Diamond Pet Food Withdraws Products in Response to American Nutrition Inc. Pet Food Recall Contact: Diamond Pet Food Media Hotline (888) 207-6208 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Meta, MO -- April 26, 2007 -- Because of the canned pet food recall initiated today by American Nutrition Inc., Diamond Pet Foods has announced it is withdrawing a limited number of canned products manufactured by American Nutrition. This action is limited to three specific canned products: Diamond Lamb & Rice Formula for Dogs 13 oz. cans, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Kitten Formula 5.5 oz. cans, and Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Puppy Formula 13 oz. cans. ........................................................ Chenango Valley Pet Foods Issues Voluntarily Nationwide Recall of Certain Pet Foods Contact: Dennis J. Bobita (610) 821-0608 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- April 26, 2007 -- Chenango Valley Pet Foods is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and voluntarily recalling pet foods manufactured with a certain shipment of rice protein concentrate. The company was informed by Wilbur-Ellis that the rice protein concentrate shipped to Chenango Valley Pet Foods may be contaminated with melamine, and instructed Chenango Valley Pet Foods to recall any pet foods manufactured with the rice protein concentrate. Melamine is an industrial chemical used to make plastics and fertilizers that may lead to illness or fatalities in animals if consumed. The pet foods were sold to customers in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, who further sold the products to their customers through catalog mail-orders or retail outlets. Only the following dry pet foods are involved in the recall: DOCTORS FOSTER & SMITH CHICKEN & BROWN RICE FORMULA ADULT LITE DOG FOOD, NET WT. 5 LBS., 12.5 LBS, and 25 LBS; Code dates: Best Used By Jan 24, 09; Best Used By Feb 8, 09; Best Used By Feb 26, 09; Best Used By April 10, 09; Best Used By April 17, 09; DOCTORS FOSTER & SMITH CHICKEN & BROWN RICE FORMULA ADULT LITE CAT FOOD, NET WT. 3 LBS. and 7 LBS.; Code date: Best Used By March 13, 09; LICK YOUR CHOPS LAMB MEAL, RICE & EGG CAT FOOD, 4 LBS. packages, Code date: Best Used By April 29, 08; Bulk CHICKEN & BROWN RICE FORMULA ADULT LITE DOG FOOD sold to one consignee (SmartPak) in a 2000 lbs. tote, Ship date: Feb 9, 2007. .................................................... Joint News Release: FDA and USDA Determine Swine Fed Adulterated Product USDA to Compensate for Depopulation The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today notified State authorities that swine fed adulterated product will not be approved to enter the food supply. Based on information currently available, FDA and USDA believe the likelihood of illness after eating pork from swine fed the adulterated product would be very low; however, the agencies believe it is prudent to take this measure. FDA determined that a shipment of rice protein imported from China was contaminated with melamine and melamine-related compounds. The product was imported during the week of April 2, 2007 by Wilbur-Ellis, an importer and distributor of agricultural products. The rice protein was used in the production of pet food and a byproduct was used to produce animal feed. The contaminants in question include melamine and melamine-related compounds, including cyanuric acid, the combination of which is a potential source of concern in relation to human and animal health. Scientific research indicates that melamine alone, at detected levels, is not a human health concern. However, no scientific data exist to ascertain the effects of combining melamine and melamine-related compounds. Therefore, a determination has not yet been made regarding the safety of the product. Because the animal feed in question was adulterated, USDA cannot rule out the possibility that food produced from animals fed this product could also be adulterated. Therefore, USDA cannot place the mark of inspection on food produced from these animals. USDA is offering to compensate producers who euthanize swine that were fed the adulterated product. USDA is authorized to use Section 32 funds to restore farmers purchasing power. USDA is also offering the expertise and assistance of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) personnel in carrying out depopulation activities, to ensure animals are euthanized and disposed of in accordance with Federal and State laws. FDA and FSIS are coordinating with State authorities in eight states where the adulterated feed is known to have been purchased. Eight pork producers in the states of California, Kansas, North Carolina, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah are known to have purchased the feed. These combined operations involve approximately 6,000 hogs. All of the animals are currently being held under state quarantines in CA, NC, NY and SC. In KS, OK and UT producers agreed to hold the animals until further notice. Authorities are also in contact with a feed mill in Missouri that might have received adulterated feed. Pork and pork products derived from animals that were fed the adulterated product will also be destroyed. In CA and UT, pork from federally inspected plants is being held under FSIS direction. In SC, a state inspected plant is voluntarily holding swine that were fed the adulterated product. FSIS, FDA and state authorities are in the process of determining whether any meat from animals that were fed the adulterated product has entered commerce. If that has occurred, FSIS will work with states and industry to take the appropriate action. FDA and FSIS are continuing the effort to trace the adulterated feed. If additional producers are identified who fed the adulterated product to animals, they will also be offered compensation by USDA for depopulation and disposal. ..............................................

