Company recalls tainted pet food

[Rhiannon12866]

17 deaths may be linked to pet food contaminated with fungi

Friday, December 23, 2005 Posted: 0943 GMT (1743 HKT)

(CNN) -- One of the nation's largest dog food producers has recalled some of its products in 22 states after receiving reports that they caused death and illness, a company executive said Thursday.

In a letter to thousands of its suppliers, Diamond Pet Food announced it found aflatoxin in products made at its Gaston, South Carolina, plant, said Chief Operating Officer Mark Brinkmann.

Products made at the Gaston facility are shipped to Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Vermont and Virginia.

Five cat food products and 14 dog food products were recalled. (View recall information)

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/12/22/dog.deaths/index.html

[XemaSab]

1. Recalled brands:

The affected products:

• Diamond Low Fat Dog Food

• Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food

• Diamond Maintenance Dog Food

• Diamond Performance Dog Food

• Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food

• Diamond Puppy Food

• Diamond Maintenance Cat Food

• Diamond Professional Cat Food

• Country Value Puppy

• Country Value Adult Dog

• Country Value High Energy Dog

• Country Value Adult Cat Food

• Professional Chicken & Rice Senior Dog Food

• Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food

• Professional Adult Dog Food

• Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food

• Professional Puppy Food

• Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food

• Professional Adult Cat Food

[Maddy McCall]

2. Here's a list of the food brands that are affected, as well as contact...

info for Diamond Pet Foods:

12/21/2005
Diamond Pet Food Product Recall Notification
The following Items with best buy date codes between March 1st 2007 and June 10th 2007 with an 11th or 12th digit "G" are not to be sold. These are out of our Gaston Facility only! All customers please stop feeding these items if you are currently.

Diamond Low Fat Dog Food
Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food
Diamond Maintenance Dog Food
Diamond Performance Dog Food
Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food
Diamond Puppy Food
Diamond Maintenance Cat Food
Diamond Professional Cat Food
Country Value Puppy
Country Value Adult Dog
Country Value High Energy Dog
Country Value Adult Cat Food
Professional Chicken & Rice Senior Dog Food
Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food
Professional Adult Dog Food
Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food
Professional Puppy Food
Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food
Professional Adult Cat Food

Symptoms of illness include, sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums and severe bloody diarrhea. If your pet is experiencing these please consult a veterinarian and keep your product date code.

· Retailers please return all products to distributors for full reimbursement.

· Retailers Please Display in your store. Your Diamond Regional Rep will be able to answer any questions.

[ShadesOfGrey]

37. Thank you for the list!

My babies don't eat any of those brands but I'm seriously considering putting them on a home cooked diet now!

[Ayesha]

3. Not surprising

This is due to substandard ingredients in a cheap food no creature should eat. If people knew what goes into many brands of pet food, they'd be horrified.

More info:

http://www.fuzzyfaces.com/lfood2.html

[Rhiannon12866]

4. My vet says that what we feed our pets is the single most important factor

in determining an animal's health. It's a no-brainer, really, because they have to have proper nutrition throughout their lives to become and stay healthy. He's often had me cook for mine, especially when they were ill or not eating well. Thanks for the link.:-)

[laheina]

6. That's interesting

Just out of curiosity, what did he have you cook?

[Rhiannon12866]

9. He's had me cook numerous times.

He had me saute liver for my 18-year-old cocker when he was under the weather, several times, and also for my other cocker when he thought she needed additional nutrition. And when both of my dogs had intestinal problems and needed a bland diet, he had me make just plain chicken with rice. I used low sodium chicken broth for the liquid. I never mind doing it, but the chicken and rice thing went on for weeks, one time, and I did whine that it was rather labor intensive, since my tiny 8lb. wonder (the dog in my sig) needed such small pieces, LOL! He brought up the importance of diet because I tend to adopt older animals, so the damage may be already done, and it's extremely important for them to eat well.:-)

Also, I know that many people swear by a raw diet for their pets, that they prepare themselves, but I'm just not ready to go there, plus my pets are all older, so they aren't used to it and I don't know how they'd react.:shrug:

[laheina]

12. Thanks for the info

:hi:

[Ben Ceremos]

15. Raw diets

are actually best for young animals, assuming they are already eating solid food.
My 11 month old Australian Blue Heeler is incredibly healthy, energetic, spunky and alert.
I recommend it for all dogs and cats, it cuts down on the maintenance visits to the vet, helps them to heal faster, reduces itching and flatulence and makes them feel great. I have to say that had I known about it with my first ACD, I would have fed her raw meat.

[zanne]

16. Don't you worry about worms?

Whenever I prepare a meal made with meat, my cats all sit in a half-circle around me, looking up at me in the most pathetic way possible. I'd love to give them a treat of some raw hamburger, but I've always heard it caused worms. Do you know about this?

