The Obama Administration has pledged to create an unprecedented level of openness and public participation in government.  The FDA, in an attempt to abide by the Administration, has formed a ‘FDA Transparency Task Force.’  The following is an initial transparency guideline recommendation to the FDA regarding pet food.  Please add your signature.

Barely two months into his presidency, President Obama sent a memorandum to the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies of U.S. government.  Dated January 21, 2009, the memorandum titled ‘Transparency and Open Government’, stated “Transparency promotes accountability and provides information for citizens about what their Government is doing.”  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Transparency_and_Open_Government/

Although the President’s memorandum required that “executive departments and agencies to take specific actions implementing the principles set forth” within 120 days, as typical fashion, the FDA stretched the deadline a few weeks to announce (on June 2, 2009 – exactly 131 days) to announce they have developed a task force seeking recommendations for “enhancing the transparency of the agency’s operations and decision-making process.” http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm163899.htm

The FDA’s new Transparency Task Force, similar to previous FDA forums, states it is seeking “public input” on issues related to transparency.  The following, which will be forwarded to the FDA as ‘public input’, is an (initial) suggestion for transparency relating to pet food.  Please add your signature.  The letter and all signatures will be forwarded to the FDA Transparency Task Force prior to deadline.

Dear FDA Transparency Task Force,

Thank you for the opportunity for public input; the following recommendations are solely related to pet food transparency.

Although I cannot comprehend how an existing FDA policy can override Federal Law (FDA policy that allows 4-D animals to be processed pet food ingredients despite the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act Laws that prohibit such actions), I can only assume that this FDA policy will remain intact.  Subsequently, I recommend Pet Food Warning Labels similar to those on cigarette packaging.

Any pet food that contains or could contain ingredients derived from 4-D animals should be required to warn the consumer.  As you are well aware, dog food and cat food ingredients including but not limited to, Animal Fat, Meat Meal, Meat and Bone Meal, By-Product Meal, and Animal Digest are probable to contain 4-D animals.  Typically, these 4-D animals are denatured with approved agents such as “kerosene, fuel oil, or used crankcase oil”.  http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/RetailFoodProtection/FoodCode/FoodCode2001/ucm090633.htm  Thus, the common pet food and pet treat ingredients including but not limited to Animal Fat, Meat Meal, Meat and Bone Meal, By-Product Meal, and Animal Digest are probable to contain kerosene, fuel oil and/or used crankcase oil. 

Clearly, a diseased or dead animal and kerosene or used crankcase oil is NOT what any pet owner would knowingly feed their dog or cat. 

Therefore, following the President’s Transparency memorandum, I suggest the following warning (or similar warning) to be required of dog foods, cat foods, and dog and cat treats that contain or could contain 4-D animals and/or denaturing agents…

WARNING:  This Pet Product could contain ingredients that are in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act Laws.  Diseased, disabled, dying, and dead animals (4-D), and the toxic chemicals used to clearly distinguish this material unfit for human consumption, could be included in this pet product.

Should the FDA feel the above warning could take years to establish and enact, I suggest the FDA take note of the recent actions taken by the Australian government and Department of Agriculture.  In late 2008 numerous cats across Australia became ill and died.  Quickly, it was determined the link between all cat illnesses was imported Orijen Cat Food.  Within another brief time frame, it was determined the mandatory Australian import requirement to irradiate pet foods was the cause of cat deaths and illnesses.  Seven months from the initial reports of cat illnesses, the Australian government and the Australian Department of Agriculture ceased the required irradiation of pet food imports (both cat foods and dog foods) into the country. 

Surely, the FDA can approve a tiny pet food warning within a brief time frame.  Surely, the FDA must agree that pet owning consumers (over 70 million strong), deserve transparency of pet food labeling.  While there is a long list of necessary changes to meet full transparency of pet food ingredients, labeling, and regulations, we hope that the FDA shows strength of government similar to Australia and begins with requiring pet food warning labels.

Sincerely,


To add your name to the FDA letter, click on the email link below.  In the body of the email, provide your full name, City and State (as example, Susan Thixton, Tampa, FL).  Do not use this email address to contact TruthaboutPetFood.com; this address will ONLY be used to collect signatures for the above FDA letter/petition. 

Click Here to Add your Signature to the above Letter to the FDA (Email: StoptheFDA@TruthaboutPetFood.com)

PLEASE forward this article and signature request to every pet owner you know.  There are 74 million homes in the United States that own a pet.  My goal is to collect One Million Signatures to send to the FDA.  There is Power in numbers.  To gain the signature of one in 74 pet owners seems to be a very conservative goal.  One million signatures on the other hand will be an extremely powerful message to the FDA. 

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Truth about PetFood
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com

Are you subscribed to Truth About Pet Food Newsletter?
Receive future pet food articles and alerts delivered to your email box. Click Here to subscribe. Your privacy is guaranteed - your email address will not be sold or shared.

Does your pet’s food contain Chinese Ingredients?
Petsumer Report knows if Chinese Imports are used in over 1200 different cat foods, dog foods, and pet treats. Subscribe to Petsumer Report - reporting imported or U.S. only, human quality or lesser grade, Shelf Life, and red flag pet food ingredients. 40+ new reviews added monthly. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee.  http://www.PetsumerReport.com

Follow Truth about Pet Food on Twitter.  Twitter updates now on the TruthaboutPetFood.com homepage (scroll down below Blog listing on right).  To follow TAPF on Twitter...Under People Search, look for Susan Thixton or TAPF (Truth about Pet Food was too long for Twitter).  Instant pet food updates should an emergency occur.  www.Twitter.com/TAPF