As reports of widespread kidney failure and the deaths of many cats and dogs poured in, Menu Foods ordered a nationwide recall of certain of its pet food products in mid-March.
The company is a major manufacturer of pet foods sold under many brand names by well-known American retailers, including Safeway, Wal-Mart, and PetSmart.
The recall initially covered around 60 million units of “cuts and gravy” foods sold in both cans and foil pouches between December 3 and March 6. Affected brands included such household names as Eukanuba and Iams. In ensuing weeks, other manufacturers and brands joined the recall, some at the urging of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Early in the case, a New York State laboratory identified aminopterin as the toxin in the tainted food. Once used as a rat poison, this chemical is known to cause kidney damage in dogs and cats and is banned in the United States. However, on March 30 the FDA announced that melamine, not aminopterin, was the real culprit. The FDA’s tests confirmed that wheat gluten containing melamine, acquired from a Chinese supplier, was present in the recalled foods and was responsible for making pets sick.
Shortly thereafter, Hill’s Pet Nutrition joined in the recall, stating that its Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food was made with wheat gluten from the same supplier as Menu Foods. On March 31, it was reported that Nestle Purina PetCare Co. was recalling all of its “Alpo Prime Cuts in Gravy” wet dog food with certain date codes, as a limited quantity of the food contained the tainted wheat gluten. Following suit, Del Monte Pet Products announced it was recalling melamine-tainted dog and cat treats with certain date codes.
Multiple class action lawsuits have been filed, many seeking unspecified damages as well as reimbursement for both veterinary and other expenses.
The FDA is continuing its investigation. For in-depth information, including a list of specific brands of recalled foods, see www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html.
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