2007 pet food recalls

June 2025Recall of melamine-contaminated pet food December 2021 Beginning in March 2007, there was a widespread recall of many brands of cat and dog foods due to contamination with melamine and cyanuric acid. The recalls in North America, Europe, and South Africa came in response to reports of kidney failure in pets. Initially, the recalls were associated with the consumption of mostly wet pet foods made with wheat gluten from a single Chinese company. After more than three weeks of complaints from consumers, the recall began voluntarily with the Canadian company Menu Foods on 16 March 2007, when a company test showed sickness and death in some of the test animals. In the following weeks, several other companies that had received the contaminated wheat gluten also voluntarily recalled dozens of pet food brands. One month after the initial recall, contaminated rice protein from a different source in China was also identified as being associated with kidney failure in pets in the United States, while contaminated corn gluten was associated with kidney failure with pets in South Africa. As a result of investigating the 2007 pet food recalls, a broader Chinese protein export contamination investigation unfolded, raising concerns about the safety of the human food supply. By the end of March, veterinary organizations reported more than 100 pet deaths among nearly 500 cases of kidney failure. Associated Press 104 Deaths Reported in Pet Food Recall The New York Times 28 March 2007 https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/28/science/28brfs-pet.html?ex=1176264000&en=8ee0fb91fd221e4b&ei=5070 2007-04-11 However, many sources speculate that the actual number of affected pets may never be known, and experts think that the actual death toll could potentially reach into the thousands.http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/06/pet.deaths/index.html Senator calls FDA 'tragically slow' on pet food recall 2007-04-06 CNN 6 April 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070408195610/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/06/pet.deaths/index.html 8 April 2007 livehttps://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2974319 Doctors Caution Thousands More Pet Deaths Expected ABC News 23 March 2007 2007-03-23 In the United States there was extensive media coverage of the recall, with calls for greater government regulation. Reports of widespread and possibly intentional adulteration of Chinese animal feed with melamine raised the issue of melamine contamination in the human food supply, both in China and abroad. Research has focused on the combination of melamine and cyanuric acid in causing kidney failure. Reports that cyanuric acid may be an independently and potentially widely used adulterant in China have heightened concerns for both pet and human health.David Barboza Second chemical eyed in Chinese pet food scandal http://iht.com/articles/2007/05/08/business/petfood.php The New York Times 8 May 2007 2007-05-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20070508192253/http://iht.com/articles/2007/05/08/business/petfood.php 8 May 2007 live In 2008 baby foods contaminated with melamine in China affected an estimated 300,000 children, with hospitalisations and deaths. Recall history Timeline of the 2007 pet food recalls The first recalls were announced by Menu Foods late on Friday, 16 March 2007, for cat and dog food products in the United States. In the ensuing months, many additional recalls were announced by Menu and other companies as the recall expanded throughout North America and to Europe and South Africa. Menu Foods acknowledged receiving the first complaints of sick pets on 20 February 2007, and initiated the recall following unexpected deaths after a regularly scheduled internal "taste test".Alexandria Sage Pet deaths expected to rise despite recall: FDA https://www.reuters.com/article/us-petfood-recall/pet-deaths-expected-to-rise-despite-recall-fda-idUSN1929324120070319 Reuters 2007-03-19 2018-01-26 Overall, several major companies have recalled more than 5300 pet food products, with most of the recalls coming from Menu Foods.Weise Elizabeth Schmit Julie 2007-05-01 FDA limits Chinese food additive imports USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/2007-04-30-chinese-imports-usat_N.htm 2007-05-01 The contamination was caused by melamine in the affected foods. The Chinese company behind the contaminated wheat gluten has initially denied any involvement in the contamination, but is cooperating with Chinese and American investigators. The recalls are related to contaminated vegetable proteins, imported from China in 2006 and early 2007, used as pet food ingredients. The process of identifying and accounting for the source of the contamination and how the contaminant causes sickness is ongoing.Nikhil Swaminathan Special Report: The Poisoning of Our Pets - Scientists and government agencies home in on the cause of more than 100 pet deaths from tainted food http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa004&articleID=9AA80BDC-E7F2-99DF-325B0C8F34C09E95 Scientific American 28 March 2007 2007-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20070713011929/http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa004&articleID=9AA80BDC-E7F2-99DF-325B0C8F34C09E95 13 July 2007 dead dmy-all Mark Johnson Associated Press Lab Gets New Attention in Pet Food Case https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/01/AR2007040100720.html The Washington Post 1 April 2007 2007-04-11 Associated Press Affected brands Note: The following list may not be complete. Please refer to the external links section for more resources. thumb|Pet food is a US$38 billion industry. The majority of recalled foods have come from a single company, Menu Foods of Streetsville, Ontario. Menu Foods' recalled products alone represent nearly 100 brands of cat and dog food, and as of 11 April, are the only brands known to have caused sickness in animals. Below is an overview of affected brands, as provided by the FDA and the companies: Menu Foods: Over 50 brands of dog food,http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html Menu Foods Recalled Dog Product Information 2007-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20070406195316/http://menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html 6 April 2007 dead and over 40 brands of cat food.http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html Menu Foods Recalled Cat Product Information 2007-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20070406193434/http://menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html 6 April 2007 dead Almost all of the foods are wet foods, specifically the 'cuts and gravy' varieties. As a precautionary measure, Menu Foods also recalled all brands of food with wheat gluten in them even though the source of the gluten was not the same as the source behind the contaminated findings.http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/all-menu-foods-pet-food-with-chemnutra-wheat-gluten-voluntarily-recalled-59185312.html Press Release: All Menu Foods Pet Food with ChemNutra Wheat Gluten Voluntarily Recalled 2007-04-11 Sunshine Mills: Around 20 brands of dry dog biscuithttp://www.petwisemedia.