Natural Balance Recall: Melamine in Rice Protein
Tuesday April 17, 2007
The ongoing recalled pet food mysteries deepened today when Natural Balance President Joey Herrick, told USA Today that melamine has been found in its two recalled products, Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Foods, and Venison & Brown Rice Dog Foods. Herrick also said they suspected a new supply of a rice protein concentrate, but declined to name the supplier, other than it was "an American company," since those foods are manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods for Natural Balance. USA Today also quoted a Diamond Pet Food spokesman Jim Fallon, who said that the Natural Balance foods are the only foods manufactured by Diamond which include rice protein concentrate in the formula.
NOTE: My original post, which included speculation on the subject of rice protein concentrate in the cat food, is now edited, thanks to Nina, who pointed out that the two formulas had very recently been changed. I had referred to a cached version of the cats' venison formula, which did not contain the suspect rice protein concentrate. Thank you, Nina, and I stand corrected. For the record, here is the new, revised Natural Balance recall notice, and the revised list of ingredients in the recalled Venison cat formula.
Pet Food Recall Resources on This Site:
NOTE: My original post, which included speculation on the subject of rice protein concentrate in the cat food, is now edited, thanks to Nina, who pointed out that the two formulas had very recently been changed. I had referred to a cached version of the cats' venison formula, which did not contain the suspect rice protein concentrate. Thank you, Nina, and I stand corrected. For the record, here is the new, revised Natural Balance recall notice, and the revised list of ingredients in the recalled Venison cat formula.
Pet Food Recall Resources on This Site:
Comments
The reason the cat food is involved is an ingredient CHANGE. Natural Balance recently CHANGED the formula on ALL their dry foods (both V&P and Ultra Premium). The new V&P ingredient list is as follows (from their website):
Peas, Venison, Venison Meal, Rice Protein Concentrate, Canola Oil, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Methionine, Choline Chloride
They also state this in their Press Release:
“The source of the melamine appears to be a rice protein concentrate, which was recently added to the dry venison formulas.”
What next?…..I thought we were safe using the high end pet foods….How is it that the cheap brands like Friskies,Nine Lives and Purina have not been recalled?…..
ARGH!!! I switched to Natural Balance because I liked the protein sources compared to other premium brands. I just got my cats used to the Chicken version of Natural Balance dry and the wet food. All have rice powder listed, which isn’t rice protein, but I need some assurance that the powder is from a different source than the protein.
This is infuriating.
*sigh* We just switched to the NB Ultra dry after the Menu Foods problem. Looked at the ingredients, the company and made a choice. What are the chances that this switch was a mistake? What are the chances that they don’t really know and the Ultra will be recalled as well? I don’t know what to do anymore.
We just switched our cat to the Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care based on Franny’s recommendation (the only cat food on the list I could find in my area). I read on MSNBC that the Nutro Natural Choice line has been recalled. However, they just listed entire brands and did not specifiy which particular products were recalled. Franny, can you look into this, please? I’m tired of playing Russian Roulette with my kitty’s diet. Also, if you could give us all some advice on how to feed our cats ourselves (i.e., raw diet or cooked meats or whatever) that would be much-appreciated! Thanks!
I don’t believe what they say about the rice protein concentrate coming from the US. All my Google searches show sources in China promoting this product heavily. Do you suppose the brewer’s rice in the cans I have left is safe? I’m afraid to et my cats have any canned food whatsoever. And rice protein concentrate could easily be in people food.
Don’t trust the mass manufactured stuff, ever. Try the natural stuff. Yes, it is more expensive but the lives of our pets are worth it. Try Mother Hubbard, Wellness, etc. at your smaller boutique stores. Or call your nearest holistic vet. They support raw and whole food diets for your pets. There are some exceptions as to what can be fed to your pets (no grapes, raisins, onions or chocolate for dogs; cats need meat protein and cannot go strictly vegetarian). Do some research on the brands above as well as check with a holistic vet to see what he recommends. Especially for dogs since they are naturally inclined to eat raw meat and vegetables, but have to be started off young. My late english setterspaniel did very well for 14.5 years. Be conscientious and good luck!
ninjanun: I have answered your specific question on the main page of my site.
Franny
I’ve been checking the ingredients of Proplan dry dog food. It contains “brewers rice”. Is that the same as the rice protein? This is way out of control…
Ok, I researched cat food companies extensively for a while before settling on Natural Balance because some of their varieties of canned cat food did not seem to contain any grains (Chicken & liver pate for example)and they were high in meat protein and low on veggies and other non essential ingredients. I also assumed that they manufactured all their own pet foods (at least their website leads you to believe that). Now I find that they outsource the dry foods and who knows what else. I am so disgusted! How do you find out for sure what organic pet food companies manufacture their own food and use only US organic, human grade ingredients? This industry is more top secret than our government — In light of this tragedy, I think we have a right to know exactly who produces (supplies ingredients for, manufactures, and packages) the pet food we are feeding our pets. Can anyone tell me where to find this info?
The pet food companies leave you to do your own searching. I have just sent an e-amail to Natural Balance asking why they don’t even mention the recall on their site. These premium people make out to be producing the finest - HAH just a sales gimick. BUYER BEWARE! So much for FDA monitoring. Alot of these grains are used for human consumption.
