Friday, May 25, 2012

Must Read - Numerous Violation Cited in Diamond Pet Food Plant

Numerous Voilations Cited in Diamond Recall Investigation

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If you thought the recent wave of recalls from manufacturer Diamond Pet Foods was just a coincidence, you may or may not be right. The Food and Drug Administration released a report on their findings after an inspection of Diamond’s processing plant.  In the report, the inspectors identified 4 safety violations that may have impacted the salmonella outbreak.
The FDA inspection report  noted the following issues:
OBSERVATION 1
All reasonable precautions are not taken to ensure that production procedures do not contribute contamination from any source.
Specifically, no microbiological analysis is conducted or there is no assurance that incoming animal fat will not introduce pathogens into their production and cause contamination of finished product. Also, the firm’s current sampling procedure for animal digest does (sic) preclude potential for adulteration after sampling and during storage in warehouse. On 4/13/12, an employee was observed touching in-line fat filter and oil with bare hands.
OBSERVATION 2
Failure to provide hand washing and hand sanitizing facilities at each location in the plant where needed.
Specifically, there are no facilities for hand washing or hand sanitizing in the production areas where there is direct contact with exposed finished feed/food.
OBSERVATION 3
Failure to maintain equipment, containers and utensils used to convey, hold, and store food in a manner that protects against contamination.
Specifically, paddles in conveyor (South or Middle conveyor leading to the screeners going to packaging) were observed to have gouges and cuts, which exhibited feed residues. The damage to the paddles may allow for harborage areas for microorganisms and are difficult to clean and sanitize.
OBSERVATION 4
Failure to maintain equipment so as to facilitate cleaning of the equipment.
Specifically, firm utilizes cardboard, duct tape, and other non cleanable surfaces on equipment. These materials were observed to have residues adhering. The foam gaskets around access doors to the bucket elevators were observed in deteriorating condition and exhibited an accumulation of feed residues and dust.
See the official FDA Inspection Report here.


 

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Pet Food Recalls - Sickened People

ANd here is why so many concerns are being raised. People are getting sick from handling the tainted food!

Think you are feeding a "good" food? A quality -  expensive - NAME food?Well do you feed one of these?
The following is a list of all the brands currently associated with the Diamond Dog Food Recall:
Then is is ENTIRELY LIKELY you are feeding a food - that is on the recall list!

Salmonella Outbreak in Humans

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It now appears multiple Diamond Dog Food products have been linked to Salmonella infections in the human population.
Logo for Diamond Pet FoodsIn a bulletin dated May 3, 2012, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has announced the agency is collaborating with public health officials in multiple states along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an ongoing multistate outbreak of human Salmonella Infantis infections.
According to the report…
Public health investigators used DNA “fingerprints” of Salmonella bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, or PFGE, to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak. They used data from PulseNet, the national subtyping network made up of state and local public health laboratories and federal food regulatory laboratories that performs molecular surveillance of foodborne infections. The outbreak strain is rare and typically 0-3 isolates are reported per month.
Multiple brands of dry pet food produced by Diamond Pet Foods at a single manufacturing facility in South Carolina have been linked to some of the human Salmonella infections. People who think they might have become ill after contact with dry pet food or with an animal that has eaten dry pet food should consult their health care providers.
So far, among the 14 individuals reported having the infection, five were hospitalized — and no deaths have been reported.
Public health investigations are ongoing to determine if other brands of dry dog food produced at the South Carolina facility are also contaminated with Salmonella – and possibly linked to human illnesses.

The Bottom Line

What’s especially troubling about this story is that the illnesses date back to October 8, 2011 – almost 7 months ago.
This fact alone makes the health complaints reported by many of our readers under some of the Diamond product reviews on this website more noteworthy.
For this reason, we’re now becoming increasingly suspicious of the actual extent of Diamond’s Salmonella contamination issue.
And so, we must recommend special caution if you’re feeding any product manufactured by Diamond at its South Carolina plant.
Unfortunately, it’s still unclear which products are produced at that location.
So, without more information from Diamond Pet Foods or the FDA, it’s impossible for anyone to reliably predict if – or when – another recall may materialize.

