PET FOOD RECALL: A Genetic Engineered Food Disaster?

[nosmokes]

doctor fox makes a lot of assumptions here, but there are lots ofsalient points about our food supply system and the nature/safety/testing/regulation of GMO foods and unintended consequences as well.
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original

LARGEST PET FOOD RECALL EVER

A Genetic Engineered Food Disaster?

By Dr. Michael W. Fox

I have received several letters from dog and cat owners thanking me for ‘saving their animal’s lives’ because they were feeding them the kind of home-made diet that I have been advocating as a veterinarian for some years. These letters came after the largest pet food recall in the pet food industry’s history.

On March 23, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced that rat poison in contaminated wheat gluten imported from China was responsible for the suffering and deaths of an as yet uncounted numbers of cats and dogs across North America. The poison is a chemical compound called aminopterin.

Veterinary toxicologists with the ASPCA and American College of Internal Veterinary Medicine shared my concern that there may be some other food contaminant (s) in addition to the aminopterin that was sickening and killing many pets. Experts were not convinced that the finding of rat poison contamination was the end of the story.

On March 30, the FDA reported finding a widely used compound called melamine (formed by dehydration of urea and used in the manufacture of plastics, as a wood resin adhesive, and in slow-release urea fertilizer), in the suspect pet foods. The FDA claims the melamine was the cause of an as yet uncounted number of cat and dog poisonings and deaths. The FDA could not find the rat poison, aminopterin, in the samples it analyzed; however a lab in Canada, at the University of Guelph, has confirmed the presence of rat poison. There may be other substances of a hazardous nature not yet discovered in these manufactured pet foods that include other ingredients considered unfit for human consumption, and from around the world.
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complete article here

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Of course it's not genetically engineered food.

It's chemtrails.

Why are you trying to distract from the chemtrail poisoning?

You don't work for Boeing, do you?

[TZ]

7. you are wrong..its because of

zombie bacteria in the food!:rofl:
Here we go again!:popcorn:

[hang a left]

12. I just don't know how to take your post...

are you making fun of the GM food conspiracy questioners?

are you making fun of the "what the hell are they spraying in the sky everyday" questioners??

Just curious.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

13. A little bit of both, I guess.

:shrug:

Not that there's a lot of difference.

[hang a left]

15. !

:freak:

[hang a left]

17. Do they spray anything in your skies above Seattle??

I see it here in North County San Diego. They create cloud cover on clear days. I wonder what that's about?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

19. Few year ago we had a caterpillar problem.

It was threatening some beautiful old trees. So they sprayed Bt. Saved the trees.

"I see it here in North County San Diego. They create cloud cover on clear days. I wonder what that's about?"

It's probably got something to do with water condensing in cold air at higher elevations.

[hang a left]

24. Well you have all the answers don't you....

Why does this occur all over the country??

I just KNOW you have the answer.

[SahaleArm]

27. BT is not poisonous - it's also used in organic farming

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacillus_thuringiensis">Bacillus thuringiensis

[hang a left]

30. I don't think I was talking to you???

BT...WTH

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

28. Um, yes.

Water vapor condenses in cold air at high altitudes all over the country. As a matter of fact, it happens all over the world. This causes such phenomena as rain. And clouds. Some times it even comes down to the ground and causes fog. And dew.

That's a funny word, isn't it? Let's say it together- dew.

[flying rabbit]

79. dew.

mmm...

[emcguffie]

80. water vapor also dissipates.

It doesn't stick around at low altitudes all day long.

Jets only form contrails at high altitudes. I grew up near an airbase and saw contrails all the time. They get so long, and then they disappear.

That stuff up over our heads is not regular old contrails. Absolutely not. I don't know what it is, but it isn't plain old regular water vapor contrails.

[kestrel91316]

34. Thank you. A breath of fresh air.

What is with these people? Didn't they study Earth Sciences in 8th grade, for crying out loud? I did, and it was in UT, not exactly known for intellectual rigor.

[kestrel91316]

33. Those are called contrails. They vary from day to day because

the atmospheric conditions that allow them to form vary from day to day.

You need to stop listening to George Noory. He's a nutball. And a poorly educated one at that.

[hang a left]

38. George who....???

Ya know something kestrel...

I was really with you at the beginning of the pet food recall and took your advise as expert.

However you have proven that you don't know what you are talking about while claiming expertise in the area.

So I don't rely on your opinions any longer. You have been disappointing.

