Demand for Organic Products Amongst Pet Owners Increases in Wake of Peanut Butter Recall

Are dogs and cats immune to salmonella contamination? The answer is Your family pets are just as susceptible to contracting salmonellosis as human beings. Pets can also be carriers of salmonella increasing the risk of cross contamination between pets and human beings. In the light of the recent peanut butter product recall, companies that offer organic pet products and have GMP-certified manufacturing units are finding themselves in higher demand.

The recent scandal and scare of contaminated peanut butter products have driven consumers to think twice about the products they purchase and the manufacturing practices employed by companies. Can they be trusted? How can a consumer ensure that the product purchased is safe for consumption for the entire family, including the family pet? Many consumers now feel safer choosing products that are organic-certified and are produced by a GMP-certified company. This ensures high standards of quality control and quality assurance.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, the recent salmonella contamination originated from a plant in Georgia that produces peanut products in mass production to sell in bulk to various distributors. As a result, more than hundreds of companies have recalled their products from the shelves. The FDA reported that the Georgia-based manufacturing plant was “not compliant with current good manufacturing practices required by the FDA”. They also reported lack of quality control measures in cleaning procedures and failure on the company’s part to take action for mitigating contamination in their facility.

The contamination has led to serious cases of salmonella infections. All-out efforts are being taken to contain the infection by public awareness and recalling products that can trace their peanut-related ingredient to the Georgia-based plant in question. A number of Pet products containing peanut paste from this plant have also been recalled.

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With a broad spectrum of choices for organic pet products, more consumers are turning to organic pet products which, they feel, can be fully trusted for safety and health.

A broad category of organic pet products include:

Organic Dog Food / Cat Food

Organic Pet Treats

Grain-Free Pet Foods

Dry Pet Foods

Canned Pet Foods

Low Fat Pet Foods

Senior Pet Foods

Puppy Treats

Organic Gourmet Foods

Organic Grooming and Hygiene for Pets

Organic Pet Flea Treatments…

… and more!

There’s an endless variety of options for organic pet products. The trend towards Organic products, even in organic pet foods is continually on the rise.

If you are pet product manufacturer using a contract manufacturer to produce your products, the recent peanut butter product recall should raise a red flag. Is your contract manufacturer following strict GMPs? Are raw materials being inspected for quality before being taken into the facility for production? Are there quality control measures in place in every stage of production? No one wants a lawsuit to deal with and the price to pay is irrecoverable in terms of loss of reputation and other legal hassles.

If you find manufacturing facilities questionable, you may want to consider shifting your business to an organic, GMP-certified contract manufacturer for your pet product manufacturing. Placing your manufacturing needs with a GMP-certified contract manufacturer leaves you free to focus on expanding and enhancing your business.

Organic pet products have shown a steady rise in demand over the last decade.

According to Global Industry Analysts, Inc. the attitudes of pet owners are changing. A growing number of pet owners consider their household pets as a part of the family and entitled to equal benefits with other members of the family. More pet owners are concerned with health and nutrition for their pets. This has led to the pet food sector being the fastest rising in the food industry. Pet owners are looking specifically for preservative-free organic, natural products that offer high quality nutrition and health for their pets.

More consumers realize they have more control over health and nutrition issues for their pets by choosing products that are organic and produced by a reliable company. Good health and nutrition are worth the price.

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Pet Food Recall And How To Select A Nutritious Food Replacement

On April 5, 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided an update on the recall on pet foods from Menu Foods. The Agency reported its latest findings in the ongoing investigation into the recent outbreak of cat and dog illness and death associated with pet food manufactured with contaminated wheat gluten.

FDA launched an investigation within 24 hours after being notified by Menu Foods of a recall and investigators arrived at the company’s plant and searched for possible sources of contamination. The same day, FDA consumer complaint coordinators nationwide began taking calls from consumers and veterinarians who reported illnesses potentially associated with the contaminated pet food. FDA has received over 12,000 reports in the last three weeks more than twice the number of complaints typically received in a year by the consumer complaint coordinators. In an effort to trace all of the contaminated product, the Agency conducted numerous inspections of manufacturers and warehouses identified as recipients of the suspect product. FDA has also been working with the affected firms to assist them with their product recall efforts.

FDA’s investigation identified the distributor of the contaminated wheat gluten as ChemNutra, of Las Vegas, Nevada. FDA worked with the firm to trace the suspect product, and identified its Chinese source. FDA has asked the Chinese government to help us with the investigation which continues to determine how the melamine may have gotten into the wheat gluten. FDA is currently sampling 100 percent of all Chinese wheat gluten being offered for import. FDA Field laboratories confirmed the presence of melamine in shipments of wheat gluten received from a source from China.