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=70 Press Release: Sunshine Mills, Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Certain Branded and Private Label Branded Dog Biscuits 2009-11-23 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110715071305/http://www.petwisemedia.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=70 2011-07-15 Nestlé Purina PetCare: All sizes and varieties of Alpo "Prime Cuts in Gravy"Press Release ALPO(R) Brand Prime Cuts in Gravy Canned Dog Food Voluntary Nationwide Recall - No Dry Purina Products Involved http://sev.prnewswire.com/food-beverages/20070330/CLF27831032007-1.html PR Newswire 31 March 2007 2007-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20070409072546/http://sev.prnewswire.com/food-beverages/20070330/CLF27831032007-1.html 9 April 2007 dead Del Monte: More than a dozen brands of dry, or jerky-type, cat and dog snacks and/or morselshttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20070331005023/en/Del-Monte-Pet-Products-Voluntarily-Withdraws-Specific Press Release: Del Monte Pet Products Modifies Voluntary Recall List - No Additional Brands Included 31 March 2007 2007-04-11 Hill's Pet Nutrition: Science Diet Savory Cuts and a single dry cat food product, "Prescription Diet m/d Feline" http://www.hillspet.com/menu_foods/Menu_Foods_03272007_en_US.htm Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., Announces Voluntary Participation in Menu Foods' Nationwide U.S. recall of Specific Canned Cat Foods 2007-04-15 21 March 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070406044750/http://www.hillspet.com/menu_foods/Menu_Foods_03272007_en_US.htm 6 April 2007 dead dmy-allhttps://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2007/ucm108878.htm FDA hosted Press Release: Company Recalls Single Product, Prescription Diet m/d Feline Dry Food Food and Drug Administration 2009-11-23 http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20100306171425/http%3A//www%2Efda%2Egov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2007/ucm108878%2Ehtm March 6, 2010 dead Royal Canin Canada: Medi-Cal Feline Dissolution formula (canned)http://www.royalcanin.ca/index_en.php ROYAL CANIN CANADA PROACTIVELY RECALLS FELINE DISSOLUTION FORMULA 2007-04-20 10 April 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070329071552/http://www.royalcanin.ca/index_en.php 2007-03-29 live Royal Canin United States: Eight varieties of Sensible Choice, three varieties of Veterinary Diet, six varieties of Kasco dog and one variety of Kasco cat foodhttp://www.royalcanin.us/ Dear Royal Canin USA Customer 2007-05-14 19 April 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070515100824/http://www.royalcanin.us/ 15 May 2007 dead Natural Balance Pet Foods: Venison and Brown Rice canned and bagged dog foods, Venison and Brown Rice dog treats, Venison and Green Pea dry cat food, Chicken Formula Canned Dog Food 13 oz, Lamb Formula Canned Dog Food 13 oz, Beef Formula Canned Dog Food 13 oz, and Ocean Fish Formula Canned Cat Foodhttp://www.agriculture.ny.gov/AD/alert.asp?ReleaseID=710 FDA Statement: Information on Natural Balance 16 April 2007 2009-11-23 2011-10-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20111020164247/http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/AD/alert.asp?ReleaseID=710 deadhttp://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/press_release.html Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. Issues A Voluntary Nationwide Recall on Specific Venison Dog & Cat Food Products 17 April 2007 2007-04-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20070421222712/http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/press_release.html 2007-04-21 dead The Blue Buffalo Company: Spa Select Kitten dry food,http://www.bluebuff.com/ Voluntary Recall of Spa Select Kitten Dry Food 2007-04-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20070418223913/http://bluebuff.com/ 18 April 2007 live all canned and biscuit productshttp://www.bluebuff.com/company/news_070426.shtml Blue Buffalo Recalls Can and Biscuit Products Due To Tampering By American Nutrition Inc. 2007-04-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20070502032136/http://www.bluebuff.com/company/news_070426.shtml 2007-05-02 dead SmartPak LiveSmart Weight Management Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Foodhttp://www.smartpakcanine.com/PetFoodRecalls.aspx Pet Food Recalls 2007-04-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20070427030353/http://www.smartpakcanine.com/PetFoodRecalls.aspx 27 April 2007 live Chenango Valley Pet Foods: Doctors Foster & Smith Chicken and Brown Rice Formula Adult Lite Cat and Dog Foods; Doctors Foster & Smith Lamb and Brown Rice Formula Adult Dog Food; Lick Your Chops Lamb Meal, Rice and Egg Cat Food; Shop Rite Redi-Mixt Dog Food; SHEP chunk-style dog food; 8 in 1 Ferret Ultra-Blend Advanced nutrition Diet; Health Diet Cat Food Chicken and Rice Dinner; Evolve Kitten Formula; bulk Lamb and Brown Rice Formula Dog Food; and bulk Chicken and Brown Rice Formula Adult Lite Dog Food http://www.drsfostersmith.com/general.cfm?N=2001&gid=568 Pet Food Recall Notice Updates 2007-04-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20070428021017/http://www.drsfostersmith.com/general.cfm?N=2001&gid=568 28 April 2007 deadhttps://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ArchiveRecalls/2007/ucm112200.htm Chenango Valley Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Certain Pet Foods Food and Drug Administration 17 May 2007 2009-11-23 http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20100310071548/http%3A//www%2Efda%2Egov/Safety/Recalls/ArchiveRecalls/2007/ucm112200%2Ehtm March 10, 2010 dead Kirkland Signature: Super Premium Canned Food, item # 38436, best-by dates of "Aug. 21 08" to "15 April of 09" http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/26/pet-food-recall-costco-pulls-product/ Costo pulls product 2007-04-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20070429055553/http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/04/26/pet-food-recall-costco-pulls-product/ 