It is a shame when DUers take stock in another's beliefs, especially when those beliefs turn out to be false.

Shame. Shame.

[TZ]

43. so when any SCIENTIST

discusses DATA that doesn't fit your world view, they MUST BE WRONG. Tell me what Kestrel has said thats wrong? No evidence linking to GM food, or the actually knowledge of pathogens that cause raw foods to be dangerous for people and pets? Would you like to provide some evidence that she DOES'NT know what she is talking about? Personally, I have been impressed with her scientific expertise. So that makes me ignorant too then right?:sarcasm:

[hang a left]

45. who said anything about raw foods....turtle??????

I have read discounting of melamine, and the other poisons that are suspect.

I don't claim to know which chemical is killing PETS!

However, I think that all options should be on the table...as they say.

Nothing should be discounted, especially since all the "supposed" chemicals have been ruled out.

There was a post earlier today regarding the process in which rendered animals and meat are processed for pet food. It was quite disgusting and kestrel weighed in with a comment, that I concluded to mean she thought it was ridiculous, since her head was hurting. The problem is that NO ONE knows what the heck is killing and sickening pets. It AINT friggen melamine!

I have thought to myself perhaps it is GM. There is no reason to not consider it.

[TZ]

48. no reason

only no legitimate scientific reason to believe it at this point. And if you hadn't noticed, Kestrel is far from the only person to not really understand whats going on here. As she has repeatedly said and posted on with her vet web site. I brought raw foods up because I figured that was your "beef" with her as seems to be a lot of others issue. If I misjudged you, I apologize. However my point with my posts is that unfounded speculation with no scientific evidence to back it up is at the very least, unhelpful.

[kestrel91316]

56. Here's George Noory:

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/

He's the nighttime talk radio guy who supports all manner of bizarre theories regarding global warming and space aliens and "chemtrails" and such despite being an obvious total moron when it comes to true science. He lends far too much credibility to crackpot ideas long-since discredited.

Sorry if I stepped on your woo-woo toes.

Chemtrails - ACK!

[soulcore]

77. I'm sorry, but just because Noory is an idiot doesn't mean there isn't something odd going on.

Nothing to see here folks, move along....

[Gelliebeans]

81. People like this guy

want to muddy the waters in an attempt to get their point out. I am always open for new ideas but we are dealing with time sensitivity in order to protect animals and possibly humans. The scientists that are trying to get to the root of the problem have to spend far too much time debunking shit and that important information is delayed because we are off looking at someone's theory. The most important thing is to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible and I appreciate your efforts to educate us.

Thanks again Kestral.

[MonkeyFunk]

40. Thanks Kestrel

keep fighting the good fight.

There's another thread in GD where somebody urges Type 1 diabetics to see a Naturopath :eyes:

[Cetacea]

66. And AIDS is a virus that heterosexuals get from mosquitos.

And from waiters. If you are too young to know this, that kind of BS was common "knowledge" in the eighties, thanks in large part to "science" and the media.

[Cetacea]

68. I guess our government didn't spray the subways either

in your world. That would be chemicals in New York City subways in the '60's, I believe.

[Felix Mala]

2. Two of our three dogs are now sick and getting blood tests

but none of them eat food listed as a danger. They tested negative for parasites. I've never seen anything like this in dogs... They leave little puddles of diarrhea every 15 minutes or so. Mornings are a nightmare and we don't have any way of keeping them outside.

[likesmountains 52]

4. What kind of food do they eat? Hope you get good news from the vet....

[Felix Mala]

70. Pedigree in the foil pouch

Although the first to get sick was a pup on dry Eukanuba puppy food, but he gets into the other dog's dishes, too.

[TheWraith]

9. Sounds like something one of my dogs had awhile back.

He was having horrible diarrhea that we were at a loss to explain, until we realized that he'd eaten some of the Peter Pan peanut butter which was on the salmonella recall list.

[Cetacea]

67. Are they eating Science Diet?

I read here that it's the greatest food out there..oh wait, some of it was recalled. Sorry. I do hope that they are OK.
I wish I could give you some assurance and advice but I really don't trust any of the sources on this subject.

[Felix Mala]

71. The vet gave me some bland prescription food, but they won't eat it.

I made a big 5 lb. batch of homemade food using rice and boiled chicken breasts. They like that ...

