[pyrnet] Fw: CARE, HEALTH: Dog Food Alert

["Barb Bowes" <bamb@monmouth.com>]

Dog Food may be contaminated with BSE tainted meat. (Mad Cow Disease)


http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00910.html

Statement
      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      Statement
      May 26, 2003
     Media Inquiries: 301-827-6242
      Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA



FDA BSE Update - Pet Food from Canadian Manufacturer
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has learned from the government of
Canada that rendered material from a Canadian cow that last week tested
positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also known as "mad cow
disease") may have been used to manufacture pet food, specifically dry dog
food, some of which was reported to have been shipped to the United States.
The Canadian government prevented the BSE positive cow from being processed
for human food. Therefore, consumers can be assured that their food does not
contain any remnants of the BSE positive cow.

It is also important to stress that there is no scientific evidence to date
that dogs can contract BSE or any similar disease. In addition there is no
evidence that dogs can transmit the disease to humans.

FDA notified the U.S. pet food firm, The Pet Pantry International, of Carson
City, Nevada, when FDA learned that the pet food that the firm received may
have included rendered material from the BSE positive cow. The manufacturer
of the pet food is Champion Pet Food, Morinville, Alberta. Even though there
is no known risk to dogs from eating this dog food, as a prudent measure to
help assure that the U.S. stays BSE free The Pet Pantry International is
asking its customers who may have purchased the suspect product to hold it
for pickup by the distributor so that the dog food will not mistakenly be
mixed into cattle or other feeds if any of the dog food is discarded or
otherwise not used to feed dogs. The suspect dog food was produced by
Champion Pet Food between February 4, 2003, and March 12, 2003.

The Pet Pantry products were packaged in 50 lb bags, distributed to
franchises around the country, and sold by home delivery only. There was no
retail distribution of the product. Consumers purchase Pet Pantry products
by phone or email orders. The product is then delivered by the nearest
franchisee directly to the consumer's home.

The product subject to this notification includes "Maintenance Diet" labeled
with a use by date of "17FEB04" and "Beef with Barley" with a use by date of
"05MAR04". Consumers who have purchased dog food from The Pet Pantry since
February of this year are asked to check their present supplies and see if
any match the description of the product being removed. If so, consumers are
asked to contact The Pet Pantry at 1-800-381-7387 for further information on
how to return the product to The Pet Pantry for proper disposal. Consumers
are asked not to destroy or discard the product themselves. The Pet Pantry
will also use its sales records to contact consumers who purchased the
affected product.

FDA is working closely with the Pet Pantry International to assure for
proper disposal of the recovered product.

FDA will continue to provide updates on this case of BSE in Canada as
additional information becomes available.

###

Barb Bowes
Bo & Chelsea (Pyrs)
Flopsy (Pyrenean Shepherd)
The more people I meet, the more I like my dog!
bamb@monmouth.com