California Natural

[maryd]

A friend in Wyoming sent Canidae's Lamb and Rice mixed with Canidae's Original, and California Natural's Lamb and Rice Adult mixed with CN's Lamb and Rice Puppy to ExperTox.  She got preliminary results back last night.  The tech at the lab mixed both packages together for the test (in error, as my friend paid for two tests) and the result of the combined foods was negative for melamine and cyanuric acid, but positive for acetaminophen.

Apparently the acetaminophen level was high enough the lab recommended she completely stop feeding both foods until new tests can be run on the separate brands early next week.

This is just a heads-up.  I'll post the results when she gets them.  Mary

The numbers on the bag of Puppy are: 
 
CA Nat puppy:  all that's stamped on sack:  Exp 7/12/08 1544 1

The bag for the CA Nat Lamb and Rice Adult had been discarded, but she thinks it was purchased about the same time (if that helps!)

[PetFoodTracker]

Thanks so much for posting this information.  And please do let us know what happens with the further testing...

[Geff]

Yes, please do. Were all 4 of these bags dog varieties?

[maryd]

The results are finally in!  What took so long was at one point in the test, the stuff that used to be the food (which at this point in the tests we laypeople would call “wet”) took longer to dry than the lab folks expected, and it had to dry completely before the tests could be completed.

The California Natural foods tested free of melamine, cyanuric acid and acetaminophen.

The Canidae foods tested negative for melamine and cyanuric acid, but tested POSITIVE for acetaminophen.  The testing was done by ExperTox.

Again, the “best by” dates for the Canidae are:
 
Original RM 7/7/07, use by 7/7/08
Lamb & Rice RM 7/6/07, use by 7/6/08

The “paperwork” will be posted when we get it, hopefully tomorrow.  Mary

(Yes, all of these are dog foods.)

[himimom1254]

That's great news since I feed CN.

I'm awaiting test results from a sample that I sent to Natura a few weeks ago.

[eternaljester81]

Original RM 7/7/07, use by 7/7/08
Lamb & Rice RM 7/6/07, use by 7/6/08

Is the first date in each of these the manufactured date and the second the use by date? Just curious.

[Geff]

Good to see SOMETHING positive on Cal Nat!

[garypen]

I have a feeling that when the CalNat is made properly, without any hiccups at the plant that caused the "chunk" issue, it's probably less prone to contamination due to less ingredients. I found it to be a much better food than the sister brand Innova Senior or Reduced Calorie.

I'm glad that you guys can stop worrying so much, as you are almost stuck with using this one brand and formula, due to your cats' allergies and digestive issues.

My theory about acetaminophen in pet food is quite simple. The Chinese-made vitamins are contaminated with it. Period. End of story.

[catmom5]

I bought a bag of Cal Nat this afternoon and put down a bit next to the Eukanuba Prescription they're eating.  After rereading the ingredients list on the Euk, I could not believe that it was healthier for the cats with all of the grains, by-products and other @%$%$@$%!!!  CJ sniffed the Euk then sniffed the Cal Nat and proceeded to eat (with enthusiasm) the Cal Nat.  I will, of course, be very careful as I scoop it out, but I am so much more comfortable with the ingredients.

[Geff]

I have a feeling that when the CalNat is made properly, without any hiccups at the plant that caused the "chunk" issue, it's probably less prone to contamination due to less ingredients. I found it to be a much better food than the sister brand Innova Senior or Reduced Calorie.

I'm glad that you guys can stop worrying so much, as you are almost stuck with using this one brand and formula, due to your cats' allergies and digestive issues.

My theory about acetaminophen in pet food is quite simple. The Chinese-made vitamins are contaminated with it. Period. End of story.

At this point, it looks like I'll be buying another bag of Cal Nat when my current supply runs out. Feeding the 7/23/08 sample is going fine.  GP, I agree with a combo of this & your other related post on the Cal nat Controversy thread: I'm not at all pleased with Natura; but after hours of research it really appears that NO ONE else makes a similar formula & my kitty does so much better on this then anything else.......

If he gets sick in the future, I'm sure my tone will be different.

I also wanted to share with those who know me here, that a Troll on Itchmo accused me of working undercover for the pet food companies! Not sure whether to be angry or amused, but once I get over feeding the troll it will mostly be amused I think   

[garypen]

Which company? Or, does this troll think there is one big secret organization of pet food companies?

[garypen]

Pet owners are so weird.

[eternaljester81]

Truer words have not be spoken 

[Therese]

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Thank you!