American Veterinary Medical Association Warns FDA About Dog Jerky Treats from China, Brand List Not Public
Thanks to the National Pet Foundation for this tainted treat news.
Update: AVMA warns of potential new threat to pets
“The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has recently been made aware of several complaints from pet owners and veterinarians that multiple brands of jerky treats manufactured in China have been making pets sick. Symptoms of illness have included vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. To our knowledge, no deaths have been reported.
The AVMA posted an alert on its Web site to inform its members and the public about what was known. Today, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) issued a statement saying it also has become aware of an unusual number of dogs presenting similar symptoms and abnormal test results associated with consumption of some jerky treats.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently testing several products to see if a contaminant can be found. So far, they have ruled out melamine, one of the chemicals that led to the massive pet food recall this spring, but have yet to identify anything that might be making pets sick.
While a list of brand/product names of affected treats is not yet available, the AVMA has learned that all complaints have involved jerky treats from China. We recommend that pet owners use their best judgment in this matter.”
* Some stores have pulled the following foods from the shelves
7856525052 5108696 Chicken Chips 1lb.
7856525053 5108692 Chicken Chips 8oz.
7856525092 5108693 Chicken Poppers 8oz.
7856525093 5108698 Chicken Poppers 1lb.
7856525134 5108691 Chicken Tenders 8oz.
7856525137 5126536 Chicken Breast Tender Snacks 1lb.
7856525138 5126535 Chicken Tenders 2lb.
7856584255 5126702 Duck Breast Tenders 8oz.
7856584256 5126534 Duck Breast Tenders 1lb.
7856584257 5126532 Duck Chips 1lb.
7856584258 5126531 Duck and Sweet Potato 1lb.
7856585808 5108695 Chicken Tenders 1lb.
According to their press release on September 14, “The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has recently been made aware of several complaints from pet owners and veterinarians that multiple brands of jerky treats manufactured in China have been making pets sick.�
This is tragic, but at the same time we want pet owners to know that Waggin’ Train is not one of those brands! You should know that:
* Waggin’ Train Brand Chicken Jerky Tenders have been tested by FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) testing labs, which have shown our treats to be safe and free of harmful microbes and chemical contamination (most current testing as of September 12, 2007).
* Waggin’ Train Dog Treats are intended as a tasty, meaty snack for your dog and not as a meal replacement.
* Always provide a balanced diet for your pet and plenty of fresh water.
* We prepare all of the Waggin’ Train products in human food grade facilities to insure the highest quality for your pet.
* Products are tested in US laboratories for bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli as well as chemical contamination and test results have always proven our products to be safe.
* Our products have never been associated with any recall and are currently available at major retailers nationwide.
For more information, go to http://www.adipet.com or http://www.waggintrainblog.com
Jonathan Bernstein
for Waggin’ Train
With all of these recalls and warnings, I tell you. I’ll never buy anything for my pets that’s “Made in China” again. Too bad that companies don’t always have to list where they get their ingredients from, though. I hate that loophole…where you can buy something “Made in the U.S.” but what’s in it can come from who knows where……
Open comment to Jonathan Bernstein (Bernstein Crisis Management):
Just curious. After reading your comments on numerous websites and forums (regarding the Waggin’ Train Chicken Jerky Tenders debacle), do you EVER advise your clients that they should perhaps take the high road?
A decent company would not try to defend themselves in such manner as they have hired you to do – if their product came up in so many places as being a culprit to ill or dead pets, they would pull the product and cooperate fully with the FDA and AVMA.
This would lead to a much better situation regarding their reputation. As it is, my bet is that Waggin Train will fold in the next year due to their evasive tactics – and you, my friends, may very well go with them. Sometimes, you simply cannot defend the indefensible.
For those who don’t know, Jonathan Bernstein is in the employ of Waggin Train in his capacity as a “Crisis Managementâ€? expert – http://www.bernsteincrisismanagement.com/
[...] September 15th, 2007 | Pet food & products Thanks to the National Pet Foundation for this tainted treat news. Update: AVMA warns of potential new threat to pets “The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has recently been made aware of several complaints from pet owners and veterinarians that multiple brands of jerky treats manufactured in China have been making pets sick. Symptoms of illness have included vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. To our knowledge, no deaths have been reported. (more…) [...]