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Subscribe to RSSFederal health officials have sent inspectors into Chinese plants that make chicken jerky pet treats to investigate potential links to illnesses and deaths in hundreds of dogs in the United States, two lawmakers say.
Staffers for Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, confirmed Wednesday that Food and Drug Administration officials were conducting the inspections.
“Based on our ongoing discussions with the FDA, we are expecting important new information soon,” Vic Edgerton, a spokesman for Kucinich said in an email to msnbc.com.
It’s not clear exactly how many inspectors are involved or which plants the officials will visit as they attempt to solve the mystery behind at least 600 reports of illnesses including abrupt kidney failure after dogs have been fed chicken jerky treats made in China.
FDA officials declined to comment on the inspections.
Last month, msnbc.com reported that FDA records showed that a log of owner and veterinarian complaints of harm referenced at least three popular brands of jerky treats: Waggin’ Train, Canyon Creek Ranch and Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats.
Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch products are produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co. Import data compiled by the firm ImportGenius showed that those treats are produced and supplied by JOC Great Wall Corp. Ltd. of Nanjing, China.
The move comes as the FDA faces growing pressure from consumers and lawmakers to address rising numbers of illnesses blamed on the treats.
Robin Pierre, a co-founder of “Animal Parents Against Pet Treats Made in China," has collected more than 7,000 signatures urging on a petition urging the FDA to take action and more than 2,600 on a petition taking Nestle Purina to task, she said.
Pierre, 49, of Pine Bush, N.Y., believes Waggin’ Train chicken jerky treats were responsible for the sudden death last fall of her previously health 2-year-old pug, Bella, who developed kidney failure.
"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 and many will forever be dealing with the repercussions of falling victim to corporate greed. No animal should have ever had to die because of a 'treat'", she said.
In February, Brown and Kucinich sent letters to the FDA asking the agency to step up testing and inspections of the China-made products. After a meeting with Kucinich, the FDA stepped up its investigation, spokesman said, and traveled to manufacturing facilities in China.
The FDA has issued three warnings about the treats since 2007. Agency scientists have been testing the products since then as well, analyzing the jerky treats for evidence of dangerous toxins, including heavy metals, melamine, melamine analogs and diethylene glycol, chemicals used in plastics and resins.
So far, they’ve found nothing that would lead to the kind of illnesses reported in the animals.
Keith Schopp, a spokesman for Nestle-Purina, did not immediately return calls asking about the inspections. Previously, Schopp had said the company’s treats are safe if fed as directed and that the illnesses may be a result of other causes.
Related story:
3 big brands may be tied to chicken jerky illness in dogs, FDA records show
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Nestle Purina & Del MOnte makes these chicken Strips Treats, when you call customer service and ask them if they have dogs and they say yes i ask them do you feed your dog those treats answer oh no my dog has a very touchy stomach other answer my dog has allegries what a joke these people are
Facebook profile on this : Animal Parents against Pet Treats made in China
boycott all these 3 companies
But, BUT CHINA IS SO AWESOME! They have no crime (because it isn't reported)! They have a growing economy (that is totally lopsided to help only the priviledged)! They are so kind to other nations (like Tibet, and Nepal, and India, and...)! And they are so wise (like when they shot down a satellite in space and littered it with debris that will be up there for the next 100+ years)!
America is so, so, so terrible compared to China! Good thing China is already at war with us hacking our most important systems. Let's do nothing about it and keep shopping at WalMart. Saving a few dollars is TOTALLY worth it!
I started to buy some not long ago. Glad I didn't. Though I am beginning to wonder if ANYTHING made by ANYBODY, is safe anymore. Nearly everything we manufacture, is done in another country. It's time to put our foot down and send the imports back to their home. It would take care of two of our biggest problems in the states. 1) it would stop us and our animals from being poisoned daily by the Chinese and other outsiders, and 2) we'd get our jobs back.
How many times is the FDA going to do an investigation on this matter ?
Sheeeesh, keep doing the investigations and MAYBE they will get something right.
Here is ONE link to a previous investigation:
Wait a minute, that investigation was about the time GSA had their conference in Vegas.
Why anyone would continue to feed their dogs anything made in China after the dog food scare of a few years ago is beyond me. We will not buy any food products from China, regardless of brand. It's not worth poisoning our pets or ourselves for whatever cost savings may be achieved initially. China needs to execute all of those business proprietors that put profits ahead of consumer food safety.
