Pet Food Recall: Day #57

It's been 57 days since Menu Foods first alerted their stockholders that there might be a problem. You would think, after nearly 2 months, all of the contaminated pet foods would have already been identified, you know, as a safety measure for those of us who still have living pets…

Of course, that's not the case. Here are two more related recall notices from the FDA website.

Cereal Byproducts:

Cereal Byproducts Company is announcing today that the FDA has determined that there are melamine and/or melamine derivatives in the rice protein concentrate produced by a single source Chinese supplier, Binzhou Futian Biology Technology Co. Ltd., and purchased through a local domestic importer. Cereal Byproducts shipped the recalled product to a total of three customers located in the Midwest between July 19, 2006 and March 14, 2007. The FDA previously found melamine and/or melamine derivatives in Wilbur-Ellis Company's rice protein concentrate, which was purchased from the same Chinese supplier as Cereal Byproducts. Cereal Byproducts proactively notified their customers of this finding, and thereafter both parties implemented their own voluntary recall of the contaminated products on or about April 19, 2007.

Although Cereal Byproducts has received no confirmed cases of pet deaths, it voluntarily chose to initiate the recall when Cereal Byproducts discovered there was a potential contamination of melamine or melamine type derivatives in the rice protein. We are confident that our customers have implemented on-going recalls and the remaining rice protein concentrate, not previously distributed to these customers, is located at a separate warehouse facility under quarantine.

Cereal Byproducts assures its customers that the safety and quality of the ingredients it supplies is a top priority. Since 1917 it has always been our goal to ensure the safety and integrity of our products. Cereal Byproducts is working closely with the FDA to assist in its efforts to address the recent development affecting the pet food industry.

Customers with questions about this recall or any Cereal Byproducts Company product should visit the website at riceproteinrecall.com or visit the FDA website at www.fda.gov for more information.

Royal Canin USA:

Royal Canin USA is announcing today the voluntary nationwide recall of eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products and seven Kasco dry dog and cat food products.

This announcement is based on the company's ongoing extensive review of its manufacturing and quality assurance testing procedures, which identified trace amounts of a melamine derivative from tainted Chinese rice protein concentrate provided to the company by domestic ingredient supplier Cereal Byproducts, headquartered in Illinois.

"We deeply regret the concern and anxiety this announcement today will cause our loyal customers and the entire pet community," Olivier Amice, President and CEO of Royal Canin USA, said. "While a very limited number of Sensible Choice and Kasco products in this recall tested positive for trace levels of a melamine derivative, Royal Canin USA is voluntarily withdrawing these products out of an abundance of caution and because we are fully committed to the welfare of our customers' pets."

Royal Canin USA has no confirmed cases of melamine related illness in pets eating Sensible Choice and Kasco products affected by this recall. Last month, Royal Canin USA announced it will no longer use any Chinese vegetable protein suppliers.

The following eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products and seven Kasco dry dog and cat food products with date codes between July 28, 2006 to April 30, 2007 are being voluntarily recalled:

SENSIBLE CHOICE® (available in pet specialty stores nationwide)

* SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Adult (Dry Dog Food)
* SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
* SENSIBLE CHOICE® Lamb and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
* SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
* SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Large Breed Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
* SENSIBLE CHOICE® NATURAL BLEND Adult (Dry Dog Food)
* SENSIBLE CHOICE® NATURAL BLEND Senior (Dry Dog Food)
* SENSIBLE CHOICE® NATURAL BLEND Puppy (Dry Dog Food)

KASCO® (available in pet specialty stores nationwide)

* KASCO® Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
* KASCO® Hi Energy (Dry Dog Food)
* KASCO® Maintenance (Dry Dog Food)
* KASCO® Mealettes (Dry Dog Food)
* KASCO® Mini Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
* KASCO® Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
* KASCO® Cat (Dry Cat Food)

Based on today's announcement, pet owners should stop feeding their pets the eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products, seven Kasco dry dog and dry cat food products listed. Pet owners should consult with a veterinarian if they are concerned about the health of their pet.

The safety and nutritional quality of Royal Canin USA pet food is our company's top priority because we understand that the health of pets comes first. Pet owners who have questions about the voluntary recall of Sensible Choice and Kasco dry pet food products and other Royal Canin USA products should call 1-800-513-0041 or visit our web site at www.royalcanin.us.

All Sensible Choice and Kasco products have a satisfaction guarantee and the company will refund or replace the diets that are part of this recall announcement.

Hopefully they identify all of the possible sources before all the pets are dead.