Diamond Food / Chicken Soup - Page 5 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

DevineMissM · 01-10-2006, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

Did everyone stop eating McDonald's coffee when that woman burned her leg with the coffee?

I must respond to the above comment..but please do not get upset StewiesMom.....but I just have to add my opinion here for the benefit of the dogs and cats who can't talk...who cannot tell us what's going on with them.

In my opinion there is NO comparison...between a freaking HUMAN being dropping a cup of hot coffee in their lap and a poisoned dog. Getting burned by a cup of hot coffee is certainly a problem but at least a HUMAN has a voice and can complain loudly when hurt. I do not even want to go into how I really feel about THAT lawsuit. But let's move forward to posioned dogs. Our dogs have no way to tell us when they hurt. They have NO way to tell us...hey that food is bad mom. Dogs rely on their owners to feed them and maintain a healthy inviroment for them. Owners rely on the dog food companies to manufacture a healthy product. Now when we look at the situation in that light....it looks pretty grave doesn't it. This toxin KILLS humans and dogs alike. But if a human in posioned then they can at least lodge a vocal complaint to their doctor. Do you see my meaning? I hope so.
I read case histories this morning about some of the owners of the dead dogs. Some of these owners feel so GUILTY. Some of the dead dogs stopped eating the tainted dog food. They (the dogs) lodged a complaint the only way they know how....by not eating! Some of the owners have admitted they put treats....gravies....canned food....or chicken broth on the dry kibble to get the dog to continue to eat the kibble. Sadly the dog did know best...most have now died from liver failure. Their owners will feel guilty for a long time to come because they feel they posioned their dog. Now to me that's a hard one to swallow. I don't know what I would do under those circumstances. The guilt would be overwhelming.

So anyway.....yes the company is doing ALL it can....they are doing the best they can to warn owners about this food. They have NOT put the companies best interest forward....but instead have chosen to save those poor dogs who cannot voice a complaint. It is up to the owners now to remove the tainted food. Sad sad situation.

This very same "type" of event happen in 1999. Another food manufacturer who produces 53 types of food suffered the same toxin posion in the food. That time it was really really bad.....100's of dogs died. The main problem was the private label Ol' Roy dog food sold by Walmart was one of the 53 foods by this company. Well Ol' Roy is the number ONE selling dog food in this nation....so the numbers of dogs was greater...not to mention the other 52 private label name foods made by thise company. It was awful....many many dogs died.

DevineMissM · 01-10-2006, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muffie's Mom

If anyone is interested, I've researched Candidae. It's all natural - no corn, no wheat, no soy , no fillers, no grain fractions, no by products and naturally preserved. Its formulated for all life stages. It has 4 human grade meats - chicken, turkey, lamb & fish. All natural ingredients.

Crude Protein = 24%
Crude Fat = 14.5%
Crude Fiber = 4.00%
Vitamine E = 200.00 IU/kg
Balanced Omega 6 & 3 fatty acids (5:1 ratio)

AND, THE BITES ARE VERY TINY PIECES!

Our 2 Yorkies had a race for supper to see who could eat it the fastest!*! Dog-gone dogs! hehe

Please give us a report on their poop! LOL I tried the Candidae for my bunch of Yorkies. Their poop was awful....twice as big....stinky!! and somewhat soft. We couldn't stay in the house when a York pooped on their potty pad. LOL I sure would like to see a poop report! ROFL

jbarile · 01-10-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevineMissM

I must respond to the above comment..but please do not get upset StewiesMom.....but I just have to add my opinion here for the benefit of the dogs and cats who can't talk...who cannot tell us what's going on with them.

In my opinion there is NO comparison...between a freaking HUMAN being dropping a cup of hot coffee in their lap and a poisoned dog. Getting burned by a cup of hot coffee is certainly a problem but at least a HUMAN has a voice and can complain loudly when hurt. I do not even want to go into how I really feel about THAT lawsuit. But let's move forward to posioned dogs. Our dogs have no way to tell us when they hurt. They have NO way to tell us...hey that food is bad mom. Dogs rely on their owners to feed them and maintain a healthy inviroment for them. Owners rely on the dog food companies to manufacture a healthy product. Now when we look at the situation in that light....it looks pretty grave doesn't it. This toxin KILLS humans and dogs alike. But if a human in posioned then they can at least lodge a vocal complaint to their doctor. Do you see my meaning? I hope so.
I read case histories this morning about some of the owners of the dead dogs. Some of these owners feel so GUILTY. Some of the dead dogs stopped eating the tainted dog food. They (the dogs) lodged a complaint the only way they know how....by not eating! Some of the owners have admitted they put treats....gravies....canned food....or chicken broth on the dry kibble to get the dog to continue to eat the kibble. Sadly the dog did know best...most have now died from liver failure. Their owners will feel guilty for a long time to come because they feel they posioned their dog. Now to me that's a hard one to swallow. I don't know what I would do under those circumstances. The guilt would be overwhelming.

