Tainted Wheat Gluten Sold as "Food Grade"

Del Monte Foods has confirmed that the melamine-tainted wheat gluten used in several of its recalled pet food products was supplied as a "food grade" additive, raising the likelihood that contaminated wheat gluten might have entered the human food supply.

"Yes, it is food grade," Del Monte spokesperson Melissa Murphy-Brown wrote in reply to an e-mail query.

Del Monte issued a voluntary recall Saturday for several products under the Gravy Train, Jerky Treats, Pounce, Ol' Roy, Dollar General and Happy Trails brands.

Wheat gluten is sold in both "food grade" and "feed grade" varieties. Either may be used in pet food, but only "food grade" gluten may be used in the manufacture of products meant for human consumption. Published reports have thus far focused on tainted pet food, but if the gluten in question entered the human food supply through a major food products supplier and processor, it could potentially contaminate thousands of products and hundreds of millions of units nationwide.

Stephen F. Sundlof, director of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine said the FDA is not aware of any contaminated gluten that went into human food but said he could not confirm this "with 100 percent certainty." Wheat gluten is a common food additive used as a thickener, dough conditioner, and meat substitute. It is widely used as an additive in commercial bakery items and special purpose flours.

The FDA announced today that it has traced the contaminated wheat gluten to a single processor, Xuzhou Anying Biological Technology of Peixian, China, but has not released the name of the U.S. distributor who supplied the product to Del Monte, Menu Foods, Nestle Purina, and Hills Nutritional. In all, more than 70 brands and over 60 million cans and pouches of dog and cat food are now part of this massive recall, as well as at least one brand of dry cat food.

Public statements have indicated that the contaminated gluten was distributed by a single U.S. company, but since the FDA refuses to name the supplier, it is not yet known if this company also supplies human food manufacturers. It is also not yet known if Xuzhou Anying sells direct to food manufacturers in the U.S. or abroad.

While cats seem particularly susceptible to the effects of melamine poisoning, there is little research on the substance's human toxicity. Unless and until the FDA determines otherwise, one cannot help but wonder if our sick and dying cats are merely the canary in the coal mine alerting us to a broader contamination of the human food supply.

The Blog | David Goldstein: Tainted Wheat Gluten Sold as "Food Grade" | The Huffington Post

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Marie

Kindness can heal a Broken Heart

What are you eating?

It says at least one brand of dry food............anyone know which one? Don't see it listed (unless I am missing it)

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MyCoupons Is #1 for Holiday Shopping

Wow. Kinda makes you want to fast, doesn't it?

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I'm in a constant search for the next great freebie or deal.

Yes, or at least go on a low/no carb diet for awhile.

I hope a list comes out on a reputable site soon and that companies that have used the tainted wheat will 'fess up.

I buy flour from the health food store. Who knows if it is even safe. Egads.

Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Announces Voluntary Participation in Menu Foods’ Nationwide U.S. recall of Specific Canned Cat Foods.


Alpo prime cuts has also been added to the list of recalled food.
Alpo® Brand Prime Cuts In Gravy Canned Dog Food Voluntary Nationwide Recall | Purina.com

Makes me mad that they wait until they have 100% proof before they recall foods. If they would acted sooner alot of animals might of been spared.

Right now they don't think people are at a risk.. I could not believe they actually said that!!What about people who are not healthy how is this going to affect their health? If it can kill animals I'm sure it could cause death in people who are in poor health.

In my opinion they don't want to cause a panick in people so they are waiting until they have 100% proof before naming the companies. The o mighty dollar seems to always get in the way

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Angels may not come when you call them, but they'll always be there when you need them.

Its total BS that they waited so long and so many animals lost their life or will be sick for the rest of their lifes do to the contamination. My sister had to put her 2 yr old pure bred persian to sleep because of the contamination and she has been inconsolable since the cat had special meaning behind it.

I for one am as my DH would call it ticked off enough to spit nails because of the fact it could be in the human food system and once again our government is twiddling their thumbs trying to figure this one out. I have a compromised immune system and bad kidneys to and I am sure if I were to eat soemthing contaminated it would not be a very pretty sight at my household were I to get sick or worse.

