Another Mars Pet Foods recall

Another Mars Pet Foods recall announcement (10/27/08) due to Salmonella contamination. Special Kitty Cat Food sold in various states are being recalled.

http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/138/1/October-27-Mars-Petcare-Recall-Announcement/Page1.html

Susan Thixton

The Associated Press announced today (10/20/08) that some 1500 dogs have died in China due to melamine contaminated dog food.

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/2008/10/20/20081020ChinaDogs20-ON.html

The pet food company's name was not known - but Chinese newspaper reports states the food was made by Harbin Hualong Feed Co.

After the reports of Chinese babies dying from melamine tainted formula, I wondered if - God forbid - melamine tainted products have somehow been making it into the US without any notice. Months ago I wondered if the Center for Disease Control had any statistics on kidney disease in the US, and if so, has there been an increase of kidney disease in US citizens. Thanks to one of the subscribers of this newsletter - here is the ‘rest of the story'...

Has Chinese Melamine been affecting US Citizens for years? A new report from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases states chronic kidney disease is up 30 percent in the US; consumers have to wonder if melamine contamination plays a role in the dramatic increase.

http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/129/1/Has-Chinese-Melamine-been-affecting-US-Citizens-for-years/Page1.html

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan ThixtonTruth about Pet FoodPetsumer Report
http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/

More News

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, aka Dog Alzeheimer's
The FDA has approved a drug to treat the ‘syndrome' in dogs, but should you wish to forego medication, here are a few suggestions from my own experience.
http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/133/1/Canine-Cognitive-Dysfunction-Syndrome-aka-Dog-Alzheimers/Page1.html

FDA HypocrisiesThe FDA jus t never ceases to amaze. For anyone that can read between the lines, it's very apparent who the FDA takes care of...and it's not U.S. citizens.
http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/132/1/FDA-Hypocrisies/Page1.html

More Melamine NewsIt's very heartbreaking and very scientific, however for those who wish to read it, here is a toxicology report published by The Proctor & Gamble company scientists regarding the melamine/cyanuric acid in pet food last year.
http://whattoeatbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/datson2008.pdf

The Philippines Bureau of Customs began yesterday (10/24/08) - testing all importations of pet food and animal feed from China; as well as testing milk and dairy products, and meat imported from China. This action by the Philippine Government is in response to the many recent products that have been discovered to contain melamine, including baby formula in China.
The Philippines is holding all products from sale, until they have been tested clean of melamine. So far, six mil products were found to contain "alarming levels of melamine."
How unfortunate for U.S. citizens that the FDA will not take the same action and test every single Chinese imported drug, food, pet food, or ingredient. Currently, the FDA inspects only 1% to 3% of all food and drug imports into the United States.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/oct/25/yehey/top_stories/20081025top4.html
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/129247/Customs-alerted-vs-pet-food-feeds-from-China

Please be careful.Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan ThixtonTruth about Pet FoodPetsumer Report
http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/

Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge Performed by Emi Fujita (Original Lyrics)


Do you know now that I must be going
To a place full of happy memories?
In an emerald meadow by a Rainbow Bridge
You can hear heaven's anthem on the breeze


Well, a heavenly light falls around me
In a twinkling my youth has been restored
Over green hills and valleys once again I roam free
Like the days when on eagle's wing we soared


I'm surrounded by many companions
And together we pass our pleasant days
Every need is provided, there is nothing I lack
Save for you to whose memory my heart strays


When you're heaven-bound
There's a place you pass through
Called the Rainbow Bridge,
I'll be waiting there for you

Yes, I'll be waiting for you

With a heart that's tried and true
Till the day I can feel , once again,
Your arms around me

Fare thee well now for I must be going

Dry your tears, no you must not cry for me
Till the day that we meet again at long journey's end
At the Rainbow Bridge, You know that's where I'll be

At the Rainbow Bridge This heart waits faithfully


http://www.imeem.com/ufocrew/music/_fRHWxNc/emi_fujita_rainbow_bridge/

Since we're all buddies at the Bridge ...

