It has been just over two months since the FDA first learned of pet foods that were manufactured in the United States being linked deaths in both dogs and cats. During this time, the FDA has received over 10,000 complaints from consumers who believe their pets may have been affected by tainted pet food.
The FDA determined thorough its investigations that vegetable proteins imported from China and used as ingredients in pet food, were apparently responsible. Apparently, wheat gluten, which is used as a thickening agent in pet foods, was contaminated with a small nitrogen containing molecule called melamine. Melamine is used as an industrial binding agent, flame retardant and also in the manufacturing of cooking utensils and plates. Additionally, because of its nitrogen component, it is also used as a fertilizer in some parts of the world.
How melamine contaminated the wheat gluten is not known. There is a link between pet foods, pet mortality/morbidity and melamine. FDA laboratories found melamine in samples of various pet food products manufactured with wheat gluten, as well as in the wheat gluten from China. Additionally, melamine was found by Cornell University scientists in the urine and kidneys of deceased cats that were involved in a pet food test testing study and who were fed products manufactured by Menu Foods.
At this juncture, all adulterated pet foods continue to be recalled and destroyed, but consumers should continue to monitor the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html to determine if pet foods that they may feed their dogs and cats are affected. If so, do not continue to feed the product and return it to the store in which it was purchased. Furthermore, if you suspect that your pet has consumed products on the FDA list and shows signs of illness (lethargy, lack of appetite or vomiting), contact your veterinarian immediately.
What does this all mean for consumers in an every increasing global food market? Quite simply that increased scrutiny of our food supply and even the foods that we feed our pets is needed, to ensure that the highest levels of physical, biological and chemical food safety are provided to the US consumer.