29 April 2007 dead dmy-all Diamond Pet Foods: Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Kitten Formula 5.5 oz. cans, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Puppy Formula 13 oz. cans, Diamond Lamb & Rice Formula for Dogs 13 oz. cans and Nutra Nuggets Lamb Meal and Rice Formula dry dog foodhttp://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com/ Diamond Pet Foods has announced it is withdrawing a limited number of canned products manufactured by American Nutrition 2007-04-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20070506092831/http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com/ 6 May 2007 livehttp://www.nutranuggets.com/vet_notes/dogs/97/ Nutra Nuggets Recall Press Release 23 May 2007 2007-05-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20070528055058/http://www.nutranuggets.com/vet_notes/dogs/97/ 28 May 2007 dead The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) maintains a combined list of all recalled pet food varieties.http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/products.asp Pet food products recalled because of potentially contaminated wheat gluten 2007-04-17 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070415115544/http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/products.asp 2007-04-15 American Veterinary Medical Association Impact on pets Numbers of affected animals By the end of March, veterinary organizations reported more than 100 pet deaths amongst nearly 500 cases of kidney failure, and experts expected the death toll to number in the thousands, with one online database already self-reporting as many as 3,600 deaths as of 11 April.Pet Connection Food Recall Index http://www.petconnection.com/recall/index.php dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070328195028/http://www.petconnection.com/recall/index.php 28 March 2007 2007-04-11 dmy-allAssociated Press 10 April 2007 Vets Say Kidney Failure Up in Cats The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Pet-Food-Recall.html?_r=1&oref=slogin 2007-04-11 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has received reports of approximately 8500 animal deaths, including at least 1950 cats and 2200 dogs who have died after eating contaminated food, but have only confirmed 14 cases, in part because there is no centralized government database of animal sickness or death in the United States as there are with humans (such as the Centers for Disease Control).FDA Pet Food Recall Frequently Asked Questions Food and Drug Administration https://www.fda.gov/cvm/MenuFoodRecallFAQ.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070407113721/https://www.fda.gov/cvm/MenuFoodRecallFAQ.htm 2007-04-07 2007-04-11Susan Heavey https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0327064320070504 U.S. pet food recall widens amid cross-contamination Reuters 4 May 2007 2007-05-04 For this reason, many sources speculate the full extent of the pet deaths and sicknesses caused by the contamination may never be known. In October, the results of the "AAVLD survey of pet food-induced nephrotoxicity in North America, April to June 2007," were reported, indicating 347 of 486 cases voluntarily reported by 6 June 2007 had met the diagnostic criteria, with most of the cases reported from the United States, but also including cases of 20 dogs and 7 cats reported from Canada. The cases involved 235 cats and 112 dogs, with 61 percent of the cats and 74 percent of the dogs having died. Dr. Barbara Powers, AAVLD president and director of the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, said the survey probably found only a percentage of the actual cases. She also said the mortality rate is not likely to be representative of all cases, because survey respondents had more information to submit for animals that had died. A number of dogs were also reported affected in Australia, with four in Melbourne and a few more in Sydney. No legal action or repercussions have as yet occurred regarding these cases.https://aavld.memberclicks.net/assets/documents/2007%20AAVLD%20Procdngs%20book%20(2).pdf Proceedings of the American Association of Veterinarian Laboratory Diagnosticians 50th Annual Conference AAVLD October 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20180920092404/https://aavld.memberclicks.net/assets/documents/2007%20AAVLD%20Procdngs%20book%20(2).pdf 2018-09-20 2021-05-16http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/dec07/071201c.asp Researchers examine contaminants in food, deaths of pets Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association November 2007 2007-11-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20071122165749/http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/dec07/071201c.asp 22 November 2007 deadhttp://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2007/msu-survey-determines-that-more-than-300-pets-may-have-died-from-contaminated-pet-food-culprit-/ MSU SURVEY DETERMINES THAT MORE THAN 300 PETS MAY HAVE DIED FROM CONTAMINATED PET FOOD; CULPRIT MAY BE LETHAL COMBINATION OF CONTAMINANTS Michigan State University 29 November 2007 2007-11-29 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140320193121/http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2007/msu-survey-determines-that-more-than-300-pets-may-have-died-from-contaminated-pet-food-culprit-/ March 20, 2014 http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hmbpClNxoBizFvOAbgfRYRvU5u7g U.S. study ties 27 pet illnesses and deaths in Canada to pet food recall The Canadian Press 27 December 2007 2007-12-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20071230094627/http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hmbpClNxoBizFvOAbgfRYRvU5u7g 30 December 2007 dead Dr. Powers elaborated further: "But there absolutely could be more deaths from the tainted pet food.... This survey didn't catch all the deaths that happened. In order to be counted in our survey, you had to meet certain criteria.... If someone had a pet that died and they buried it in their back[yard], they weren't eligible for our survey. We had to have confirmed exposure to the recalled pet food, proof of toxicity, and clinical signs of kidney failure. So this is only a percentage of the deaths that are out there. There's no way to guess how many pets were affected." Lisa Wade McCormick http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/12/pet_food_recalls82.html Veterinarians Solve Pet Food Death Puzzle Consumer Affairs 1 December 2007 2007-12-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20071202135542/http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/12/pet_food_recalls82.html 