I wouldn't want to forget my doggie friends and their furparents so here's one for all those who love dogs as much as my Mom loves me.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- October 20, 2008 -- The Hartz Mountain Corporation, Secaucus, NJ is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of Hartz Chicken-Basted Rawhide Chips due to concerns that one or more bags within the lot are potentially contaminated with Salmonella. Hartz is fully cooperating with the US Food and Drug Administration in this voluntary recall.
Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs, and, if there is cross-contamination caused by handling of the rawhide chips, in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems. Healthy people potentially infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. On rare occasions, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irrita tion, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and can potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
The product involved is 4,850 - 2 pound plastic bags of Hartz Chicken-Basted Rawhide Chips, lot code JC23282, UPC number 3270096463 which were distributed to a national retail customer. While the normal testing that Hartz conducts through an independent outside laboratory did not detect the presence of Salmonella in any Hartz rawhide products, sample testing conducted by another laboratory did indicate the presence of the bacteria in a sample bag of the Chicken-Basted Rawhide Chips. Hartz is aggressively investigating the difference in test results and the potential source of the problem.
Although Hartz has not received any reports of animals or humans becoming ill as a result of coming into contact with this product, Hartz is taking immediate steps to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers. Dog owners who purchased this product should check the lot code on their bag, and, if the code is not visible, or if the bag has lot code JC23282 imprinted thereon, they should immediately discontinue use of the product and discard it in a proper manner.
Consumers can contact Hartz at 1-800-275-1414 with any questions they may have and to obtain reimbursement for purchased product.
Wishing you and your pet the best,
Susan ThixtonTruth about Pet FoodPetsumer Reporthttp://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/

More Melamine Tainted Milk Products Recalled

More Melamine Tainted Milk Products Recalled
By Susan Thixton
Published 10/14/2008

When will melamine ever go away? The FDA announced (October 10, 2008) the recall of YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink because it may be contaminated with melamine. YILI Brand Sour Milk Drink was distributed to New York City through Asian retail grocery stores.

The number two rated word on the anxiety scale for pet owners is melamine (number one would be recall). And now that melamine is being discovered in products from baby formulas to coffee creams, you wonder what’s next. Please be careful with every product you provide your pet – avoid foods and treats that contain glutens and soy and rice proteins. These ingredients are most likely to be Asian sourced and could be contaminated with melamine.

Melamine aside for a moment, on this recent recall announcement from the FDA, a bold red font message was posted at the top of the release. “FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.” We have no idea what action prompted the FDA to add this statement to recall announcements.

Even though I try not to, I guess I have somewhat of a bad attitude when it comes to the FDA. People products aside and looking at just one pet food issue, for the FDA to decide it is safe for our pets to eat a euthanized animal – and the drug used to euthanize the animal, I cannot have a good attitude about them. I hope I am wrong about this, but the only thing I can assume is that somewhere along the line, some company or organization has ‘encouraged’ the FDA to allow pet food to become the dumping ground for products that would otherwise be considered waste. Nothing else makes sense or adds up to be a plausible reason.
Back in the spring of 2008, as I watched the FDA’s pet food safety meeting, I saw no concern or worry on the faces of FDA and CVM (Center for Veterinary Management) executives. There was no air of ‘we really need to get this fixed to prevent another deadly recall’. In fact, quite the opposite was obvious. It was casual and relaxed, almost fun; unlike the feelings of millions of U.S. pet owners. This meeting, that pet owners waited a year for – hoping that finally the FDA would step up and take control of the foods provided to our pets, lasted only 90 minutes and the ONLY one there that showed any concern about our pets was Mike Floyd of DefendOurPets.org. The officers of the FDA and the CVM acted like it was just another meeting, just another day. Talk to any pet owner, their dog or cat is not ‘just another pet’. If only the FDA, CVM and AAFCO would understand this. Our pets are not a profit source for big corporations, they are our family.

Be careful out there!

Wishing you and your pet the best,

Susan Thixton
Truth about Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com

FDA Ignores Pet Food Safety Deadline

The FDA Amendments Act (FDAAA) was signed into law last year requiring the FDA to make improvements on food safety for people and pets. The first deadline required by the Amendments Act law, requiring an Early Warning and Notification System during a pet food recall, has come and gone seemingly ignored by the FDA. If the FDA can ignore the law, where does that leave 74 million US pet owners?

