Acetaminophen Allegedly found in private test results of 3 unrecalled pet foods, by 2 different labs, sent in by 3 people

See these new post - this is no longer unconfirmed:

Texas lab finds pain medicine in pet food - Manufactuer Told - FDA Investigating

The highest level of acetaminophen was found in a dog food sample submitted by a manufacturer, she said. Coneley declined to identify the company but said its officials were given the results "well over a month ago."

also see: Acetaminophen Update - in at least 6 foods


(post modified slightly 6-4 10:30pm)
Why am I saying allegedly and unconfirmed? Because I am posting links to what others have already posted online. Because I haven't seen the original lab results (though all 3 are now posted online). And because two of samples did not come from unopened food with the necessary 'chain of custody' forms. And, the companies haven't confirmed them.

I cannot stress this point enough: These are independent tests performed on small samples of each food. We do not know if this is an isolated case of contamination before or after manufacturing, or if it is widespread.

So, with all these caveats, why am I posting these? Because, after a lot of soul searching, it felt like the right thing to do, for the following reasons:

• First, they have been posted on other sites, so the information is already out there, I'm simply drawing your attention to it.
• Second, so you know that 3 different pet foods have tested positive for something that shouldn't be in them, in this case acetominophen. Acetominophen is poisonous to pets. 2 of the samples also tested positive for cyanuric acid.
• Third, because - IF this is true and widespread- this may be (part of) the answer to why pets continue to get sick from foods that have tested negative for melamine, as melamine was NOT found in any of these foods.
• Fourth, because if I received a positive result from a food I had privately tested, I'd want someone to post it so others would become aware of it.
• Fifth, so I can sleep at night.
  
• Sixth, and the most important reason - because it might save a pets life.
  

Again, these are reports that other people have posted online, on other sites. I am providing links to them so you can check them out for yourself. If additional reports become available, I will post them here.


First, from Don, who has a new website www.petfoodrecallfacts.com, he will be posting additional lab results as they become available. (Note that Pet Pride has had some food recalled by Menu Foods, but these flavors/varieties have NOT been recalled.) The following report is at http://www.petfoodrecallfacts.com/lab.html

Added 6-4 11:45pm: Note that Don's samples were submitted as factory sealed cans, and received by the lab in untampered condition.

LAB REPORT ON ACETAMIONPHEN AND CYANURIC ACID

Test results conducted by ExperTox, a fully accredited lab, confirmed the presence of acetamionphen and cyanuric acid in a mixture of Pet Pride "Turkey and Giblets Dinner" lot number APR 24 09, and Pet Pride "Mixed Grill" lot number SEP07 09.

Additional tests have been requested to determine which variety, or if both, are adulterated with the substances. It is significant that melamine was not detected in the samples, as melamine is the marker for the Chinese grain products.

...(see link for the rest)

Second, from Steve M:
http://www.itchmo.com/read/voluntary-dry-food-reports_20070328#comment-20770
Reposted in full with permission

1. Steve M. Says:
   May 21st, 2007 at 11:00 pm

   The first week of April both of my cats became ill. We had recently opened a new bag of Hills Science Diet Sensitive Stomach, the same brand the cats had been eating for sometime. After a couple days of watching our cats conditions (vomiting, lethargy, apparent weight loss, etc.) worsen we made the trip to the Vet. After observation and blood and urine tests it was determined that both cats were in Acute Renal Failure. My male cat was in such poor condition at that point that the Vet recommended euthanizing him, which we ultimately did. My female cat was fairing a little better even though her diagnosis also found she was anemic as well. We started on a long regimen of IV’s and medications that continue to this day. She has recently shown signs of improvement but it has been costly both in a monetary and emotional sense.

   Already being familiar with the pet food recall in the news I asked my Vet to order a Histopathology on my deceased cats internal organs so as to try and determine if he was poisoned. I also immediately contacted the FDA, which after me leaving numerous messages finally contacted me 10 days after my initial call. I also spoke with Hill’s, and to be honest I felt like they were really not very interested in my story. Hill’s ended up sending an application for me to request reimbursement for my Vet bills, even though my cats food was not and still to this day is not on the recall list. My deceased cats histopathology results came back and they did indicate poisoning. There was a crystalline feature in the kidneys that was indicative of this. At this point I contacted the FDA and Hill’s again to report the results. I asked Hill’s if they would like me to send them some of the cat food to test. To my amazement they declined and reitterated that I could ask for reimbursement for my Vet expenses. At this point I decided if I was going to find out what killed my cat I would have to do it myself. This I could not believe, because by this point in time we were about 6 weeks into this pet food crisis. I guess the experts already had everything figured out!

   I sent a sample of the Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach formula food, from the bag my cats had been eating from when they became ill, to Accutrace in Arlington, Texas. For $144 they agreed to test for the suspected pet food toxins (Melamine, Cyanuric Acid, Aminopterin, etc.) as well as other common toxins to pets. I received a call from the Lab today with the results of their analysis. To my surprise they did not find any of the suspected pet food toxins. But they did find something that is very toxic to cats in the food, Acetaminophen. If you are not familiar, acetaminophen is a pain reliever, marketed under the most common name as Tylenol. A little research will tell you that it doesn’t take much of this stuff to poison a cat.

