Pet Deaths Show The Reach of Globalization

Almost a month after the first reports of pet deaths reached its ears, the Canadian investment company responsible for the private label and contract manufacture of tainted dog and cat food alerted the public.

Canadian company. Manufacturing plants in Kansas, New Jersey, South Dakota and Ontario (CA). Suppliers: from around the world. Brands (in the loosest sense of the word): 51 dog food, 42 cat food.

A poster child for globalization -- an economic system resulting from political choices.

Pet Food Regulation
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration is the federal agency responsible for ensuring "that pet foods, like human foods, be pure and wholesome, safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled."

However, the FDA does not pre-approve "safe" ingredients "such as meat, poultry, grains, and their byproducts."

Guess which ingredient is suspect in this latest recall? Wheat gluten -- a grain byproduct. (Some press reports suggest that the supplier was Singapore based.)

In an age where consumers are encouraged to choose convenience (buy from the "local" pet food multinational chain store) ... it is impossible for any one consumer to "know" the company selling a product. It's impossible for any one consumer to be able to investigate manufacturing practices, even if that consumer had the time, means and interest.

Once upon a time, a "brand" meant that a company exercised not only fiduciary responsibility ... but also insured product quality because it actually manufactured its own goods. As this case shows -- with 51 "brands" of one line of dog food and 42 "brands" of one line of cat food ... brand now exists as a means to increased quarterly profits. Let the lawyers and bean counters run the risk assessment of potential losses if the supply goes into the toilet.

Who knows how many other companies are involved in the production of name brand pet food like Eukanuba or Iams ... Purina or Science Diet? It won't be you and me ... until tragedy strikes again.

That's why consumers (also known as voters) delegate this responsibility to government agencies that say that their mission is the public interest. We can debate, another time, whether consumer or business interests take center stage at the FDA.

Given that FDA rules as "safe" most of the ingredients used in pet foods -- the agency focus is on labeling, otherwise thought of as truth-in-advertising.

What Happened?
Menu Foods, the Canadian manufacturer, told the FDA that it first received complaints about its food products on 20 February, a Tuesday. The following Tuesday, it began tests on 40-50 dogs and cats. One-in-six of these animals died, prompting outrage from many commenters on this CBS news story.

I'm beyond shocked that they tested food that they already suspected was contaminated to more dogs/cats as their test. I just can't believe it, have been crying since I read this. Believe me, I will never forget to be sure not to buy anything made by Menu foods.

The company announced a voluntary recall on Friday 16 March. (Why do companies do this -- guarantee frustration among consumers by announcing something right before the weekend, when the offices are closed?)

The FDA recall is dated Saturday 17 March.

The affected products are in cans and pouches and are a "cuts and gravy" style food. Affected dates: 3 December to 6 March. Details on brand, dates sold and other info (dogs, cats) are available on the Menu Foods website.

Menu Foods has two toll-free numbers: 866-463-6738 and 866-895-2708.

If you have fed your dog or cat any of these pet foods ... and your pet has shown signs of renal failure ... report this to your local FDA coordinator immediately.

For other reading: Who regulates the pet food industry; Pet Food Recall from Cats @ About.com; More Recall Information from Dogs @ About.com.