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Waggin' Train chicken jerky tenders, sold by Nestle Purina Pet Care, are among top brands of Chinese-made pet treats linked to illnesses and deaths in U.S. dogs.
Newly posted results of more than five years of testing chicken jerky pet treats made in China appear to confirm assertions from government officials that they don’t know what’s making America’s dogs sick, even as complaints about the products have nearly doubled.
Federal Food and Drug Administration officials unexpectedly posted summaries this week of lab results of nearly 300 jerky treat samples collected and tested in the U.S. between April 2007 and June 2012. To see the results, click here.
The documents indicate that FDA scientists at labs nationwide tested for bacterial contamination, for mold and for chemicals used in antifreeze, resins and plastics that can harm pets. They tested for heavy metals and for the melamine and melamine analogs detected in pet food that sickened thousands of animals in 2007.
At the same time, new FDA figures indicate that the number of complaints of animal illnesses and deaths blamed on the treats has risen to more than 1,800, according to Tamara Ward, an agency spokeswoman.
The lab results show a mere handful of adverse findings related to the popular Chinese-made treats. None of the reports rose to the level of needing regulatory action, such as a recall, the documents indicate.
“This does not represent ALL testing that has and is being conducted by FDA,” Ward said in an email. “Additional testing is currently being conducted through other avenues.”
The FDA released the data a day after NBCNews.com reported that the agency had refused to release results of February inspections of the Chinese plants that make the treats. The agency said releasing the information would violate rules protecting trade secrets and confidential commercial information and that it would interfere with enforcement proceedings. That data remains confidential.
Pet advocates critical of the FDA said that while they welcome the release of the domestic data, the results indicate that the agency is not looking hard enough for the source of the illnesses, including hundreds of reports of vomiting, diarrhea and kidney failure.
“When I scanned down through the list of testing, they all seemed to be centered around the same handful of tests,” said Susan Thixton, who writes the blog TruthaboutPetFood.com. She believes the FDA needs to broaden its view to include other potential toxins.
"You can't find what you don't look for," she said.
FDA covered bases, experts say
But animal health experts not affiliated with the FDA said the agency appears to be using due diligence to track the source of the problem. Tina Wismer, medical director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, said the review appears to be complete.
“Looking at what they’re testing for, I’m looking at the list of poisons that we know affect the kidneys and they’ve got their bases covered,” she said.
That’s a view echoed by Marion Ehrich, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
“From the website provided, it seems analyses of submitted samples have not yet led to the discovery of anything toxic that is consistently present in the samples,” she wrote in an email. “They have been looking at possible suspects (melamine, bacteria, molds, etc.) but nothing is standing out.”
The FDA is working to develop and validate new ways to detect toxic substances for which there are no current tests, said Ward, the agency spokeswoman.
The 284 samples included in the new data were collected after consumer complaints, as part of routine surveillance or as an assignment, Ward said. Of those, only six indicated adverse findings.
Those included salmonella found in three samples, including Dingo and Waggin Train chicken jerky products and in one unidentified product. Mold was found in a sample of Waggin’ Train jerky, too. Low levels of melamine were detected in one sample of Del Monte beef flavor jerky treats, the tests showed. Another Dingo treat had a questionable genetic fingerprint that was sent for further analysis.
In addition, a few samples were positive for undeclared propylene glycol, but not at levels that would have prompted regulatory actions, the documents said.
Most of the tests were like one posted on Aug. 20, 2007 for Waggin’ Train chicken jerky tenders. No melamine or related compounds including ammeline, ammelide or cyanuric acid was found, the test showed. No ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol -- toxic components of antifreeze -- were found.
The FDA has issued three warnings about jerky treats since 2007, including the most recent one last November. That’s a fairly strong action for an agency that typically keeps mum on investigations, said Kimberly May, a veterinarian and assistant director in the communications division for the American Veterinary Medical Association.
“This is as close as they’re going to come to saying there’s a problem,” May said. Officials with Nestle Purina Pet Care Co. and Del Monte Foods, which make the top brands of treats, insist that their products continue to be safe to feed animals as directed on the packages.
But some experts say it’s up to pet owners to be cautious.
“At this point in time, until we figure out exactly what is going on, I probably wouldn’t feed these,” the ASPCA's Wismer said.
To report complaints about animal illness, visit the FDA’s Safety Reporting Portal.
Related stories on Vitals:
- Jerky treats from China blamed for pet deaths; owners sue
- Nearly 1,000 dogs now sick from jerky treats FDA reports say
- 3 big brands may be tied to chicken jerky illness in dogs, FDA records show
A grieving pet owner says his 9-year-old dog was in perfect health until he fed her Waggin' Train chicken treats; the Pomeranian died 13 days later of kidney failure. He is now calling on the FDA to take another look at the product. WMAQ-TV's Michelle Relerford reports.
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"The agency said releasing the information would violate rules protecting trade secrets and confidential commercial information ..."