This was done through testing of samples of finished product and raw materials. Melamine is a product used as a fertilizer with other industrial and commercial uses. FDA laboratories have conducted over 400 sample analyses, and to date have found 21 samples that were positive for melamine. To date, voluntary recalls of pet food products have been conducted by Del Monte Pet Products, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Menu Foods, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, P&G Pet Care, and Sunshine Mills. On April 5, Sunshine Mills, Inc., of Red Bay, Alabama, voluntarily recalled a portion of its branded dog biscuits made at its Red Bay, Alabama biscuit plant during part of March 2007. In addition, Menu Foods, Inc., voluntarily expanded its pet food recall for selected cuts and gravy pet food products, manufactured back to November 8, 2006. Both firms issued press releases which are accessible on the FDA website.

Be sure you are aware of these other facts of the recall. This is an ongoing investigation. FDA is conducting recall audit follow-ups to ensure an effective recall. They continues to work with federal, state, and local partners, veterinarians, and members of the public as part of this investigation. At this time there is no evidence that any wheat gluten contaminated with melamine has entered the human food supply.

Understanding the role of melamine in each of the dog and cat illnesses will require an extensive analysis of the information, assistance from outside sources, and perhaps further research. The Food Drug Administration’s priority now is to assure that all contaminated product is identified and removed from store shelves. All the contaminated wheat gluten has been traced, and all the pet food manufacturers who have received contaminated ingredients have been identified and have initiated recalls. Following the removal of all suspect products from retailers, there remains an ample supply of safe cat and dog food available at stores throughout the U.S.

The Food Drug Administration has a dedicated pet food recall page on its website which has all of the current information including all press releases issued, frequently asked questions, as well as contact information for FDA consumer complaint coordinators. FDA urges members of the media and public to visit the FDA website.

With the food recall, What should a pet owner look for in their pet food. Most pet owners have heard that it is better to feed their animals specially formulated food for pets rather than table scraps. An occasional treat is fine, but table scraps used to excess may unbalance a pet’s diet. Purchasing pet foods labeled as “complete and balanced” can help ensure that your pet’s diet is nutritionally adequate.

Dog and cat foods labeled as “complete and balanced” must meet standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) either by meeting a nutrient profile or by passing a feeding trial. The AAFCO’s Canine Nutrition Expert (CNE) Subcommittee and Feline Nutrition Expert (FNE) Subcommittee have established new nutrient profiles for “complete and balanced” dog and cat foods. Dog Food Nutrient Profiles were established in 1991 and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles were established in 1992. Both were updated in 1995 to incorporate new scientific information.

The new nutrient profiles replaced the recommendations of the National Research Council (NRC) as the AAFCO-recognized authority on canine and feline nutrition. Dog and cat foods labeled as “complete and balanced” based on the AAFCO Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profile must meet all the nutrient minimum and maximum levels as established by the Subcommittee. The Subcommittee set these levels after considering the most current information on good nutrition for dogs and cats. The profiles are designed to provide practical information for manufacturers of dog and cat foods.

There are now two separate nutrient profiles — one for growth and reproduction and one for adult maintenance, instead of just one for all life stages. This allows dog and cat foods made for adult animals only to contain lower amounts of some nutrients, eliminating unnecessary excesses. Also, maximum levels of intake of some nutrients have been established for the first time, because of concern that over nutrition, rather than under nutrition, is a bigger problem with many pet foods today.

The protocols for conducting the feeding trials for dog and cat foods have also been updated. With these improvements, label reference to either the AAFCO nutrient profile or AAFCO feeding trials better assures the consumer of the validity of a “complete and balanced” claim. Endorsements, seals of approval, etc., from other organizations do not add assurances of safety and may be misleading.

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Pet Food Recall on Purpose or Not

Many pet owners want the best for our dogs, especially when it comes to what foods our pets eat. We not only want to give them the healthiest food possible but we want to make sure that they will live a long and healthy life. On the other hand, what if the “healthy pet foods” that are being sold on the market today are not dependable anymore?

Pet Food Recall – Are Pet Food Manufacturers Purposely Killing Your Pets?

What is a pet owner to do when we can no longer trust the food manufacturers who is supposed to provide us with safe and healthy foods for our dogs?

What To Do When The Food Is Killing Your Pets, Something Has To Change

The huge recall of pet food has created a great fright to all dog and cat owners who count on commercial brands to feed their pets. All over the US, contaminated pet food has caused many dogs to become deathly ill, while a large percentage of them have died.

