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The Last Words on Frog found in Dog Food
- 8-22-2010
- Categorized in: Pet Food News
Mars Petcare Testing results on the frog reported to be found in a can of Pedigree Dog Food says it is conclusive the frog/toad could not have been present when the food was processed or when the can was filled. After reading Mars report and speaking with the lab, I still believe the pet owner. Here's why.
It was one of the most unusual finds in a can of pet food that I've ever heard of. Diane T. of Illinois emptied a can of Pedigree Dog Food into her pets bowl and discovered something more than dog food was in the can. She found a frog.
Trying to get some answers, Diane T found me. I recommended she contact the regulatory authorities. But...the FDA didn't want the frog for testing, neither did the Illinois Department of Agriculture. So Diane T. handed the frog over to a representative of a lab with the signed agreement from Mars Petcare they would provide her full disclosure of their findings. Mars Petcare provided the following statement on the laboratory findings...
"Last week, Mars Petcare US received a complaint from a consumer claiming to have found a frog in a can of PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs. Although we believed it was highly unlikely, we took the claim very seriously and launched a full-scale investigation. We arranged to have the frog retrieved from the consumer by a third party and tested by an independent lab.
As expected, the lab report states that the amphibian – identified as a Great Plains toad – “had not been canned with the dog food.” Several tests were performed on the toad. The internal tissue of the toad tested positive for an enzyme that is inactivated during thermal processing. In addition, no signs of processing were observed. The physical and biochemical condition of the toad prove that it could not have been present when the food was processed and when the can was filled.
At Mars Petcare US, we are committed to producing petfood that meets the highest standards of quality and food safety. We are gratified for the confirmation that the toad did not originate from our product."
Diane T. still wanted answers, she researched Great Plains toads and discovered they are not indigenous to Illinois. She followed up with Mars Petcare with the question, "Thank you for sharing this report but Great Plains Toads are not found in Illinois. Can you explain where it came from?"
The following response was received from Mars Petcare: "We do not have expertise in the migratory patterns of toads, but, as the independent laboratory report states, “the toad was identified as a Great Plains Toad.”
As the report mentions, several tests were performed on the toad. The internal tissue of the toad tested positive for an enzyme that is inactivated during thermal processing. In addition, no signs of processing were observed. The physical and biochemical condition of the toad prove that it could not have been present when the food was processed and when the can was filled at our manufacturing facility in Ohio.
This testing was performed by Alteca, Ltd., a well-regarded and independent laboratory that specializes in forensic food testing. The results prove that the dead toad could not have been canned with our product.
If you have any questions about the report, feel free to reach out to Alteca directly."
I contacted Alteca lab and spoke with the case investigator Dan. Thank you to Mars Petcare for giving permission to Alteca lab to speak with me; in advance and without my asking. Dan shared that animal tissue loses all enzyme activity during the canning process. On the other hand, the toad he tested did show tissue enzyme activity. Thus he firmly believes there is no possibility the frog was canned with the pet food. I asked if Mars Petcare was a contracted client with Alteca, he stated no Mars Petcare is not under contract with Alteca and currently their lab only performs four or five tests a year for Mars.
There was no grey are when speaking with the lab; they were certain the frog was not inside the can during processing.
Although I am not a scientist, I questioned Dan of Alteca lab a second time wondering exactly how long after the death of an animal (this frog) would enzyme activity test positive? This testing was done at least one week after its discovery in the dog food (or for skeptics one week after it was claimed to have been found in the dog food). Would frog tissue, dead for one week, still show enzyme activity? Dan informed me that would depend on many variables, but never responded directly yes or no to this question. He did repeat that enzyme activity was discovered in the frog tissue.
Next I took the 'Is it possible for a dead frog to be discovered in a can of dog food, have gotten in the can at some point of manufacturing, and still show enzyme activity' question to Carl Nielsen consultant to the food industry. Mr. Nielsen stated it didn't "sound very plausible to me". However he also added "An intact frog in a can of ground food product just doesn't make sense without knowing the conditions of manufacture." Which of course we don't know; no one was provided information about the conditions of manufacture at the Pedigree Pet Food plant. We don't know if the FDA is investigating conditions of manufacture at the Pedigree canning plant.
