Two days ago the chief executive of Menu Foods, Paul Henderson said the pet food linked to the death of these animals showed “no signs of contamination” and he could not explain why the cats and dogs developed acute kidney failure and died. Now, today we find out, it was rat poison, that contaminated the wheat used in the making of the food. Not just any old wheat either. Imported wheat. From China. ABC News has learned that investigators have determined that a rodent-killing chemical is the toxin in the tainted pet food that has killed several animals. A source close to the investigation tells ABC News that the rodenticide, which the source says is illegal to use in the United States, was on wheat that was imported from China and used by Menu Foods in nearly 100 brands of dog and cat food.
A news conference is scheduled for this afternoon by experts in Albany, N.Y., where scientists at the state’s food laboratory made the discovery a week after a massive recall of 60 million cans and pouches was issued. The chemical is called aminopterin. What investigators can’t say so far is whether this is the only contaminant, if it is in all of the recalled food, or if it’s in enough quantity in to sicken more animals. Importing wheat from China? Would it be rude to ask why? Aminopterin is used in the United States in, of all things, a cancer drug, according to the source. No wonder people get so sick when they undergo chemotherapy.
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