Thursday, December 30, 2010

Recalling 2010

The vast majority of people still don't understand why I choose to feed raw.  Maybe this list will help*

There were recalls in 8 out of 12 months this year.

January :
Merrick, 1 product, 01/14/10, Salmonella, no illnesses reported.  
February:
Nature’s Variety, 6 products, 02/11/10, 4 more added on 06/10/10, Salmonella, no illnesses reported.
June:
Natural Balance, 2 products, 06/18/10, Salmonella, no illnesses reported.  
July:
Iams , 51 Iams and Eukanuba products, 07/30/10, Salmonella, no illnesses reported.  
August:
Merrick, 2 products, 08/16/10, Salmonella, no illnesses reported.
September:
Hartz , 1 product, 09/03/10, Salmonella, no illnesses reported.
October:
Blue Buffalo , 6 products, 10/08/10, Vitamin D toxicity, reports of dogs dying.
December:
Kroger, 4 products, 12/18/10.  Aflatoxin.  While this is ongoing, there have been some reports of animals dying.

A note on the Salmonella recalls:  These recalls are generally due to concern of humans being infected, through improper handling.  Basically, all pet foods should be treated the same way you treat raw meat - wash your hands, and any surfaces, after handling.  Healthy dogs are generally not bothered by Salmonella.
Of great concern, much greater, are the last two recalls, since they are issues that arise from manufacturing oversights.  There is NO excuse for either of them, at all.  

Dogs died, once again, because of their food.

How many years will go by until a list like this becomes obsolete??


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*http://www.avma.org/petfoodsafety/recalls/2010/dog_food_2010_pf.asp

Additionally, there were almost 60 "supplement" products recalled, from yeast powder to glucosamine chews to calcium supplements.  Remember, supplements and treats are made by the same companies, with the same lack of oversight, as pet food. 


More links:
 2010

Kroger Co. recalls 10 varieties of pet foods sold in 19 states (19 Dec 2010)
Blue Buffalo recalls several dog foods in response to reports of vitamin D toxicity (8 Oct 2010)
Hartz Mountain Corp. recalls Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats due to possible Salmonella contamination (3 Sep 2010)
Proctor & Gamble voluntarily recalls Iams Indoor Weight Control with Hairball Care formula dry cat food (31 Aug 2010)
Proctor & Gamble recalls dry cat food sold in Loveland, Colorado (29 Aug 2010)
Merrick Pet Care Recalls Beef Filet Squares and Texas Hold'ems Treats (Updated: 17 Aug 2010)
Mice Direct recalls frozen reptile feed because of possible health risk (Updated: 10 Aug 2010)
Procter & Gamble Voluntarily Recalls Veterinary and Some Specialized Dry Pet Foods (Updated: 30 Jul 2010)
Feline's Pride recalls Natural Chicken Formula raw food
(Updated: 16 Jul 2010)
United Pet Group voluntarily expands recall of nutritional supplements for dogs to include additional tablet and powdered-form products for dogs and cats because of possible Salmonella health risk (2 Jul 2010)
United Pet Group recalls Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement Tablets for Dogs (22 Jun 2010)
Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. voluntarily recalls Sweet Potato & Chicken dry dog food due to possible Salmonella contamination (18 Jun 2010)
Nationwide voluntary recall of some Kent Feeds swine feed products (17 Jun 2010)
Procter & Gamble Company recalls specific lots of Iams canned cat food (9 Jun 2010)
Limited recall of Kent Feeds 20 Lamb DQ45 Medicated Feed (2 Jun 2010)

Response Products of Broken Bow, Nebraska has issued a voluntary recall of two lots of Advanced Cetyl M® Joint Action Formula for Dogs (13 Apr 2010)
Better Business Bureau issues warning about Dynamic Pet Products' Real Ham Bone for Dogs (14 Mar 2010)
Nature's Variety voluntarily recalls Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats due to Salmonella (Updated: 09 Mar 2010)
FDA Health Alert for Merrick Beef Filet Squares Dog Treats Packaged and Distributed by Merrick Pet Care (14 Jan 2010)

2009

Pet Carousel Recalls Beef Hoof Products and Pigs Ears Because of Salmonella Risk (09 Dec 2009)
Update to Diamond Pet Foods® Premium Edge® brand recall – eastern U.S. (27 Nov 2009)
FDA issues health alert for pig ear and beef hooves pet treats (05 Nov 2009)
Wysong® recall – dry dog food (13 Oct 2009)
Country Acres® recall of home grown turkey and quail starter feed (13 Oct 2009)
Nutro® products has recalled some of its pet food products (02 Oct 2009)
Diamond Pet Foods® Premium Edge® brand recall – eastern U.S. (02 Oct 2009)
Nutro Products announces recall of dry cat food products (21 May 2009)
Scotts expands its wild bird food suet recall to include an additional seven products (23 Mar 2009)
Bird food recalled due to Salmonella contamination: Dead birds found in N.C. initiates testing of bird food (12 Mar 2009)
Alaska Canine Cookies recalls certain Canine Cookies because of possible Salmonella health risk (10 Mar 2009)
Breadfarm, Inc. recalls Sirius Dog Treats purchased between January 2007 and October of 2008 because of possible health risk (04 Mar 2009)
American Health Kennels, Inc. announces a recall of baked dog treats containing peanut butter (20 Feb 2009)
Ongoing issues regarding Peanut Corporation of America result in Scotts voluntarily recalling five Wild Bird Food Suet products that may contain PCA peanut meal (16 Feb 2009)
American Nutrition, Inc. announces a recall of baked dog treats (10 Feb 2009)
Western Trade Group, Inc. recalls roasted peanuts because of possible Salmonella health risk (10 Feb 2009)
Hialeah Products, Inc. d/b/a New Urban Farms conducts nationwide recall of various snack products because of possible health risk (09 Feb 2009)
Supervalu Inc recalls multi-flavored dog biscuits (02 Feb 2009)
Salix, LLC recalls 6" peanut butter-filled shank bone because of possible Salmonella risk (30 Jan 2009)
Salix recalls dog treat due to possible health risk (28 Jan 2009)
Carolina Prime Pet announces nationwide recall of dog treats (27 Jan 2009)
PetSmart recalls Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits (21 Jan 2009)