Natural Balance this time...

[Alex's Mom]

I can see that causing gastric upset (or even pancreatitis), but I will be interested to see how they relate increased fat to kidney failure

My vet and I were discussing this whole food thing, and her comment was that she wonders how much of a role heightened awareness of kidney issues in general is playing in the increased numbers of kidney problems being brought into vets, and how much of it is actually attributable to the food? I was wondering the same thing....

[Patt]

Melamine found in Natural Balance
Admin | April 17, 2007 2:07 pm
From the
USA Today website:

Premium pet food company recalls dry foods
By Julie Schmit, USA TODAY

Natural Balance Pet Foods said Tuesday it found melamine in two of its pet food products, which the company has recalled.

Melamine is the chemical suspected of causing pet deaths and illnesses related to the Menu Foods recall, covering more than 60 million cans and pouches of wet dog and cat food from dozens of brands the past four weeks.

But Natural Balance doesn't use wheat gluten, the ingredient contaminated with melamine in the Menu recall. Instead, it suspects that melamine was in a rice protein concentrate, a new ingredient used in the dry foods, said Natural Balance president Joey Herrick. "That was the only change in the product," he says.

The concentrate is now being tested, he added. Melamine was detected in samples of the food. The recalled foods are: Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Foods.

Whether other pet food makers got the same rice protein concentrate is unclear at this time. Herrick says the food was made for Natural Balance by Diamond Pet Foods.

Diamond Pet Food makes no other food that includes rice protein concentrate, spokesman Jim Fallon says.

Herrick also said Diamond got the rice protein concentrate from an American company, which he wouldn't name. The melamine in the Menu Foods recall was in wheat gluten imported from China.

The company has recalled all dates of the two products, although Herrick says it has only received complaints for food made March 28.

Herrick says Natural Balance, a premium pet food maker based in California, started getting calls Thursday from consumers reporting that dogs were vomiting. By Friday, the company had received calls from seven households regarding 11 dogs, Herrick said. The company also says it has received reports of animals suffering kidney problems, which has also occurred in the Menu recall.

The consumer calls set off alarms because "we don't get that," Herrick said.

The company has also received reports involving three or four cats, he said.

Natural sent out the food Friday to be tested for the usual things that would cause animals to vomit, such as pesticides and heavy metals, Herrick says.

No animals had yet died but that the company had reports that some were hospitalized, he said.

Melamine is not allowed in human or pet food. It is an industrial chemical used in plastics making in the USA and as a fertilizer in Asia, the Food and Drug Administration says. While melamine is not highly toxic, the FDA is investigating whether it, or something related to it, is responsible for pet deaths in the Menu recall.

[Patt]

Recall -- Firm Press 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. This listserv covers mainly Class I (life-threatening) recalls. A complete listing of recalls can be found in the FDA Enforcement Report at: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html

T.W. Enterprises Issues Nationwide Recall of Dog Chews Due to Salmonella Contamination
Contact:
T.W. Enterprises
(360) 366-0408

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Ferndale, WA -- April 16, 2007 -- T.W. Enterprises of Ferndale, WA today alerted consumers that it is recalling certain dog chews it markets because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. Samples tested by FDA of the product indicate that the dog chew products manufactured by T.W. Enterprises may be contaminated. People handling these treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Salmonella can potentially be transferred to people handling these pet treats, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, 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. Well animals can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The following is a list of the recalled products (Product Name/ A.B. Dog Chew - Size / UPC):

A.B. Small Chew, 3 - 4 inch / 833234001105
A. B. Puppy Chew, 4 - 6 inch / 83323401112
A.B. Dog Chew Medium, 6 inch / 833234001051
A.B. Dog Chew Large, 10 inch / 833234001068
A. B. Dog Chew XL, 13 inch / 833234001075
A. B. Dog Chew Mega, 16 inch / 833234001082
A. B. Dog Chew Jumbo, 26 inch / 833234001099
T.W. Enterprises Inc. manufactured these dog chews and distributed them throughout the United States under its name. The affected products were distributed before March 22, 2007 to retail locations and are non-coded, i.e. they have no batch code or other identifying marks. T.W. Enterprises has made contact with all of its consignees and has been informed the affected product has been pulled from store shelves.

T.W. Enterprises has informed FDA of its action and is fully cooperating with the agency. The firm, FDA and other authorities are actively investigating this matter to determine the source of this problem, and will take any additional steps necessary to protect the public health. No reports of illness to date in connection with this problem.

Consumers who have the non-coded pet chews should not feed them to their pets, but should dispose of them in a safe manner (e.g., in a securely covered trash receptacle). Anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection after having handled one of these pet products should seek medical attention, and report their use of the product and illness to the nearest FDA office.

People should thoroughly wash their hands after handling any pet treat – especially those made from animal protein such as meat -- to help prevent infection. People may risk bacterial infection not only by handling the chews, but by contact with pets or surfaces exposed to the chews, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap.

Since elderly people, young children, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk from exposure they should avoid handling these products.

Consumers with questions may contact T.W. Enterprises at 1-360-366-0408.