Pet Food Safety
Posted: 06/11/2010
TUCKER'S PET FOOD RECALL WARNING
Tucker has discovered a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration Recall of Merrick Beef Filet Squares Dog Treats. These are very popular treats, but the 10 oz. bags, lot #9323, and a Use Before Date of November 19, 2011 should not be purchased.
Let Tucker Know What You Think!!
Send Your Comments to Tucker
Posted: 12/03/2009
Tucker's Pet Food Warning
The pet food industry continues to grow at a rapid rate, and with growth and expansion comes greed and carelessness.
Pet owners have a responsibility to protect their furry friends from harmful products.
Thus far in 2009, a number of pet food products have been RECALLED.
Tucker recommends that you not trust the pet food companies with your dogs nutritional health. He suggests that you regularly visit the FDA Website for the latest recall information.
If your pet's food has been recalled, immediately stop feeding your pet the product, and return it to the retailer where it was purchased for a full refund.
If your pet becomes ill from consuming recalled food, immediately contact a Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your state.
Let Tucker Know What You Think!!
Send Your Comments to Tucker
Posted: 02/11/2009
Tucker's Peanut Recall Notice
A second peanut processing plant in Texas, owned by the Peanut Corporation of America, has been shut down.
More bacteria in peanut products produced there were found.
Peanut Corporation of America owns three manufacturing plants in three states - Georgia, Texas and Virginia.
Peanuts from these plants have already killed 8 people and sickened 600 others in 44 states.
According to Tucker..."What is not yet known, and may never be, is how many pets, especially our beloved Scottish Terriers, have been sickened and killed by this irresponsible company."
Tucker wants to make sure that all people owned by Scotties are aware of all Pet Food Product Recalled by the Food and Drug Administration.
The recalled items include:
Carolina Prime
Carolina Prime Pet
Great Choice
Happy Tails
Healthy Hide
Healthy Hide Deli Wrap
Salix
Shoppers Valu
Knowlegde is the most powerful tool available to the human being. Use it to protect your cherished Scottish Terrier.
Posted: 01/22/2009
Tucker's Pet Smart Warning
Here we go again - this time it's peanuts.
Yesterday, Petsmart decided to voluntarily recall Great Choice Dog Biscuts, because the treats might contain peanut paste from Peanut Corporation of America which is under probe by the Food and Drug Administration.
Tucker says..."If you have purchased this product for your Scottish Terrier, you should immediately discontinue using this treat, and return them to your local Pet Smart store for a full refund!!"
Posted: 11/02/2008
Melamine Unregulated
According to Chinese chemical dealers..."Melamine scrap continues to be added to animal and fish feed."
Remember this? Protect your Scottie from melamine in his food, treats and toys. Any food from China, including pork, chicken, bread, cakes, seafood and candy can be tainted with melamine.
There is no question that some Chinese melamine dealers are still selling to animal feed producers. They are playing a deadly game with U.S. importers, and ultimately our pets.
Be sure not to buy commercial dog food. Also, be careful not to buy any dog treats, or rawhide made in China.
The Food and Drug Administration should require that melamine, no matter where it is manufactured, not be in any food products period. Until this happens, we must all be careful what we feed our Scotties.
Posted: 09/22/2008
Another Crisis. Melamine Again Found in Food
Tucker, our brilliant Scottish Terrier, is once again hopping mad. Why, you ask? He has read reports that melamine, "a plastic protein filler," has been found in Chinese infant formulas.
Tucker says..."In less than a year, the Chinese have found a way to kill innocent pets and children through the use of this contaminant in the food chain."
No More Melamine from China
Many pet owners will Remember the FDA Pet Food Recall of 2007. Here is Tucker's advice..."Avoid like the plague any pet products produced in China and, above all, continue to read the ingredients carefully when you buy dog food."
The large pet retailers - Petco and PetSmart - continue to carry many things made in China - toys, treats, rawhide, etc. Beware and be wise, avoid these products at all costs.
Keep your Scottie happy and healthy by keeping him China-free!
Posted: 10/04/2007
Tucker's Recall Notice
Tucker says..."Here we go again."
On September 18, Bravo! announced a voluntary recall of select tubes of three of its poultry products for cats and dogs. The pet food is being recalled because two of the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, while the other product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, Both Salmonella and Listeria are organisms which can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and if there is cross contamination, in people, especially small children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people with Salmonella infection may only suffer short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Long term complications can include arthritis and other more serious ailments. Healthy people with Listeria infection may only suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Recalled Pet Food
Product: Bravo Original Formula Chicken Blend frozen raw food
Product Numbers: 21-102, 21-105, 21-110
Sizes: 2 pound, 5 pound and 10 pound tubes
Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236
Reason for Recall: Salmonella, Listeria
Product: Bravo Original Formula Turkey Blend frozen raw food
Product Numbers: 31-102, 31-105, 31-110
Sizes: 2 pound, 5 pound and 10 pound tubes
Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236
Reason for Recall: Listeria
Product: Bravo Basic Formula Finely Ground Chicken frozen raw food
Product Number: 21-212
Size: 2 pound tube
Batch ID Code (on hang tag): 226
Reason for Recall: Salmonella, Listeria
People may risk Salmonella infection not only by handling these pet foods, but also by contact with pets or other surfaces exposed to these foods, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap. Anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella or Listeria infection after having handled the recalled product should seek medical attention.
In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. FDA Tips for Preventing Foodborne Illness Associated with Pet Food and Pet Treats.
Posted: 08/22/2007
More Melamine in Dog Treats from China
Tucker can smell a rat and melamine from very far away, even if it takes 27 days to travel. You would have thought that we had learned a costly lesson in April 2007, but no we did not.
