WASHINGTON — An industrial chemical that led to a nationwide recall of more than 100 brands of cat and dog foods has been found to contaminate a second pet food ingredient, expanding the recall further.
The chemical, melamine, is believed to have contaminated rice protein concentrate used to make a variety of Natural Balance Pet Foods products for both dogs and cats, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday. Previously, the chemical was found to contaminate another ingredient, wheat gluten, used by at least six other pet food and treat manufacturers.
Natural Balance said it was recalling all its Venison and Brown Rice canned and bagged dog foods, its Venison and Brown Rice dog treats and its Venison and Green Pea dry cat food.
The Pacoima, Calif., company said recent laboratory tests showed the products contain melamine. It believes the source of the contaminant was rice protein concentrate, which the company recently added to the dry venison formulas. Natural Balance does not use wheat gluten, which was associated with the previous melamine contamination, it said.
Last month, Menu Foods recalled 60 million cans of dog and cat food after the deaths of 16 pets, mostly cats, that ate its products. The FDA said tests indicated the food was contaminated with melamine, used in making plastics and other industrial processes. Five other companies later recalled pet products also made with wheat gluten tainted by the chemical.
The FDA has since blocked Chinese imports of wheat gluten. An FDA spokeswoman did not immediately return messages left seeking comment.
what brands of cat, food is 9 lives dry ok?
My dog eats Natural Choice that includes Rice flour, rice gluten, ground rice. Doesn't mention rice protein concentrate mentioned in this article. I would feel much more comfortable if I could be assured that NONE of their ingredients came from China.
dry food is not the best thing for dogs and cats. (especially cheap foods including 9-lives)dogs and cats do much better on raw diets. i have dalmatians and a german shepard mix. i used to feed them kibble, but have done a lot of research, and started making my own diet based off a dog nutritionist, and they are doing excellent! i keep getting comments on how great they look and how soft their coat is, not to mention they have been much healthier. i know exactly what goes into all my dogs food, and it is all human grade, so they are safe as long as we are.
Hi
I'm feeding Premiumedge dry puppy and Adult This has chicken and rice in it have there been any recalls ? If any one can let me know i would appreciate it is made by Diamond foods. usa.
Thanks
Mary Stebleton
How do I find out if my dog's food is on the "bad" list?
I think this is awful! and the companies should be responcible for all these poor animals!!!! Im scared to buy any dog food now! and my little dog is like my daughter! thats how much I love her!!!! what if it were people!!!