[nicknameless]

76. Plenty of reports of pets getting sick after eating Pedigree.

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:IuG2rzOEYY4J:hubpages.com/hub/Dog_Food_Recall_Is_Your_Dog_SICK+pedigree+sick&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us

[lovuian]

3. GM food is suspect its going to be a disaster

the bees dying is probably linked

[TheWraith]

8. The honeybee die-offs have been traces to a parasitic mite. NT.

[aquart]

11. Does that mean we can fix it?

[TheWraith]

16. I would assume so.

First solution would be to seperate the honeybees into smaller populations, to prevent large die-offs. Having them all clumped together, for the purpose of pollenating certain crops as they come into season, is part of the reason that it was so easy for the problem to spread. The second, and probably longer term solution, is to either exterminate this mite or find a counter-agent, such as breeding mite-resistant bees.

[kestrel91316]

35. Or maybe they could find the mite's natural enemy, maybe a

parasitic wasp? Or a bacterial infection?

[hang a left]

14. Is that right??

I have not seen anything definitive on that.

I think that there are a few theories that are being tossed around. However NO ONE can pinpoint nor directly attribute the cause.

[TheWraith]

20. That's what the articles I've read say--an intestinal parasite.

I've heard alot of strange theories too, including sunspots and other stuff, but these scientists seemed pretty solid that they'd determined the cause.

[hang a left]

31. Love to see a link Wraith...

haven't heard that one yet

[lovuian]

32. Heres a link about Bees and GM food

http://www.omninerd.com/2007/03/16/news/1179

Honey bees in twenty-two states are dying in the fields of an unknown disorder investigators have dubbed "colony collapse." The disorder is believed to be tied to the bees' immune systems. Apparently, they flee their hive, become disoriented, and die from the cold. Theories as to the cause range from issues with imported bee strains from Israel and Egypt, the cumulative effect of long-term exposure to pesticides, and changes brought about by genetically modified plant pollen, to viruses and fungus.

Bees play a critical role in the pollination of one-third of all crops. Jamie Ellis, an assistant entomology professor at the University of Florida's honeybee research lab, said, "The agriculture industry is built on the backs of honeybees." Not only are food crops such as almonds, apples, strawberries, and apricots dependent on the bee, but bees pollinate alfalfa and other crops fed to livestock, widening the potential disruption to the entire food supply.

soon they won't be able to hide it for very long the farmers will be angry

[KT2000]

61. parasitic mites

become a problem when the immune system has been weakened so much that the parasites take over.
This is happening with deer, trees, whales, fish. It even happens to humans.
Think about what is weakening the immune systems.

[Felix Mala]

72. I don't think they can save a hive that has it... They have to keep it from spreading to other

hives. Our tomatoes were about half our usual harvest the last two years because of the bee disease. Lucky for us, our neighbor has decided to start keeping bees.

We grow these for our own fun. If we were doing it commercially, we'd have to hire someone to bring a bunch of hives over to our fields for a few days. This is how other growers have dealt with it.

As crucial as the bees are to food production, I only saw one small DNR item in our paper and a very short segment on the television news.

[rec_report]

5. K&R. n/t

[Junkdrawer]

6. Interesting. A few days after the news broke I Googled aminopterin and "wheat seed"...

Now you'll get a lot of hits related to the pet food recall, but at that time only 3 hits came back and they were related to the use of aminopterin in GM research...

From your cite:

2. The ‘rat poison’ aminopterin is used in molecular biology as an anti-metabolite, folate antagonist, and in genetic engineering biotechnology as a genetic marker. This could account for its presence in this imported wheat gluten.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. LOL.

"The ‘rat poison’ aminopterin is used in molecular biology as an anti-metabolite, folate antagonist, and in genetic engineering biotechnology as a genetic marker. This could account for its presence in this imported wheat gluten."

How on earth is that supposed to account for aminopterin in imported wheat gluten? Have you ever opened a bag of dogfood and had an erlenmeyer flask, three petri dishes, and an electron microscope fall out?

[hang a left]

22. Well...

According to the many articles that have been published they have discounted the aminopterin in their findings.

Supposedly the culprit is melamine.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

23. Yes.

I'm trying to point out the fact that aminopteran being used as a research tool in laboratories could explain how it got into chinese wheat gluten is ridiculous, but yes, aminopterin's been ruled out.

There's been reports that melamine's been ruled out as well.

