ConsumerAffairs.com & Nutro Pet Foods: Show us the Goods
Update 4/29/09:
FDA Denies any Current Investigation of Nutro Pet Foods
Other Updates: Several days ago, ConsumerAffairs.com did post a copy of their letter from the FDA under their original blog of 4/20. Nutro still maintains that there is no FDA Investigation and that its pet foods are perfectly safe.
While consumer concerns about NUTRO® product quality are rare, we take every complaint seriously. When we learn of an issue, we work with consumers to obtain information and request that samples of any product in question be submitted for testing at an independent facility. An in-depth review is performed to determine if an issue does exist. Consumers with questions or concerns about NUTRO® products are encouraged to contact our Consumer Services Department at 1-800-833-5330.
Original Blog 4-22-09:
Over the past year I've tried to remain neutral from the ongoing dialogue between ConsumerAffairs.com and Nutro Pet Foods. Certainly the allegations by ConsumerAffairs.com of the sickness and death of cats and dogs after eating Nutro Pet Foods has been substantiated by comments to my own blogs on the topic, particularly the first one, Nutro Pet Food Under Consumer Scrutiny, posted almost a year ago. On the other hand, an almost equal number of readers have reported no ill effects from longtime consumption of Nutro foods.
In reply to that first allegation by ConsumerAffairs.com, Nutro posted in part on its web site:
We have received recent isolated reports of inaccurate information posted online regarding the quality and safety of NUTRO™ pet foods products. Many blogs and internet sites can be a repository for misinformation and hearsay regarding many topics—we are working to clarify the issue. (My emphasis)
I'd like to issue a challenge today to both ConsumerAffairs.com and Nutro Pet Foods to help clear up the "misinformation and hearsay." In the latest round of exchanges we are expected to accept as "proof" certain statements by both parties. ConsumerAffairs.com's claim:
The investigation came to light when the FDA denied a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by ConsumerAffairs.com seeking a list of complaints and lab results the agency has collected regarding NUTRO pet food. The agency denied the request and said that releasing the information could hamper “prospective or ongoing” action by law enforcement.
“The document(s) constitute record(s) compiled for law enforcement purposes, the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings,” wrote the FDA’s George A. Strait, Jr., assistant commissioner for public affairs.
Okay, that sounds pretty convincing. I'd like to ask Lisa Wade McCormick to show us the proof, by posting a photo of the actual letter from the FDA on the ConsumerAffairs.com web site.
Nutro Pet Food's reply was a little more indirect - at least Lisa provided a name and a quote. Nutro posted in its Q&A section:
We have confirmed with the FDA’s division responsible for regulating pet food, the Center for Veterinary Medicine, that there is no current or ongoing investigation of Nutro Products, Inc.
C'mon, Nutro. Surely you can do better than that. I have two questions for you:
- Why did you not go directly to George A. Strait, Jr. to confirm that there is no ongoing investigation against Nutro, since he was the stated source of ConsumerAffairs.com's allegations?
- Why did you not post more specific details about your communication with the FDA on this matter? Who did you talk to, and what was his or her exact reply?
- Are you willing to post copies of your correspondence with the FDA on your web site?
I think our cats and dogs deserve better than this, and we, their caregivers and self-appointed "slaves," for the most part do too. I supported Nutro for many years and fed it to my own cats for many years, with no ill results. After its products were reformulated following the 2007 pet food recalls, I again included Nutro on my lists of premium cat foods. I gave Nutro the benefit of the doubt until I could no longer shut my eyes to the mounting anecdotal comments on my blog about sickness and deaths of pets fed Nutro products. On the other hand, I have to ask myself if ConsumerAffairs.com has any kind of "hidden agenda" in its pursuit of Nutro Foods.
I dislike "misinformation and hearsay" as much as anyone does. I'm therefore appealing to both groups to "show us the goods" by showing us the proof of their statements. I'd appreciate it, and I think my readers would too.
Comments
I used Nutro foods many years ago for my cats and dogs, thinking it was the best product on the market at the time. I had no problems, except that my cats stopped eating it. I switched to ,what I think, is a better(and safer)product and have never experienced problems. (nor has this product ever been on a recall list)
I have fed Nutro Indoor Chicken Dry formula to my cats for many years. I have NEVER had any problems with sickness, etc. If anything, they have always received great vet visits for coat health, teeth health, and overall health. We also buy Nutro products for our fosters in my rescue group.