What to Do

I can’t stress enough how important it is to check the Diamond Pet Foods Recall website for exact products, images and production codes associated with the recall.
You can also report complaints about FDA-regulated pet foods by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.
Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

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Get dog food recall alerts delivered right to your Inbox the moment we become aware of them. Subscribe to The Dog Food Advisor’s Dog Food Recall Alert email notification list now.



More Pet Food REcalls

Here is a cat food recall to be aware of - again , just because it doesn't directly affect you - it does in reality. Every animal is at risk, when nothing is done.

INformation taken from - http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm303937.htm

Recall -- Firm Press Release


FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Nestlé Purina Voluntarily Recalls Single Lot of Therapeutic Canned Cat Food Due to A Low Level of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)


Contact:
Consumer:
Nestlé Purina Veterinary Resource Center
1-800-982-8837
Media:
Bill Salzman
314-982-3806
Keith Schopp:
314-982-2577

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 11, 2012 - Nestlé Purina PetCare (NPP) is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of its Purina Veterinary Diets® OM Overweight Management canned cat food, available through veterinarians in the U.S. and Canada.  This precautionary measure is being taken in response to one consumer complaint received by FDA.  Analytical testing of the product sample by FDA indicated a low level of thiamine (Vitamin B1).  Purina has received no other complaints of thiamine-related or any other health issues related to this product. 
Only cans with the following “Best By” date and production code shown are included in this voluntary recall:
Product Name  Can
Size
“Best By” Date &
Production Code*
Can UPC
Code
Purina Veterinary Diets® OM
(Overweight Management) Feline Formula
5.5 oz. JUN 2013   11721159 38100 - 13810
*“Best By” Date and Production Code are found on the bottom of the can.
Cats fed this affected lot exclusively for several weeks may be at risk for developing a thiamine deficiency.  Thiamine is essential for cats.  Symptoms of deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature.  Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss.  In advanced cases, neurological signs can develop, which may include ventriflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, wobbly walking, falling, circling and seizures.  Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat is displaying any of these signs.  If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is typically reversible.
This product was distributed to veterinary clinics between June, 2011 and May, 2012 throughout the U.S. and Canada.  The product is not sold in retail stores.
No additional Purina cat or dog products are involved in this voluntary recall.  No other Purina Veterinary Diets® products are involved, and only Purina Veterinary Diets® OM canned cat food which match the “Best By” dates and production code above are included in this recall.
Consumers who have purchased Purina Veterinary Diets® OM canned cat food cans with these specific “Best By” Date and Production Codes should discontinue feeding the product, and discard it.
At Nestlé Purina PetCare, the safety and efficacy of our products are our top priority.  We apologize for any inconvenience due to this voluntary recall.  For further information or to obtain a product refund, please contact Nestlé Purina as follows:
U.S. Consumers & Veterinarians:
Call toll-free 1-800-982-8837 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time, or visit www.purinaveterinarydiets.com disclaimer icon.
Canadian Consumers & Veterinarians:
Call toll-free 1-866-884-8387 Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, or visit www.purina.ca disclaimer icon.

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Photo: Product Labels
Recalled Product Photos Are Also Available on FDA's Flickr Photostream.
    
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Page Last Updated: 05/11/2012

BE AWARE - BEWARE

While these are dog treats -= you may very likely have them in your home. Or know others who do. Share this information  - it could be a life you are saving.

BUY AMERICAN  or better yet, MAKE IT YOURSELF!
(this article is cut and pasted - I am  in no way claiming responsibility for it - just sharing information!)