Mars Petcare stated the Pedigree Dog Food was manufactured in Ohio. Great Plains toads are not indigenous to Ohio. But they are indigenous to western states such as South Dakota. Mars Petcare purchased a 103,000 square foot pet food canning plant from Menu Foods in late 2007. A 30,000 square foot addition was added and reportedly completed in late 2008. http://www.petfoodindustry.com/Default.aspx?pageid=5307&id=5220&terms=Mars+Inc.+has+begun+plans+to+expand+it%27s+newly+acquired+petfood+plant+in+North+Sioux+City%2c+South+Dakota%2c+USA
A little off topic (but interesting), was a discovery of the Mars Petcare Canning Plant listing on the Sioux City, SD Chamber of Commerce website. The Chamber of Commerce site lists Mars Petcare US Inc. as one of the "major employers" in the area. But...the image of the Sioux city Mars Petcare US Inc. plant and the business description provided on the Chamber of Commerce website was VERY confusing...
http://www.siouxlandchamber.com/mars-petcare-us-inc.html
Yes, the business listing says Mars Petcare, but the logo on the building and the business description says Iams. What's going on?
A call to the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce confirmed the plant is a Mars Petcare plant; further, the call confirmed the information provided on the Chamber of Commerce website is provided by the business. Mars acquired the South Dakota pet food plant from Menu Foods in 2007; Menu Foods purchased the plant from Iams (P&G) in 2003. I would guess no one has updated the Chamber of Commerce information since Iams sold the plant in 2003 (to Menu Foods and sold again to Mars in 2007). Strange.
Anyway, back to the frog/toad. While I respect the fact that Mars Petcare was open with their testing results of the frog, and while I respect the scientific knowledge of those at Alteca lab, there is one more issue that has not been previously shared of this story; another reason why I believe the pet owner.
Diane T's mother had been terminally ill. Her mother lived her last days with Diane and was being cared for by Diane and by Hospice. When Diane and I first spoke, she did not mention her mother's illness. However by the second day of our communication, I learned that her mother was dying in Diane's home. Diane's mother passed away on a Saturday; right smack in the middle of all this mess of frog in pet food.
I don't believe Diane faked the frog incident. While the lab might have found evidence to back up Mars side of the story, there is absolutely no evidence Diane was anything but completely honest. Diane T. never once asked Mars Petcare for money. She never once called an attorney. She only wanted an explanation of how this could happen, which as it turns out, she did not receive. And during all of this mess she had to endure telling her Mother good-bye.
Diane shared something with me that I think we can all learn from.
"There are a lot of people out there that purchase pet foods not because they don't love their pets, but because economically they can't afford to go buy that $3.00 can of dog food or the $45.00 dollar bag of dry dog food. Some people think others should not have pets if they can't afford the best dog food. They need to realize some people just can't afford to buy the good higher priced food. Dogs, Cats, Birds, Reptiles are part of the family to most people that is why we have them. In this economy people are doing the best they can to keep their pets as part of the family and have to feed pedigree, table scraps etc. But the love they give those pets, the shared family time and the love they get in return is well worth the struggle, they are doing the best they can. Those are the people that rely on companies like Mars to provide the best they can for what the people can afford. My Mom that passed only lived on Social Security, her little shih tzu always ate pedigree food. On a stipend of $800 a month that is all she could afford; it's about time the big companies stepped up to the plate and did their part."
Well said.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best, Susan Thixton
Truth about Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com
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I believe this goes on to prove again that big corporations have nothing but profits in their intentions and never a pets' health or well being. The sadder part is that our government NOT could care less which affirms that our precious pets are disrespected and worthless to them and all the inhumane, greedy low life's that play a part in all this corruption and indecency.
Even in 2010, animals are treated like trash and used for profit only. What a pathetic species humans have become.
I truly feel for Diane in these horribly, hard times. I hope she will try to find a better food than Pedigree. Perhaps at least something without any by-products, especially the 'mystery meat' type which may be euthanized pets.
I am planning to feed my 4 kitties a raw, balanced homemade very soon, in spite of my financial hard times. I do not know yet if it will cost more than the commercial, premium foods I feed them now but I know they will eat the same as I do and without starting a farm, that is the best I can do for them. I am researching on how to keep costs low. If it is, I will share this info with all. I only want to help kitties, and all pets, live happy and healthy lives.
Condolences to Diane on the loss of her mother. What a stressful time to have the frog issue come up.
so sorry for your loss Dianne and this terrible pet food experience.
