Contaminated Pet Food Proves Fatal

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pets_relate..._pet_food.html

Health Sca Contaminated Pet Food Proves Fatal


January 10, 2006


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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched an investigation
into the deaths of dozens of dogs who apparently consumed pet food
contaminated with aflatoxin, a substance that can cause lethal liver
disease in animals.

When the FDA announced its investigation on December 30, the agency was
aware of only 23 dogs who had died from eating the contaminated food as
well as another 18 dogs who had become ill. Since then, news outlets
have quoted FDA officials as saying that the number of dead dogs has
more than tripled to 76 animals.

The following cat and dog food products are affected by the recall:


Diamond Low Fat Dog Food
Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food
Diamond Maintenance Dog Food
Diamond Performance Dog Food
Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food
Diamond Puppy Food
Diamond Maintenance Cat Food
Diamond Professional Cat Food
Country Value Puppy
Country Value Adult Dog
Country Value High Energy Dog
Country Value Adult Cat Food
Professional Chicken & Rice Senior Dog Food
Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food
Professional Adult Dog Food
Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food
Professional Puppy Food
Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food
Professional Adult Cat Food

On Monday, January 9, The New York Times quoted veterinarians at
Cornell University Hospital for Animals, who are tracking dogs affected
by the contaminated pet food, as saying they believe that 100 dogs have
died nationwide from aflatoxin poisoning. The veterinarians fear the
number could rise significantly, because dog owners, preoccupied by
holiday activities, may not yet be aware of the threat.

The pet food, sold under the labels Diamond, Country Value and
Professional, was produced by Diamond Pet Foods, a privately owned
company based in Missouri. The company issued a recall on December 20
when aflatoxin was discovered in pet food made at its Gaston, South
Carolina facility, and shipped to stores throughout the east and
southeastern United States as well as to 29 countries.

The State newspaper, based in Columbia, South Carolina, reported on
January 6 that tests showed that about 30 samples-from about 3,000
tested samples of Diamond brand pet food-contained aflatoxins that
exceeded the maximum level allowed by the FDA for human and pet food.
"The positive results were found for food made Oct. 1 through Oct.
16, which means they would bear 'best buy' dates of April 1-16,
2007," the paper wrote.

Diamond recalled all dried pet food produced from September 1 through
December 10 at the Gaston plant. The recall included both dog and cat
food, but to date, dogs appear to be the only animals affected.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring substance produced by fungi that
grow on grains, including corn. Humidity, high temperatures, or drought
are some of the conditions that contribute to aflatoxin growth on
crops. Aflatoxin is toxic and can cause severe liver damage in animals.


Pet guardians whose animal may have consumed a Diamond brand pet food
product are urged to contact their veterinarian if their pet exhibits
any of the following symptoms, which may indicate aflatoxin
consumption:


Sluggishness;
Loss of appetite;
Jaundice (yellow whites of the eyes, gums, belly or areas where hair is
very thin);
Severe, persistent vomiting combined with bloody diarrhea;
Discolored urine;
Fever.

According to Diamond, 23 states are affected by the recall, including
Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Vermont, and Virginia.

The FDA said it is continuing to investigate the situation and is
working closely with the state feed regulatory agencies in the affected
states. Some of the products included in the recall were exported to at
least 29 countries in the European Union. The FDA said those countries
have been notified.

According to Diamond, any unused portions of recalled pet food should
be returned to the retailer where it was purchased for a refund or
replacement. According to press reports, Diamond has also offered to
compensate pet guardians who can confirm that their pet died or became
ill as a result of eating the contaminated food.

Diamond Pet Food is requesting that customers whose pets have become
ill from eating contaminated food contact the company through its
online help form.

Customers can receive more information about the recall by calling the
Diamond Pet Foods Customer Information Center toll free at
1-866-214-6945. The Information center is open seven days a week from 8
a.m. to midnight EST.

Please forward the link below to anyone you know who may be interested
or has had a negative encounter with the food!


http://www.thepetlawyer.com/Dogfoodpage.html