Derek- let's not leave out that China is now the " grocery store of the world" or some such thing. Makes you feel good doesn't it.
If the packaging says Made in China or Packaged in US, I skip buying them. Sad to say, I make my own doggie treats. Cheaper and healthier. I'm surprised to still see the Milo treats advertisement on TV. I guess they don't really care about their customers.
I had a Ferret who ended up dying from chicken chew stick treats. An emergency vet tried to save her AND tested her before she died and it was E-coli. Devastating what it did to her, and I learned a lot. If you go onto the FDA Recall site it will scare you. There are 1,000's of pet treats, foods and other items that are on recall for safety.
The manufacturer of the Ferret Treats was actually in the US. They sent representatives to my house to get these treats (I only gave them half) and had them tested. Of course, they said that it wasn't the treats, but why within an hour of my giving my ferret a treat, was my ferret almost dead? I no longer give my pets treats, UNLESS I make them myself.
Is there ANYTHING made in China that isn't toxic?
I cant believe it, kidney failure?! My poor dog.. Seeing this news story has placed all the pieces of the puzzle together... Last year at Sams Club i purchased a large bag of the Waggin chicken jerky treats and my dog has been suffering from incontinence since about the same time.. the vet did a blood test on my black lab but said that there seemed to be no kidney problems to explain her incontinence, my lab is only 6 years old, how could this happen to such a young dog? now i know..
My dog has been enjoying two Waggin' Train treats each morning and again each evening for ten years. She's as happy and as healthy as can be.
you must work for waggin Train read the article and go to facebook profile and you tell me why over 600 dogs have died in a few months thats why the FDA is in China
I have been feeding my two terriers their primary morning meal with these treats daily for five years and (knock on wood) not any issues except they love them and could eat both meals from them. The major issue I have noticed with the jerky is that they definitely treat the product with a compound that keeps them moist and pliable until opened. I've always assumed it was a type of glycerin which is often used in food stuff products. Surely the FDA has a clue what this compound is.
It saddens and sickens me to think that pet parents actually believe these treats are safe to give their pet. I pity you and I'm horrified for them. May God keep them safe because you, WT & CCR surely won't.
It's Russian roulette.... why on earth, when you KNOW there's an issue, would you choose to take a chance with your dog's life? Geez, why don't you just teach her how to smoke??
My dog enjoyed waggin train for 8 years,one day wanted no more,2 weeks later dead with kidney failure.The dog knew the treats were killing him.Sad the FDA is so full of BS.
It may have started with certain lot numbers so check that out before you buy anymore.
I just had a greyhound returned to our group with liver problems, severely underweight, frequent urination, and she is lethargic. She has some high values that are indicating metabolic acidosis (a problem associated with eating chicken jerky. She was given chicken jerky for four months - all made in China. Chicken jerky is the only treat she will eat so they gave her quite a lot. I am reporting this once we have more test results. You have to really watch the packaging. Sometimes it is hard to find the words, "Made in China." I don't feed anything made in China. If everyone quits buying treats made in China, the big companies will have to change.
My dog used to enjoy Waggin train treats too. Until they started poisoning him. I guess it is just a coincidence that hundreds of dogs have gotten sick and or died and the only thing they have in common are these treats.
Thank you JoNel for your article, hopefully this will help to get word out to all dog owners and save some lives.
I just wish we could feed these treats to our elected officials. This problem has been killing pets for over three years. The Walmarting of America. And an administration who only care about re-election. And the animals of America suffer. Maybe it would be different if they voted??????????? Makes me sick.............
Fido is the first line of defense for many homes...harbinger...?
I used to feed these too and though none of my animals have gotten ill from them their LIVES are not worth taking the risk !!!! There has been nothing but problems with just about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that comes out of CHINA. I now make sure I don't feed ANYTHING that says CHINA on it and you MUST even question the companies who claim their treats are MADE in USA because although that may be true....some are sourcing INGREDIENTS from China. Don't buy ANY Chinese treats.. not jerky, cookies, dried fruit/yams, NOTHING. Buy from reputable companies who source their ingredients locally. BLUE Buffalo makes great jerky treats .. IN THE US, so does Wellness, Innova and other high quality brands.