2 December 2007 live In a potentially related incident in China, on 22 February 2006, Xinhua reported at least 38 cats dying shortly after being fed with Xiduoyu, a brand of a "Tianjin-based cat food manufacturer". A veterinarian referred to in the story said "test results from Beijing Animal Hospital showed the dead cats had suffered from kidney exhaustion and that the sick ones have kidney damage." Suspicions at that time focused on lead poisoning though Gu Junhua, a chief engineer from China's "national feedstuff quality check centre under the Ministry of Agriculture", was reported as saying: "But at present, he said it was difficult to draw any conclusions because the country has not drafted any food safety criteria for pets in terms of the quality and quantity of each element of the ingredients." No mention of melamine was made.http://english.sina.com/china/1/2006/0221/66443.html Cat deaths prompt concern over food's safety Xinhua 22 February 2007 2007-05-06 Symptoms Pet owners were advised to monitor their animals for the following signs of possible kidney failure that may be associated with the unknown toxicant: loss of appetite, lethargy, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, sudden changes in water consumption, and changes in the frequency or amount of urination. It was advised that pets exhibiting these symptoms should be taken for veterinary care as soon as possible, even if the animal did not eat any of the recalled pet food, as these signs may be indicative of other illnesses.https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2961402&page=1 Pet Food Recall Grows Along with Owner Worry Patricia Martell, Maggie Hopf and Lindsay Hamilton ABCNews.com 18 March 2007 2007-03-22 http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/faq.asp Menu Foods recall Frequently asked questions American Veterinary Medical Association 2 April 2007 2007-04-02 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070430105812/http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/faq.asp 30 April 2007 Ultrasounds of animals who have eaten the contaminated food in most cases show cortical echogenicity, perirenal fluid and pyelectasia.http://www.veterinaryradiology.net/2007/03/23/pet-food-recall-due-to-nephrotoxic-aminopterin-preliminary-ultrasound-findings-in-dogs-and-cats/ Pet food recall due to nephrotoxic Aminopterin - preliminary ultrasound findings in dogs and cats 23 March 2007 2007-04-15 One of the largest veterinary hospital chains in the U.S., Banfield, has released statistics on the recent rates of pet kidney failure. Banfield's veterinarians treat an estimated 6 percent of the nation's cats and dogs, and their findings provide "the most authoritative picture of the harm done by the tainted cat and dog food," according to the FDA. Based on analysis of data collected by more than 600 hospitals and clinics in 43 states, out of every 10,000 cats and dogs seen in Banfield clinics, three developed kidney failure during the time pet food contaminated with melamine was on the market. They reported 284 more cases of kidney failure in cats than the expected "background rate", corresponding to a 30 percent increase. During that period, the Banfield vets saw 100,000 cats. According to Hugh Lewis, who analyzed the results for Banfield, extrapolating to the United States cat population may mean "several hundred cats a week across the country" were affected. No similar statistically significant increase was seen among dogs, suggesting the contamination was more toxic to cats.https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-03-23-poison-pet-food_N.htm Pet food maker to pay for vet bills Elizabeth Weise and Julie Schmit USA Today 26 March 2007 2007-04-15http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070410/UPDATE/704100422/1020 Kidney failure in cats up 30 percent during tainted pet food sales, vet chain says Associated Press 10 April 2007 2007-04-15 Prevention of illness in pets As of 4 May, the FDA advised: "If your pet food is not listed [as recalled on its website], the pet food is not affected by the recall and you can continue to feed it to your pets; however, if your pet exhibits a sudden onset of symptoms including loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, stop feeding the pet food and contact your veterinarian." The growing number of recalls has motivated at least one well-known animal protection organization, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to recommend "until this crisis is resolved ... pets be fed products containing U. S.-sourced protein supplements only."http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_050307_2 As Pet Food Recall Expands, ASPCA Warns Crisis Not Over: More Cases May Be Seen ASPCA 3 May 2007 2007-05-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20070508024353/http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_050307_2 8 May 2007 live Food shortages in pet shelters Many nonprofit pet shelters rely on donated foods to feed the animals and remain financially stable, but due to the wide use of wheat gluten and other contaminated ingredients in many wet pet foods and the large portion of foods represented in the recall, many pet shelters have had to discard foods despite the financial burden of doing so.Tamara Abbey Pet food recall causes extra work at pet shelters http://www.newstrib.com/display.asp?Article=818F7E52089FF0EB437BD85A4D271D00997902AE756E279A https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191927/http://www.newstrib.com/display.asp?Article=818F7E52089FF0EB437BD85A4D271D00997902AE756E279A dead 27 September 2007 Illinois News Tribune 9 April 2007 2007-04-11 Margie Trax Page Pet food recall slams local shelter - APL strikes deal to provide safe, quality food for animals http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_099074111 https://web.archive.org/web/20071118223024/http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_099074111 dead 18 November 2007 Star Beacon 9 April 2007 2007-04-11 Search for the cause of the illnesses Unable to locate the source of the kidney failure exhibited by test subjects that consumed some of their wet food products, Menu Foods sent food samples to Cornell University between 13 March and 15 March for chemical analysis. They too, were not immediately able to pinpoint the cause of the sicknesses, so they sent samples to the New York State Food Laboratory, a part of the federally funded Food Emergency Response Network. Initial efforts focus on aminopterin On 23 March, the New York State Food Laboratory reported that aminopterin was found in samples sent to them by