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Pet Food Recall: Menu Food’s Dog and Cat Food Linked to Kidney Failure in Pets

By Alan Haburchak

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 18May2008 Word count: 520 Viewed: 512 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

It's news that has put pet owners in a panic: Canada-based pet food manufacturer Menu Foods, Inc. has issued a recall of pet food that has been linked to kidney failure and death in dogs and cats. The pet food recall affects over 40 brands nationwide, and encompasses major retailers including Kroger and Wal-Mart.

The pet food recall was prompted when complaints and trials alerted the manufacturer to the possibility of dogs and cats being sickened by the contaminated pet food. It covers "cuts-and-gravy"-style wet dog and cat food sold in small pouches and cans and marketed under brand names including Purina, IAMS, Eukanuba and Purina. The tainted pet food causes kidney failure and even death in some dogs and pets.

The contaminated pet food was produced in Menu Foods' Emporia, Kansas facility between early December 2006 and March 2007. It is unsure thus far what part of the food is tainted; some reports cite tainted wheat gluten, but consumers will not know until further tests have been conducted by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Menu Foods. The FDA is reporting that at least 13 animals have died due to the tainted pet food, but consumers across the country are reporting even more deaths of dogs and cats after eating tainted Menu Foods pet food.

The news has panicked pet owners, who have overloaded veterinary telephone lines and are watching their dogs and cats' symptoms with concern. Kidney failure in pets is usually accompanied by foul breath, reduced appetite, vomiting, lethargic behavior or other signs of illness. The FDA is recommending that consumers who have purchased food subject to the pet food recall refrain from feeding the food to their pets and contact the manufacturer or retailer for a refund.

The pet food recall is raising serious questions about quality control in pet food. While food intended for human consumption must be carefully regulated, the pet food industry sets its own testing standards and is more self-policing than the mainstream food industry. In fact, FDA inspectors had never even been to the plant that is suspected to have produced the tainted food; the FDA places human food and health at a higher priority than those of pets. Unfortunately, that may take an unprecedented toll on pet owners who unwittingly fed their pets Menu Foods Inc. food now subject to the pet food recall.

Since the recall affects 53 dog food brands and 42 cat food brands with varying UPC codes, visit Menu Foods' recall website at www.menufoods.com/recall to determine whether you have purchased food subject to the pet food recall. Menu Foods has also set up a recall information hotline at 1-866-895-2708. If your pet is suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned above after eating Menu Foods pet food, contact your veterinarian immediately to obtain proper medical care.

If your dog or cat has died or been sickened by Menu Foods "cuts-and-gravy" subject to the pet food recall, contact an experienced unsafe products attorney immediately. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses.

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