DogExplorer.com News – As the mystery and toll on dogs, cats and humans expands stemming from the tainted wheat gluten poisonings, the list of major brand dog foods on the recall list continues to grow.
Alpo dog food, while not made by Menu Foods, may have been contaminated by wheat gluten from the same supplier. As a result Nestle Purina PetCare Company has recalled all sizes and varieties of ALPO Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food (with certain product dates and codes).
| “The recalled 13.2-ounce and 22-ounce ALPO Prime Cuts cans and 6-, 8-, 12- and 24-can ALPO Prime Cuts Variety Packs have four-digit code dates of 7037 through 7053, followed by the plant code 1159. Those codes follow a “Best Before Feb. 2009″ date.** This information should be checked on the bottom of the can or the top or side of the multi-pack cartons.” |
According to a company press release the action was required due to the fact “that melamine, a substance not approved for use in food, was provided to Purina by the same company that also supplied Menu Foods.”
In attempting to verify the earlier findings of the New York State Agriculture department, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it was unable to confirm the presence of Aminopterin. Veterinary sources have been cited in other publications stating it was doubtful Aminopterin would cause the kidney (renal) failure seen in the sick and dying animals.
The FDA has stated it has conclusive evidence that melamine is in the wheat gluten, and that Cornell University scientists have found it in the urine and kidneys of cats examined after they died while taking part in so-called “taste testing” by Menu Foods.
The agency goes on to state that the link between the presence of melamine in the food consumed by the cats and the amounts found in the urine and tissue is undeniable. However, while the FDA says the substance should not be in pet food in any amount, limited historic data fails to identify any life threatening effects stemming from the consumption of melamine:
| “There is a scarcity of research in the published literature on melamine exposure in dogs and cats. We know of a 1945 published article in which dogs were administered 125 mg of melamine/kg body weight. The study reported melamine as having a diuretic effect, but no toxic effects were noted. We are not aware of any studies in the published literature involving the administration of melamine to cats.” |
While all prior product recalls have excluded dry cat and dog foods, a Science Diet variety of dry cat food is now on the recall list. In a statement issued by Hill’s Pet Nutrition on March 30, 2007, the company announced the recall of Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food.
The name of the Chinese supplier of the suspect wheat gluten is now known. The FDA says the company is Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology of Peixian, China.
Please visit this thread in our forum for the details about this wet food recall and a list of dog food brands recalled by Menu Foods: Dog Food Recall – Menu Foods.
If you have any concern about the health of your dog contact your vet at once.
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