Cornell. Michigan State University also investigated the source of the kidney failure and made available to researchers and veterinarians pictures and photographs of affected animal kidneys "demonstrating acute tubular necrosis in the kidney with intratubular crystals." http://www.animalhealth.msu.edu/documents/PreliminaryFindingsinacaseofsuspectedtoxcompress.pdf Preliminary findings in a case of suspected toxicity associate with recalled pet food Michigan State University 2007-04-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20070616045443/http://www.animalhealth.msu.edu/documents/PreliminaryFindingsinacaseofsuspectedtoxcompress.pdf 2007-06-16 dead Aminopterin was widely described in news reports as a "rat poison", though that assertion may be based upon a hypothetical use listed in the 1951 patent application and not upon the actual use of the chemical.http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-30-2007/0004557052&EDATE= No Aminopterin in Tissues of Animals Killed by Recalled Pet Food 30 March 2007 PRNewsWire 2007-04-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20070509175658/http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F03-30-2007%2F0004557052&EDATE= 9 May 2007 live Aminopterin is illegal in China, http://www.chemnutra.com/ChemNutra%20Timeline.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20070616045443/http://www.chemnutra.com/ChemNutra%20Timeline.pdf dead 16 June 2007 ChemNutra TimeLine of Events Related to Pet Food Recalls 12 April 2007 ChemNutra 2007-04-14 and neither Cornell University nor the FDA could replicate the New York lab's results. On 27 March, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported the symptoms described in affected animals are not "fully consistent with the ingestion of rat poison containing aminopterin."http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_032707_2 ASPCA Press Release: ASPCA Advises Caution As Pet Food Recall Crisis Grows - Other Contaminants May Be Involved in the Menu Foods Recall 2007-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20070513205638/http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_032707_2 13 May 2007 dead Later findings change focus to melamine Sometime in mid-March, an "unnamed pet food company" reported to Cornell they had discovered an industrial chemical used in plastics manufacture, melamine, in internal testing of wheat gluten samples. By 21 March, it became clear the common factor was in the wheat gluten used to thicken the gravy in the "cuts and gravy" style wet foods. By 27 March, Cornell had confirmed the presence of melamine in the originally recalled pet foods, the wheat gluten used in their manufacture, the cells of the dead pets, and in the urine samples from dead and sick pets.http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/30/pet-food-recall-cornell-vet-school-dean-at-fda-press-conference/ Pet food recall: Cornell vet school dean at FDA press conference 2007-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20070529023110/http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/30/pet-food-recall-cornell-vet-school-dean-at-fda-press-conference/ 2007-05-29 dead On 30 March, both Cornell and the FDA announced the presence of melamine had been confirmed.Elizabeth Weise Nestlé Purina, Hills join pet food recall https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-03-30-pet-food-recall_N.htm USA Today 30 March 2007 2007-04-11 The chemical was found in the suspected wheat gluten in raw concentrations as high as 6.6%. Stephen Sundlof, the FDA's chief veterinarian said, "There was a sizable amount of melamine. You could see crystals in the wheat gluten."Associated Press Tainted pet food a bigger risk to cats than dogs - Felines more sensitive to toxic chemical found in recalled food, FDA says http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17870750 https://web.archive.org/web/20150910101039/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17870750/ dead September 10, 2015 NBC News 1 April 2007 2007-04-11 In addition to wheat gluten, products containing rice protein have also been contaminated with melamine. Natural Balance Pet Foods recalled two products on 16 April due to kidney damage associated with melamine contamination despite the products not containing wheat gluten.Julie Schmit Premium pet food company recalls dry foods https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/2007-04-17-premium-pet-food-recalled_N.htm USA Today 17 April 2007 2007-04-17 Melamine has also been implicated in corn gluten in South Africa. Nicola Mawson http://allafrica.com/stories/200704200140.html South Africa: No More Chinese Take-Aways for SA Pets 2007-04-20 Business Day (Johannesburg) 20 April 2007 Despite the presence of the industrial chemical in both the food and in the animals, the FDA has made it clear they are still in the middle of an extensive investigation, and "not yet fully certain that melamine is the causative agent." Melamine and cyanuric acid in pet sickness thumb|Melamine molecule, C3 H6 N6 — 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine Prior animal studies have shown ingestion of melamine may lead to kidney stones, cancer or reproductive damage.https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng1154.html Centers for Disease Control International Chemical Safety Card 2017-09-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20120605150753/http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng1154.html 2012-06-05 dead MSDShttps://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_250440.html OSHA Figures – Chemical sampling information June 4, 2016 March 6, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160306091042/https://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_250440.html dead One 1945 study suggested the chemical increased urine output when fed to dogs in large amounts. The chemical is known to have a very low toxicity in rodents. The U.S. FDA knows of no studies of melamine involving felines and, if melamine is responsible, the increased sensitivity of cats is a mystery to officials. One hypothesis is the poisoned cat foods might have higher concentrations of melamine than the dog foods. Melamine can be detected in blood or urine tests. Stephen Sundlof, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, says "Melamine is not very toxic as a chemical, so we're wondering why we are seeing the kinds of serious conditions, especially the kidney failure, that we're seeing in cats and dogs... We are focusing on the melamine right now because we believe that, even if melamine is not the causative agent, it is somehow associated with the causative