Obscure New York State Food Laboratory Gets New Attention in Pet Food Case

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

Obscure New York State Food Laboratory Gets New Attention in Pet Food Case

04-01-2007 5:55 PM
By MARK JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer

ALBANY, N.Y. (Associated Press) -- Tucked away in a nondescript state office park, scientists at the New York State Food Laboratory have for years quietly gone about their business testing products destined for grocery store shelves.

The obscurity, however, ended abruptly last week as the lab, with 10 of its researchers on the case, made a crucial breakthrough in the testing of pet food believed to be responsible for animal deaths across the country. Using sophisticated drug screening panels, the lab determined a banned rodent poison called aminopterin might be killing the household pets.

The lab is part of Food Emergency Response Network, a federally supported group of state and federal facilities with expertise in testing food for chemical, biological, and radiological hazards. With a staff of about 40 chemists, microbiologists and technicians, the lab is one of a few dozen state-level facilities capable of doing such tests and regularly screens foods for pesticides.


Robert Sheridan, a food chemist at the New York State Food Laboratory, works at the lab in Albany, N.Y., Monday, March 26, 2007. Scientists at the lab made a crucial breakthrough in the testing of pet food believed to be responsible for animal deaths across the country. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Unable to pinpoint what was wrong with the pet food with their own equipment, scientists at Cornell University sent samples of the tainted pet food to Albany. Chemists here quickly got to work, three days before a nationwide recall of 95 pet food brands manufactured by Menu Foods of Ontario, Canada. Numerous tests eliminated hundreds of possibilities, from heavy metals to deadly fungus.

Read more: http://omaha.cox.net/cci/newsnational/national?_mode=view&_state=maximized&view=article&id=D8O83H580&_action=validatearticle

[Truthiness Inspector]

1. Menu Foods

I've been following this as closely as possible, but somehow didn't realize Menu Foods was based in Canada. Are they having the same recalls we are?

Are these pet foods being sent to other countries as well?

I've been focused on what foods are getting pulled, and now I realize the problem may be more widespread.

[CHIMO]

2. Seems That

It comes from the same batch of gluten that is said to have come from China.

Pet food ‘betrayal' builds doubt and distrust
TORONTO — A far-reaching and ever-growing recall of tainted pet food that is suspected to have killed hundreds, if not thousands, of cats and dogs has left pet owners feeling “betrayed” by the industry.

Some observers predict it won't not be quick or easy for the business to win back consumers' trust.

“I think this recall has and will continue to cause pet owners to question the food they feed their pets,” said research analyst Elizabeth Higgins.

Originally, Ontario-based Menu Foods recalled 60 million cans and pouches of its “cuts and gravy” style food, sold under 95 different brands, for fear of contamination after hearing reports of kidney failure and even death in dogs and cats.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070401.wpetfood0401/BNStory/National/home

My concerns are now with human food. Who tests for small amounts of these additives?

[Truthiness Inspector]

4. Thanks

I've been searching since I posted my question, and so far it looks like the only recalls are in the US. If that is correct, I'm glad it isn't more widespread, but also wondering WTF?

And good question about human food. Obviously testing is not what it should/could be since these recalls always seem to happen AFTER the food is released and consumed by the public.

[PDJane]

5. There are recalls here, too.

Believe me. We have the same brands as you do, and the same problems with them. This has pointed up a problem with pet foods beyond the expected; there is literally no government oversight of pet food production. The problem is about to be rectified, it seems.

[Truthiness Inspector]

6. I'm sorry to hear that

but thanks for the info. I hope you are correct that it's about to be rectified, but with little to no potential compensatory damages for those whose animals have been harmed or killed, it makes me wonder. If a company is going to put out a product, the onus is on that company to ensure the product is safe. What a concept, isn't it? Why should it be different for pet foods? Sorry, just venting now.

[CHIMO]

7. I Searched

Through the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) this morning and could not find any testing that was done for this chemical, melamine. The only testing that I could come up with was for the standard foods and standard expected hazards.

The place to search is in residues. The tests are aligned with those of the USA so I expect the same thing is occurring there.

As the human body is much larger than the cats, they would be able to consume more before any toxic effect occurs. Although on a long term basis who knows. Assumes effects in cats and dogs are similar to humans.

[C_U_L8R]

3. Are they testing people food ???

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x556053

The media and the government seem very tight lipped about the distribition of the wheat gluten.
Hiding something from us ???

[woodsprite]

8. That's my thought. We are going to get our dog some supplements

today so we can move her from the 50/50 Pedigree/Sc. Diet WD mix to a whole foods/Sc. Diet WD mix. WD (according to the label and what I've found on the net) does not contain wheat gluten. BUT Pedigree does.

I'm also taking a looooong look at that gluten-free foods list and going to start adjusting our pantry. I'm sure we'll be healthier for it anyway. Just by chance, I found a healthfood store right down from where I work where they cater to people with celiac's disease. Sounds like a few trips might be in order until I know what I'm looking for. They are pricey, but I can learn alot from the guy who runs the place.