In March of this year, Menu foods, a Canadian based manufacturing company, recalled more than 90 brands of “cuts and gravy” moist foods (both dog food and cat food) after more than 14 pets died from eating the contaminates. Weeks later, the same company added 20 more varieties of their brand to be removed from the store shelves.

More or the Story Please

Later on, it was discovered that wheat gluten, an ingredient found in the said pet foods, was contaminated with rodent poison. The high risk of Salmonella contamination has also been the cause of a removal for two brands of pig ear dog treats.

Since December of 2005, there have been cases of toxic pet foods where as several dogs died and dozens fell ill after eating kibble manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. Later on it was discovered that the food was contaminated with aflatoxin. This is a naturally occurring chemical produced from fungus and can be found on crops such as wheat, corn, rice, and even beans. This chemical is toxic to domestic animals, livestock, and even people. Other pet food recalls during the past 10 years also involve the risk for Salmonella contamination.

Are Pet Food Companies Breaking The Law?

FDA regulations state that pet foods should be manufactured similar to the way our food is manufactured. Pet food should be processed under a sanitary environment, do not contain any harmful ingredients, precisely labeled, and safe for pets to eat.

Pet food manufacturers are expected to obey these regulations to make sure that pet food is safe and healthy for our pets to eat. On the other hand, the FDA can only inspect pet food issues after consumer complaints are made or if the FDA has a reason to believe that there is a threat to animal health – this is due to due to limited resources. A pet food recall is then announced by the FDA or the manufacturer only if a defective product is found.

From www.petsafe.net A brief overview of the PetSafe Healthy Pet Station gravity automatic feeder and waterer. Healthy Pet Food and Water Stations are BPA-free and feature removable, dishwasher-safe stainless steel bowls and wide reservoir openings for easy cleaning. Your pet will appreciate fresh, free-flowing food and water when you’re away!

Find More Healthy Pet Food Articles

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Pet Food Recall – Are Pet Food Manufacturers Killing Your Animals on Purpose?

The prevalent recall of pet food has created a huge fright to all dog and cat owners who rely on commercial brands to feed their pets. Throughout the country, contaminated pet food has caused many dogs to become very ill, while a huge number of them have died.

In March, Menu foods, a Canada based manufacturing company, recalled more than 90 brands of “cuts and gravy” moist foods (both dog food and cat food) after more than 14 pets died from eating them. A few weeks later, the same company added 20 more of their brand to be taken off store shelves.

It was later revealed that wheat gluten, an ingredient found in the said pet foods, was contaminated with rat poison. The risk of Salmonella contamination has also been a major cause of a recall for two popular brands of pig ear dog treats.

When Food Is Kills Your Pets, Something Must Change

Cases of toxic pet foods date back to December of 2005, when many dogs died and dozens fell ill after eating kibble manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. It was later discovered that the food was contaminated with aflatoxin; a naturally occurring chemical produced from fungus and can be found on crops such as wheat, corn, rice, and beans. This chemical is also toxic to domestic animals, livestock, and even in human beings. More pet food recalls during this past ten years has also involve the risk for Salmonella contamination.

Pet Food Recall – Are Pet Food Manufacturers Killing Your Animals On Purpose?

All pet owners want what’s best for our beloved pets, especially when it comes to the foods they eat. Our goal is to give them only the healthiest food available to make sure that they will live a long and healthy life. What if the so-called “healthy pet foods” that are being sold in stores are not as reliable as we think?

So, what do we do when we can no longer rely upon the food manufacturers who are supposed to provide pet owners with safe and healthy foods for our animals?

Are These So-Called Pet Food Companies Breaking The Law?

FDA regulations say that pet foods have to be manufactured similar to the way human foods are manufactured. So, they should be processed under a sanitary environment, do not contain any harmful ingredients, accurately labeled, and safe for our pets to eat.

All pet food manufacturers are expected to act in accordance with these regulations to make sure that the food is safe and healthy …But due to limited resources, the FDA can only check pet food issues after consumer complaints are made or if the FDA has a reason to believe that there is a threat to animal health. So, a recall is then announced by the FDA or the manufacturer if a contaminated product is found. Finding out that your dog has been poisoned is devastating. This is why I recommend that all pet owners keep abreast to current news relating to food recalls.

More Healthy Pet Food Articles

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After a recall affecting 40 brands of cat food and 50 brands of dog food — including premium brands — PetSmart manager, Scott Kinmartin, informs owners of organic and holistic alternatives.