[Junkdrawer]

29. I wasn't looking for a GM foods connection...I was investigating...

the suggestion that perhaps seed wheat was processed (accidentally or on purpose) as gluten.

The GM connection just popped out and I shook it off for just the reason you suggest: how could a research tool get into food production? Since I'm not a microbiologist, I just filed it in the back of my mind as "curious".

[hang a left]

36. Curiousness is not allowed here!!!!

Have you not read the rules as bornagainimatoolagain has implemented??

[TZ]

41. there is a difference between ligitmate curiosity

and scientifically unfounded paranoia. Thats Hooligan's point here.

[hang a left]

42. provide me with some kind of scientific data

then we'll look at it.

Wish I had someone who could explain my points.

[TZ]

44. ah I see. Guilty until proven innocent

If no one can explain your points, maybe you should rethink them perhaps. I am willing to concede when I am wrong and have done so on several occasions. Are you?

[hang a left]

47. you said....Turtle...

"scientifically unfounded paranoia. Thats Hooligan's point here."

You were pointing out a "point" right???

Please reply with your scientific data.

Thanks.

That is all.

[TZ]

50. How can I prove something thats never been studied?

Safety studies on things take a long time. This melamine pet food issue is a brand new issue never studied before so how can I give you scientific data on it?I can't disprove it, no. But what you are doing are leaping to conclusions based less on scientific fact than on some general unfounded fear. I base my beliefs on my training as a biologist. IF I am proved with scientific proof on some kind of link, maybe I will listen. Now I have done the best to point out the illogic of your arguments but its clear that you are not open minded on this subject so I will no longer discuss this issue with you.

[hang a left]

52. My point is this...

You have been speaking as if you are some type of expert on the subject claiming that scientific data doesn't back up this or that, all throughout this thread. I was just attempting to ask you, politely, either put up or shut up.

[kestrel91316]

37. Touche!

[hang a left]

49. You know kestrel, I am trying to be diplomatic

You stated earlier today that you personally haven't seen any cases of sickened animals with regards to the contaminated pet food.

I have watched you over several days seek assistance with regard to chemical substances.

I have watched you swear regarding pet food that you recommend that was then included in the recall.

I have also watched you ridicule any hypothesis that were outside of what you considered to be the contaminants.

Your credibility with me, and that probably doesn't mean much, has been damaged.

[kestrel91316]

55. Well, I really don't even know where to start.

"...I have watched you swear regarding pet food that you recommend that was then included in the recall...."

My continuing endorsement of certain pet foods despite the fact that SOME of those companies' (Hill's, Nutro, and Iams) cuts and gravy foods (which I have NEVER recommended, BTW) contained unforseeable comtaimination merely reflects my understanding of pet food manufacturing and nutrition basics.

I refuse to condemn ALL of Hill's products because of the recall of their cuts and gravy and ONE dry Prescription Diet. I refuse to condemn ALL of Iams' products because of the recall of their cuts and gravy. I refuse to condemn ALL of Nutro's products because of the recall of their cuts and gravy.

You obviously think that makes me either stupid or evil. I think it shows common sense.

As a businessperson who buys supplies from many sources, I understand how those companies must feel to know they have been sold a contaminated ingredient. We don't know all the facts yet, but IMHO those companies will probably turn out to be as much victims as the pets and their owners.

You obviously think I should condemn ALL pet foods from those companies and I think that's irrational. I'm NOT going to throw the baby out with the bath water and suggest that people feed RAW FOOD DIETS (which are truly insane) or homemade diets (which are fraught with potential problems) while perfectly good commercially made foods still exist.

What hypothesis have I ridiculed that should not have been? I have been following all the scientific developments in this case, and plenty of people with hair-brained ideas clearly HAVEN'T.

Your post really makes no sense at all to me. Particularly your complaint that I claim to have not seen any cases of ARF. What's the deal? Are you claiming that I HAVE seen cases and are lying? What have you been smoking? You are in no position to know otherwise.

I guess maybe you resent that I accept official summaries of the situation at face value, and don't see (at this point) some vast conspiracy to murder pets.

Oh, and BTW, WTF is your beef with my asking for input from organic chemists?

Don't trouble yourself over your deciding I am not credible (though you might do everyone, including me, here a courtesy and cite specific posts where I have stated demonstrable falsehoods). If you don't like my opinions, so be it. I came to the conclusion years ago that I couldn't please everybody.