agent, so it serves as a marker". Even at the highest observed concentrations found in wheat gluten, the melamine exposure is much smaller than the rat and mouse doses for which effects were seen. Instead, the FDA has suggested a second contaminant may be responsible for the ill effects and melamine, as the most easily identifiable contaminant, may serve as a biomarker, or indicator, for contaminated wheat gluten.Karen Roebuck Chinese criticized in pet food probe http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/rss/s_502101.html Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 11 April 2007 2007-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20070418165829/http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/rss/s_502101.html 18 April 2007 dead According to the FDA, "the association between melamine in the kidneys and urine of cats that died and melamine in the food they consumed is undeniable. Additionally, melamine is an ingredient that should not be in pet food at any level." However, Richard Goldstein of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine has stated that "There appears to be other things in there, other than melamine, but identifying what they are is a long process." thumb|250px|right|Melamine (green) and cyanuric acid (red) easily form hydrogen bonds (blue dotted lines) with each other. Researchers have focused on the role of melamine and related compounds in causing kidney failure. Beginning on 19 April, researchers reportedly had ruled out aminopterin contamination and had found a "spoke-like crystal" in contaminated wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate and the tissues and urine of affected animals. (It was previously known that melamine and cyanuric acid can form networks of hydrogen bonds, creating a tile-like planar structure through molecular self-assembly.)E.E. Simanek, X. Li, I.S. Choi, G.M. Whitesides, "Cyanuric Acid and Melamine: A Platform for the Construction of Soluble Aggregates and Crystalline Materials", Comprehensive supramolecular chemistry, J.L. Atwood ed., New York:Pergamon, Vol.9, 495 (1996). The crystal has been said to serve as a biomarker for contamination and is approximately 30% melamine. The remainder has been identified as cyanuric acid, ammelide and ammeline, with crystals recovered from urine reported to be approximately 70% cyanuric acid. While some researchers have theorized the three latter chemicals might have been formed as the animals metabolized the melamine, or as byproducts of bacterial metabolism (cyanuric acid is a known intermediate byproduct of bacterial metabolism of melamine), their presence in the crystals found in contaminated protein itself, combined with media reports of widespread adulteration with both melamine and cyanuric acid in China, has focused research efforts on their combined effects in animals. Neither melamine nor cyanuric acid, a chemical commonly used in pool chlorination, have been thought to be particularly toxic by themselves. The current hypothesis is, although these contaminants are not very toxic individually, their potency appears to be increased when they are present together. Karen Roebuck Humans at risk from tainted pet food? http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_503671.html Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 20 April 2007 2007-04-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20070501084605/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_503671.html 1 May 2007 deadNikhil Swaminathan Were Our Pets Deliberately Poisoned? http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=2B10D1F6-E7F2-99DF-34DAAAC1622FE3CE&chanID=sa007 Scientific American 25 April 2007 2007-04-26 Reese HW Shapir N. Sadowsky M. J. Wackett L. P. Verbal effects in children's visual recognition memory Child Development 46 2 400–7 1975 10.1128/AEM.71.8.4437-4445.2005 1183272 1183272 DCPAH Notices http://www.animalhealth.msu.edu/ Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health Michigan State University 1 May 2007 2007-05-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20070502013923/http://www.animalhealth.msu.edu/ 2 May 2007 liveDavid Barboza Another Chemical Emerges in Pet Food Case https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/business/worldbusiness/09food.html?_r=1&oref=slogin The New York Times 9 May 2007 2007-05-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20110616175526/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/business/worldbusiness/09food.html?_r=1&oref=slogin June 16, 2011 live On 27 April, researchers from the University of Guelph, in Ontario announced they had created crystals chemically similar to the ones found in contaminated animals by combining melamine and cyanuric acid in the laboratory under pH conditions similar to those in animal kidneys.Ashleigh Patterson Scientists track chemical reactions in pet food https://www.ctvnews.ca/scientists-track-chemical-reactions-in-pet-food-1.239078 https://web.archive.org/web/20070430053449/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070427/petfood_guelph_070427/20070427?hub=TopStories dead 30 April 2007 CTV.ca 27 April 2007 2007-04-27 Pet Food Recall http://www.labservices.uoguelph.ca/urgent.cfm#crystals University of Guelph Laboratory Services 27 April 2007 2007-04-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20070426092711/http://www.labservices.uoguelph.ca/urgent.cfm#crystals 26 April 2007 dead In light of these findings, on 1 May, the American Veterinary Medical Association noted in a press release the "extremely insoluble" crystals formed in animal kidneys are suspected of blocking kidney function.Melamine and Cyanuric Acid Interaction May Play Part in Illness and Death from Recalled Pet Food http://www.avma.org/press/releases/070501_petfoodrecall.asp American Veterinary Medical Association 1 May 2007 2007-05-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20070518221740/http://www.avma.org/press/releases/070501_petfoodrecall.asp 18 May 2007 dead On 7 May, however, Barbara Powers, president of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and a professor of veterinary diagnostics at Colorado State University cautioned "There's something more going on than just the mechanical blockage. Because you wouldn't see so much necrosis (cell death) and inflammation."Elizabeth Weise Poison pet food woes seem to hit cats harder https://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-05-07-poison-pet-food-science_N.htm USA Today 7 May 2007 2007-05-08 On 2 May, in further inquiry into the source of the cyanuric acid in the contaminated ingredients and the toxic effects of the chemical combination, Richard Goldstein of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, in response to reports the contaminant might be "melamine scrap" left over from processing coal into melamine, hypothesized: "It's possible the other stuff they were left with was the bottom-of-the-barrel stuff, leftover melamine and possibly cyanuric acid. I think it's this melamine with other compounds that is toxic."David Barboza China Food Mislabeled, U.S. Says https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/business/worldbusiness/03food.