… from their website … and link at the bottom.
Franklin, Tennessee (May 21, 2009) — Today, Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.
Two mineral premixes were affected. One premix contained excessive levels of zinc and under-supplemented potassium. The second premix under-supplemented potassium. Both zinc and potassium are essential nutrients for cats and are added as nutritional supplements to NUTRO® dry cat food.
This issue was identified during an audit of our documentation from the supplier. An extensive review confirmed that only these two premixes were affected. This recall does not affect any NUTRO® dog food products, wet dog or cat food, or dog and cat treats.
Affected product was distributed to retail customers in all 50 states, as well as to customers in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Israel. We are working with all of our distributors and retail customers, in both the US and internationally, to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or distributed further.
Consumers who have purchased affected product should immediately discontinue feeding the product to their cats, and switch to another product with a balanced nutritional profile. While we have received no consumer complaints related to this issue, cat owners should monitor their cat for symptoms, including a reduction in appetite or refusal of food, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea. If your cat is experiencing health issues or is pregnant, please contact your veterinarian.
Consumers who have purchased product affected by this voluntary recall should return it to their retailer for a full refund or exchange for another NUTRO® dry cat food product. Cat owners who have more questions about the recall should call 1-800-833-5330 between the hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST
http://www.nutroproducts.com/press-recall/press-recall.html?gclid=CMqd14Oi4poCFRINDQodQ1MZBA
The old man was so tired; he closed his eyes and dozed off. He began to dream, a vivid dream… “NO” he thought, this is no dream, and yet, what else could it be? He looked down at his arms, they were the arms of a young man, he was no longer old? He was standing beside a dirt road out in the country it was a beautiful day, the hills were covered with emerald green grass and knurled oak trees, it was so beautiful here? Then, seemingly, from out of nowhere, his dog Shep was by his side. But hadn’t Shep been a pet of his youth? Then it dawned on him, he must have “crossed over.” He must have died in his sleep. If so, all his fears of death had been silly; he felt better than he has ever felt in his life - this was the most beautiful place, the most beautiful day…
Shep dropped a stick at his feet and backed up excitedly, looking down at the stick then up at him, obviously anxious for him to throw it, anxious to play. He knelt down and took Shep’s head between his hands and kissed him on the top of his head, his heart filled with joy, thrilled at what seemed to have occurred, thrilled with this new “reality.” He felt better than he had ever felt in life…
He threw the stick for Shep and watched him bound excitedly after it, bringing it back over and over. He realized Shep was getting thirsty. Looking around he could not see any creek or stream or other place for Shep to get a drink so he decided they should start walking down the road. They hadn’t gone very far when they came to a great marble arch with a gold gate and a gold road leading over a small hill. He could see and feel a warm glow coming from over the hill, next to the gate was a large pulpit upon which stood a saintly looking man wearing a white robe and having a long grey beard; very distinguished looking.
“What is this place?” he asked.
“Why don’t you know? You’ve reached the Gates of Heaven,” replied the man.
“May I enter?” he asked, in wonder.
“Hmmm… Let me look in my book.” He turned a few pages and appeared to skim the contents. “Why, Yes! Your name is written here. You are welcome to enter.” He gestured with one arm.
“And my dog, he can come in too? He’s very thirsty.”
“Sorry, but no. Absolutely not! I’m sorry, but dogs aren’t allowed in heaven.”
The man thought about this for a few seconds. “Well, if my dog isn’t welcome then I guess I really don’t belong here either.”
“Suit yourself, but know this: If you turn your back on this gate you will never get a second chance to enter.”
He turned his back on heaven and continued down the road with Shep by his side. It was odd, all his life he had hoped to enter heaven, now he had turned his back on his only chance to enter. Yet, he felt strangely good about it. In fact, somehow, he could not manage to muster even a slight twinge of regret? In his heart he felt he had done “the right thing.” As he walked down the road, the countryside seemed to continue to get more and more beautiful and his sense of well being grew stronger and stronger. He crested another hill and walked down into the most beautiful valley, the most beautiful place, he had ever been. Wildflowers bloomed everywhere, insects buzzed, and gorgeous butterflies he had never seen before flitted from flower to flower.
By and by, his walk down the road brought him to another gate, just an old rail fence. There was a man standing off to one side. For the most part, he looked like a farmer. He was sitting on the fence. He was wearing denim coveralls and had on an old straw hat. He was idly holding a stem of grass between his lips. Just off the road on the other side of the gate was a well.
“Hello” he said to the farmer. “May I enter here and get a bucket of water from your well? My dog is awfully thirsty.”
“Of course you may. You and your dog are both welcome here.” The farmer smiled.
So, he walked through the gate and proceeded to lower the bucket into the well. “Where am I?” he asked the farmer.
“Son, you’ve reached the gates of heaven.” The farmer’s smile broadened.
The man began to notice that the farmer possessed a holy, angelic visage. “Really? Are you sure? A man back there said the other place was the gate of heaven?”
“Oh, yes. I know who you mean. He tells everyone that. But then you know ‘the devil is a liar.’” The holy man smirked and shook his head. “Did you truly think God would ever let anyone pass through the real gates of heaven who was willing to leave his best friend in life alone and thirsty by the side of the road?”
