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Vets in the UK warn: Jerky treats from China are dangerous, cause kidney problems in dogs
A highly respected veterinary association in the UK, is warning pet parents in Europe about what pet parents in the US have known about for years: That imported jerky treats are dangerous and can cause kidney dysfunction in dogs. The warning, from the veterinary association, Animal Health Trust, cautions: “WARNING FOR DOG OWNERS: SOME IMPORTED JERKY TREATS MAY CAUSE KIDNEY…
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Petco finally removes toxic pet treats from stores
Petco, one of the country’s largest pet retailers, announced on Monday that it has finally pulled all Chinese-made dog and cat treats from its shelves, citing concerns that the foreign made pet foods could be linked to a series of yet unexplained sicknesses and deaths among pet dogs in the United States. The move, the first by a national pet store, comes despite the…
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A lonely assignment: Food safety inspector outposted to FDA’s China Office
Margaret Hamburg, the Commissioner for Food and Drug Administration will push Chinese officials to grant visas for more inspectors in a visit to China next week, part of an effort to make sure food and medicine made abroad is safe for Americans; who said hopefully, “We have every reason to believe that we will be getting the visas very shortly.”…
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Covert recall of moldy KONG dog treats pisses-off pet parents
Reports of a creepy covert op to quietly recall KONG-branded pet treats and chews for mold have consumers worried and upset. Very little information is known, other than the treats involved are the Kong Aussie Sticks dog treats have been quietly recalled by the product manufacturer JAKKS Pacific due to possible contamination with mold. According to a letter obtained by…
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Settlement reached in Nestle Purina jerky pet treat class action lawsuit
A nationwide class settlement was reached yesterday between a group of consumers and Waggin’ Train and Nestle Purina PetCare Company. The settlement creates a settlement fund of $6,500,000 and establishes procedures that would permit consumers to submit claims for monetary relief. The agreement also requires Nestle Purina to undertake enhanced quality assurance measures and modify certain language on its packaging.…
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Milo’s to reformulate jerky treats, while Purina remains loyal to China
Milo’s Kitchen and Nestle Purina plan to reignite their flagging pet treat segment by reintroducing the jerky dog treats they were forced to take off the market last year following the discovery of illegal drug residue in their products imported from China just might backfire. After years of reports of pet illness—even death—associated with consumption of jerky treats made with…
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Tips from a nervous cook: How to make pathogen-free pet jerky treats
I admit it; I’m not in love with being in the kitchen, mainly because that place makes me nervous. I can’t help thinking about all the places in there where germs are lurking, waiting to contaminate something – mainly my food. Being a food safety nut has only magnified my fear of that place, but when I have to handle…
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Iron sachets in jerky treats pose serious health risk to dogs
Heads up pet treat consumers: Dr. Michael Fox in a recent post warns of a poisoning danger with oxygen absorber packets often found in bags of pet treats to keep them fresh. They contain oxygen absorbing iron that can cause iron poisoning should your pet accidentally ingests the material in the package. Iron involves another risk not mentioned by Dr.…
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AVMA chickens-out on chicken jerky pet treat policy
The American Veterinary Medical Association’s House of Delegates wimped-out last week from approving a proposal that would have discouraged the feeding of jerky treats to pets and instead recommended that veterinarians continue to work with federal investigators to determine whether jerky is to blame for the deaths of hundreds of animals since 2007. The House of Delegates, which enacts policies…
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Free testing for pets sickened by jerky treats at veterinary university
The University of Georgia Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories announced they are collaborating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) to evaluate diagnostic samples from companion animals in suspect cases of exposure to contaminated pet treats at no cost to pet parents. The University of Georgia Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories, part of University of Georgia’s College of…
