TruthaboutPetFood.com

Just when you think you've seen it all, heard it all in regards to the FDA...you have something fall into your lap that just beats all.  This would be one of those things.  Guess what the FDA is testing Chinese imported jerky treats for?

One of the many frustrations of pet food consumers (petsumers) is lack of transparency.  One part of that transparency issue is not knowing if a pet food is being reported to FDA and to the manufacturer as making other pets sick.  This information is not provided to us and clearly it could be valuable information to protect our pets.  To combat this, TruthaboutPetFood.com is beginning a pet food/treat adverse event reporting database.

All importers of dog jerky treats are making similar statements, the treats are safe if fed as directed.  I was puzzled what they knew and what they would tell me about this 'safe if fed as directed' statement.  Here's what they said, and the facts that show their feeding directions mean nothing towards the safety of the treats.

Here are some updates and follow up information provided by Diamond Pet Food.

In numerous calls to Lowe's since it was reported to me by a pet owner (and later confirmed through the store manager) that a Lowe's home improvement store in Mooresville, NC had pulled all the Waggin Train jerky treats from store shelves, each time I felt very hopeful Lowe's was going to act out of precaution for pets and remove the treats.  Now I have a completely different feeling from them. 

A new lawsuit filed by National Feeds against United Pet Foods brings some questions.  This suit claims United Pet Foods made "rancid dog feed and mink feed."  National Feeds is suing United Pet Food for damages, however no recall was ever issued to protect pet owners.

Here we go, the first class action lawsuit has been filed regarding chicken jerky treats from China.  This one has been filed against Waggin' Train and Wal-Mart.

We have received four Pledges to Quality and Origin from pet food manufacturers.  And a promise to provide the Pledge from three more.  Leaders in pet food honesty and transparency have stepped forward.

The home building supply chain Lowe's is "in the process of getting a stop sell" on Waggin Train jerky treats imported from China.  They stated they are "reviewing our product quality concerns with the manufacturer."

Announced today (April 16, 2012), "Merrick Pet Care, Inc. today signed an agreement to acquire Castor &  Pollux Natural PetWorks, a privately held natural and organic pet food business based in Clackamas, Ore. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed."