From Itchmo: FDA Refuses To Allow Nutro Pet Food To Enter The USA

[Geff]

The FDA blocked more than 100 Nutro dog and cat food products from entering the United States in July.

Many Itchmo readers saw this on FDA’s website and were concerned over why these products were being stopped and wondered if there were more pet food recalls on the way.

FDA blocked the Nutro shipment at the Port of Los Angeles because the products appeared to contain poisonous substances and unsafe additives. The FDA then listed Nutro’s food on the Import Refusal Report.

Some of Nutro’s products on the Import Refusal list were: Choice Adult Cat With Turkey and Duck, Adult Large Breed Chicken and Rice, and Adult Turkey with Chicken Liver.

One particular Itchmo reader and tipster, Mike G., was extremely alarmed by Nutro’s products being blocked by the FDA. He has multiple cats and feeds them Nutro cat food.

“What isn’t clear is which ‘additive’ it is that is ‘unsafe,’ and which ‘substance’ it is that is poisonous,” Mike said. “The three Nutro canned cat products I have in front of me all state ‘Made in USA.’ But they don’t say which state or which US territory. I don’t so much care where (the products came from). It’s the ‘which’ (unsafe additives and substances) that concerns me.”

Mike contacted the company about his concerns, but he said Nutro never responded to his questions. He added that in general, Nutro has been non-responsive to customers.

Mike wants to know where Nutro pet food is made, where the products that were refused were made, and which additives and substances are unsafe and dangerous.

“In the aftermath of several thousand pet deaths,” Mike said, “Nutro and other companies need to demonstrate their commitment to pet safety by answering pet owners’ questions satisfactorily.”

ConsumerAffairs.com contacted Nutro regarding FDA’s import refusal. They said it took Nutro more than a week to reply back to their numerous calls.

Even though the company did respond, Nutro didn’t directly answer their questions.

The company’s Consumer Services Manager, Tamara Cerven, e-mailed ConsumerAffairs.com Nutro’s official, canned response:

“It has been brought to our attention that confusion has been caused by the Food and Drug Administration’s (“FDA”) Import Refusal Report. We wish to assure our customers that this report is in no way a cause for concern about the quality and safety of Nutro pet foods currently on store shelves.

“This report lists recalled product(s) that have been returned to Nutro from overseas. This product is not intended for sale.

“Nutro also ordered recalled product to be shipped back to the U.S. from overseas for proper handling. Some of this product is the subject of the FDA report.”

Nutro explained that the products listed on the import refusal report are those affected by Menu Foods recall in March. The company said it immediately stopped selling the tainted products and removed them from stores, warehouses, and distribution centers.

The company said customers with questions about the FDA’s import refusal can call customer service at 1-800-833-5330 or visit its website.

Mike is doubtful that anyone will get an answer since Nutro never responded to him. He added this is the last straw for him because of their failure to respond to his concerns about his cat’s food and their safety.

Source: ConsumerAffairs.com

[empire]

I think its about time