Petco stops selling China-made pet treats

Petco has announced that it has completely removed all China-made dog and cat treats from shelves at more than 1,300 retail stores throughout the US, including Unleashed by Petco stores and online at Petco.com. The move makes Petco the first national pet specialty retailer to complete this transition and affirms the company’s commitment to listening to customers and putting the health and safety of pets first, according to reports.

“As a trusted partner for pet parents, we believe this is the right thing to do, and we’re proud to take this step in the best interest of pets,” said Jim Myers, Petco CEO. “What we feed our pets matters, and this milestone supports the company’s steadfast commitment to putting our customers, partners, animals and the communities we serve first.”
Petco has not carried any dog or cat food items from China for several years. The decision to discontinue the sale of China-made treats allows Petco to expand the assortment of safe and healthy alternatives that are made in the US or in other regions around the globe that support complete pet health, says the company.
“Customer response to our expanded assortment of treats has been great,” said Myers. “And we are equally pleased at just how responsive our vendor partners have been in helping us source an entirely new line-up of high-quality, predominantly US-made treat and chew alternatives.”

Global Pet Foods removes China-produced pet treats from stores

Canada's Global Pet Foods is pulling China-made pet treats from 160 of its stores, effective immediately.

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This decision comes on the heels of US-based Petco and PetSmart releasing statements of similar intent, though their move is voluntary (Global Pet Foods' is mandatory) and not immediate. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet been able to definitively determine that jerky treats from China are causing ongoing illnesses in pets, in spite of years of testing. But stores carrying the treats are beginning to listen to consumers.
“The FDA has not identified a direct link between any of these treats manufactured in China as causing the specific type of illness,” said Michelle Friedman, PetSmart spokesperson. “However, we have been hearing concerns both from the FDA and our customers. We decided that it was the right thing to do.” 

US Congress schedules hearing on China pet treats

The US Congressional-Executive Commission on China has scheduled a hearing for June 17, “Pet Treats and Processed Chicken from China: Concerns for American Consumers and Pets,” to consider the issues of China's food safety regulation, US government regulation of imported Chinese foods and the overall safety of those foods.

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Two major US food chains have recently pulled Chinese-made dog and cat treats, such as jerky strips, after they were possibly linked to the deaths of roughly 1,000 dogs in the US and Canada. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been investigating dog illnesses linked to Chinese jerky since 2007. As of May 1, 2014, it had received about 4,800 reports of such illnesses.

Food Sentry: FDA should test jerky treat ingredients for contamination

Food Sentry, a global food monitoring service, said it may understand why the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to figure out why dogs are becoming ill from chicken jerky treats. While the FDA has posted more than 280 test results, that testing has all been conducted on the finished jerky treat products, rather than on any of the treats' ingredients.

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"In the Beijing/Tianjin/Hebei/Shandong region alone there are more than 350,000 chicken farms that supply chicken product manufacturers in the region," said Food Sentry Chief Operating Officer and Analyst Scott Witt. "This is relevant because this highly industrialized area is significantly contaminated with dozens of industrial byproducts."
Witt, who helped develop a system for the FDA that predicts the likelihood of contamination of imported food, used the leather-making industry to illustrate his point. "One of the dirtiest industries in terms of contamination is the tanning industry," he said. "One of the many contaminants in the tanning process is chromium, which leaves a residue on the tanned product. Leather scrap is left over after the manufacturing process and, because it is relatively high in protein, it is often hydrolyzed and sold as a protein feed product." Witt identified hexavalent chromium as having the potential to build up in the chickens if they eat the contaminated feed. That toxin could then get passed on to the dogs, which, over time, may potentially get sick and die as a result.
The FDA needs to "get to the beginning of the product's life and look deeply," according to Witt.

Nestle Purina, Waggin' Train create jerky treat fund to compensate dog owners

Nestle Purina PetCare Co. and Waggin' Train LLC will create a US$6.5 million fund to compensate dog owners who believe their animals were harmed by chicken and other jerky treats made in China and sold by the companies.

