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More pet food imported from China has been found to have impurities, which means more recalls. This time, the products in question were tainted with illegal antibiotics. When it comes to pet food recalls, the question on pet owners' minds is quickly changing from "if" to "when" the next one will happen. Many are understandably confused and concerned.
It can be difficult to know what products are or aren't safe to give our furry friends. To answer these questions, we spoke to Dan Barton, national pet expert and author of "Stop Your Bitchin' and Start Making Real Money: The Honest Truth of What It Takes to Succeed in the Pet Industry."
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What brands of foods have been removed from the market?
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ANSWER: The most recent recall involves dog treats imported from China that are contaminated by antibiotics that are illegal in the U.S. The brands affected are Purina's Waggin' Train, Hartz’s Oinkies, Canyon Creek Ranch dog treats, and Milo's Kitchen Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers. In recent years, brands such as Pedigree, Iams, Nutro, Blue Buffalo and others have been recalled due to salmonella concerns.
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How can pet owners ensure the safety of the food and treats that they are giving their pets?
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ANSWER: It is important that owners read the ingredients listed on the labels. Ingredients should be of human grade and as healthy as possible. Owners should also try to stick to products made in the U.S., as other countries many times have different laws governing pet food production. Also, owners should try to avoid as many by-products, fillers and chemicals as possible.
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Is it only products imported from China that have been at fault?
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ANSWER: China is not the only country at fault for pet food contamination. Australia, Spain and the United States are just a few of the countries that have had issues with food contamination.
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How is pet food regulated?
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ANSWER: In the United States, the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) approves which ingredients may go into pet foods. They also approve the amount of each ingredient. The FDA regulates the processes and sanitation for pet food production. It is up to the FDA to inspect facilities and test for dangers. For more information visit their sites at www.aafco.org and www.fda.gov. It is important to note, however, that there are some loopholes for producers, and many times the FDA does not test facilities until after a problem arises. That is why many pet food companies monitor their own production.
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Are all pet foods with ingredients from China or other countries labeled as such? If not, how can pet owners find out whether a product contains ingredients from China?
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ANSWER: The truth is, it may be difficult to tell if your food has ingredients sourced from China. That is because even if the main ingredients are from the United States, many times the supplements and chemicals in the food are not. That means even if the packaging says "Made in America," it may mean "Mostly Made in America." Typically, smaller pet food companies will disclose where their ingredients come from on the packaging. If you have questions about your pet's food, it is important to contact the company.
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Are there brands or types of pet food that owners should avoid altogether, regardless of their country of origin?
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ANSWER: Owners should stick to higher grade foods if possible. Don't discount large name brands just because they have been recalled in the past. Many times American brands will recall food before it reaches a large market just because there is a chance of compromised food. Just because a recall has been issued does not mean any person or pet has become ill from the product. Stick with companies who are responsible and use quality ingredients in their foods.
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How can pet owners best stay updated about pet food recalls and related news?
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Next: How to Read a Dog Food Label
ANSWER: There are many resources for pet owners to keep up-to-date on the latest recalls and health news for pets. However, the two most thorough are www.recalls.gov (this gives updates on human and pet food) and www.fda.gov.
(PawNation also recommends our partner PetMD's Alerts & Recalls Center.)
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25 Comments
I don't think store bought food can ever be as safe and fresh, especially with the the chemicals and corn and other products being put into it.
March 08 2013 at 12:40 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIn Boise, Idaho we buy our pet food at Zamzow's ... a local chain of stores with their own manufacturing plant.
March 06 2013 at 5:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWe boil chicken, liver or ground turkey (keep the water) add brown rice and add either frozen mixed vegetables or california blend (cauliflower, broccoli and carrots). We make a big pot, keep out four days worth and freeze the rest until needed. We rotate the meat and veggies for a change of pace. At 7pm (their dinner time) they come to us dancing and crying.
March 06 2013 at 11:20 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyMy dachshund passed on, from rectal cancer, in 2011. He was only 10 years old. I had been giving him the chicken jerky treats,(Tail Waggin"), type. This product was recalled in January, this year. I wonder, if this is what caused his cancer? I was SO traumatized, when he was diagnosed, in Dec., 2010...and passed, shortly after. I still miss him, so.
March 06 2013 at 5:14 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyi have switched from cat litter with chemicals to wood bedding pellets for horse stalls, $4 for 40 lbs. Clay or scoop types dust irritates cats eyes and lungs. Plasticstoragecontainer high enough so cats can stand up and move around. Another plastic pan to fit inside for easy removal to clean. I cut door in one end making sure opening above the inner pans edge so litter does not spill out of box. Place cover on top, never know pan inside. Train cat with old litter, then switch out. Pellets fluff up when peed on. Buy better food with svd $.
March 06 2013 at 1:22 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI make my dogs chicken jerky. Buy skinless breasts, freeze then slice somewhat thin, line a greased cookie sheet and cook on about 200-260 until they no loner are malliable. The key is low heat and a long time cooking. My dog loves them better than the store.
March 06 2013 at 12:56 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyI make my own dog food. Boil a chicken, strip the meat from the bone dice it, then make a big pot of rice, sometimes add oatmeal, then mix it all together with the broth then put it in seperate containers, 1 for each meal. I also use hamburger, liver, and tuna. I also steam mixed veggies for them and they get yogart, cheese and cottage cheese.
March 05 2013 at 11:25 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyBobby Fox - any recipes for dehydrating chicken and beef strips....do you season them? I think my dog likes seasoning and I was feeding him those chicken jerky strips and he loved them until I found out about the China thing and he did get cancer, so far cut out, but we'll see. I am trying so hard to find good things for him to eat, but he is very picky and it's hard. It is very sad to find out even some of the higher end "better" natural, etc brands still have bad stuff in them......enough already.
March 05 2013 at 10:39 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyBuy USDA inspected and passed pet treat and then read the label and understand the nutrition for you carnivore which then over seen now by FDA/USDA if the manufacture want to make the pet treats under USDA and be moral about it. .
March 05 2013 at 9:52 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyAnimal eat meat not petroleum products or cereals including soy corn and wheat. But save your self into the Vet. Have a nice day. Even humans cut corners to same money and lose their health by eating unfiltered foods . Meat protein is filtered by the micors in the soil as they are absorbed into the plant roots, then by sun light and photo syntheses into plant cells and then by the micros in the rumen stomach where the nutrients pass into cell structure of the animal parts. Now the purified animal parts from safely inspected parts are .ready to be cooked and safe to eat by all carnivores as the toxins are filters out . Agin remember oil has been seeping out of the earth since the beginning of time and certain micor organisms can eat the oil and purify it. Now the chain can begin to make only microscopic parts of animal and human food after many natural filtrations to become minor components of highly naturally refined edible muscle parts. No food in the directly form motor oil for my pets or my children.
RAE rae84065 @aol.com
Now the law and the law will make you free.
Stop dealing with China?
March 05 2013 at 8:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyCheck up on why we cannot and get informed.