So anyway.....yes the company is doing ALL it can....they are doing the best they can to warn owners about this food. They have NOT put the companies best interest forward....but instead have chosen to save those poor dogs who cannot voice a complaint. It is up to the owners now to remove the tainted food. Sad sad situation.

This very same "type" of event happen in 1999. Another food manufacturer who produces 53 types of food suffered the same toxin posion in the food. That time it was really really bad.....100's of dogs died. The main problem was the private label Ol' Roy dog food sold by Walmart was one of the 53 foods by this company. Well Ol' Roy is the number ONE selling dog food in this nation....so the numbers of dogs was greater...not to mention the other 52 private label name foods made by thise company. It was awful....many many dogs died.

Carters Mom · 01-10-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevineMissM

Please give us a report on their poop! LOL I tried the Candidae for my bunch of Yorkies. Their poop was awful....twice as big....stinky!! and somewhat soft. We couldn't stay in the house when a York pooped on their potty pad. LOL I sure would like to see a poop report! ROFL

LOL - I asked the poop question in another thread I started for Canidae so that we can leave this thread on topic.

See the new thread here . . . http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...291#post369291

BabyFidgette · 01-10-2006, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpayton

Here's what I posted in another thread about this...and I do NOT want to start a problem with anyone...it's just MY OPINION!

I don't want to start a riot or anything, but with my chinchillas, I feed a feed that is milled here in Kentucky and the feed that I feed does not contain corn. HOWEVER! That doesn't mean that whatever was milled right before my feed was milled didn't contain corn and the residue wasn't left on the machinery for when my feed was milled. Reason I say this is because just today I opened a new 50 lb bag of feed to find at least 10 pieces of what? CORN! Hmmm...wonder how that got in there? Get what I'm saying? Is there any reason to believe that there could be cross contamination? If there is, and I were at any time feeding Chicken Soup, I would not be feeding it today or tomorrow. Meaning, if the same mill that milled the corn containing bad feed milled the Chicken Soup (non corn containing feed), that's enough to make me say, NOPE...not gonna feed it! That's a risk I'm just NOT willing to take with my animals!

I never thought about that.

I have not fed Baby Chicken Soup yet. I purchased it, and then found about that it MAY be contaminated. I think I am not going to open it for a little while to see what the outcome is. If everything is okay, I will give it to her.

Jeniferlee · 01-11-2006, 06:51 PM

I guess I am joining Stewie Mom on the bad Momma list because I am still feeding Macy CS. The food was produced in Missouri- and I called the 800 number on the page to get the info from them---NONE NONE NONE of their food has been recalled. It is the only food besides Ceasars that she will eat- and I guess if I had to choose between the two which is worse? I love Macy with all my heart and yes I know I control what she has to eat but when she won't eat it, she won't eat it...She eats chicken soup!

Joysie · 01-11-2006, 09:26 PM

Jeniferlee ,

Was your CS food produced in Meta, Missouri? Our bag was...

I just started feeding my baby CS, and I didn't know anything about this until I logged on here. Is the scare just from one factory??? And I have been feeding it to him for 3 or 4 days...the sickness that it causes, is this something that would show up shortly if something was wrong?

BabyFidgette · 01-11-2006, 10:51 PM

Jeniferlee

I don't think you're a bad mommy.

Not that MY opinion or anyone elses should matter regarding this situation.

nifer · 01-12-2006, 07:54 AM

Pet food firm noticed toxic problem months ago
Officials issued recall after veterinarian linked dog death to company's food
MSNBC staff and news service reports
Updated: 8:55 p.m. ET Jan. 11, 2006

Diamond Pet Foods officials began noticing a high incidence of contaminated corn deliveries at its Gaston, S.C., manufacturing facility in September — three months before the company issued a recall of potentially poisonous dog food.

The deaths of dozens of dogs nationwide have been linked to aflatoxin poisoning from eating contaminated food manufactured by the company at the South Carolina plant.

The company typically has had to reject about one or two truckloads of corn each year because it contained levels of aflatoxin that exceed federal limits, said Mark Brinkmann, the company's chief operating officer. But in September, the company began identifying the fungus on one or two truckloads of corn each week and rejecting the loads, he said.

The naturally occurring toxin found on grains is know to cause liver damage in pets.

The company began implementing a new test to detect the presence of aflatoxin on Nov. 30. But company officials now believe they shipped out contaminated dog food in October.

The company issued a wide recall after a New York veterinarian called to say she had linked the death of a dog with the company's food.