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If approved, the settlement would also require Nestle Purina to undertake “enhanced quality assurance measures” regarding pet treats made in China and to modify language on its packaging. In announcing the settlement, filed in US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, neither party admitted fault. “Neither Waggin’ Train, Nestle Purina nor any of the consumers concede that their claims or their defenses were not valid,” said lawyers for the parties. “All parties entered into the agreement only to bring the litigation to a prompt and certain resolution.”
The FDA has warned consumers since 2007 about growing reports of illness in animals that ate chicken, sweet potato and other jerky treat products from China. But, despite extensive testing, no cause has been found for the illnesses. Nestle Purina and Waggin’ Train officials have consistently said that their treats have not been confirmed to cause any illness in animals and that the products are safe to feed to pets as directed.

New website about Chinese jerky pet treats aims to educate consumers

Bixbi, a Colorado, USA-based pet treat manufacturer, recently launched a new website, AwesomeValley.com, which the company says aims to educate consumers about the dangers of Chinese-sourced chicken jerky pet treats.
The new website takes a unique approach to educating consumers about jerky treats from China. It features fake pet products in the online store, such as Arsnick'r-Doodles and Formalde-Hound, as well as an interactive Flavor Creator and an 'Easter egg' coupon for Bixbi products for consumers who decode the Chinese message. 

China responds to chicken jerky dog treat complaints

The Chinese government has responded to complaints about chicken jerky treats imported from that country that have been linked to dog illnesses in the US and have been the subject of recent investigations by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Congressman Jerry McNerney wrote a letter to the Chinese government about the chicken jerky treats, asking the government to "consider halting production of these chicken jerky treats until the FDA can determine whether or not the products contain tainted material."
In response, the Chinese government wrote, "From the perspective of the Chinese side, there might be something wrong with the FDA's investigation guidance." According to a report, the letter also warned not to influence public opinion and "to clear the name of Chinese pet food and eliminate the negative impact thereof on Chinese pet food trade and bilateral relationship." 

Pet food safety advocates urge Walmart to remove jerky pet treats

Pet food safety advocates sent a letter to the chairman and president of Walmart asking the company to voluntarily remove chicken jerky pet treats manufactured in China from the shelves of all Walmart and Sam’s Club stores.
Since 2007, the jerky treats from China have been linked to the deaths of more than 360 dogs and one cat and 2,200 illnesses, the advocates' letter says. Although the US Food and Drug administration has issued cautionary statements to consumers about feeding the treats to their pets, no recalls of the products have been made.
On Black Friday, November 23, pet food safety advocates Susan Thixton of TruthAboutPetfood.com and Mollie Morrissette of PoisonedPets.com urge pet owners to join them by going to the Walmart stores in their communities to personally ask store managers to remove these dangerous pet treats from their store shelves. For further information about the Black Friday for Pets campaign, visit the campaign's Facebook page. 

RECALL: Nature's Recipe recalls Oven Baked Biscuits for dogs due to Salmonella

Pet food company Nature's Recipe is recalling select Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken because the dog treats may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The dog treats were manufactured at the company's plant in Topeka, Kansas, USA, and distributed throughout the US. The recalled treats were sold in 19-ounce stand-up, resealable pouches. Recalled treats are marked with the lot codes 2199TP or 2200TP and UPC code 30521 51549. Packages are stamped with a "Best If Used By Date" of "10 11 13" and "10 12 13."
Nature's Recipe says no pet or human illnesses have been reported, but suggest that pet owners monitor themselves and their dogs for signs of Salmonella. Those who have purchased the recalled treats are advised to discard them immediately. Consumers with questions can contact the company 24 hours per day by calling +1.800.237.3856 or on the company's website.

DOG TREAT RECALL: Kasel recalls chicken jerky dog treats due to Salmonella

Kasel Associated Industries is recalling 2.5-pound packages of Nature's Deli chicken jerky dog treats, which were distributed to Sam's Club stores in 12 states, because the treats may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The recall was issued after a routine sampling by the US Food and Drug Administration found Salmonella in finished products.
The treats come packaged in a clear plastic bag, marked with UPC code 647263800208 and lot number BEST BY 091913. The treats were distributed to stores in the following USA states: Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.
This recall of Nature's Deli chicken jerky dog treats is not related to ongoing concerns about jerky treats imported from China, according to FDA. No illnesses in pets or humans have been reported in connection with the recall, the company said.
Consumers who bought the recalled dog treats should return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

