POISONED PET FOOD: THE RECALL EXPANDS YET AGAIN:

The death toll reported to the Pet Connection unofficial data base now stands at 4,515. This site, by the way, continues to live blog the ongoing US Senate hearings into the tainted pet food scandal, and the testimony presented so far has been enlightening. Go to Pet Connection to read what has been presented so far. Just as the hearings were wrapping up for the day today the spokesman for the FDA claimed that he was unaware of any pending new food recalls, even though some foods from Kirkland had tested positive for melamine. After the conference was over the shoe dropped. Costco announced that they were withdrawing their Kirkland Signature Super Premium canned dog food(both the 'Chicken and Rice' and the 'Lamb and Rice' formulations). also Chenango Valley pet food manufacturers added another item, their 'Lick Your Chops Lamb Meal, Rice and Egg Cat Food' in packages. Also the Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul company has announced a recall of their Kitten Formula in 5.5oz cans, their Puppy Formula in 13oz cans and Diamond Lamb and Rice Formula for Dogs in 13oz cans. Finally, Natural Balance Pet Foods has announced has announced a recall of the following canned foods:

Chicken Formula Canned Dog Food 13oz

Lamb Formula Canned Dog Food 13oz

Beef Formula Canned Dog Food 13oz

Ocean Fish Formula Canned Cat Food 3oz & 6oz

If anything the recalls seem to be expanded faster than once a week as the list of possibly toxic ingredients grows. One of the more disturbing facts uncovered by the Itchmo Blog is that some of the newly recalled foods have neither wheat gluten nor rice protein concentrate as a listed ingredient !!!!!!! To say the least this makes it difficult for the pet owner to judge by ingredients what is safe or not.

More tomorrow I'm sure,

Molly