[Rhiannon12866]

20. Thanks so much for the information!

And welcome to DU, Ben Ceremos! I was berated on a dog message board because I don't feed my dogs a raw diet, but follow my vets' advice and feed them what he prescribes. The thing is, my pets are older, and have come to me with myriad problems, such as two 8-year-old cockers with seizures, so I am very dependent on my vet. On this message board they tried to tell me that vets know little about nutrition and are paid by the dog food companies to promote certain foods. I don't mind cooking for my dogs, but I cook what he suggests, since I'm hardly an expert. If I got a puppy, I'd seriously consider it, but I tend to adopt the older ones because they're the ones who need me. I now have a little 10-year-old terrier mix and a 12-year-old Brussels Griffon, both rescue, whom I've had for two and three years, respectively. Thanks so much for the info and welcome to DU.:D

Rhiannon:hi:

[Lorien]

33. Complete raw diets can be purchased at many specialty pet food

shops and health food stores. Brands like Steve's Real Food, Brother's Blend,Raw Health, Nature's variety, Raw Advantage Organic and others blend muscle meat, organs, bones, and small amounts of fruits and vegetables for a complete diet (bones, organs, and other ingredients can be hard to prepare, but without them your pet will be deficient in certain nutrients).

Here's one resource: http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=133&Click=5

[Rhiannon12866]

21. You're more than welcome!

He's had me cook the liver when my dogs were ill or not eating well, both because it's good for them and they love it. I sauteed sliced liver really quickly, using a little canola oil, because it has a high smoking point and is relatively tasteless. He said I should leave it pink in the middle. And, as I said, the chicken and rice was when they needed a bland diet (my two dogs both had colitis, probably one got it from the other because they're close), but they really like that, as well, and my vet is always telling me that chicken is good for them. I made long-cooking rice, using low sodium chicken broth for the liquid, and then added pieces of boneless chicken breasts that I'd poached, with a little more broth. I made a couple of days worth of this, at a time, since this was their regular food for several weeks. And this wasn't easy for me, since I'm pretty much vegetarian, especially the liver, but you do what you need to do, LOL! Hope this helps.:-)

Rhiannon:hi:

[benburch]

25. Smaller pieces?

A food processor can work wonders on cooked meat.

[Rhiannon12866]

28. Good idea! Thanks! D

I guess I tend to kind of fuss over everything related to my little guys...:shrug:

[MADem]

30. If you have room in the freezer, and a good blender

you could just cook up a massive pile all at once, chop up the meat in a blender, make portions, and freeze the stuff. Then a quick turn in the microwave, and Rover has a hot meal!

[Rhiannon12866]

38. Actually, I have an even more efficient machine available than a blender.

It has an additional set of blades and I usually use it to make fresh pesto sauce. My only problem using this for the dogs' chicken is that I'm a real fussbudget, picking through it to make sure I don't accidentally include a bone or something. No wonder it takes me so long, LOL! But I've done this so often and for long enough that I have gotten pretty good at it! But the idea of freezing it is inspired! Thanks! I usually make sure that I have chicken breasts in the freezer, anyway, just in case...:D

BTW, my tiny 8-lb. wonder dog is actually the dog in my sig.:loveya:

[JuniperLea]

24. I've cooked for my dogs

Nothing like chicken, brown rice, cold pressed olive oil and plain live cultured yogurt to get a dog back to eating! I have a few recipes, but this is my favorite.

I'll scrimp on my own food quality before I scrimp on my pets! I willingly pay a higher price for high quality dog food.

[Rhiannon12866]

27. Sounds great! Even to me, LOL!

I'll give it a try, the next time I'm in trouble.:D

I have one dog who I have to encourage to eat and another who will eat his food, as well as hers, if I turn my back! I'm hoping it's not Cushing's Syndrome, since my previous dog had this, and it can really be a nightmare.
:scared:

And I agree about feeding your pets as well as they deserve. Some people thought I was a little over-the-top when I took my 18-year-old cocker first for chiropractic, and then for acupuncture, for calcification of his spine, but he was my baby, and I took responsibility for him, and he deserved the best from me.:-)

on edit: that's my little guy, the picky eater, in my sig.:loveya:

[Straight Shooter]

18. Not surprising at all.

I lost two beloved pets due to Monsanto's ethoxyquin being included in Hill's Science Diet. It was a preservative for shelf life, but it's actually a rubber stabilizer. My companions were Rottweilers, who have sensitive immune systems anyway. I'll never forgive myself for not investigating their food ingredients thoroughly.

The only food I'll buy now is Abady. You can Google it. It would take me too long to praise it, because there are so many good things to say about it, but it's the only manufactured dog food I'll give to any animal companion, ever.

[Lorien]

31. Indeed. Diseased carcasses, feces and other waste, high doses of

hormones and antibiotics, even euthanized pets from shelters and road kill. There's an additional thread on this topic here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=243&topic_id=4388&mesg_id=4388

along with a lot of information about HUMAN GRADE pet food brands (far, far safer for your pet).