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I had my cat Mao put to sleep on 02/28/07 because of kidney failure. I had been feeding him Iams Select Bites in Gravy daily. I learned of the Menu Foods recall three weeks later. Iams was one of the recalled foods. I shot this video of Mao the last afternoon I spent with him. He was feeling pretty awful, but gathered some energy for the camera. I have lots of pictures of him, but realized I didn’t have any video. I was a mess that day and Mao wasn’t himself, but I’m glad to have this little bit of video. Wish I had video of the happier times, but I’d like people to know how many animals have been affected by the tainted food. A far cry from the reported sixteen by Menu Foods.

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For everyone that has lost a pet during this troubled Pet food recall. And for my best Friend Ever My BlackLab Charlie.

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Are dogs and cats immune to salmonella contamination? The answer is no! Your family pets are just as susceptible to contracting salmonellosis as human beings. Pets can also be carriers of salmonella increasing the risk of cross contamination between pets and human beings. In the light of the recent peanut butter product recall, companies that offer organic pet products and have GMP-certified manufacturing units are finding themselves in higher demand.

The recent scandal and scare of contaminated peanut butter products have driven consumers to think twice about the products they purchase and the manufacturing practices employed by companies. Can they be trusted? How can a consumer ensure that the product purchased is safe for consumption for the entire family, including the family pet? Many consumers now feel safer choosing products that are organic-certified and are produced by a GMP-certified company. This ensures high standards of quality control and quality assurance.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, the recent salmonella contamination originated from a plant in Georgia that produces peanut products in mass production to sell in bulk to various distributors. As a result, more than hundreds of companies have recalled their products from the shelves. The FDA reported that the Georgia-based manufacturing plant was “not compliant with current good manufacturing practices required by the FDA”. They also reported lack of quality control measures in cleaning procedures and failure on the company’s part to take action for mitigating contamination in their facility.

The contamination has led to serious cases of salmonella infections. All-out efforts are being taken to contain the infection by public awareness and recalling products that can trace their peanut-related ingredient to the Georgia-based plant in question. A number of Pet products containing peanut paste from this plant have also been recalled.

Organic Pet Products—A Quality Choice
With a broad spectrum of choices for organic pet products, more consumers are turning to organic pet products which, they feel, can be fully trusted for safety and health.

A broad category of organic pet products include:

Organic Dog Food / Cat Food

Organic Pet Treats

Grain-Free Pet Foods

Dry Pet Foods

Canned Pet Foods

Low Fat Pet Foods

Senior Pet Foods

Puppy Treats

Organic Gourmet Foods

Organic Grooming and Hygiene for Pets

Organic Pet Flea Treatments…

… and more!

There’s an endless variety of options for organic pet products. The trend towards Organic products, even in organic pet foods is continually on the rise.

Premium Organic Pet Product Manufacturing
If you are pet product manufacturer using a contract manufacturer to produce your products, the recent peanut butter product recall should raise a red flag. Is your contract manufacturer following strict GMPs? Are raw materials being inspected for quality before being taken into the facility for production? Are there quality control measures in place in every stage of production? No one wants a lawsuit to deal with and the price to pay is irrecoverable in terms of loss of reputation and other legal hassles.

If you find manufacturing facilities questionable, you may want to consider shifting your business to an organic, GMP-certified contract manufacturer for your pet product manufacturing. Placing your manufacturing needs with a GMP-certified contract manufacturer leaves you free to focus on expanding and enhancing your business.

Rising Demand for Organic Pet Products
Organic pet products have shown a steady rise in demand over the last decade.

According to Global Industry Analysts, Inc. the attitudes of pet owners are changing. A growing number of pet owners consider their household pets as a part of the family and entitled to equal benefits with other members of the family. More pet owners are concerned with health and nutrition for their pets. This has led to the pet food sector being the fastest rising in the food industry. Pet owners are looking specifically for preservative-free organic, natural products that offer high quality nutrition and health for their pets.

More consumers realize they have more control over health and nutrition issues for their pets by choosing products that are organic and produced by a reliable company. Good health and nutrition are worth the price.

Technorati Tags: Amongst, Butter, Demand, Increases, Organic, owners, Peanut, Products, Recall, Wake

Dr. Linda Isaacson is one of the most distinguished and well-reputed veterinarians in the world. She discusses the latest national pet food recall in a high-profile interview on Fox News.

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Katie Couric previews highlights from tonight’s “Evening News” and talks with CBS’ Nancy Cordes about new developments in the pet food recall. (CBSNews.com)

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