Again, if I am not credible in your view, please show exactly where I have knowingly, deliberately misled anyone here, or been completely off base in the face of facts. This has been a rapidly changing situation for weeks, and if I have not been demonstrating special psychic abilities that meet with your approval, I apologize profusely.

[hang a left]

62. It was your recommendation of the dry Iams that was later recalled

that made me question your reasoning. As well as wheat gluten being the culprit. Both of my small dogs and 5 cats were fed Iams dry for years. However, after the scare of the recall, I changed all of their food, at a considerable cost, to Innova pet food. I realize in the beginning you were sure it was just the wet food with the chunks.

I asked you a couple of times on different threads where you would please post something regarding the progress made on the contaminant that was killing pets. It was of particular concern to me, especially with my animals. And when the rumors led to concerns regarding that possibly human food was affected with respect to the wheat gluten, it became even more alarming.

I have paid attention to your concern in the different GM threads. Also I have seen you even question whether or not that could be the cause. Seeing as there is absolutely no definative evidence regarding the poisonings, I think hanging your hat on anything that hasn't been proven is going to affect anyone's credibility.

I am not trying to be mean at all. I have relied upon you for information as it is not possible to trust the msm on this issue. I just have felt let down. Maybe I placed too much trust in one veterinarian who cannot possibly know all the answers. If I have done that, and I suspect I may have, then I am very sorry.

[kestrel91316]

64. Dry Iams has NOT NOT NOT NOT been recalled. Lol.

Proof:
http://us.iams.com/iams/global/Product_Recall.htm
".....No Iams or Eukanuba dry pet food products have been affected by the Menu Foods recall or this amended Menu Foods recall...."

If you have more recent PROOF that IAMS dry food has been recalled, please cite with links. It would certainly be news to me.

BTW, I have ALWAYS looked at Iams dry foods with a jaundiced eye, because they sneak fish into all of it! So painting me as some blind fan of Iams is actually quite comical. Likewise with Hill's and Nutro/Max Cat. I have issues with all of them, usually minor or involving a limited selection of their products.

"....Maybe I placed too much trust in one veterinarian who cannot possibly know all the answers. If I have done that, and I suspect I may have, then I am very sorry....." Herein may lie the problem. I do NOT have all the answers. I HAVE engaged in speculation along with everyone else as this situation has developed. I have been led down false trails as stories broke just like everybody else. And I have TRIED with every fiber of my being to squelch baseless rumors and keep people from panicking over misplaced fears. If you haven't followed my posts in chronological order, there would be no way for you to see how my thoughts have developed over time, and confusion might have resulted.

But like my colleagues, I am very concerned about the long-term implications of this for the pet food supply (and the human food supply, too).

For RELIABLE updates and lots of good info, if you don't have this already, check out AVMA's site:
http://avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/default.asp
I suggest checking it at least twice a day. I do, and still miss some new stuff.

PS: I am NOT psychic. Really. If something I have always trusted (ie Hill's Prescription Diet feline M/D) turns out to have contaminated ingredients, it's NOT MY FAULT. I am not, therefore, evil or stupid. I had two bags of it sitting 10 ft from my desk and never even thought to check it for gluten because everyone was saying no dry foods had gluten, and the few that I had checked sure didn't. And until the FDA knew for sure that it WAS the gluten, they had no duty nor did they have the right to run to Hill's about it anyway.

Whatever. I have posted for three weeks straight about this and can't begin to remember everything I have said on the subject. I am exhausted, mentally and physically. If you want to beat up on me, be my guest. I'm not going to bother arguing any more for now.

[hang a left]

65. I am on the phone....but here is this, I will reply more later

FDA finds unapproved chemical in diet pet food
Agency sent a warning letter to Iams Co., but did not ask for recall
Image: Eukanuba Restricted-Calorie pet food
Iams Co.
The FDA warned Iams Co. about an unapproved substance found in some of the company's diet pet foods marketed under the Eukanuba brand.


WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday it has issued a warning letter to Iams Co. that says some of its diet pet foods contain an unapproved substance.

Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Optimum Weight Control/Canine dry, Optimum Weight Control/Feline dry, Restricted-Calorie/Canine dry and canned, and Restricted-Calorie/Feline dry and canned contain chromium tripicolinate, which is not an approved food supplement, the FDA said.

The warning follows a recall of nearly 100 brands of pet food made by Menu Foods after animals suffered kidney failure. That recall included some Iams products made under contract by Menu Foods.

