Nutro issues voluntary cat food recall

Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of Natural Choice Complete Care Dry Cat Foods and Max Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By" dates between May 12, 2010, and August 22, 2010, according to a statement on the Nutro Web site.
The cat food is being recalled in the US and 10 additional countries, but the recall does not include dog food.
The recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in Nutro’s finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.

Champion pulls out of Australia

Champion Petfoods Ltd., a Canadian petfood producer, pulled out of the Australian market after finding health issues in cats that ate its Orijen brand food were caused by Australia’s irradiation process, according to a story from Pet Product News.
Previously, the company had issued a voluntary recall of the brand from Australia. According to Champion, six pallets of Orijen cat food were sold through Australian retailers between February and October 2008. Champion, based in Alberta, Canada, voluntarily recalled Orijen from Australian shelves November 20 due to multiple reports of cats that ate the food showing symptoms of neurological disorders.
Approximately 30 to 40 cats were affected and four or five cats were euthanized, said Peter Muhlenfeld, Champion sales and marketing manager. Champion tested the food and did not find any toxins, Muhlenfeld said. Australia is the only country using irradiation where Orijen is sold, so the company looked into irradiation as a possible source.
According to the company, the Australian government irradiated Orijen cat food at levels exceeding safe levels. Champion now prohibits selling to countries where its products will be irradiated.