The FDA and Menu Foods, Inc., are still investigating the cause of contamination in pet food manufactured by this company based in Ontario, Canada. Menu Foods has recalled dog and cat food produced at its facilities in Emporia, Kansas, and in New Jersey, between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007.
The dog food in question is sold under 51 different brand names and the cat food under 40 brand names throughout North America. Some well-known brands, including Iams, Eukanuba and Science Diet, are included in the recall. Stores that sell the pet food include PetSmart, Safeway and Wal-Mart.
Currently, a total of 14 dogs and cats have died as a result of eating the contaminated pet food, according to the FDA. These include animals that died after participating in Menu Foods taste tests, as well as pets.
Wheat gluten is being investigated as a possible source of contamination, though the FDA is investigating other pet food ingredients as well. While the cause of death in the animals is not yet known, dogs and cats exhibited signs of kidney failure after consuming the contaminated food.
The FDA is recommending that pets with signs of kidney failure (including loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting) after consumption of the recalled pet food be taken to the veterinarian. Pet owners can contact Menu Foods’ recall hotline at 1-866-895-2708, and FDA complaint coordinators can be contacted through the following website: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/default.htm