[kestrel91316]

78. That was unrelated to the Menu Foods/wheat gluten/melamine recall.

FDA sent Iams a letter in January telling them they had been naughty for putting unapproved chromium tripicolinate into some of their dry food. This has NOTHING do do with the recall. No Iams dry is being recalled.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/29/news/iam_pet_food.reut/index.htm

March 29 2007: 4:56 PM EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning letter to pet food maker Iams about an additive in some of its products for fat dogs and cats.

The letter, dated Jan. 8, 2007, and posted on the FDA Web site Thursday, said that several Eukanuba-brand dry and canned pet food products made by The Iams Company, a unit of Procter & Gamble Co. (Charts), contain chromium tripicolinate, which is only allowed as a source of supplemental chromium in swine feed.

The company will take chromium tripicolinate out of future formulations of its Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Optimum Weight Control and Restricted-Calorie dry and canned products for obese dogs or cats, spokesman Kurt Iverson said.

He pointed out that the FDA had not ordered a recall of the products now in pet owners' homes or on store shelves.

[hang a left]

18. That is interesting...

Junkdrawer.

Don't mind the frantic postings of bornahooligan

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

21. Yes, pay no attention to me.

What with my sense, and facts, and all that jazz.

[hang a left]

25. curious as to what facts you HAVE presented...

just asking, ya know...

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

26. I've presented the fact...

that there's as much evidence suggesting the pet food culprit is chemtrails, as there is evidence suggesting it's GM food.

[kestrel91316]

57. Give it up and save yourself a ton of grief. Belief in chemtrails

appears to be as sacred as belief in the magical virtues of raw meat.

[TZ]

58. HEY!

Shut up, Kestrel
it was about here that I was told that. I really don't understand this whole chemtrail thingy.:rofl:

[kestrel91316]

60. It's almost tragic. Kids in school don't learn about the different types

of clouds, so they call the lenticular ones "UFOs". And they don't know how contrails are formed, so when some delusional freak tells them that they are caused by a government conspiracy to spray poisons, they believe it.

Complete lack of critical thinking skills. It makes me sick.

[Cetacea]

69. Ignorance of experiments on US citizens through the decades

is also magical thinking, is it not?

[Jcrowley]

39. Relax

[Random_Australian]

46. You know, I can't work out whether or not you are serious in what you just posted,

or whether you are potraying GM-opposing persons as utter fools.

:)

[Jcrowley]

51. Let me clarify

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x339027

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Jcrowley/73

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x556691

[Random_Australian]

54. Ahhhh. ;)

I get what you're saying.

Not that I particularly agree with you or believe you, but you HAVE made your position much clearer.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

53. He's doing both.

:thumbsup:

[DemBones DemBones]

59. I'm opposed to GMOs but as far as the evidence I have seen has shown, this is

not related to GMOS.

CNN reported that the manufacturers added melamine deliberately because it contains nitrogen which makes the wheat gluten seem to contain more protein than it does. They did this so they could claim the the products were higher in protein and raise the prices! Knowing full well that they had NOT added protein, merely a nitrogen containing substance to fool the protein tests! They supposedly did not anticipate what would happen, presumably did not test it on lab animals first.

Not that I trust CNN to report everything but that they reported this much damaging info is interesting. I've seen it elsewhere, too, in the NYTimes, I think.

Foods should be labeled as to whether they contain GMOs or not, and, soon, whether they contained cloned organisms or not.

This disaster shows, again, what a piss-poorjob US regulatory agencies are doing.

[KT2000]

63. That was a vet at FDA

who said they were looking at melamine being used to spike protein level for more money.

I do not think we have the real story yet. Many unkowns and lots of people with portgages to pay so they will spout whatever party line that keeps their job.

[Eurobabe]

73. K & R

[femmedem]

74. Genetically modified wheat is not grown commercially anywhere.

At least, that's the most recent info I can come up with. :shrug:

Right now, no genetically modified wheat is being grown anywhere in the world. Plans to introduce GM wheat in North America were abandoned in 2004. Nevertheless, scientists are still exploring ways of improving wheat using genetic engineering.

In 2002, Monsanto, the world's leading agro-biotech enterprise, submitted an application to the United States and Canada for the approval of an herbicide resistant, genetically modified wheat cultivar. Two years later, Monsanto withdrew its application.

http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/grocery_shopping/crops/22.genetically_modified_wheat.html

[nicknameless]

75. K&R