Pet Food Contamination - U. S. Company's Disclosure

Susy Owen

Attorney

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It is no secret that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) learned on March 15 that dogs and cats were being adversely affected by the ingestion of certain pet foods. Upon investigation, the FDA found contaminants in vegetable proteins, which had been imported from China. The recall prompted congressional hearings, not to mention scrutiny of China's current manufacturing processes.

Since March, the information pertaining to the pet food recall broadens and changes as the investigations and disclosures continue. The recent disclosure by Uniscope is no exception to that trend. Officials with the Food and Drug Administration were contacted approximately two weeks ago. The FDA was informed by Uniscope that malamine, the same industrial chemical that led to a massive pet food recall, was used in animal feed ingredients made by Tembec BTLSR Inc. of Toledo, Ohio, and used by Uniscope Inc. of Johnstown, Colorado.

Prior to this disclosure, melamine in animal feed was thought to be contained to China, where manufacturers have admitted to adding it to wheat gluten in order to give a false protein reading. In response to this disclosure, U.S. officials said the use of melamine in animal feed posed no threat to people. Who's feeling comfortable?