What gripes me, is that these products are distributed and marketed by big AMERICAN manufacturers, who are household names built up by us. But the greed of the almighty dollar caused them to lose their memory. If they didn't have so many products, a boycott could be possible, but they've got the markets cornered in various different names and got us by the christmas bulbs. Where are OUR protective services?
I have two uncles who love to go deer/squirrel/rabbit/duck hunting and they make jerky for themselves and their dogs. They season the stuff for themselves, and the second-rate cuts get dried and saved for their pets. It's quite efficient, actually, although I'm vegetarian, have no pets, and would never participate for my own reasons. I would recommend buying jerky from local hunters in your area. You might spend a bit more or need different containers, but there's always plenty left over by the time the next hunting season comes around, so get to know some hunters or ask on Craigslist.
I love my pets (dogs, cats, bunnies and more) but what the hell is the FDA doing regulating pet food?
Enough friggin government.
The FDA can't keep people safe, so they spend their time checking China on pet food quality?
It has to stop somewhere people. My pets (and there part of our family) eat what we do. And no, I don't eat Chinese pet food, do you?
FDA has been checking this since 2007 never found anything but now with all the dogs getting sick the
last few months and some congress people getting involved guess they decided to get off their a
A@@es see rogers comment
R -
What does your post have to do with what I said?
I'll type really slow here; why should the FDA be checking on the quality of dog food?
It took me 10 minutes to type this, hope it was slow enough for you. I'll check back on Friday for your response.
If China is poisoning our pets, they are likely very slowly poisoning us too. I'd be HAPPY to know the Food and Drug Administration is going to try stopping all the murders (pets and otherwise), if at all possible. Government NEEDS to get involved with their people. That's what's wrong now. The only thing they get involved in, is taxing us to death so they can pad their pockets. They haven't cared about Americans in a very long time.
Maybe this is China's way of helping us pay our "debt" to them. :p
They intentionally poisoned infant formula & killed scores of their own children. Does anybody really think they give a crap about dogs in America? Boycott them. I check the source of the dog treats first. Although most are made in China there are some that aren't. Take it further: whatever you're shopping for look for the one not made in China. That's what we do in our household.
they will find it is made from used tires treated with chemicals that smell and taste like meat. maybe we can export the pink slime to China to make this treat for our dogs.
These Barbarians EAT dogs.
You're confusing Chinese with Vietnamese.
Think you need to look again, Drummer. Several articles on line from reputable news sources about "rescues" of dogs destined for their restraunt patrons.
1
Finding country of origin on a dog food treat is almost impossible. Unless I can find it and it doesn't say China I don't buy it.
What? Purina can't find competent workers in the U.S.A. who can make a SAFE treat for an animal that eats its own feces?
I don't get why WE are paying to send FDA people to plants in CHINA to inspect THEIR plants. Seems as though the Chinese should be doing this. If their products don't meet our standards then just don't allow them in through the border until THEY figure out what's wrong with THEIR plants.
Companies that do business with China should be doing quality audits and pay for that themselves.
My dog's treats are made in the USA and her kibble is made locallly by a family owned and operated manufacturer of dog food. I will gladly spend more on dog food that is made by a small, family business. So, I guess I am already boycotting.
But I totally agree with CptJoe.....boycotting works.
Gee, glad to see the FDA immediately jumps on the possible contaminated DOG FOOD; but has it inspected the Chinese pharmaceutical firms that made the contaminated HEPARIN for HUMANS? Or the plants that used lead based and chromium in paints on HUMAN CHILDREN"S toys? I guess they don't want to offend the "job-producing" private industries, huh??
I used to give the Waggin Train treats chicken jerky to my dogs and so did my friend, we each have 2 dogs. They're small dogs, poodle and terrier mix. They have been eating them for at least 3 or 4 years, but then a couple of months ago, one of my dogs and one of my friend's dogs got diarrhea for days. I know it was the jerky, why not all of them got sick we don't know. But now no more jerky and no more diarrrea.
Finally, my Ohio Congressmen are earning their paychecks!
Go to Facebook this explaines it all
Animal Parents Against Pet Treats Made in China!
i used to work for a company that made food products that were sent to china,they would reject stuff for miniscule amounts of bacteria. talk about a double standard.