Tucker says..."No matter how many times history repeats itself, it will repeat itself yet again." Apparently we are doomed because we do not learn from history.
On July 26 Wal-Mart removed chicken jerky treats from its shelves manufactured in China.Let's see now, do you mean to tell me and Tucker that it has taken 27 days for this action to be reported? What is going here?
Where is the United States Food and Drug Administration on this matter? Are they on vacation along with everyone else? What pet owner in their right mind would purchase any food or treats manufactured in China?
Our pets are wholly and exclusively dependent on us for their health and welfare. How many thousands of dogs and cats must die from these food contaminants before we wake up? Will the government ever wake up?
Tucker's burning advice is..."Shame on you if you buy food and treats for your pet at Wal-Mart, PetSmart and Petco." I challenge anyone to find anything "Made in America" in Wal-Mart. It is the largest reseller of Chinese made goods in the world, and it is trying to pay Chinese wages to American workers.
Tucker is sick of this issue, but he will never become sick from eating food sourced from China.
Posted: 05/30/2007
Pet Food Recall Update
Has America gone "dog nuts." Well, according to MSNBC, we have become A Pampered Pet Nation.
There are approximately "75 million" dogs in the United States, and their owners shell out over "$40 billion (dogs and cats) to keep their "fur children" fed, amused and healthy.
Ten years ago, we did not have terms like "dog spas, or doggie cocktail bars." Now, these terms are part of the dog owners everyday lexicon. For the real canine extremist, there are Doggie Dating Services, as well as a 24/7 Radio Show.
We truly have come a long way with our pets in a relatively short time. Veterinary care has made enormous advances in recent years - cancer treatment, joint replacements. It was not that long ago that our pets roamed the neighborhood unleashed.
However, the pet food recall, which is ongoing, has caused a good many "dog nuts" to pause and think about what they feed their "fur children" and the companies that make the food.
Here are some questions that guardians should be asking themselves about the pet food they purchase:
Is the company an American manufacturer?
Is the food manufactured in the United States?
Does the company also make widgets, or is it exclusively in the business of making pet food?
Does the company own the manufacturing facilities?
Do the products contain wheat gluten?
Are any of the ingredients obtained from foreign sources?
Are any of the products made by Menu Foods?
If you have any questions about the food you are currently feeding your pet, you should review Pet Foods Not on the Recall List.
Posted: 04/27/2007
Scottie Food Police
The pet food recall continues to expand with no end in sight just yet.
It seems that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) could use more than a little help to get this mess under control. My strong recommendation is to deputise Tucker as the Chief Crop Protector of Dog Food-dome.
After all, Tucker is supremely qualified, unlike many politically appointed officials. He comes from a long line of Scottish crop protectors. The Scots had it right - entrust your crops and stored grain to the Scottish Terrier.
The crops would be instantly free of mice, rat and other vermin free. With Scotties on the prowl, the Scots never had to worry about contaminated or infested food.
The USDA should immediately send Tucker to the infected manufacturing facilities for an imperial inspection of the food supplies and suppliers, the processing and storage equipment, the cooking process, as well as staff training and quality control procedures.
Results is what all dog owners, and with Tucker in charge, results is what will immediately follow. The time for action and results is now. Tucker awaits his appointment.
Posted: 04/18/2007
Pet Food Mess
For the most complete list of pet food recalled to date, you should go to American Veterinary Medical Association.
Many people do not believe that the recall is completed yet. Most of the major pet food manufacturers are already involved in the recall.
What should pet owners do? Here is my advice. Do not buy any food that is not made with human grade ingredients? Also, do not purchase any food with chemical and or artificial additives included in the formula?
Moreover, do not purchase pet food from any company that is not exclusively in the pet food business. Finally, if you yourself would not eat the ingredients in your pet's food, you should protect your fur child from those same ingredients.
Having stated the above, what can people do as a practical matter? One suggestion is to cook your pet's meals at home. Boiled meats - beef, chicken, liver and lamb are excellent sources of protein, as are boiled eggs. Boiled carrots and brown rice are also excellent for your pet. You can supplement the boiled food with seameal and multi vitamins.
If cooking is not your "cup of tea" then consider purchasing dehydrated raw pet foods. A company called The Honest kitchen offers meals with organic grains, hormone/antibiotic-free meats and non-GMO produce. All ingredients are guaranteed 100% human grade. Another company, Sojourner Farms, offers excellent all-natural alternatives to cooking.
Finally, be wary of "brand name" products manufactured by large companies that invest more in the marketing of their products than they do in the sourcing and manufacturing process.
Posted: 03/31/2007
Dog Food Capitalists - Gluttons for Punishment
The pet food scandal and recall is not over yet. Why do many thousands of dogs and cats have to be subjected to tainted food? Why does it take the deaths of hundreds of dogs and cats before the government, pet food manufacturers and consumers do anything about this horrible situation?
These are the questions that I retrieve from Tucker each day. He is very upset with what has been allowed to happen thus far.
In response to this situation, his advice, in the strongest terms, is as follows. Do not feed your fur child any food that contains wheat gluten, no matter where it is sourced - U.S., China or Europe.
Why? Tucker says the answer is simple. Wheat gluten is a cheap byproduct of human food processing. It offers almost no nutritional value. He suggest using food containing whole grains with all their nutrition intact.
In addition, Tucker suggests not to by food from multinational companies that do not rely on the sale of dog and cat food for their livelihood. It is better to buy fur child food from companies that live and die on the quality and nutritional value of their product.
| About the Author:
Paul McCarthy, entrepreneur, is owned by Tucker, a 12-year old Scottish terrier, whose paw prints, ideas and thoughts appear everywhere.
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