The same nonsense happens with companies making medicine for humans. It is sickening that our laws place the value of corporate "trade secrets" above the value of a human or animal life. This is what the Republicans call "values." Well, your values make me sick. Your values are the values of monsters and devils.
This is why I don't buy food from other countries, especially if it says china on it. China actually routes food through other countries like Singapore, just so people don't know its from china.
The FDA didn't feed the dog treats to dogs.
It's easy to find pet treats made in America. Canine Carryouts are made in America as are several other brands that can be bought in most stores. They are typically $1 per bag or sometimes less. Even my picky dog loves them. The nice thing about their treats is that if you have a small dog, you can break the bigger ones into 2-3 pieces so the bag lasts longer.
How terribly sad for these pet owner's. Can we please please even if it is just on the discussion of this topic stop buying products made in china! I have made my promise, I am sticking to it. Aside from dog treats, school shopping is comming up. My daughter and I will buy nothing made in china, we checked her lables yesterday from previously bought clothes, and belt from the popular store American Eagle- everything made in china. I'm over it, end all that and the USA will be on it's way back to the top! If I'm wrong feel free to correct! Godbless the families that lost their pet's.
I think the idiot politicians who run this country would be well advised to start reading blogs and listen to the American people talk to each other, unfiltered, if they want to start creating policy that is important to us. The message I am getting loud and clear on this blog is NO MORE CHINESE, we don't care what the product.
I'll tell you what else I like. The fact that people are sidestepping this chicken jerky issue and not only making their own, but sharing with others how to do it. Isn't that just like us? We have a problem, forget the government. We go around and solve it.
My condolences to those who have lost dogs due to this poisoning.
Sialia, I totally agree!!
Buy organic, made in America. No processed chemically treated meat treats...give them biscuits...better for their teeth and gums. Of course, there's never a 100% guarantee against harm anywhere (life is not rational or fair), but at least it supports American workers.
One word www.ocdoggiedinners.com safe and California made jerky treats and dinners for your dog.
A couple of nasty people have complained that I am spamming or advertising and greedy.
But, the truth is;
I keep posting this so more people can see it and give them a healthy alternative.
It's frustrating
trying to find a healthy treat that you trust. I know I very seldom read all the posts here,
and you probably don't either. So, I put this in every so often. I know that when I first
read this article, I was frustated trying to find a treat that I trusted. So, I started
making my own.
After beef cost, electicity, postage, packaging, and my time, I make little
to nothing on these treats. You figure it out. Round Rump Roast in around $5 per
pound. Each 10 oz package requires about 2.25 pounds of roast to make. (Not to mention
that each 10 oz pack takes 7 hours to make.)
So, for the couple of people that bitched about me posting this several times, all
I can say is that you need a real life. Quit trying to dampen someone else's
fun and dreams. If you don't like it, DON'T read it. I do it because I am retired
and I love my dogs. and I know most of you do too. I am not trying to get rich; just
help some of the dogs lovers that don't have the free time or the ability that I do.
I read this article months ago,
and realized that my dogs were vomiting alot also.
I decided then and there to take them off Milo's
Chicken treats and the vomiting stopped almost
immediately. I couldn't believe I was poisoning my kids.
I started making my own pure treats for them. My youngest girl,
Olive (4 legged girl), suggested that I offfer these pure beef or
chicken treats to other pet lovers. Anyhow, if you don't want to make
your own treats, you can get 100% chicken and beef treats on ebay under
Olive's Favorite treats or Romeo's Favorite Treats. I make them with one
ingredient; either chicken or beef. Each 10 oz beef pack is around 2.25 pounds
if USDA Rump Roast before it's dehydrated..
Litlfeller@hotmail.com
(P.S.) I see a lot of you are going to Ebay to look at me
homemade treats; Olive's Favorite treats and Romeo's Favorite Treats.
You don't have to bid on these. Look at both offers, and one of them
says "Buy it Now".. Choose that one.
As horrible as this is, I'm still more concerned about the poisons people are using for flea, tick, and mosquito control for their pets - topical and oral.
People should know by now that anything from China, whether it is food, toys, clothing, etc., should never be purchased, let alone consumed, played with or worn. How many times do we need to read these horrible reports before people finally realize that all Chinese products will "ALWAYS" be unsafe?
A couple of nasty people have complained that I am spamming or advertising and greedy.
But, the truth is;
I keep posting this so more people can see it and give them a healthy alternative.
It's frustrating
trying to find a healthy treat that you trust. I know I very seldom read all the posts here,
and you probably don't either. So, I put this in every so often. I know that when I first
read this article, I was frustated trying to find a treat that I trusted. So, I started
making my own.
After beef cost, electicity, postage, packaging, and my time, I make little
to nothing on these treats. You figure it out. Round Rump Roast in around $5 per
pound. Each 10 oz package requires about 2.25 pounds of roast to make. (Not to mention
that each 10 oz pack takes 7 hours to make.)
