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Sunday, November 16, 2014

Important Pet Food Information

I’ve heard from many readers concerned of the recent Internet reports of sick and dying pets linked to a Purina Pet Food. I turned to FDA asking if the agency has received complaints on the Purina foods.

When an Examiner.com story was published highlighting several recent pet deaths linked to a Purina pet food, I started hearing from many readers. Everyone had similar concerns – is there going to be a recall? The amazing thing is – no one that wrote me provides their pet a Purina product. Everyone’s concern was for other pets – other pet owners. Everyone that contacted me was wanting to help – wanting to prevent pet illness and death.

The Examiner.com story was based on pet food consumer reports of sick or dead pets on theConsumerAffairs.com website. The posts from consumers were heartbreaking and concerning. I turned to FDA, asking if they could tell me if any Purina pet food was under investigation and asking how many adverse event reports the agency has received over the past two months.

FDA promptly replied:

In the past two months (9/12/2014 to 11/12/2014), the agency has received 14 reports about Purina dry food products (this includes for both dogs and cats). Three were adverse event reports for cat food products, 10 were adverse event reports for dog food products (one of these included a product defect report as well), and 1 was a product defect report for a dog food product. Here is a breakdown of the reports:

Purina Cat Chow: 0
Purina Dog Chow: 1 product report
Purina Puppy Chow: 2 (1 product defect, 1 product defect/adverse event report)
Beneful: 8 reports, 1 included another Purina product as well
Purina ONE: 1 cat product report, 1 dog product report
Purina ProPlan: 1 cat product report

The Food and Drug Administration welcomes reports from consumers alerting the agency to problems with products regulated by the agency. These reports help the FDA ensure that products on the market are safe and properly manufactured, labeled and stored. FDA encourages those with concerns about a particular pet food product to submit a report to the Safety Reporting Portal: https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/fpsr/WorkflowLoginIO.aspx?metinstance=B4B8DBDBB6CD79D2ED83195A812D1E7D9C329501.

Reports of adverse events do not necessarily mean that the product caused the event. Other factors, such as existing disease, exposure to chemicals or contaminants, foods, or other medications may have triggered or contributed to the cause of the event. The FDA takes all of these factors into consideration when reviewing adverse drug event reports.

In general, the agency does not discuss its enforcement activities, and any investigation findings would be shared directly with the company.

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11 comments:

  1. So, I assume we are supposed to substitute the word "death" in place of "event"?

    How PC of them....

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  2. That is disturbing! I have been feeding my two Corgi's Purina One for small dogs for a few years now. They seem to be doing very well with it. It was recommended by my Vet.

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  3. These are reports, not confirmed association with the pets death or illness, the way I read it. Regardless, 14 reports out of how many millions of bags of food sold? I would agree, if it was my pet I would be upset, but its probably a lot more likely your dog would be struck by lightning or hitting the lottery.

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  4. 10:23, Let me ask you this. IF you had heard a certain food you normally serve your child/children could make them sick or even die, would you still feel that you could take that risk of a lightening bolt? Just wondering?

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  5. I called Johnson McKee Animal Hospital and spoke with them. They still recommend Purina one and assured me is is safe for them. I told them about the article, and was told it was the first time they have heard about this.

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  6. Joe, I'm sure you are also a pet owner. What do you recommend? I try to avoid all products made in China. I tried Blue, but it may my dog sick.

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  7. Canidae all stages from Southern states or Johnsons seed and feed is the best.

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  8. I like Taste of the Wilderness....comparable to Blue in ingredients but not as expensive. Don't think there has been any recalls. Get at Super Pet or Tractor Supply.

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  9. Never had a problem with a Purina product over 40 years.

    However, I never buy pet products from Dollar General. Some treats and some tick treatment made the dogs sick.

    Never again. Too much of that comes from China.

    By the way, check your Del Monte and Dole fruit products, some vegetables, too. Label now says, Product of China - that place known for their high sanitation standards. Not.

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  10. 10:22
    We found that out the hard way. We used to pick up some sodas at the dollar store in front of Hobby Lobby. Dad's rootbeer was always our favorite. After about 2 weeks my husband was getting bad headaches each time he drank it. Most of the products sold in there are not made here in the USA. You could go to another store and find the exact same product...and it is made in the USA. They are getting sneaky on us!

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