Thanks for stepping up and telling how those Chinese people could care less about anything they kill children with formula and dogs with tainted chicken
The treats probably contained melamine, which causes kidney failure. Remember the pet food melamine poisoning of 2007? I lost my beautiful purebred Shih Tzu puppy because he ate Wal-Mart's "Ole Roy" dog food that was tainted with melamine. 4 years later the company FINALLY paid all us people who filed claims in the class action suit. My advice is, be aware of where the pet food and treats you buy are coming from and DO NOT BUY ANY of them in "dollar stores." Chinese crap is all they sell.
My old dog was made very sick by the last made in China dog food debacle. I check labels and call companies to see where the products are made. If it is China, I leave it in the store. In fact, I am leaving as much made in China stuff in the store as possible.
This article just scared the SH*T out of me literally. I have been giving the Milo's Beef Jerky treats to my completely healthly 3 year Pomeranian, Poodle, Shiatsu, Chihuahua mix.
Now looking back I have to take into consideration this information. My dog has always been healthy and happy but every now and then with now apparent reason he would throw-up in the mornings. He would always do this in the mornings and there would never be any food just what I could make out to be stomach bile. Boy I am really curious now if I stop giving him the Milo's will I see him stop with having these morning vomiting episodes?
Not to sound too over the the top but since I got in my accident that left me paralyzed from the chest down my life was completely different. My Mom would always tell me, "you need to get a dog," Finally I did and I hate to admit it but the joy that this little guy brings into my life on a daily basis is something that you cannot put a price tag on. If he was to die because of these treats I would be PISSED. I know he is not a human and therefore not on the same level but for me and the condition I am in would expect a healthy compensation for his loss.......
Consider yourself lucky and STOP now! Check this Facebook group > Animal Parents Against Pet Treats Made In China.
Milos is the WORST out of all the jerkys.. it has some horrible ingredients in it and I believe one of them is PROPYLENE GLYCOL. Do you not read the labels to see what the hell you're feeding your pets ?
You're a @!$%#ing idiot. Seriously, when I'm in a store, I barely check the ingredients (just nutritional info)- MOST people don't! So why would he do it for his dog food?? Also, there are all sorts of ingredients in human and animal foods that SOUND more dangerous than "propylene glycol" but are completely harmless, how is someone supposed to know unless they Google every single ingredient? Give me a break, you didn't do that or know what propylene glycol is until all of this @!$%# happened. So stop being a sanctimonious ass to someone who has already said he feels horrible and is going to stop feeding his dogs the treats. Jerk.
Great the FDA is FINALLY doing something.. but as consumers, we should have a choice NOT to buy these products and should be able to tell from packaging which products are from countries that meet or exceed our standards and which do not. Or if product from Canada like many but use Chinese products, then that should be disclosed if to be imported to US. I would think people would have learned from the last Chinese poisoning of dogfood. We as consumers should have choices whether it be pink slime in our hamburger or Chinese products in our dog food.
Considering the Chinese eat dogs,what makes anyone think that any pet product fron China is safe for our animals?They care very little what they,re putting into human food let alone for our animals..You can not trust much of anything nowdays. period.
You can find pet treats made in the USA.
Here are three: Flint River Ranch makes kibble and treats (biscuits). They deliver right to your doorstep. http://www.frrco.com/
Zukes makes great dog treats and can be purchased at a quality feed store or online. http://www.zukes.com/
Fruitables are another great treat for dogs and can be purchased at a quality feed store or online. http://fruitablespetfood.com/
Evangers, Merrick, Blue Buffalo, Innova, Wellness/Mother Hubbards .... all American companies w/high quality foods and treats made in the US. There are loads of others. People need to learn how to read the INGREDIENT lists too...that's just as important. NEVER buy anything w/Propylene Glycol, BHA, BHQ, Ethoxyquin, Soy, Corn, artificial colors, flavors, perservatives, etc.
Better yet.. make your own treats. There are millions of great recipes for biscuits, jerky, etc. The HEALTHIEST treats you can feed your dog come from your local butcher... turkey necks, chicken necks, chicken feet, marrow bones, ox tails, pork tails, pork feet, beef ribs, lamb breast (ribs), gizzards, hearts, livers, beef/venison/lamb green tripe...... RAW.
Wellness sources from other countries. Maybe you should stop being a sanctimonious jerk and do your own research.