On September 27, 2007, President Bush signed into law the FDA Amendments Act, known as FDAAA. Section 1002(b) of FDAAA required the FDA to develop “Early Warning Surveillance Systems and Notification During Pet Food Recalls”. The deadline for these pet food safety measures was clearly stated; “Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish an early warning and surveillance system to identify adulteration of the pet food supply and outbreaks of illness associated with pet food.” The deadline for this to be completed was September 27, 2008. The FDA has not developed a pet food surveillance system or recall notification system; but they are working on it.

On May 14, 2008, four months before the deadline to complete the pet food surveillance and recall notification system, the FDA held the 5th Animal Feed Safety System Public Meeting in Gaithersburg, Maryland. One would think that during this meeting, the FDA would have been feverishly working out the final details of the mandated pet food recall notification system. However, quite the opposite happened. Eight months into the one year deadline, the FDA Animal Feed Safety System meeting merely re-stated what needed to be accomplished and highlighted existing gaps in existing programs. http://www.fda.gov/cvm/AFSS051408Welcome.htm

Still ‘working on’ the mandated pet food safety reform, the FDA provided pet owners with “Update #5” in August 2008 (one month before the deadline). This update from the FDA brags about a few speeches given by the FDA; a 50 state meeting on food protection held in August 2008; and a reminder of a formerly discussed FDA 3rd party certification program for Food and Feeds safety. There was no mention in the FDA update regarding the upcoming deadline for a pet food surveillance system or pet food recall notification system. http://www.fda.gov/cvm/AFSSprojplan5.htm

As of mid October 2008, there is no updated information on the FDA’s website regarding Section 1002(b) of FDAAA – the early warning system and notification system of a pet food recall.

The deadline – September 27, 2008 – has passed. The FDA has accomplished little to nothing in the year since Congress developed the Amendments Act and the President signed it into law. Please contact your Congressman and urge them to hold the FDA accountable for ignoring the FDAAA mandated deadline. Pet owners and all consumers cannot afford for the FDA to ignore the law.

Wishing you and your pet the best,

Susan Thixton
Truth about Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com

Why are we a society of 'After the Fact?'

Why do humans not learn valuable lessons until after the fact? I can’t point any fingers, because it happened to me too. But, I just don’t understand it. After a pet gets sick or dies, a pet owner learns about inferior and/or risky ingredients in their pet’s food and only then makes changes. But it’s ‘after the fact’ – after a pet gets sick or dies. Why does it have to happen this way?

Very recently I was talking to someone who was very knowledgeable in organic ‘people’ food, yet she fed her dog what I consider to be a very inferior pet food. When I made a slight suggestion (and I really mean slight suggestion) that she should consider changing dog foods, I heard the same response I’ve heard many times before…”We’re doing fine with it.” I once thought I was ‘doing fine’ too. And then my dog died at eight years old from bone cancer my vet told me was caused from the chemical preservatives in her food; I wasn’t doing fine anymore.

Is it that we are hard headed, and once we get comfortable with something we just don’t want to hear anything bad about our comfortable place? Or is it that it takes hard lessons for us to learn? The following shares some further insight…

"What's the secret of your success?" the teacher asked.

"Two words," the principal replied.

"And what are they?" asked the teacher.

"Right decisions."

But how do you make right decisions?" the teacher queried.

"One word," the principal responded.

"And what is that?"

Experience.

"And how do you get experience?" asked the teacher.

"Two words," replied the principal.

"And what are they?

"Wrong decisions."

We all make those ‘wrong decisions’. But the question still remains, why does it take a hard learned ‘wrong decision’ in order for pet owners (myself included) to learn what pet foods to avoid? Years ago I owned a pet boarding and training facility in Louisville, KY. A contractor I had hired walked out on me before the job was finished with $3,500.00 of my money in his pocket. Which ended up costing me another $3,500.00 to hire someone else to finish his mess; a $7,000.00 ‘wrong decision’. Even though I wasn’t a happy camper about my expensive lesson, my father added to my education sharing some advice I’ve never forgotten …’well, you’re learning who NOT to do business with’.

