Iams Cat Food Recall

Not Just an Iams Cat Food Recall

Iams wasn't the only cat food brand to be recalled due to the vast amount of food-related deaths and injuries, but the recall list did include both Iams Cat Slices and Flakes as well as Iams Select Bites. In all, over ninety-five different brand name cat food products were also mentioned on the list, resulting in the recall of approximately sixty-million cans of pet food.

Cause of Fatalities Still Undetermined

Many lab tests have been conducted, but authorities have yet to reach a firm conclusion about what may have caused acute renal failure-related deaths in both cats and dogs, making this Iams cat food recall a real mystery. These typically healthy animals suddenly developed kidney problems after the ingestion of the now recalled food items. Some scientists suspect that a certain contaminant may be linked to the pet food supplier.

At one point, the FDA had issued an investigation into the Menu Food plants in New Jersey and Kansas where many of the product complaints had been linked. Wheat gluten was then thought to be a possible source of contamination because both processing plants had received shipments of gluten from the same supplier.

Wheat gluten isn't normally a toxic product. It's merely the protein found in typical varieties of wheat, and this gluten is often added to food products because of its ability to act as a thickening agent. However, if exposed to toxin-producing molds, disease results are more than likely. Suspicions that this may indeed be the situation prompted the FDA to screen many of these pet foods for kidney-harming mold toxins. Heavy metal contamination was also considered a possibility.

Extent of Consumer Concern

To date, sixteen pets have been recorded as fatalities related to contaminated pet food. This number includes fifteen cats and one dog. Although the number is not markedly huge, pet owners are still rightfully nervous. This anxiety is especially due to the slow relay of information concerning the exact cause of the contamination, and the number of other brand names involved in the Iams cat food recall.

After the Iams, Nutro and Menu Food "Cuts and Gravy" brands of pet food were recalled from the shelves of stores such as Wal-Mart, Kroger and Safeway, nearly fifty thousand phone calls were received from concerned pet owners.

This is shaping up to be the largest pet food recall in history.

The Melamine Controversy

Many pet owners may not take the time to read the ingredients on their cans of pet food, but there is far more packed into each can than high quality meats and added vitamins. In fact, the quality of meat contained in pet food is generally unfit for human consumption, and to add insult to injury, large amounts of melamine are just another reason to be skeptical of commercial brand pet foods.

What is melamine? Melamine is a chemical used in Asian fertilizers that is being linked to the wheat gluten found in the recalled pet foods. Although manufacturers and researchers are not one-hundred percent clear whether or not melamine is the exact cause of the pet deaths, melamine was found in the urine of the cats who died. This substance is now suspected as a possible cause of death.

In the past, research has shown that both dogs and rats can handle high doses of melamine in their systems, but this does raise the question why it would ever need to be in their systems in the first place. It would seem it's high time the pet food industry reviewed its standards and practices, especially if it hopes to regain consumer confidence.

The FDA has also mentioned that the use of melamine is still a controversy since inadequate research has been conducted as to the chemical's effect on animals. Even more notable is the fact that melamine is not supposed to be in pet food, period.

Tips for Concerned Consumers

Pet owners who have concerns regarding how healthy their pets' diets truly are should carefully read all labels before purchasing commercial pet foods.

The Iams cat food recall is just another wakeup call for pet lovers everywhere. Take a good look at the quality of meat used in these foods. Also, be aware of additives and preservatives that may be harmful or unnecessary in your pets' diets. Avoid by-products and keep in mind that if a food source isn't good enough for humans, why feed it to your pet?