Chinese Pet Treats Linked to 900 Dog Deaths, Illnesses

PHOTO: Sampson, a 9-year-old fox terrier, died of kidney failure in January. His owners blame his death on Chinese jerky treats.
Just six months after issuing its latest warning about chicken jerky dog treats made in China, the Food and Drug Administration confirms it has logged more than 900 complaints from pet owners who say their dogs either were sickened or died after eating the treats.
The number of complaints has nearly doubled since the story was first reported by ABC News in March. The FDA says its investigation is ongoing and that it continues to test samples of the popular treats, which dog owners across the country say have caused kidney failure in their pets, resulting in severe illness or death.
PHOTOS of dogs who allegedly died after eating Chinese jerky treats.
Consumers have largely blamed two brands for the reported illnesses. Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch, both produced by Nestle Purina and made in China, are reportedly included in the samples being tested by the FDA. The agency told ABC News it has solicited samples of treats from the owners of the pets allegedly affected, but will not say whether it is tested those samples. To date, the FDA has not been able to determine a cause for the reported illnesses.
The FDA issued its first warning about chicken jerky treats from China in 2007 and again in 2008, both times based on consumer complaints. But it wasn't until a third warning -- in late 2011 -- that the momentum of complaints accelerated as an angry population of pet owners demanded to know what in the Chinese treats might be sickening their dogs.
"It's hard to believe that we're still fighting the same battle," said Terry Safranek, whose 9-year old Fox Terrier named Sampson died of kidney failure in January.
"The last thing that he ate and then threw up was the chicken jerky," said Safranek. "It kills me that the treats I fed him killed him."
Safranek is a member of a Facebook group called "Animal Parents Against Pet Treats Made In China," which has grown to 4,500 members and includes hundreds of photos of dogs whose owners claim were sickened or died from chicken jerky treats.
"We're just the ones who are online. There literally could be tens of thousands of people whose dogs were affected," said Safranek.
The group also keeps its own spreadsheet of victims, ranging from a 1-year old, five-pound Chihuahua named Kiarra to a 111-pound German Shepherd named Floyd.
"The problem with the issue is getting the word out," said Dr. Richard Goldstein, Chief of Medicine at The Animal Medical Center in New York City. Goldstein has been studying the connection between pet illnesses and chicken jerky treats made in China since 2007 and says although deaths have been rare in his experience, it's still crucial to seek veterinary care if a dog shows symptoms such as vomiting or lethargy.
"These are still on the shelves and cases are still popping up," said Goldstein, urging pet owners to be vigilant.
The issue has gained attention in Washington, and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D.-Ohio, who has been urging Congress to look closely at products coming from China, recently blasted the head of the FDA over the issue. At a Senate Appropriations hearing in April, Brown told Dr. Margaret Hamburg he was concerned that pet owners were still buying the treats, unaware they may possibly be tainted. "The FDA must be as aggressive as possible to find the source of this contamination," he said later in a press release.
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A spokesperson for Nestle Purina told ABC News in March that the safety of pets is the company's utmost priority and that production of the treats in China is held to the highest quality and safety standards. Nestle Purina has not been named in any of the FDA warnings and the company points out that reported illnesses may be the result of eating things other than the chicken treats. "We've looked at this, and we continue to look at this," Keith Schopp told ABC News.
Click Here for the Blotter Homepage.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Tia Is Now a Texan




We have gone and placed our CFA Grand Kender's  A Touch of Destiny, aka Tia in a cattery in Tx. We know she will be a lovely addition for them. Tia finished up the CFA  2011-2012 show season as the Best Siberian in the SW Region.  We couldn't be more proud of her.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Retirees -- Adults available

Kender is retiring 3 adult females for pet homes only --  1 adult female whom we MAY choose to place in a breeding situation. 1 CFA GRand Premier (spay) available immediately for placement. 1- 7 month old neutered brown tabby boy available immediately  and still have a few young kittens including females - available to reserve.

For the foreseable future - meaning the 2012-2012 show season we have made our picks of whom we will be showing - and are placing out several other  Siberian kitties  Inquiries welcomed but placement as always by private treaty.

As a note -= both Honey, the Grand Premier spay and Malfoy the you brown tabby neuter have been placed (7/1021)  both went to wonderful homes who already have Siberians from us. Siberians are like potato chips, its hard to have just one!

We do still have a couple of adult female available and 2 red tabby male kittens , pets only.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Celebrating another show year


GP Judo's Little Bit O Honey of Kender

Very pretty young girl - just 17 months, looking for her perfect home. Would be a nice cat for someone wanting to start out in showing premiers