FDA failing to protect pets from jerky treats, nonprofit claims

Food & Water Watch, a US nonprofit organization that works to ensure safe and sustainable food and water, issued a statement, in which the organization claims that the US Food and Drug Administration is failing to protect pets from potentially toxic chicken jerky treats made in China.
According to Food & Water Watch executive director, Wenonah Hauter: "Since 2007, thousands of American dogs have fallen ill or died after eating jerky treats made in China. In the past of couple days, it has come to light that Chinese government officials overseeing the factories that make the questionable treats refused to allow US inspectors to collect samples for independent analysis.
"While this lack of cooperation shows an unfortunate disregard for health and safety on behalf of the Chinese government, it's the Food and Drug Administration who has shirked its responsibility to keep U.S. citizens and their pets safe and it's the FDA who must step up and block these potentially deadly treats from harming more animals.
"The FDA waited until it received 2,000 reports of illnesses and deaths in US dogs before launching its investigation. Although the China investigation took place in April, it took the FDA four months to admit that they were denied permission from collecting samples from the Chinese facilities. As the FDA dragged its feet, the suspect treats remained on store shelves and put thousands of dogs at risk.
"What's more disgraceful than the FDA's dawdling is the fact that it has full authority under Section 306 of the Food Safety Modernization Act to refuse shipments of these treats from China now. Enough is enough. It's time for the FDA to issue an import alert on all pet food manufactured in China before more animals and the humans that love them suffer needlessly," says Hauter.

Chicken jerky treat lab analysis released in new FDA report

The US Food and Drug Administration issued the findings of a new report about complaints of pets suffering Fanconi syndrome-like symptoms or dying after consuming chicken jerky treats imported from China.
FDA collected and tested nearly 300 jerky treat samples in the US from April 2007 through June 2012, testing for bacterial contamination, mold, chemicals and heavy metals. Although the treats were found to have some adverse effects, FDA's report with laboratory findings did not indicate that further regulatory action was needed. However, FDA figures show the number of complaints of animal illnesses or deaths blamed on the treats is now at more than 1,800, according to FDA spokeswoman, Tamara Ward.
“This does not represent all testing that has and is being conducted by FDA,” Ward said. “Additional testing is currently being conducted through other avenues.”

New dog illness complaints linked to Chinese chicken jerky treats

A new record of complaints from pet owners and veterinarians submitted to federal health officials shows nearly 1,000 dogs have reportedly been sickened after eating chicken jerky treats made in China, according to a recent msnbc.com article.
Since November 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration has received almost 900 reports of pet illnesses and deaths. In early 2012, the agency sent inspectors to the Chinese plants that manufacture the jerky treats associated with the complaints, according to the article, but spokeswoman Tamara Ward of the Food and Drug Administration said the results of those inspections are not yet available. The administration has been unable to detect any toxin responsible for the pet illnesses, despite repeated testing, officials said.
The three brands of chicken jerky treats most frequently cited by pet owners and veterinarians in the complaints were Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brands, produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co., and Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats, produced by the Del Monte Corp. Both manufacturers have said their chicken jerky treats are safe and the pet illnesses are unrelated to the product. 
However, Milo's Kitchen representatives confirmed that the company paid at least one pet owner US$100 in exchange for a release of all liability related to the pet owner's sick dog. Milo’s representatives said they provided the $100 as a “goodwill gesture” and asked that the consumer sign a “standard release form,” which is done on a case-by-case basis. The dog also underwent evaluation by a veterinarian.
“Following the evaluation, the veterinarian consultant concluded the symptoms experienced by the pet were not related to consuming Milo’s Kitchen chicken jerky treats,” said spokeswoman, Joanna DiNizio, in an email statement. 
Food and Drug Administration officials have said the companies may recall the treats at any time but regulations do not allow for products to be removed based on consumer complaints alone. 

Woman launches Change.org campaign against China chicken jerky dog treats

An Ohio, USA, woman launched a petition campaign on Change.org calling for the recall of Nestle Purina's Waggin' Train dog treats, claiming her Fox Terrier died after consuming the chicken jerky treats made in China. 
Terry Safranek's campaign on Change.org was launched after a Food and Drug Administration representative picked up a sample of the treats from her house for its ongoing investigation. So far, more than 600 cases of sickness and death in dogs linked to the chicken jerky treats have been reported to the administration. 
Safranek said: “Waggin' Train Wholesome Chicken Jerky treats were the last thing Sampson ate before he fell ill. I've since learned we're part of a known epidemic of hundreds of cases of illness and death attributed to these and other chicken jerky treats made in China. Nestle Purina needs to protect other families from what I went through by taking these treats off the shelves until they're proven safe.
“Nestle Purina has refused all accountability, instead placing blame on people like me who have lost their companions. If Nestle’s treats are safe, as they repeatedly claim, death and illness would never have been the end result for so many,” she said.

