Pet Food Recall: Menu Food's Dog and Cat Food Linked to Kidney Failure in Pets

Title: Pet Food Recall: Menu Food's Dog and Cat Food Linked to Kidney Failure in Pets
Author: Alan Haburchak

Pet Food Recall: Menu Food's Dog and Cat Food Linked to Kidney Failure in Pets
It's news that has put pet owners in a panic: Canada-based
pet food manufacturer Menu Foods, Inc. has issued a recall
of pet food that has been linked to kidney failure and
death in dogs and cats. The pet food recall affects over 40
brands nationwide, and encompasses major retailers
including Kroger and Wal-Mart.

The pet food recall was prompted when complaints and trials
alerted the manufacturer to the possibility of dogs and
cats being sickened by the contaminated pet food. It covers
"cuts-and-gravy"-style wet dog and cat food sold in small
pouches and cans and marketed under brand names including
Purina, IAMS, Eukanuba and Purina. The tainted pet food
causes kidney failure and even death in some dogs and pets.

The contaminated pet food was produced in Menu Foods'
Emporia, Kansas facility between early December 2006 and
March 2007. It is unsure thus far what part of the food is
tainted; some reports cite tainted wheat gluten, but
consumers will not know until further tests have been
conducted by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
and Menu Foods. The FDA is reporting that at least 13
animals have died due to the tainted pet food, but
consumers across the country are reporting even more deaths
of dogs and cats after eating tainted Menu Foods pet food.

The news has panicked pet owners, who have overloaded
veterinary telephone lines and are watching their dogs and
cats' symptoms with concern. Kidney failure in pets is
usually accompanied by foul breath, reduced appetite,
vomiting, lethargic behavior or other signs of illness. The
FDA is recommending that consumers who have purchased food
subject to the pet food recall refrain from feeding the
food to their pets and contact the manufacturer or retailer
for a refund.

The pet food recall is raising serious questions about
quality control in pet food. While food intended for human
consumption must be carefully regulated, the pet food
industry sets its own testing standards and is more
self-policing than the mainstream food industry. In fact,
FDA inspectors had never even been to the plant that is
suspected to have produced the tainted food; the FDA places
human food and health at a higher priority than those of
pets. Unfortunately, that may take an unprecedented toll on
pet owners who unwittingly fed their pets Menu Foods Inc.
food now subject to the pet food recall.

Since the recall affects 53 dog food brands and 42 cat food
brands with varying UPC codes, visit Menu Foods' recall
website at www.menufoods.com/recall to determine whether
you have purchased food subject to the pet food recall.
Menu Foods has also set up a recall information hotline at
1-866-895-2708. If your pet is suffering from any of the
symptoms mentioned above after eating Menu Foods pet food,
contact your veterinarian immediately to obtain proper
medical care.

If your dog or cat has died or been sickened by Menu Foods
"cuts-and-gravy" subject to the pet food recall, contact an
experienced unsafe products attorney immediately. You may
be entitled to financial compensation for your losses.

About the Author:

For most individuals, pets are a part of the family, to
learn more about protecting your pet, visit
http://pet-food-recall.legalview.com/ . LegalView offers
resources on the most important legal issues affecting
Americans today, including the mesothelioma cancer and
continued Heparin controversy, at
http://baxter-heparin.legalview.com/ .

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