   This is not a case of my cats got into a tylenol capsule that was dropped on the floor or someone came into my house and spiked my open bag of cat food. This is a case of a known toxin to cats coming packaged in a bag of cat food from the store.

   This is my story to date. I just wanted to share with others because I truly believe there is more to this story than is being told. Don’t trust the FDA or the pet food manufacturer’s, they are just looking for a quick and convenient way to put this story to rest IMO. I will post again after more of my personal story unfolds. Best to all!

Followup from Steve M.:

1. May 25th, 2007 at 5:36 pm

   Kim,

   I spoke with ... today. I haved e-mailed him the Toxicology Report I received from Accutrace indicating Acetaminophen is present in the sample.

   Feel free to post my story on your blog. I would not be posting this information if there was any doubt in my mind that this toxin came from anywhere other than the bag of food I purchased. I can think of no way this food could have been contaminated after I opened it. This leaves me with the conclusion that the acetaminophen was in the factory sealed bag when I purchased it on March 15, 2007. This being the case I feel it is important to get the information out to others.

   I spoke with Hills today concerning the test results and needless to say they are at a loss to explain this situation. I encourage anyone who feeds or has fed their pet any Hills Science Diet dry pet food with an unexplained illness to have their food tested for not only the toxins that have been in the news (i.e. Melamine, Cyanuric Acid, etc.) but also for unknown chemicals and toxins.

ADDED 6-3 11:47am
Don has Steve's lab results posted

Don's added another positive lab result to his site

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CYANURIC ACID TEST POSITIVE IN REPORT SUBMITTED BY SHARON
This sample is believed to have come from a bag of Hill's Science Diet Light Adult. The test results show both acetaminophen and cyanuric acid was found in the food.

Note that this makes the second positive acetominophen result for Hill's Science Diet dry food, different varieties.

Again, I cannot stress this point enough: These are independent tests performed on small samples of each food. We do not know if this is an isolated case of contamination before or after manufacturing, or if it is widespread.

FDA - Avoid Toothpaste from China - some found to contain DEG, a poison

Note that contaminated shipment has already been found in a distribution center and a retail store, here in the United States.

FDA Advises Consumers to Avoid Toothpaste From China Containing Harmful Chemical
FDA Detains One Contaminated Shipment, Issues Import Alert

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today warned consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China, and issued an import alert to prevent toothpaste containing the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol (DEG) from entering the United States.

DEG is used in antifreeze and as a solvent.

Consumers should examine toothpaste products for labeling that says the product is made in China. Out of an abundance of caution, FDA suggests that consumers throw away toothpaste with that labeling. FDA is concerned that these products may contain "diethylene glycol," also known as "diglycol" or "diglycol stearate."

FDA is not aware of any U.S. reports of poisonings from toothpaste containing DEG. However, the agency is concerned about potential risks from chronic exposure to DEG and exposure to DEG in certain populations, such as children and individuals with kidney or liver disease. DEG in toothpaste has a low but meaningful risk of toxicity and injury to these populations. Toothpaste is not intended to be swallowed, but FDA is concerned about unintentional swallowing or ingestion of toothpaste containing DEG.

FDA has identified the following brands of toothpaste from China that contain DEG and are included in the import alert:

Cooldent Fluoride;

Cooldent Spearmint;

Cooldent ICE;

Dr. Cool,

Everfresh Toothpaste;

Superdent Toothpaste;

Clean Rite Toothpaste;

Oralmax Extreme;

Oral Bright Fresh Spearmint Flavor;

Bright Max Peppermint Flavor; and

ShiR Fresh Mint Fluoride Paste.

Manufacturers of these products are: Goldcredit International Enterprises Limited; Goldcredit International Trading Company Limited; and Suzhou City Jinmao Daily Chemicals Company Limited. The products typically are sold at low-cost, "bargain" retail outlets.

Based on reports of contaminated toothpaste from China found in several countries, including Panama, FDA increased its scrutiny and began sampling toothpaste and other dental products manufactured in China that were imported into the United States.

FDA inspectors identified and detained one shipment of toothpaste at the U.S. border, containing about 3 percent DEG by weight. In addition, FDA inspectors found and tested toothpaste products from China located at a distribution center and a retail store. The highest level found was between 3-4 percent by weight. The product at the retail store was not labeled as containing DEG but was found to contain the substance.

DEG poisoning is an important public safety issue. The agency is aware of reports of patient deaths and injuries in other countries over the past several years from ingesting DEG-contaminated pharmaceutical preparations, such as cough syrups and acetaminophen syrup. FDA recently issued a guidance document to urge U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers to be vigilant in assuring that glycerin, a sweetener commonly used worldwide in liquid over-the-counter and prescription drug products, is not contaminated with DEG.

FDA continues to investigate this problem. If FDA identifies other brands of toothpaste products containing DEG, FDA will take appropriate actions, including adding products and their manufacturers to the import alert to prevent them from entering the United States.

