There’s some very passionate dog & cat fanatics at PMZ. And, you’ve surely run across home buyers & sellers who consider their pets like children. In some cases, their canine companions may be service dogs, serving a life-or-death role in their daily lives. Well now our companions lives’ are at risk. This week a massive pet food recall is striking fear in many. We have the details here, and links for you to find out more.
The recall involves Ontario-based Menu Foods’ “cuts and gravy” style cat and dog food packaged from Dec. 3 to March 6. The wet food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, is packaged in cans and small foil pouches. The food was sold under numerous brand names - 40 cat food brands and 51 dog food brands as of Monday.
The pet food was sold throughout North America under both store and major brand labels at Wal-Mart, Kroger, Safeway and other large retailers including PetsMart and Petco (that have stores in the Central Valley and Mother Lode). A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates was available from the Menu Foods Web site — http://www.menufoods.com/recall
Click Read More below for details
Q: How do I know if my pet is sick as a result of eating contaminated food? What are the symptoms?
A: Signs of kidney failure include loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting.
Q. What should I do if I already gave some of this food to my pet? Do I need to take my pet to a doctor?
A: It’s best to seek advice from a veterinarian in such situations, according to the FDA.
Q. Who can I call with questions?
A: Menu Foods has a consumer hot line at 1-866-463-6738 and 1-866-895-2708. The FDA is asking those with sick or dead pets to call FDA state complaint coordinators. A list of contacts for such coordinators is available at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.
Q: What precautions are being taken to make sure it doesn’t happen again?
A: The company says it changed suppliers as of March 6, and has increased testing of raw materials and finished goods.