Rice protein concentrate (http://www.riceproteinconcentrates.com/rice-protein-concentrate.html
Brewers rice http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/uccerice/riceglos.htm
http://www.eaglepack.com/Pages/SP_Grains.html
Diamond Foods (who produces the rice protein for Natural Balance
http://www.diamondpet.com/vet_notes/cats/95/
My Lab eats Natural Balance Fish&Sweet Potato. I’ve decided to switch for some of the same reasons stated by others. It’s difficult for me to find a food because my dog has allergies and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. After extensive research, I’ve decided to try Pinnacle (the holistic allergy formula produced by Breeder’s Choice). The company advised the following: that they make their own dry food at their plant in California (they do outsource 3 oz. cans, but not to Menu Foods). Grains are purchased from General Mills and other Human food suppliers. No ingredients come from China–everything is from reputable sources in the U.S. except for the venison, which is imported from New Zealand. Their trout is farm-raised in Iowa in cement basins that prevent the fish from coming in contact with the ground and any contaminants that might leech from the soil, and other fish are tested for mercury. Hopefully, everything they told me is true. You don’t know who to trust! Breeder’s Choice produces a variety of dog foods.
I have been switching dry dog food for the past two weeks. I went from Eukenuba and Science Diet which I mixed together to the Natural dog foods thinking I was giving my dog a better dog food. I bought Natural Balance, then they had the recall so I bought Sensible Choice which they recalled. Now I have to bring my precious dog to the vet tomorrow for a blood test, because he ate the Sensible Choice with the rice protein concentrate in it which they just recalled. I switched back to Natural Balance Ultra Premium, but I am so worried , because if the venison and rice had the rice protein concentrate in it why wouldn’t the Ultra Premium have in it there too since it has rice in it too?
Victoria says: I switched back to Natural Balance Ultra Premium, but I am so worried , because if the venison and rice had the rice protein concentrate in it why wouldn’t the Ultra Premium have in it there too since it has rice in it too?
Victoria, perhaps this new FAQ on rice additives will relieve some of your worries. Although I haven’t read the NB labels for dog foods, unless the Ultra Premium has rice protein concentrate in it, it should be okay. That is the only form of rice that has been recalled, to date.
Franny
My three dogs are at clinic with IV’s for kidney damage. My dobie isn’t a year old yet and the two rat terriers were a year old in Feb. They are very ill.
I have 2 dogs. 1 that is just acting sluggish and the other is Vomiting, Diarea with blood spots and lathargic. Vomiting started 4/22/07 and the other symptoms came 4/24/07. Dog has not eaten well for a week. Face swelled up this morning so she went to vet. Been feeding her Natural Balance Ultra Dry dog food. Not on recall list but I did call the 800# and they are going to test that food as well. Beware!
I’m switching from Natural Balance Fish & Potato to Pinnacle Duck and have been blending. Last night, I mixed in 1/4 cup of the Natural Balance from a new bag. This morning my dog wouldn’t eat the Natural Balance at all, she would put it in her mouth and spit it out. All she wanted was grass, which she doesn’t typically eat, and she developed some diarrhea. Her stool had been normal the night before. The new bag is the only thing that changed in a 12-hour period to my knowledge. Has anyone else had problems with the NB fish? I’ve read some negative comments about the duck, but nothing postive or negative about the fish. After reading N6076P’s comments about Ultra, I’m worried.
Comment to Mom of 2 Puppies. I just wanted to make certain you’re aware that Old Mother Hubbard uses menadione as their Vitamin K supplement since Menadione seems to be controversial. It’s listed in the ingredients for the duck formula as Vitamin K supplement. OMH told me it wasn’t menadione, but I mentioned that the definition of Vitamin K on their website is Menadione. They checked it out and called about 4 days later to say it is menadione, but they are taking it out in a few months. Aside from that, I liked their allergy formula ingredients.
I have been emailing Natural Balance since all of the recalls began - my dog began having kidney problems since around Christmas…I have recently fed the NB Organic (dry), and before showing signs of kidney problems, was feeding the NB canned chicken, which was recalled 4-26-07.
I have let them know that I have a dog with problems, yet their website continues to state that they have no reports of illnesses. I have discontinued feeding ANY Natural Balance product - they say the rice protein concentrate was put in the canned food without their knowledge. If their quality control is so poor, how do they know for sure that it is not also in their other foods??
If you have a pet that has been eating Natural Balance that is showing signs of kidney problems, please report it to them!
My cat recently started eating NATURAL BALANCE ULTRA DRY and became very ill on the evening of 4/27. He was diagnosed the following day with acute renal failure and is presently in the hospital with an IV tube in his paw. At this point, my vet is unsure if he will survive. I know this variety of dry cat food is not on the recall list, but right now my cat is gravely ill and that is the only food he has eaten. Needless to say, I am devastated right now. I have not heard back from the company as of yet.
My cat passed away at the vet hospital last night. I still have not heard back from anyone at NATURAL BALANCE. I’m just incredibly sad as well as angry at all the animals and kind hearted people who have gone through this the past couple months.
I have a suppliment from Jarrow Formulas, Taurine that used in my cats homemade meals. I noticed it had rice powder in it. I called the company and the said they did get all their ingredients from China. I’m a little worried about this. I understand that the FDA is detaining amino acids , among other things, both pet and human grade coming fron China.
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia9929.html
Cynthia:
Thank you for posting this information and the FDA link. This adds a whole new facet to home-prepared diets, doesn’t it?
Hello all,
I read your comments regarding Natural Balance Dry food. It’s a shame, Natural Balance doesn’t even mention the recall on their homepage.
Our cats loved Natural Balance dry food, but it hasn’t been available for some months here in Germany. It’s only for some weeks now that we can order “Natural balance Ultra Premium” Dry food again. I made a test order in April - and now - some weeks later, my stud (6 years old) has been diagnosed with kidney failure.
Natural balance was only one of the Dry food components we were feeding, not the main dry food or food at all, but it still worries me and I am no longer feeding it - especially after I read that Diamond Pet says, the Rice Protein has been mixed into the other 2 Natural Balance dry food varieties without their knowledge.
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