It is such a shame that so many pet owners have to learn the hard way who ‘NOT to do business with’ in regards to pet foods. There are folks out in the world who have learned their hard lessons and work to prevent others from learning the same way. From natural and holistic pet food store owners to bloggers and to website owners like myself, my guess would be many started their business specifically because of the pain they felt learning that hard lesson and they truly want to prevent others from making the same mistakes.

Which leads me to what I think is a possible explanation of ‘doing fine with it’. We have all been exposed – over exposed – to people and businesses that sell us on something and then later we discover it was only to line their pockets with money. We’ve all been burned far too many times. We’ve become jaded, and tend not to believe anyone about anything. Because we’ve believed in so many different people and products, and had the rug pulled out from under us so many different times, and every time fell painfully on our #$% without any warning … now we tend to want to learn things the hard way. Bummer.

If you’re still with me – still reading this – here’s what I think we can do. For starters, once you find someone or something that you’ve found to be quality – if it doesn’t hurt the environment, or damage anyone’s person or pet, tell other people about it. Ok, yes, at first some might still have that jaded attitude and not listen. But just imagine … if after some time of being told about good things – products and people that can benefit your life, maybe as a whole we would begin to shift to becoming more open and less having to learn those hard lessons. Then, the people and companies that really are mindful of your health, your pet’s health, our environment, and so on – those companies could earn more money, produce more ‘good’ products or services and the whole thing can just keep right on rolling!

I firmly believe that the many profit minded companies out there are counting on we will continue to be jaded and will want to learn things the hard way. They count on those folks ‘doing fine with it’. With pet food, they count on their tremendous advertising dollars keeping the media quiet and count on their lobbing efforts keeping the laws the same, protecting them and hindering the quality minded manufacturers. They count on nothing will change. Actually if you think about it, absolutely nothing has changed since the deadly recall last year. Chinese imports continue to be tainted, continue to lack inspections by the FDA, and pet owners continue to buy pet foods whose label does not tell them country of origin of ingredients.

And then with the most recent recall from Mars Pet Care due to Salmonella contamination; as with the many Salmonella recalls in recent years, absolutely nothing has changed either. The FDA has not required – through law – pet food manufacturers to properly disinfect pet food manufacturing equipment in between batches or runs. One ingredient in batch one could be contaminated, and if the equipment is not properly cleaned and disinfected, batch two, and batch three, and so on can become contaminated and the result can be hundreds of illnesses and deaths. We can’t count on the FDA to suddenly ‘get it’ and we can’t count on profit minded companies will suddenly have a change of heart (or that they even have a heart). But we CAN count on those we trust. Once you find those products or services you trust, please, make an effort to help those companies; tell others about what you’ve discovered. Who would you rather give your money to? A quality minded person or company, or a profit minded person or company? It’s up to us to help build the quality minded companies into power houses they deserve to be. I am all for any business that produces a quality product; those that earn money ethically, honestly and without deception. Those guys should all be millionaires. Because when they do make it – they invest in other ethical companies and projects and everyone benefits. Start sharing with your family and friends about the ‘good’ stuff you come across, if only the quality minded companies begin to get support, the impact on the entire world could be tremendous.

Wishing you and your pets the best,
Susan Thixton

Truth About Pet FoodPetsumer Report

http://www.TruthAboutPetFood.com

Articles Coming ...

Tasha ... even though I let you know what's going on, you probably already know it before it happens.

I get the newletters from Susan with all information about pet food, recalls, etc. and just had the idea that I should start posting them on here. I know I (along with alot of people in this world) fed you what I thought was a great food and while I refuse to think that this eventually contributed to your death, I can't help but feel that just maybe ...

I tell your dad not to dwell on the fact that maybe, just maybe, something was in the soil/grass of our yard that you so lovingly rolled around in every day (there have been others living here before us and who knows?). This was the first yard you ever had that you could do that safely enclosed so that nothing would happen to you.

We choose to believe that it was your time ... after all, you were almost 14 and that's quite a long life.

So I will start posting some of the articles I get in my emails and maybe, just maybe, they will give people "food for thought".

We love you always!

Mom & Dad