Consumers can report adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of these products to FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program:
www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
(800) 332-1088

The latest in head-exploding news...

From Friday (I couldn't stand to look at it long enough to post it until now) Menu Foods lied when they said they couldn't talk to people that had claims... see this for the truth

Court: Menu Foods harassed pet owners

By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY

The pet food company that recalled 60 million cans of contaminated dog and cat food repeatedly made harassing phone calls to pet owners who had lawyers and said they didn't want to talk, even after a judge ordered the firm to leave them alone, court records show.

Lawyers from six firms representing clients who claim their pets were harmed by Menu's pet food asked a federal judge in New Jersey Wednesday to stop Menu from "bullying" people who had called the company since the recall was announced March 16, according to their court filing.

U.S. District Judge Noel Hillman in Camden, N.J., agreed with the plaintiffs, describing the calls as "aggressive," according to a transcript of the hearing obtained by USA TODAY.

...

On the good news side, see this, about how much this will be costing good 'ol Menu Foods

TORONTO, May 30 (Reuters) - A huge recall of contaminated pet food is likely to cost Canada's Menu Foods Income Fund (MEW_u.TO: Quote, Profile , Research) at least C$45 million ($42 million), even without taking a slump in sales into account, the company said on Wednesday.

...

Menu Foods said second-quarter sales and results would also be affected by the recall. Its largest customer, a customer that accounted for 11 percent of 2006 sales, has already put future orders on hold, and other orders were also in doubt.

"Management cannot predict the extent to which sales to other customers will return to pre-recall levels, or the timeframe over which this will happen," it said.

The company declined to estimate other likely costs, including legal costs, but warned of a number of risks, including a heavy dependence on key customers and the lack of long-term sales contracts.

Added: On the "are they out of their fricking heads" side - Menu Foods said this in their report of quarterly earnings.

Notwithstanding the significant costs of the recall, I am proud of the
timely and professional manner in which management of the Fund dealt
with this situation. Menu was the first manufacturer to act, with its
recall initiated weeks ahead of other manufacturers. Our proactive
action in recalling suspicious product, despite the fact that it tested
clean for all known toxins, undoubtedly saved the lives of many cats
and dogs.

Lies lies lies and more lies. Unbelievable. Their CFO sells his stock, then they delay the recall at least another 3 weeks after that, killing thousands of pets because of the delay.

As reader/contributor Mike points out -

And Menu Foods is the reason why the `Human and Pet Food Safety Act of 2007' provides for mandatory recall authority, deadlines, and penalties........

And then, from our friends at the FDA, who claimed when they canceled all further media briefings last Monday that there was nothing further to report, well, turns out, the Friday before they said that, they learned that there was in fact more to report - that melamine had been put into cattle and fish feed by - get this - a US company.

No, you're not crazy - it is in fact illegal to put melamine in cattle/fish food - but they did it anyway. Here's the story...as presented better than I ever could by Christie at petconnection.com - who also liveblogged it.

During the media conference I just liveblogged, it was announced that Tembec, an Ohio-based company, has been adding melamine and related compounds to an ingredient used to make fish, shrimp, cattle, sheep, and goat feed. These products have been sold internationally as well as domestically.

...

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting livestock and fish/shrimp feed manufacturers about a voluntary recall of products used in feed production because several have been found to contain melamine and related compounds.

The feed ingredients were made by Tembec BTLSR Inc. of Toledo, Ohio and Uniscope, Inc. of Johnstown, Colo.

Tembec, a contract manufacturer for Uniscope, makes AquaBond and Aqua-Tec II, which it distributes for Uniscope. Uniscope makes Xtra-Bond using ingredients supplied by Tembec. All of the products are binding agents that are used to make pelleted feed for cattle, sheep, and goats, or fish and shrimp.

The companies have confirmed that Tempec added melamine as part of the formulation of the products to improve the binding properties of pelleted feed. Melamine is not approved as an additive for animal or fish/shrimp feed.

The companies have stopped adding melamine to the feed products.

Full release here.

So, I’m curious.

On May 22, the FDA suspended its until-then twice-weekly media conferences on the melamine contamination investigation, saying there was nothing new to report and they’d let us know when there was.

The night before they suspended the media conferences because there was nothing new to report, UC Davis had found melamine in a previously unrecalled pet food. FDA did subsequently issue a recall notice for this food, although they had not at the time they canceled the media conferences.

On the very day they canceled the media conferences because there was nothing new to report, a news story broke that the FDA’s own labs found melamine in catfish submitted by the state of Arkansas for testing, which was meant for human consumption. That catfish had been imported from China.

This was the first time melamine was detected in food meant for human consumption, but there still has been almost zero coverage of this in the mainstream media. Would there have been if the media conferences hadn’t been canceled?

Now we find out that four days before canceling the ongoing press conferences because there was nothing new to report, on May 18, FDA learned that a US company had been adding melamine to its binding agent, which is used to make commercial fish and shrimp feed as well as livestock feed for cattle, goats, and sheep — not only in the US, but we’ve been exporting this stuff.

...