Petsumer News Release
For Immediate Release:  Nov. 6, 2009

Media Inquiries:  Contact Any Pet Owner

Pet Health Alert:  Regulatory Authorities Asleep at the Wheel.

U.S. Petsumers are issuing this alert to warn the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that lack of confidence and respect of the agency has fallen to an all time low.  Petsumers cite recent FDA encouraged Silent Pet Food Recalls and severely delayed FDA pet product recalls as the last straw.

In late September 2009, concerned pet owners reported sick and dying cats from Premium Edge Cat Food.  Within a few days, petsumers received confirmation from a company spokesman and the recall was published on 10/2/2009 at TruthaboutPetFood.com; concerned pet owners across the U.S. volunteered their time and worked together to alert the public of this risk cat food.  Alternatively, government officials (FDA) did not announce the Premium Edge Cat Food recall until October 20, 2009; eighteen days AFTER the group effort of concerned Petsumers.  

The most recent FDA pet product recall announcement, dated 11/5/09, refers to Certain Pet Treats Made by Pet Carousel.  (Below is a direct quote from this FDA release – again dated November 5, 2009 (date of FDA release and dates noted within release are significant).

“During September 2009, the FDA conducted routine testing of pig ears made by Pet Carousel. The test results detected a positive reading for Salmonella. This prompted an FDA inspection of Pet Carousel’s manufacturing facilities. During the inspection, the agency collected additional pet treat samples. Further analysis found Salmonella present in beef hooves, pig ears and in the manufacturing environment.”  http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm189400.htm

Please note - it took the FDA two months to warn Petsumers to the confirmed risk of Salmonella with numerous pet treats made by Pet Carousel.  Further, please note it took a volunteer team of concerned pet owners less than two weeks to warn Petsumers to the risk of a recalled cat food. 

Nine out of ten Petsumers believe the FDA is asleep at the wheel (tactful description of Petsumer sentiment).  Countless Pet Owners and numerous Pet Advocacy websites continue to risk corporate legal threats and lose hours of sleep in an effort to protect pets from unannounced or severely delayed pet food or pet treat recalls. 

Trust and respect of the FDA has reached an all time low.

Petsumers will continue to investigate all reports of pet illness and death believed to be related to a pet food or pet treat; updates will be provided in a timely manner in the best way pet owners can share the information. 

Petsumers can report their lack of confidence and lack of respect to FDA handling of pet food/treat risk products directly to the FDA (www.fda.gov) or to their Representatives in Congress (www.Congress.org).