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin The New York Times 3 May 2007 2007-05-03 The composition of the crystals analyzed in contaminated pet food ingredients is similar to the composition of a waste product produced in cyanuric acid production.SM Lahalih, M Absi-Halabi, "Recovery of solids from melamine waste effluents and their conversion to useful products", Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, vol.28, 500-504 (1989). On 8 May 2007, the International Herald Tribune reported three Chinese chemical makers have said animal feed producers often purchase, or seek to purchase, the chemical, cyanuric acid, from their factories to blend into animal feed to give the false appearance of a higher level of protein, suggesting another potentially dangerous way that melamine and cyanuric acid might combine in protein products. A toxicology study conducted at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine after the recalls concluded the combination of melamine and cyanuric acid in diet does lead to acute kidney injury in cats.Assessment of melamine and cyanuric acid toxicity in cats Puschner Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation November 2007 19 6 616–24 10.1177/104063870701900602 17998549 etal freeStudy Identifies Deadly Chemical Duo in Contaminated Pet Food http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=8414 University of California Davis 13 November 2007 2007-12-07 Wilson Rumbeiha, an associate professor in MSU's Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, commenting on results from a survey commissioned by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and designed and implemented by MSU toxicologists which was also presented at the AAVLD's October 2007 meeting, said: "Unfortunately, these [melamine cyanurate] crystals don't dissolve easily. They go away slowly, if at all, so there is the potential for chronic toxicity." Alternative pet food sources Some pet owners have become concerned over the safety of all processed pet foods, and have chosen to forgo store-bought prepared pet foods in favor of preparing food from ingredients at home. The popularity of books on home preparation of pet foods has rocketed on Amazon.com. Some veterinarians have pointed out that animal diets are difficult to maintain in terms of nutritional appropriateness and safety, and are best served by store-bought preparations, an assertion disputed by some practitioners of home-made animal foods. Associated Press Food scare prompts pet owners to retreat to own kitchens http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/03/homemade.petfood.ap/index.html CNN 3 April 2007 2007-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20070410212553/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/03/homemade.petfood.ap/index.html 2007-04-10 dead Industry and government response Chinese protein export contamination American and Chinese authorities investigated the source of the contamination linked to pet deaths, and Chinese authorities closed down Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Company and Binzhou Futian Biology Technology Co. Ltd., the two companies linked to the contaminated products.Gao Ying China names and shames companies for exporting substandard food products http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-07/10/content_6355043.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20121013220140/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-07/10/content_6355043.htm dead October 13, 2012 Xinhua 10 July 2007 2007-12-02 In the United States, there has been extensive media coverage of the recall. There has been widespread public outrage and calls for government regulation of pet foods, which had previously been self-regulated by pet food manufacturers. The United States Senate held an oversight hearing on the matter by 12 April.Benna Delgado UPDATE: Pet Food Recall Controversy Headed to U. S. Senate http://caribjournal.com/2007/04/09/update-pet-food-recall-controversy-headed-to-u-s-senate/ CaribJournal.com 9 April 2007 2007-04-11 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070928032304/http://caribjournal.com/2007/04/09/update-pet-food-recall-controversy-headed-to-u-s-senate/ 28 September 2007 The economic impact on the pet food market has been extensive, with Menu Foods alone losing at least $42 million from the recall, even without taking into account reduced sales. Menu Foods details costs of pet food recall Reuters http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=marketsNews&storyID=2007-05-31T011824Z_01_N30466465_RTRIDST_0_MENUFOODS-RESULTS.XML 30 May 2007 2007-06-05 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070518133440/http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=marketsNews 18 May 2007 The several waves of recalls, many issued late on Friday evenings possibly to avoid media coverage, and the events have caused distrust in some consumers.http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?s=friday+night Petconnection Blog 2007-04-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20070928125426/http://www.petconnection.com/blog/?s=friday+night 2007-09-28 dead Litigation Many owners of pets stricken after consuming Menu Foods' product have considered filing lawsuits against the company, but are encountering difficulties with the valuation of the deceased pets. While many pet owners consider their pets to be a "part of the family", lost pets have traditionally been treated as property, with the potential liability limited to the retail value of the animal. Some states define the monetary value of a pet for litigation or insurance purposes. Other states have allowed suits for punitive damages and emotional distress suffered in the loss of a pet. After word of the recall and reports of animal deaths began to spread, Menu Foods was served with several individual lawsuits over the deaths of affected pets. On 20 March 2007 after the death of her cat, a woman in Chicago, Illinois sued Menu Foods for negligence in delaying the recall.http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070320/pet_food_recall.html?.v=1 