So, for the couple of people that bitched about me posting this several times, all
I can say is that you need a real life. Quit trying to dampen someone else's
fun and dreams. If you don't like it, DON'T read it. I do it because I am retired
and I love my dogs. and I know most of you do too. I am not trying to get rich; just
help some of the dogs lovers that don't have the free time or the ability that I do.
I read this article months ago,
and realized that my dogs were vomiting alot also.
I decided then and there to take them off Milo's
Chicken treats and the vomiting stopped almost
immediately. I couldn't believe I was poisoning my kids.
I started making my own pure treats for them. My youngest girl,
Olive (4 legged girl), suggested that I offfer these pure beef or
chicken treats to other pet lovers. Anyhow, if you don't want to make
your own treats, you can get 100% chicken and beef treats on ebay under
Olive's Favorite treats or Romeo's Favorite Treats. I make them with one
ingredient; either chicken or beef. Each 10 oz beef pack is around 2.25 pounds
if USDA Rump Roast before it's dehydrated..
Litlfeller@hotmail.com
(P.S.) I see a lot of you are going to Ebay to look at me
homemade treats; Olive's Favorite treats and Romeo's Favorite Treats.
You don't have to bid on these. Look at both offers, and one of them
says "Buy it Now".. Choose that one.
ok lets do our own study everyone who posted and reads this Feed your dog the treats then post back here in 30 days? then we will realy know whats happening?
No thanks!
buy american! Stop the sending our jobs to China!
Yeah! Seriously! We are starving over here for job's and self worth. All these empty whare houses across the US....Let's put our people to work. Wow! all the billlion's that would generate! Let's save our country... it's not hard. All us American's see the solution....I want our government starting with local and up to the president to give us answer's to Why... and I don't want to hear it's cheaper over there. That statement is 25 year's old hold's no value with us that don't hold a job!!
I used to give these to my dog and had to stop when I couldn't afford them anymore. No problems at all, and she loved them. She's a little dog, too, so it's not like she was big enough to digest something with "just a little" poison.
On the other hand, she got only one per day, not a whole handful.
Perhaps I missed it in the article, however, it seems they are testing only the treats. Have they tested the packaging the treats are in? Possibly some chemical is sporadically leaching into the treats from the plastic bags...what if the packages are exposed to heat, humidity? How are those treats stored and for how long?
Just another thought, have necropsies been performed on the animals that have died from the treats? What was found in the animals digestive tracts?
These things have sharp ends and are very hard. Dogs naturally swallow almost anything. They're perforating their colons.
If this wasent so sad it would be funny -- a 2cent doggie treat from China now costing U.S. millions of dollars to test for contamination. OMG - are you serious. And we need China's products why??? Does anyone realize the lose we just took to save a few pennies on doggie treats in the first place? Is the U.S. not capable of making a reasonable priced doggie treat this way we arent subjected to many of China's dangerous products? With all the money they are spending testing this treat - the dogs here in the U.S. could have lived on free steak for a year. Now China sits back and gets millions worth of free testing of their product from the U.S. They are the clear winners. When will America get with the program? I lose a little bit of faith more and more each day.
FDA is a Bogus, Useless Government Agency. Follow Susan Thixton's site: TruthAboutPetFood for up to the minute reports.
Watch out for products that are labeled Made in USA as they may still contain INGREDIENTS sourced from China & elsewhere.
It is real simple DO Not Buy any pet or people food from China. Remember the Chicken Flu in China. Do you really think They did not use the sickened chickens for chicken jerky treats.
Hmmmm yea, I trust the FDA as much as I trust China.. Lets not forget the FDA knevv about the Bee colony collapse disorder nearly 3 decades ago at the possibility before it happened.. but the FDA's "board" members sort to speak are filled vvith executives from all the major food and drug companies.. so they buried the story on the potential risk to bee populations b/c execs from Bayer and monsato controlled the FDA.. lets be honest folks, you are at fault b/c you are the idiot that vvould dare give your dog, dog food made in China!! all should be ashamed of themselves giving them food from China.. vvould you eat canned or bagged food from China?? then vvhy the hell are you giving it to your dog?? fools...
I will be really surprised if it turns out there is something wrong with these treats. We have purchased and used these treats for six dogs on regular basis with absolutely no ill effects. I realize pet owners need to use caution, but I hate to see a company go under because of what people think, not what they know.
its time to get back to basics, grow our own food, meat, veggis,etc, the foreign countries have no control over what is put into things, what the quality is, is it safe??? we need to do it here! ! ! lets get back to the good old usa, and take care of us and our own, screw the foreigners, quit giving foreign aid to 150 out of the 170 ciountries, we can use the money here and now,and also get the muslim our of our white house, and get an american in there.. personally the best candidates, are schwartzkopf and powell, but they have brains enough to avoid the corruption and theft going on in the political arena.. so there, i said it, and i mean it, when are you idiot liberals going to wake up, hopefully it will be before its too late......
error post - disregard. I can find no way to delete the comment! Sorry