RECALL: FDA to investigate chicken jerky dog treats made in China

US Food and Drug Administration inspectors are being sent to manufacturing facilities in China that make chicken jerky dog treats to investigate a potential link between illnesses and deaths in dogs and the treats, according to MSNBC.  
The exact number of inspectors involved in the chicken jerky treat investigation and the plants that will be visited are unknown, and Food and Drug Administration officials declined to comment on the inspections. 
The inspections in China come after growing pressure from US pet owners, including Robin Pierre, a co-founder of “Animal Parents Against Pet Treats Made in China," who says she has collected more than 7,000 signatures on a petition urging the Food and Drug Administration to take action.
"While I am happy that the FDA is in China investigating now, it never should have taken this long. Too many of our innocent and voiceless companions suffered horrific deaths...No animal should have ever had to die because of a 'treat'," she said.

RECALL: More pet owners call for China chicken jerky dog treat recall

An increasing number of pet owners are speaking out on the Internet, calling for the government to force a recall of chicken jerky dog treats from China that have been reportedly causing illness and even death in some pets that consume the treats, according to Food Safety News.
The US Food and Drug Administration tested the treats, but has not confirmed a link between the chicken jerky treats from China and the pet illnesses being reported by owners, yet owners and lawmakers continue to call for further investigation and FDA's recall of the product. On March 1, the agency released a one-page document outlining findings from 241 tests for potential contaminants and 130 tests with pending results. Though the 2012 test results are still pending, none of the results released found a conclusive link of the jerky treats to dangerous levels of contaminants.
Consumers are calling for action, as a private Facebook group called "Animal Parents Against Pet Treats Made in China!" grew over the past month from having nearly 100 members to more than 2,500 currently, and pet owners are also creating and signing online petitions to ban the products.

"A lot of these pet parents are just wringing their hands, hoping the FDA will find some sort of answer," said Poisoned Pets blogger, Mollie Morrisette. "If this was [potentially contaminated] baby formula, we would have had the answer when it started five years ago. It would all get pulled off the shelves out of caution as soon as anyone suspected it might be contaminated." 

FDA urged to issue recall for chicken jerky pet treats from China

Pet owners and government representatives are urging the Food and Drug Administration to take action to ensure chicken jerky treats from China are removed from US store shelves, after reports of pets being sickened or killed after consuming the dog chews.
"The FDA must not wait to issue a voluntary recall until it is able to definitively identify a causal agent," said Ohio, USA, Rep. Dennis Kucinich. "The FDA has clearly established an association between consumption of the chicken jerky and illness and death. It is simply not feasible to expect every dog owner to be aware of a modestly publicized warning from the FDA." The Food and Drug Administration has been investigating the chicken jerky products since 2007, but has yet to determine a cause of the illnesses linked to treat consumption. "No specific products have been recalled or implicated because we have not detected a contaminant," said Tamara Ward, Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman. "The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem and its origin. If we find evidence of any contaminant, the FDA will take appropriate action and notify the public." The Food and Drug Administration advises pet owners to monitor their pets and stop feeding the jerky products if pets show signs of decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased water consumption and/or increased urination.   

Chicken jerky treats from China may sicken dogs, FDA warns

The US Food and Drug Administration is warning pet owners to be award of chicken jerky products from China that may be associated with reports of Fanconi-like syndrome in dogs.

In its alert to dog owners, FDA says chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are only intended to be fed occasionally, in small quantities.

FDA advises consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to monitor them closely for any or all of the following Fanconi-like symptoms that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products: decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, pet owners should stop feeding the chicken jerky product and consult a veterinarian if signs are severe or last for more than 24 hours. Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports have involved dogs that have died, according to FDA.

FDA and several US animal health diagnostic laboratories are working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. FDA's Veterinary Laboratory Response Network is available to support these animal health diagnostic laboratories. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA continues extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not yet identified a contaminant. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with petfoods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their state or go to www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints. 

Bill would allow Chinese chicken imports

According to reports, US legislators are considering an appropriations measure that lifts an import ban of two years on Chinese poultry.
If passed, Chinese poultry that meets US safety standards could again be imported.