Cat Food Recall FAQ of the Day: All Rice Unsafe?
Wednesday April 25, 2007
Q. Are rice gluten, rice bran, and other forms of rice contaminated with melamine?
These additional cat food recalls are becoming confusing. Now we're told that foods containing rice protein concentrate from China are being recalled because of melamine content. Should I just toss out all cat foods containing rice in any form?
A. So far, only one shipment into the U.S. of rice protein concentrate containing melamine has been confirmed. That shipment, from Binzhou Futian Biology Technology in China, to the Wilbur-Ellis Co., a U.S. importer, whas shipped from its San Francisco Feed Division to five U.S. pet food manufacturers. Three of those companies, Natural Balance, Royal Canin, and Blue Buffalo have recalled certain foods, as of April 20, 2007. Until otherwise notified, only foods containing melamine-contaminated wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate have been recalled in America, along with corn gluten in South Africa. Here are definitions of these rice ingredients: read more...
Suggested Reading
A. So far, only one shipment into the U.S. of rice protein concentrate containing melamine has been confirmed. That shipment, from Binzhou Futian Biology Technology in China, to the Wilbur-Ellis Co., a U.S. importer, whas shipped from its San Francisco Feed Division to five U.S. pet food manufacturers. Three of those companies, Natural Balance, Royal Canin, and Blue Buffalo have recalled certain foods, as of April 20, 2007. Until otherwise notified, only foods containing melamine-contaminated wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate have been recalled in America, along with corn gluten in South Africa. Here are definitions of these rice ingredients: read more...
Suggested Reading
Comments
Franny,
I know that you care about cats — your own and all the others. I know you do, and I don’t second-guess that in the least. However, it’s apparent that you do not have the resources to cover this very important issue to the fullest extent, thereby leaving out crucial information that affects every pet owner. Please direct your readers toward resources that *can* cover these issues. You owe it to them!
As for this current article re: rice protein additives, there are a couple of important facts left out. First, it’s important to know that SmartPak did come forward as one of the companies receiving the rice protein concentrate from Wilbur-Ellis, so now there’s one company (this came out yesterday, although they claim to have initiated the recall last Thursday). Second, 2 U.S. senators are saying that there is *another* company in addition to Wilbur-Ellis who received rice protein concentrate from the same company in China (which means how many more pet food companies received it from them). Third, the FDA has begun (or will being) testing of: wheat gluten, rice protein concentrate, corn gluten, corn meal, soy protein and rice bran … in the human food supply. Note the rice bran. Frankly, even though all of these grains haven’t been “officially” recalled, I’m not sure why you wouldn’t take a closer look at the implications of the FDA’s inspection and what it might mean to pet owners.
Regarding the entire situation and your coverage, I’m not sure if you’re afraid of getting too political or not, but I don’t think there’s any hysteria in saying that pet owners need to be aware of more than what’s been shown on CNN as well as avoid more foods than have been “officially” recalled. If someone is relying on your site for news on this issue, then she will be missing very important information.
I love your site, and I stop by daily, but, readers, for fuller coverage of the pet recall issue, please see Itchmo.com or Howl911.com or Petconnection.com
Margaret is correct. The issue of cat food safety developments needs far sronger and more timely coverage on this site.
Margaret, you are entirely correct. I do NOT have a “team” of writers and researchers behind me. Please see this entry posted this morning.
Franny
Franny,
I would like to take a quick minute to thank you for your tireless efforts covering the world of felines on About.com. As a regular reader, and someone who has become a member of your community forum, I have had the recall information shared with me quickly and acurately for the most part. While I always appreciate the wealth of information you provide, I do not feel that you are responsible for keeping me up to date on all late breaking news. We all understand that life often dishes out more than we can handle, but I can assure you, I do not feel cheated by you in any sense. Please continue to keep up the excellent work!
Best,
Denise aka FinniansMom
I disagree that you are not keeping up well enough. The other sites mentioned are focused SOLELY on the recall and have no other information being posted every day. I believe you have done a very good job keeping up, considering that your whole focus is not the recall.