A PET’S TEN COMMANDMENTS . . .
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me..
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
China’s legislature enacted a new food safety law February 28, promising tougher regulations and severe punishment for makers of bad products after tainted products showed flaws in the food industry, according to an article by The Associated Press.
The National People’s Congress approved the law, which will ensure food safety “from the production line to the dining table,” the Xinhua News Agency said. The law goes into effect June 1, according to the article.
The law calls for a monitoring and supervision system, a set of national standards on food safety, severe punishment for offenders and a food recall system, Xinhua said. It will also impose strict supervision over additives.
Some interesting news: the three manufacturers have combined for form one company called WellPet, which is part of a “fifth-generation, family-owned company called Berwind”.
Eagle Pack includes the Holistic Select brand.
We will keep an eye on any changes to the Holistic Select recipes.
Because we may see Spring, after this long Winter, please be aware that a mulch for your garden that is made of cocoa can be harmful if eaten by your dog and outside cats.
You can find out more information at:
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp
Please check to see that you have pet friendly mulch for your pets sake.
Sirius Cooks has no products that contain peanut butter or chicken jerky from this recall list. That includes our own treats, which we make in-house with the organic real peanuts (without salt) turned into real peanut butter.
This is why you will see our treats vary, and why we explain our finding to you, our loyal customers, that the Chicken is arriving or being purchased in China. Not to say everything is not safe from China … there are other options which we feel are safer for your dogs and cats.
This is also why we don’t carry certain food products.
We’re very very picky.
And will remain so.
From PetAge Magazine (March 2009):
Recent warnings related to tainted peanut butter and chicken jerky used in some dog food and treats must have left thousands of pet owners with a familiar, sinking feeling in the pits of their stomachs.
More than 30 million pounds of peanut butter and peanut paste distributed to at least 70 manufacturers for use in everything from crackers to candies to pet products were recalled as a result of a mid-January salmonella outbreak linked to a Blakely, Ga., processing plant owned by Peanut Corp. of America, according to published reports. At press time, at least 130 products had been pulled from store shelves.
PetSmart Inc. (Phoenix) voluntarily recalled seven kinds of Grreat Choice dog biscuits.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (New York) urged pet owners to stop giving their pets peanut-related products.
However, manufacturers such as Sojourner Farms (Minneapolis) and A Dog’s Life (Santa Monica, Calif.) took the offensive, posting online notices stating that their peanut butter-related products are safe.
“While the risk of animals contracting [salmonella] is minimal, there is risk to people from handling these products. It is especially important for people to wash their hands and make sure that children wash their hands after feeding pets,” said the Food and Drug Administration (Rockville, Md.). It posted a recalled-foods database at www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm.
And in the midst of the 2008 holidays, the FDA issued another warning regarding chicken jerky products imported from China. These products, in the form of chicken tenders, strips or treats, have reportedly sickened several dogs, said the FDA, which put up its initial red flag in September 2007. Similar findings in Australia prompted the agency to reissue its warning and offer tips to pet owners:
- Do not substitute chicken jerky products for a balanced diet.
- If you feed your dog chicken jerky products, watch your dog closely and stop if the dog shows signs of decreased appetite or activity, vomiting, diarrhea or increased thirst or urination.
- Report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods or treats to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator at www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html. [March 2009 PET AGE]
Exotic Meats USA of San Antonio, TX is initiating a voluntary recall of Elk Tenderloin because it may contain meat derived from an elk confirmed to have Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The meat with production dates of December 29, 30 and 31, 2008 was purchased from Sierra Meat Company in Reno, NV. The infected elk came from Elk Farm LLC in Pine Island, MN and was among animals slaughtered and processed at USDA facility Noah’s Ark Processors LLC.
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The only company we purchase Elk meat products for raw food is Bravo.
They have sent us another email on this:
“Further information regarding CWD testing in elk from AWAPCO.
AWAPCO is part of a mandatory Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Program. CWD is a federally reportable disease in Canada. All heads from elk processed for AWAPCO are submitted for CWD testing and are identified with official eartags recognized by the province.
To test for CWD, the laboratory uses a sample of the brain stem and head lymphoid tissues as this is the only tissue from which they can determine CWD.”
So, like our raw elk bones (for treats) from Canada, this meat is also tested thoroughly. Check where your raw food elk comes from.
——
Previous response from Bravo:
“I just spoke with the person that purchases that raw product for us and she said that wedo not purchase any of our elk from the farms.processors listed below. She will check more into it tomorrow and if there is anything more to report I will let you know.
Bette Schubert
Bravo Raw Diet
More info on this product AND we don’t carry this product as they still are supplied by China.
The FDA found different. On the FDA website, Refusal Actions by FDA, a shipment to Dogswell/Catswell of Breathies treats were refused entrance into the U.S. for salmonella contamination.
http://www.fda.gov/ora/oasis/12/ora_oasis_i_72.html
Thank you to one of great customers! This was in the January 8th issue.
“What do you love and hate?
January 8, 2009
I LOVE …
… Sirius Cooks [142 Harrison St.] in Oak Park. Their products are meticulously selected so I never have to worry about the quality of my dog’s food. And they offer such amazing home-cooked dinners and treats that I wish they catered to humans too.
—Elizabeth Moser, Oak Park”