It is that all mighty dollar that bottom line but at what risk to the consumer? Are they going to wait until hundreds die before they go oops my bad such and such is contaminated? Stupid FDA

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~ Christine ~
Grammie to Trinity Lorayne Jean Keens Born June 9, 2011 Loving my awesome guitar picking 100% Country Boy boyfriend Kenny !
RIP Daddy~ 01/24/1930-06/01/2007 I miss you !
Dont Think you Can .. know you can ~ Jeff Hardy

I'm sorry to hear about your sisters cat. I pulled my dog off all pet food products when the news broke about rat posion..I didn't trust the gov.. I figure if it was found on a product then it would be in other products besides the wet food.

So now I'm looking at how in the heck do we avoid this wheat gluten or anything that contains wheat? It is found in almost everything we consume!!! I would never suspect it to be in chocolate or beer..I think Carmel coloring has it too so there goes coke products.

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Angels may not come when you call them, but they'll always be there when you need them.

After the ecoli with the spinach and now this, I don't feel like eating anymore!
Judy

angel38:

Menadione

What is it?
Menadione, also known as vitamin K3, is a synthetic version of vitamin K. The natural occuring compounds are vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone, from plant sources) and Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone, synthesized by bacteria in the digestive tract and absorbed by the body). Technically menadione isn't even a vitamin, but a precursor that is converted in the body after ingestion. Natural vitamin K is fat soluble, while menadione derivatives (pure menadione can not be processed) are water soluble and bypass the natural pathway of utilization by the body.

Why is it added to pet food ?
Menadione is added as an inexpensive vitamin K supplement in commercial foods. The common statement as to why it is added is "to help with blood clotting", yet it is scientifically proven that the effectivity of menadione on blood clotting is inferior. Even veterinarians will administer vitamin K1 as an antidote to dogs who have for example ingested rat poison, which causes internal bleeding.

Manufacturers who use menadione in their products also like to claim that it is "more stable" than natural vitamin K and has "more nutritional value". Not a single one of them has acknowledged the scientifically proven side effects of this substance.

It is simple to come to a conclusion about the truth in these statements when you consider that

not all pet food companies add menadione to their foods and dogs have eaten these products for years without developing deficiencies
the National Research Council was not able to demonstrate a dietary requirement for vitamin K in dogs during tests when natural ingredients were fed and
fish meals, liver and green plant supplements (e.g. alfalfa, kelp and other seaweed, nettle leaf, blue-green algae, spirulina) are rich sources of natural vitamin K.

My Question is when are they going to recall the rest. I Think angel38 is right.

Watch out:
Some manufacturers leave out the "menadione" part of the above chemical names in their ingredient lists (e.g. you see only "dimethylprimidinol sulfate" listed instead of "menadione dimethylprimidinol sulfate"), and menadione does not only occur in dry and canned foods, but edible chew toys, supplements and treats as well.

Thoroughly research any item with an ingredient list that claims a "source of vitamin K", "source of vitamin K activity" or "vitamin K" in parentheses and contact the manufacturer if you have any questions.

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Marie

Kindness can heal a Broken Heart

Del Monte Foods has confirmed that the melamine-tainted wheat gluten used in several of its recalled pet food products was supplied as a "food grade" additive, raising the likelihood that contaminated wheat gluten might have entered the human food supply.

"Yes, it is food grade," Del Monte spokesperson Melissa Murphy-Brown wrote in reply to an e-mail query.

Link enclosed
The Blog | David Goldstein: Tainted Wheat Gluten Sold as "Food Grade" | The Huffington Post

How much more does the FDA need.

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Marie

Kindness can heal a Broken Heart

I Agree. Why don't the FDA do something. Dogs and cats are animals, but the FDA should also remember that Humans are too..

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Marie

Kindness can heal a Broken Heart

Wow that is very eye-opening thanks for the info I will be looking even more closely at foods I buy and consume since I am NOT allowed Vitamin K except in extrememly limited quantities because I am on blood thinners to keep from getting another blood clot in my lung again.

I bet the Food Bank will love me by the end of the week after my pantry gets cleaned out.

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~ Christine ~
Grammie to Trinity Lorayne Jean Keens Born June 9, 2011 Loving my awesome guitar picking 100% Country Boy boyfriend Kenny !
RIP Daddy~ 01/24/1930-06/01/2007 I miss you !
Dont Think you Can .. know you can ~ Jeff Hardy