I believe the pet owner 100% and I send my sympathies to her during her difficult time.
I think first, its kind of interesting that Mars would even need the frog to find out if it came from their facility. To me, if they know what their processes are and that no frog could make it into their manufacturing process, they wouldnt need the frog to even figure it out. 2nd, I know the lab says the frog showed enzyme acitivity but Im wondering if there is something in the food itself that would create that enzyme acitivity and that it wasnt necessarily coming from the frog but some ingredient or additive in the food?
And one other thought, the can was opened, the frog was sent to the company. Any sort of chain of custody was lost the minute she sent it off. Is it possible thet enzyme activity that was found could have been picked up along the way between the point she mailed it to the company and the lab tested it?
I suggest all pet owners take a look at their receipt and then divide the price of the can or bag of petfood by the number of ounces on the petfood can or bag. Then multiply this number by 16 to figure out what you are paying per pound for this "trashy food". Now tell me what you pay per pound for the meat you buy that has no fillers or by-products in it. Now tell me it is cheaper to use pet food. As far as I'm concerned, pet food companies need to go out of business because 1) they are selling seconds, by-products and anything any industry can sell to them to put in the cans (including euthanized pets). This is a fact that people refuse to believe. I have three cats in their 20's that have been fed nothing but people food leftovers and raw livers, hearts, tripe, fish and low-cost organ meat most of their lives. They all have luxurious coats and even my 21 year old was hit by a car last year and still lives on. I really urge people not to be enablers to pet food companies and instead buy the cheaper, safer food - human grade. If you are worried about a nutrient proper diet, then buy them vitamins too.
To be honest Susan I frequently disagree with you conclusions and your methods, however, in this instance, I have to give you nothing but kudos for your follow up on the episode and your morale support for the pet owner...which to me may be more significant than one toad in one can of dog food. You offered Diane some support when she really needed it. As far as making your own dog food vs. buy processed - there are pluses and minuses to both, as is true of most things in life. If an owner has the time and diligence to make their own, it is true that it isn't really all that expensive. I've done that before for one dog who was quite sickly (the home made diet worked wonders btw) and once I got into the routine it was no big deal and not costly. I've also fed a premium dog food to my other dogs for over 20 years and been totally happy with that too.
As I mentioned in another post, when we look at how canned pet food is made -- and this is described in the link here -- http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=2653 -- it only makes sense that the poor reptile was placed in the can right after the food was put in the can and before it was steam sealed. That would explain the lab's findings. Who knows what employees for any business might be thinking or have going on in their work life that would lead them to a ‘prank’ like this.
It just doesn’t seem that mysterious to me.
I do feel badly when any animal, reptile or mammal, is unnecessarily and cruelly killed. We can only hope that the toad died a not terrible natural death and was then placed in the can. How it ended up in Ohio, who knows. I did find a toad stowed away under my car hood once – I caught it and released it and it was fine. I was pretty surprised when we opened the car hood to see it tucked away.
I agree with you Ann. It makes sense that the frog was placed there just before sealing the can. I don't think it was processed, ie, *cooked* with the dog food. And I think it was most likely a prank, perhaps even a disgrunteled employee who wanted to get Pedigree into trouble. Who knows?
I have to repeat what I said once before, I have always had cats and dogs who have lived into ripe old age....and who were fed on canned pet food. And didn't die of any awful illnesses like cancer, etc. I don't think we should be too quick to jump on all of these companies, esp the ones who have been around for a long time..
Well I am not at all surprised that Mars or the lab found it wasn't in the food. And no I don't mean I think Diane is responsible, this reminds me of the standard response to a complaint or problem with any commercial pet food. We have no other complaints. This obviously happened on the Mars end, whether an unhappy employee or just unsafe manufacturing practices. Why in the world would Diane do this while her Mother was dying ? Certainly not to get any money, because pfc's will go out of business before paying a refund or any vet bills. My condolences to Diane on the loss of her Mother and her belief in commercial foods.
Millie, thankfully not everyone agrees with your view because if they did what would the animals in shelters be fed, they would be put down if there was no pet food because shelters cant afford to buy and make home-cooked for all the dogs and cats they have to care for. Im not writing this in support of PFC's, I am one of the critics of that industry and their practices, but this repeated chastizing of those who use commerical pet food is getting kind of old.