http://www.pfpsa.org/news.html

June 20, 2009: A concerned pet owner provided pfpsa.org with funds and a variety of unrecalled dry cat food samples, which we received in ziplock bags, to have tested through the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab. Toxicology testing is done through WADDL by the Analytical Sciences Laboratory University of Idaho. We tested 5 samples believed to be three each of Nutro, one Wellness and one Purina. The tests show two of the three Nutro samples contained zinc at levels that would be illegal for sale in the European Union, at 270 ppm and 380 ppm. The third Nutro sample came in at 230 ppm. Purina and Wellness both came in at 190 ppm, which is still 40 ppm higher than the European Union’s recommended maximum of 150 ppm. The huge variation in Nutro results suggests very poor consistency and quality control. From one bag to the next, it’s about like playing Russian Roulette. It’s important to keep in mind pet food is typically the only thing our pets eat, day in and day out, month after month, year after year. Chronic exposure to over supplemented food, especially metals, hasn’t been studied enough to justify over supplementation as an industry standard.

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Note to PFCs:  We WILL test your food.

Saying prayers for Rufus and Peg.

Hey, okay!  Mars closing two more plants.

http://petindustrynews.blogspot.com/2009/06/mars-petcare-to-close-two-more-plants.html

6/19/09 Nestle Cookie Dough recalled for E. coli

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm167954.htm

Those comments on Nutro's site makes them look very bad, IMO.

Bad business plan to make your customers sick (and worse), and then deny that you had anything to do with it.

http://www.nutroproducts.com/press-recall/press-faq.html#q19


What signs of illness should I look for if my cat consumed affected food?

We have had no reports of illnesses in any cats to date. Short-term symptoms in pets may include reduction in appetite or refusal of food, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea. If your cat is experiencing health issues or is pregnant, please see your Veterinarian.
 
What are the effects of too much zinc in my cat's diet?

We have had no reports of illnesses in any cats to date. In some instances, high zinc levels have been shown to cause lack of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting.

Have there been any reports of cat illness due to this issue?
 
We have not received any reports of pet health issues at this time.

New article by Lisa McCormick.

Tests Find "Sky High" Zinc Levels inNutro Food

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/06/nutro_foia08.html

Good sites for making comments:

http://www.businesspundit.com/nutro-dog-food-issue-dates-mars-pr-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-15116

http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/2009/05/articles/food-poisoning-watch/cat-food-recalled-for-incorrect-levels-of-zinc-and-potassium/

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2009/05/pet-food-company-nutro-announces-recall-of-dry-cat-food.html

http://www.foodpolitics.com/

http://efoodalert.blogspot.com/2009/06/pfpsa-confirms-toxic-zinc-levels-in.html

http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/361/1/Nutro-Products-Recall-of-Dry-Cat-Food-Products/Page1.html#postedcomment

http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/380/1/Are-Pets-being-Legally-Overdosed/Page1.html#postedcomment

http://cherryhill.injuryboard.com/defective-and-dangerous-products/nutro-recalls-its-dry-cat-food-cat-owners-be-vigilant.aspx?googleid=263560

http://www.carolonpets.com/blog/ask-dr-carol/nutro-cat-food-recall-reveals-toxic-zinc-levels/

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/nutro-products-recalls-cat-food-international-recall#comment-390808

Nutro Responds to Allegations of High Zinc Levels:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2009/06/nutro-cat-food-recall-zinc.html

That may be the same Monica who told me (before Nutro clammed up) that Nutro received pre-mix from the supplier, and then added some additional "stuff".

Not sure if Monica was referring to all of the pre-mix, or part of the premix.

In manufacturing, it's standard practice to purchase a basic "part" that can be used in many products.  If the "part" needs to be customized for use in certain products, that can be done in house.

Just a guess, though, based on how other industries operate.

Food politics.  That's what is killing our pets.

http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/06/pesky-problems-with-multi-nutrient-supplements/#comments

As Rocky says:

"Wall Street has the SEC, and the pet food industry has the FDA."

http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfood/default.asp?pageid=99&Section=About

The comment about the co-packer is interesting.  Holly Peterson called me back and said the food was manufactured by Nature's Variety, in Lincoln, NE.
- so no co-packer was involved.

Maybe it's me, but I no longer understand a word they say.

LOL, got another call in to Holly, and will ask her to "clarify".

Update:  Yes, yes, the WITHDRAWN foods.  THOSE were manufactured by a local co-packer, but she didn't know the name of the company.

This just in from a friend:

TEST RESULTS BACK: Nutro Recall food tested, & zinc level found to be 2100 ppm. http://tinyurl.com/nzgoyw

From Nicole Martin, Pet Products Examiner:

"They coat their dry food with freeze dried raw so their dry food products may eventually become involved as well."

http://www.examiner.com/x-1747-Pet-Products-Examiner~y2009m6d15-Natures-Variety-withdraws-freeze-dried-food-lots

Not exactly sure what Nicole's comment means.  That's a question for Nature's Variety.

Tried to contact Nature's Variety at 1-888-519-PETS.

Answering machine only, so had to leave a message.

Here's a site that logs recall announcements.  Might come in handy on Twitter.

http://reliablepetfoodrecallinfo.blogspot.com/

A Tiny version for Tweeters:
http://tinyurl.com/luxsq9