China Blocks FDA Inspection of Suspected Wheat Gluten / Rice Protein Plants
Thursday April 19, 2007
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro met with FDA Commissioner, Andrew von Eschenbach to discuss the latest recall of pet food, this time caused by contaminated rice protein imported from China. (The Natural Balance recall.)
They learned that the Chinese Government has blocked requests from the FDA to send personnel to China to inspect the facilities suspected of producing the contaminated products. As a result of the meeting, Durbin and DeLauro have sent a letter to the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Zhou Wenzong, urging the Chinese Government to issue visas to U.S. food inspectors as quickly as possible.
Contaminated Rice Protein Source Identified.
A portion of the letter sent to Zhou Wenzong discloses the identities of both the U.S. importer and the Chinese supplier of the rice protein concentrate:
Pet Food Recall Resources on This Site:
They learned that the Chinese Government has blocked requests from the FDA to send personnel to China to inspect the facilities suspected of producing the contaminated products. As a result of the meeting, Durbin and DeLauro have sent a letter to the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Zhou Wenzong, urging the Chinese Government to issue visas to U.S. food inspectors as quickly as possible.
Contaminated Rice Protein Source Identified.
A portion of the letter sent to Zhou Wenzong discloses the identities of both the U.S. importer and the Chinese supplier of the rice protein concentrate:
- In the case of the contaminated wheat gluten, FDA has identified Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. Ltd. as the source of the product. Although spokespeople for Xuzhou Anying have denied involvement in the incident, U.S.-based importer ChemNutra, Inc., has demonstrated that it imported the contaminated wheat gluten from Xuzhou Anying and various media reports show that the Chinese company was involved in purchasing significant quantities of melamine. In the case of the rice protein contamination, U.S. importer Wilbur-Ellis has said that it imported its products from Binzhou Futian Biology Technology, Ltd.
Pet Food Recall Resources on This Site:
Comments
Unfortunately this is just what is to be expected in a global food economy (for people as well as pets). In the drive to be more efficient, cheaper, etc. we end up outsourcing to the degree where we are completely dependent on (and often ignorant of) distant suppliers that do not and will not have the same safety / transparency standards. China has a record of environmental and food safety disasters for its own citizens (let alone pets). Can anyone tell me if there is a company out there that makes pet food mostly from American origin ingredients? (And I would suggest we all scrutinize our own food labels for country-of-origin before purchasing.)
Hi have to totally agree with AmericanMom! This is so scary! It’s about time we DO something about it.
Franny,
What companies manufactuer pet food in the USA without importing product from overseas? Maybe it’s time that we knew what brands we can support.
Thanks,
Dennis
If you look at the ads on this very page, you will see one for healthypetnet.com. Click that one and it will take you to the websites of some manufacturers who do not use wheat gluten. One of those claims to be making pet food to European standards, which are much higher than here in the USA. You can compare by the labels at the pet food store,too. Don’t wait for someone to spoon feed you the info — surf the net (google, yahoo, other search engines) and check what you read against reliable sources (Consumers Union, Consumers Report, BBB, Humane Society of the US, etc). Save your pet — Be an informed shopper!
Try Wellness by Old Mother Hubbard.
It is now June 29 and I just came across this. Our puppy’s breeder is very knowledgeable about all the recalls and she recommends INNOVA dog food. I bought it at a health food store but check on line to see where you can locate it in your area. Also Paul Newman’s Dog food. I think China is trying to wipe the US out.