Pet Food News: Update 4

Yesterday PetConnection reported two more recalls of contaminated pet food. Blue Buffalo expanded their recall to include canned foods and Costco recalled their Kirkland brand. Both companies report that they were unaware that rice protein had been added to their products and that ingredient didn't appear on the label, so in light of this new development, it's helpful to know more about where pet foods are made and where they get their ingredients.

The Pet Food List offers a breakdown by brand name with information about whether the company makes their own food or obtain it from suppliers and whether they use imported ingredients.

This list is especially helpful and easy to scan because if a company has recalled any products, their brand name appears in red.

We use Old Mother Hubbard's Wellness brand about whom they say:

Menu does make some of our canned cat and canned dog foods. They make OUR recipes according to OUR quality standards.

We have procedures in place to clean between each run of food that is produced. We also inspect the plant regularly to audit their procedures. We require our facilities to pass an audit by Cook & Thurber, a HUMAN FOOD auditing firm."

Other manufacturers are used besides Menu Foods.

Products do not contain wheat gluten, corn or soy, artificial preservatives, flavors or colors.

We do not source rice protein concentrate from Binzhou Futian Biological Technology, the manufacturer of the contaminated rice protein concentrate. (from website 4/24/07)

We do not purchase rice protein concentrate from Wilbur-Ellis. (from website 4/24/07)

We have visited the plants where we source our rice protein concentrate, and they have consistently met our stringent standards. (from website 4/24/07)

Even better than Wellness though is Steve's Real Food, another brand we use:

Menu Food does not manufacture any product for Steve's Real Food, Inc.

All ingredients are 100% grown in the USA.

We also use only 100% human grade ingredients that are 100% USDA inspected. This includes raw meats, fruits, vegetables & functional foods (all ingredients).

Foods are hormone free, antibiotic free, pesticide free, chemical free, and gluten free

Most disappointing, perhaps, is Whole Foods:

When asked, they would neither admit or deny that Menu Foods is their manufacturer - the name(s) of their manufacturer(s) is "confidential."

I have personally spoken with "Steve's Real Food", Wellness and California Natural representatives and am continuing to feed those three brands to my kitties.