[ClintonTyree]

5. 5 dogs in our county have died recently from this..........

people that feed their pets this bargain basement shit shouldn't have pets. Their nutrition is just as important as our own. Then again, these are probably the people that eat a steady diet of McDonalds or Burger King themselves.
My daughter and I were discussing this last night. Her little angel (a Yorkie) eats nothing but homemade food, heavy on protein and a lot less cereal grains than in most dog food. REAL protein, not "beef, pork or chicken by-products".
Most people don't have a clue what their dogs need for a healthy diet, just as they don't have a clue about their own diet.

[Cooley Hurd]

7. Jesus - I hope those people who have lost pets will SUE the shit outta

...this company!

[LisaL]

8. Pets are considered property. Thus, I am not sure what damages

can one even recover.

[Rhiannon12866]

10. They can sue. In our culture, pets are more and more considered family.

If you can sue your vet, if he really screws up, you can certainly sue a company that's responsible for the death of your pet.:-(

[LosinIt]

11. Diamond Dog food is not bargain basement

I can't remember the cost of it, but it is on a par with other pet store type foods, in fact that is where we had bought it in the past. Luckily we hadn't bought this kind in a very long time. It had gotten the nod from our Vet. Bet it won't anymore.

[LostinVA]

22. Yeah, this isn't some cheap store-brand dog food

[pagandem4justice]

26. Pets dying = Attack on Uninformed Owners??

So, people who feed their pets lower-end store-brand foods are abusive pet owners who eat nothing but fast food. Suuuure, okay. :sarcasm:

Not a chance that they might be good people who love their pet(s) but lack the resources to feed them a better brand, or who lack the education to know that there are better sources of protein?

Sorry, but I cringe when I read such diatribes against the poor (which this is, at its logical end).

:banghead: :grr:

[LisaL]

32. First of all, it was not the cheapest food out there that killed those

dogs. And second of all, it makes no sense whatsoever to blame the victims in a case like that, where there was a toxin in a food, which the owners were completely unaware of.

[hlthe2b]

13. Ohh, how tragic....

those poor owners--thinking they were feeding their beloved pets well, when they were unknowingly poisoning them... I hope an enormous lawsuit comes out of this, frankly....How else to make sure it doesn't happen again?

[Cooley Hurd]

14. K&R - This needs to be seen by everyone!

I pray that no more dogs die because of this...:cry:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

17. Why wouldn't they want to sell food to tainted pets?

:silly:

[Rhiannon12866]

23. That was the title CNN used, wiseguy!

And you know that I can't change it, per DU rules!:D

Happy Holidays, Commie Pinko Dirtbag! And I love your Holiday Tree!:hi:

[Straight Shooter]

19. In defense of the company:

Aflatoxin contamination occasionally evades inspection processes. It doesn't take much for it to reach toxic levels. I have always associated it with peanuts, which is why I'm a little leery of buying packages of unshelled peanuts, but it can affect a wide variety of commodities.

One of these things that the average American consumer doesn't think about when buying products in our stores. It sure doesn't help those who lost their pets, though. This is tragic. The company's response and their willingness to take responsibility is paramount now.

edit: There's no amount of money in the world that could make up for the loss of my furry friends.

[zalinda]

29. Two recommendations and a recipe page

From a golden retriever site "Fill the crock pot with chicken leg quarters, but not where they stick out of the top. Pour water over the quarters until the chicken is -completely- submurged in water. Turn the pot on LOW and forget about it for 24 hours. Yup, forget about it. By the end of the 24 hours, you've slow cooked the chicken to the point that the bones are mushy. YOu can literally reach in (well, when it cools!) and mush up your own chicken and chicken meal."

I can totally recommend this company http://www.backtobasicspetfood.com/ they raise the most beautiful Mastiffs, and created this food for them. The mastiffs thrived and when the pups were sold, they gave some of the food to the new owners. The new owners pressed them into making more and a company was founded. It is an organic company for your dogs and cats, although ferrets seem to like the food as well.

And last a recipe page
http://www.dragonbear.com/rec-food.html

zalinda

[LisaL]

34. My neighbors forgot they were cooking some crap on their stove,

and went to the store. Of course they nearly burned the apartment building down. The stench was unbelievable. I don't like recipes were something has to be forgotten on the stove for 24 hours.

[zalinda]

36. It's not on the stove, but in a crock pot

you can put a timer on the crock pot.

zalinda

[SOS]

35. Pet guardians

please read Dr. Belfield's article on commercial pet foods. He was a USDA slaughterhouse inspector and is now a vet.
This article may save your pet's life.

http://www.belfield.com/article3.html

[Rhiannon12866]

39. Thank you so much! I'll also print this out for my vet.

I'm not worried about him being offended, since he is open to any source of information and is certainly used to me, and my passing things on to him, by now.:D