Yahoo Finance - Stock Market Live, Quotes, Business & Finance News biz.yahoo.com https://web.archive.org/web/20070328174306/http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070320/pet_food_recall.html?.v=1 March 28, 2007 The same day, lawyers for a Knoxville, Tennessee woman filed suit in Federal Court against Menu Foods for $25 million and hoping to attain class action status, citing negligence in testing the food prior to distribution.Matt Lakin Pet food recall prompts lawsuit - Local woman files federal claim for $25M after cat gets sick http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_5431687,00.html Knoxville News Sentinel 21 March 2007 2007-04-11 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081210140555/http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0%2C1406%2CKNS_347_5431687%2C00.html 10 December 2008 As individual lawsuits were filed across the nation, an Ontario, Oregon family filed a class-action lawsuit against Menu Foods, citing emotional damage and economic loss. The lawyers filing the federal lawsuit noted Washington state, which has jurisdiction, had a history of favorable consumer protection precedents in prior pet-related lawsuits, but finding a set value for the lost pets may be difficult.Jonathan Martin When a pet dies of suspected food poisoning — what is its value? http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003630637_webpetfood22m.html Seattle Times 22 March 2007 2007-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20070328235133/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003630637_webpetfood22m.html 28 March 2007 dead On 23 March 2007, Menu Foods said they will reimburse pet owners who can trace their pets' illnesses to the company's products.David Kerley David Kerley Pet Food Maker to Take Financial Responsibility for Pet Deaths From Poisoning - Investigators Trying to Determine Exactly Where the Rat Poison Came From https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2975912&page=1&US=true ABC News 23 March 2007 2007-04-11 One estimate is that the cost to owners of treating sickened pets is between $2 million and $20 million.Lisa Wade McCormick Menu Foods Executive Sold Shares Weeks Before Pet Food Recall http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/04/pet_food_recall21.html Consumer Affairs 11 April 2007 2007-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20070422082448/http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/04/pet_food_recall21.html 22 April 2007 dead By 5 April 2007 the 20 March Chicago lawsuit expanded to federal class-action status, with over 200 plaintiffs seeking punitive damages for emotional distress. The plaintiffs have specifically accused Menu Foods of fraud, claiming the company may have known of a problem as early as December.Katy Byron Officials say 38 Oregon pet deaths could be tied to recall http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/04/pet.deaths/index.html CNN 5 April 2007 2007-04-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20070415214053/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/04/pet.deaths/index.html 15 April 2007 live Menu Foods faces 90 class-action lawsuits as a result of the contamination.Pet food maker's woes continue http://www.mississauga.com/article/3812 13 June 2007 2007-06-13 Torstar Network The Mississauga News https://web.archive.org/web/20070701181354/http://www.mississauga.com/article/3812 1 July 2007 live U.S. District Court Judge Hillman has ordered Menu Foods to have no contact with plaintiffs unless their attorneys are involved in the discussion, after lawyers from six firms representing pet owners claimed the company illegally attempted to contact their clients directly. Hillman has said "It seems to me that Menu Foods is out to do whatever Menu Foods wants to do in a way that could adversely impact the rights" of the plaintiffs.https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-05-28-menu_N.htm Judge tells pet food reps to back off 28 May 2007 USA Today Elizabeth Weise 2007-06-09 Suspected related outbreak in 2004 A 2004 outbreak involving pet foods sickened more than 6,000 dogs and a lesser number of cats in Asia. Kidney failure in the animals was linked to foods manufactured in Thailand by Mars, Inc. Veterinarians in Asia initially blamed the 2004 problems on fungal toxins, but pathology tests conducted in 2007 found melamine and cyanuric acid present in renal tissue from both outbreaks. According to pathologists: "These results indicate that the pet food–associated kidney failure outbreaks in 2004 and 2007 share identical clinical, histologic, and toxicologic findings, providing compelling evidence that they share the same causation."Outbreaks of renal failure associated with melamine and cyanuric acid in dogs and cats in 2004 and 2007 SA Brown AM Cistola S Sum KI Kang AE Ellis DM Miller B Puschner RH Poppenga KS 1 November 2007 525–31 5 19 Jeong Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation Cathy Brown 17823396 10.1177/104063870701900510 freehttps://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-03-10-petfood_N.htm Pet food scare in USA had a precursor 11 March 2008 USA Today Elizabeth Weise 2008-03-11 See also 2007 Chinese export recalls 2008 Chinese milk scandal China compulsory certification Chinese protein export contamination Pet insurance References 30em External links US Food and Drug Administration reports melamine found in contaminated pet food FDA Food Recall Page FDA Recall FAQ Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) Pet Food Contamination Page https://web.archive.org/web/20081020030853/http://www.oregonvma.org/news/recallnews.asp October 20, 2008 - News & developments updated regularly American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Pet Pood Recall Page Menu Foods Recall Page Itchmo - Pet News https://web.archive.org/web/20070928040625/http://www.itchmo.com/ September 28, 2007 - A comprehensive resource of recall news updated daily C-SPAN Video of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the recall. ASPCA Pet Food Recall Resource Center FAQ and recall list, brought to you by the experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Map tracing the spread of contaminated ingredients. Possibility of cross-contamination to "safe" pet foods". Pet Super Store Dog Food Recall Page Category:Pet foods Category:Food recalls Category:Scandals in China Category:Economic history of the People's Republic of China Category:Adulteration Category:Food safety scandals Category:2007 animal deaths Category:2007 in China Category:2007 health disasters Category:2007 scandals Category:Cats in Canada