I noticed a reduced quality in their food years and years ago, filler and byproducts galore. My cats actually LOST their fur!!!! I only use good quality food now, EVO is one of the best. My little ones are pushing 20 years old on this food, along with TIKI wet food, GREAT STUFF!!! And no China products in any of it. Thumbs down to Nutro. Way down
Hmmmm, interesting. I recently switched back to Nutro after my cat stopped eating his other wet food. I’m waiting for blood tests to come back; he’s been “off” for a few days and is clearly ill.
I had no idea this was going on.
I’ve had a lot of problems with Purina Healthful Life Cat Chow. I tried it once when it was on sale at my local pet store. My cats loved it so I continued to give it to them, along with other dry food products. Two of my cats started to lose their hair and a few others were scratching themselves “bloody” around the front and back of their necks. I never suspected the Healthful Life. We thought the problem was caused by fleas. After numerous flea treatments the problems persisted. After spending $800 in vet fees, I decided to cut out the Healthful Life cat food. After two months all of the problems started to clear up and are now gone. One of my little black cats had lost most of her hair. She’s looking great again now since her hair has grown back. Many of these pet food companies are poisoning our cats and dogs.
The FDA does NOT issue recalls. Recalls are only issued by the manufacturer of a food product. There are hundreds of complaints concerning Nutro on ConsumerAffairs and I find it hard to believe that there are no issues with this food. If the FDA is not investigating, than they should be. I for one am anxious to see if either Nutro or ConsumerAffairs take up Franny’s challenge.
I have recently switched my cat from Purina Cat Chow dry food after reading Ms. Syufy’s articles on cat food labels. I looked at some different dry foods and chose Nutro Natural for kitty. He’s been eating it for a little over 6 months now and has not shown any signs of sickness or distress. On the contrary, he’s a great deal more active and healthy. A friend of mine also has a cat eating Nutru Natural dry food with the same results.
Least we not forget that Nutro is not the same Nutro in any way (except the name)starting about 2 years ago. The owners of Nutro sold the business to Mars Inc. Mars is the parent company of Pedigree, and now Nutro. Turn your bags over and look at the ingredients. Every type of Max dry has Corn and/or Wheat. The exception is Weight Control, no Corn but twice the Wheat. Most of Natural Choice has Corn and Soybean Oil. Yeah, solid healthy ingredients for Dogs And Cats. Their Ultra is (over)loaded with Rice-strictly a filler. How many Dogs and Cats that you know spend hours in the wild eating Rice, Soy and Wheat? Based on the ingredients in this food now, it’s no wonder the amount of animals that are getting sick. IT’S NOT THE SAME OWNERS OR FOOD.
I’ve never consistently fed my cats Neutro food, just occasionally bought a few cans as “treats” because of their unique flavors. I never had any problems I could trace back to the food…but in all fairness, I believe BOTH sides should present their facts ans substantiate their claims, so we can get to the bottom of this for once and for all. Is the food safe or not???
I had no idea Mars had bought Nutro. While the press release says they are going to remain a
“stand-alone”, I find it very disappointing. The only foods the vowels liked at all were the pouches, anyway. I think I will stick with Weruva and Natural Instincts. The vowels get next to no dry food anyway.
Lisa McCormick must have heard you! The FDA document she refers to is included in her articles now! no new url needed!
I have just discovered my cat has been sick since i fed her natural choice complete care ocean fish cat food!!
Had no idea of any recall until now, but the date on the bag doesn’t match the recalled dates,
Cat has been throwing up since, taken to the vets 4 times for same problem, seems that antibiotics wont help, not sure exactly what is wrong with her but I will be calling vet now, to find out about toxic levels!!!
Unbelieveable, I am in awh!!! Cannot believe what I have been reading.
Date on bag is aug 2009, have half a bag because she has been sick since. And tried feeding her other food but came back to this for a short time , thinking it was just an infection.
Totally disgusted !!!!!!!!!!!!!!