gluten

TORONTO, April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Prompted by reports from the US Food and
Drug Administration as to the presence of melamine in cans of cuts and gravy
pet food produced in Menu Foods' Canadian production facility, Menu Foods
undertook an accounting of all recalled wheat gluten supplied by ChemNutra
Inc. to Menu Foods in the United States.

As the result of that review, Menu Foods has identified a single interplant
transfer of the ChemNutra supplied wheat gluten, shipped from Menu Foods'
plant in Emporia, Kansas, to its plant in Streetsville, Ontario. This wheat
gluten was subsequently used in the production of pet food in December, 2006
and January, 2007, which is being recalled by Menu Foods.

The new varieties in the United States and Canada have been added to the
recall list. The latest recall group is listed below, and a complete list of
recalled products, including the new items can be reviewed at
www.menufoods.com.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cat Food
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brand Look For Variety Description Can / Size UPC
This Date on Pouch
The Bottom
of Can or
Back of
Pouch
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Americas Choice, Preferred Pet
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan/2/10 Flaked Tuna 3oz Can 3oz 54807-59114
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Pet
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec/19/09 Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz Can 3oz 72036-29026
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan/24/10 Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz Can 3oz 72036-29026
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nov 06 09 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 72036-40013
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pet Pride
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec/19/09 Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86264
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan/24/10 Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86264
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nov 06 09 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 05 09 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec 06 09 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan 23 10 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan 24 10 Sliced Variety Pack 3oz Can 3oz 11110-86003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laura Lynn
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan/2/10 Flaked Tuna 3oz Can 3oz 86854-02407
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec/19/09 Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz Can 3oz 86854-02406
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nutriplan
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec/19/09 Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz Can 3oz 41130-06755
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price Chopper
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec/19/09 Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz Can 3oz 41735-12828
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Publix
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan/2/10 Flaked Tuna 3oz Can 3oz 41415-08327
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec/19/09 Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz Can 3oz 41415-08827
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan/2/10 Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz Can 3oz 41415-08827
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan/24/10 Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz Can 3oz 41415-08827
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stop & Shop Companion
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan/2/10 Flaked Tuna 3oz Can 3oz 88267-00286
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winn Dixie
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec/19/09 Sliced Beef/Gravy 3oz Can 3oz 21140-19419
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nutro Products
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Dates Chicken Cacciatore 3oz Can 3oz 79105-35205
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orleans Seafood
All Dates Jambalaya 3oz Can 3oz 79105-35206
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Dates Beef Ragout 3oz Can 3oz 79105-35207
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Dates Alaskan Halibut/Rice 3oz Can 3oz 79105-35221
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Dates Kitten Chicken/Lamb 3oz Can 3oz 79105-35202
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Dates California Chicken 3oz Can 3oz 79105-30011
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Dates Lamb/Turkey Cutlets 3oz Can 3oz 79105-30014
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Dates Salmon/Whitefish 3oz Can 3oz 79105-30013
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Dates Beef/Egg 3oz Can 3oz 79105-30015
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Dates Turkey/Chicken Liver 3oz Can 3oz 79105-30016
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Dates Seafood/Tomato/Bisque 3oz Can 3oz 79105-30017
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hunters Stew
All Dates with Duck 3oz Can 3oz 79105-30018
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hunters Stew
All Dates with Venison 3oz Can 3oz 79105-30019
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

[james_t]

Nutro Products Orders Removal of All Wet Pet Food Products Made by Menu
Foods With Wheat Gluten

Nutro Dry Foods, Biscuits and Treats are NOT Manufactured by Menu Foods and
are NOT Affected by Recall

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier today, Menu Foods
expanded its recall of wet pet food products to include additional wet pet
foods suspected of containing melamine from Chinese supplied wheat gluten.

Given this new information and the confusion in the marketplace, Nutro has
ordered ALL Nutro wet pouched and canned foods made with wheat gluten be
removed from store shelves regardless of the date of production and asks pet
owners to stop feeding those products to their pets. Nutro is taking this
action even though the Menu Foods press release indicates that only certain
dates of production at its plant were affected.

"Pet owners are fed up with confusing information regarding the Menu Foods
recall," said Dave Kravis, President and CEO of Nutro Products. "I had
previously ordered a broader recall of affected products than what Menu
Foods had suggested. Given this new information from Menu Foods, I have
ordered all wet pet food products containing wheat gluten to be removed from
store shelves. Our dry pet food is not made by Menu and remains unaffected
by the recall."

As a result of this new information, Nutro has suspended all shipments to
retail stores of Nutro's wet canned and pouch products that contain wheat
gluten until Nutro is able to confirm their safety.

Nutro Products is asking all customers who have the following Nutro wet pet
food products (which are made by Menu Foods and contain wheat gluten)
regardless of "best by date," to immediately stop feeding the products to
their pets.

* All Cat Pouch Food Products
* Listed Cat 3.0 oz can products
* All Dog Pouch Food Products
* Listed Dog 12.5 oz Canned Products



A detailed list of all recalled products may be found at
www.nutroproducts.com.

Nutro's products are 100% guaranteed and all returned product will be
refunded. Customers should return products affected by the recall to the
retail location where they purchased the product.

The Menu Foods wet pet food recall does not include Nutro's dry pet food.
Nutro's dry pet foods are not produced by Menu Foods and do not contain
wheat gluten. Nutro's dry pet foods, biscuits and treats -- over 90% of the
pet food Nutro sells -- are not involved in the recall and remain safe for
pets to eat. Menu manufactures only wet, canned and pouch products for
Nutro.

Nutro customers may check Nutro's website (www.nutroproducts.com) or contact
Nutro's Consumer Hotline (800) 833-5330 for further information about its
products. Nutro's website will be updated as more information becomes
available.

[james_t]

Linda Lipp has a column today listing advice and resources for pet owners who are worried about the pet food recall. You can read it at

http://www.fwdailynews.com/articles/2007/04/16/features/columnists/local_columnists/doc462383dc3a2e1684543061.txt

[james_t]

Pet Food Recall Expanded on New Finding
By Andrew Bridges, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- An industrial chemical that led to a nationwide recall of
more than 100 brands of cat and dog foods has been found to contaminate a
second pet food ingredient, expanding the recall further.

The chemical, melamine, is believed to have contaminated rice protein
concentrate used to make a variety of Natural Balance Pet Foods products for
both dogs and cats, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.
Previously, the chemical was found to contaminate another ingredient, wheat
gluten, used by at least six other pet food and treat manufacturers.

Natural Balance said it was recalling all its Venison and Brown Rice canned
and bagged dog foods, its Venison and Brown Rice dog treats and its Venison
and Green Pea dry cat food.

The Pacoima, Calif., company said recent laboratory tests showed the
products contain melamine. It believes the source of the contaminant was
rice protein concentrate, which the company recently added to the dry
venison formulas. Natural Balance does not use wheat gluten, which was
associated with the previous melamine contamination, it said.

Last month, Menu Foods recalled 60 million cans of dog and cat food after
the deaths of 16 pets, mostly cats, that ate its products. The FDA said
tests indicated the food was contaminated with melamine, used in making
plastics and other industrial processes. Five other companies later recalled
pet products also made with wheat gluten tainted by the chemical.

The FDA has since blocked Chinese imports of wheat gluten. An FDA
spokeswoman did not immediately return messages left seeking comment.