We went commercial dog food free a little over a year ago and after seeing the health differences in both my dogs, we won't be going back to kibble. I feed them a home prepared, Prey Model Raw diet (balanced according to 2006 NRC numbers). For treats I make my own chicken jerky in the oven (or dehydrator), it's easy. It just makes sense to me that feeding a diet of fresh healthy foods would be more beneficial to their health, just like humans. I know it's saved us some money on vet bills already. Feeding raw has been easier for us than feeding home cooked because there is a lot less prep work and you don't have to add a lot of vitamins to balance the diet properly. Anytime you do a homemade diet cooked or raw, you just need to make sure you research it well, and balance it correctly. Some info on dog nutrition, raw/home cooked diets/ how to add fresh foods to commercial foods to make them more nutritious. Prey Model Raw diets http://preymodelraw.com/ http://leerburg.com/feedingarawdiet.htm?set=1 http://rawfeddogs.net/ Vet Dr. Karen Becker, Video on Why Dogs and Cats can eat raw meat. Some dog nutrition info Dog Food Forum, a great place to get questions answered, or info on homemade raw diets or commercial dog food Lew Olson, Pet Nutritionist site, lots of articles on pet nutrition/ pet food/ pet diets and illnesses Dog Aware Website Dogs Naturally Magazine articles on nutrition Home cooked diets Dog Aware site with info on Home prepared diet guidelines for cooked or raw Lew Olson Pet nutritionist site on home cooked diets/recipe guidelines Adding Fresh foods to Kibble Dog Aware site, How to add healthy fresh foods to kibble Lew Olson Pet nutritionist website mixing fresh foods with kibble

I unwittingly bought a bag of the jerky treats from Sam's Club a couple of months ago and was using tiny pieces of them as rewards for training. During that same period, our puppy had a problem with vomiting and diarrhea which the vet attributed to some type of bacteria. This happened twice, one time right after the other. Then I read an article about the jerky treats and stopped giving them to her immediately; she hasn't been sick since. I wonder if they were the actual source of her problem, but will never know because the testing we did showed otherwise and the medications she was prescribed helped stop some of the side effects immediately; it's still scary to think that they could have been though. Now I only buy American made treats for her and when it comes time to upgrade her to adult food, I'm going to find one that is American made as well. What's also bad about the situation is that there's very little variety available and they are so pricey many people can't afford them. The market needs affordable American made products for our animals so consumers have an equal opportunity to feel safe about what their feeding their beloved pets. One thing I've noted as well is some companies like Red Barn for example which according to their website, carry both items made here as well as items shipped in from China. The one's made here boast about it on the label but the ones made in China don't say anything about where they are made, just that they are a Red Barn product. I'm sure some people assume if one product is made here they all are. Sneaky...very sneaky. My Vet also warned me about the bones packaged by these companies saying there have been cases of Salmonella poisoning as well. "I love the 2nd editor's note... A list of companies with ties to Chinese manufacturers was included in this article and has since been removed. This was done in an attempt to encourage pet owners to investigate their food choices for their pets, and allow them to engage in meaningful dialogue with pet food suppliers in a more constructive and level way." Really? I mean I get that people should pay attention to what they're feeding their pet but they should've, IMO, kept the list." After reading the first editors note, I suspect they were afraid of more errors and decided to put the burden on the reader. The reason they posed for removing the list is IMHO just a poor excuse for someone who doesn't want to due the proper research to ensure it's accuracy.

my Forrest was throwing up for seemingly unknown reasons a couple months ago, right after I bought a bag of chicken jerky. He loved it, and was getting some daily. I tossed the bag, now they only get made in USA meat treats, and I make them sweet potato jerky, which has morphed into sweet potato chips. Both dogs LOVE the chips and they're easy peasy. Sad to think we're paying good money to poison our pets..... Thanks for the link handymac.