"We had no idea anything slipped through until we got a call from Upstate New York that our product was hot," Brinkmann said.

Company pinpoints contamination
The company, which makes premium pet foods under labels that include Diamond, Country Value and Professional, said Wednesday it had narrowed down which of its pet foods were contaminated with aflatoxin.

Last month, the privately held company recalled pet food distributed in 23 U.S. states because of aflatoxin.

Testing of more than 2,700 samples found that only its Diamond Maintenance Dog and Diamond Premium Adult Dog foods with “best by” dates of April 3-5 and 11, 2007, are potentially toxic.

Diamond had originally recalled all pet food made at its Gaston, S.C., plant from Sept. 1 through Dec. 10 while it waited for the test results.

Diamond spokeswoman Carol Anderson said 76 dogs have been confirmed dead from aflatoxin after eating the company’s pet food.

It's unclear how many dogs have been affected by the poisoned food. Other reports say as many as 100 dogs have been killed, although veterinarians are concerned that many other animals may have died without being diagnosed.

"We don’t have a good headcount on it at the present time," said Sharon Center, professor of veterinary medicine at Cornell University Hospital for Animals in Ithaca, N.Y. "There is no central accounting area to count all this case load."

Cornell's hospital is currently evaluating four dogs for exposure, said Center. Cornell's veterinarians were among the first to recognize the toxin's affect on dogs who had died after eating lethal doses of the contaminated food. The stricken dogs suffered severe liver damage.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the state Agriculture Department have launched investigations into the manufacturing facility.

Diamond is cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration's probe of the contaminated bags of food, said FDA spokesperson Michael Herndon. This is the agency's first known investigation of aflatoxin poisoning of pet food.

"We want to get to the bottom of what happened," he said.

Aflatoxin develops on crops during hot weather and drought, and was detected in several key growing states including Iowa and Illinois in 2005. Large quantities can cause cancer in humans and can be deadly to animals.

Owners who believe their dogs may have been exposed should see a veterinarian immediately, said Center.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10807001/

Kathryn_V · 01-12-2006, 10:21 AM

jbarile wrote:

"76 dogs has died

"not just one cat and one dog.""

Well yes I did site one dog and one cat... when refering to Chicken soup and Cosco brands! At that time there were two cases claiming CS and Cosco brand as cause of death. I have yet to see proof of this... where are the "Pending" test results?

Sorry, I still can't yell fire.

Yes Diamond pet foods had an issue and has taken the right steps to insure that they fix it... but Chicken soup is not part of this. No matter how you spin it... it is just not right to lynch this brand without solid proof.

StewiesMom
I feel ya on this one...Pixie loves the food and I will continue to feed it. Your a good mommy! You picked a very high quality food! My hats off to ya for sticking to your guns! If we all jumped ship, they might go under! And then we would all be minus one really great food choice. Thanks!

jbarile · 01-12-2006, 05:41 PM

Kathryn_V
"quote" your words....
For all we know this cat and dog died of some other cause and we have upset owners looking for someone to blame......

Tests are pending? There is no comfirmed contamination? Is this a greiving owner who is looking for someone to blame? Could this be a dishonest pet owner looking to cash in on the pending lawsuits that are surely to come? Is this the public jumping to conclusions? Who is this source that wrote this latest update?

Update

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pet food firm noticed toxic problem months ago
Officials issued recall after veterinarian linked dog death to company's food
MSNBC staff and news service reports
Updated: 8:55 p.m. ET Jan. 11, 2006

Diamond Pet Foods officials began noticing a high incidence of contaminated corn deliveries at its Gaston, S.C., manufacturing facility in September — three months before the company issued a recall of potentially poisonous dog food.

The deaths of dozens of dogs nationwide have been linked to aflatoxin poisoning from eating contaminated food manufactured by the company at the South Carolina plant.

The company typically has had to reject about one or two truckloads of corn each year because it contained levels of aflatoxin that exceed federal limits, said Mark Brinkmann, the company's chief operating officer. But in September, the company began identifying the fungus on one or two truckloads of corn each week and rejecting the loads, he said.

The naturally occurring toxin found on grains is know to cause liver damage in pets.

The company began implementing a new test to detect the presence of aflatoxin on Nov. 30. But company officials now believe they shipped out contaminated dog food in October.

The company issued a wide recall after a New York veterinarian called to say she had linked the death of a dog with the company's food.

"We had no idea anything slipped through until we got a call from Upstate New York that our product was hot," Brinkmann said.

Company pinpoints contamination
The company, which makes premium pet foods under labels that include Diamond, Country Value and Professional, said Wednesday it had narrowed down which of its pet foods were contaminated with aflatoxin.

Last month, the privately held company recalled pet food distributed in 23 U.S. states because of aflatoxin.

Testing of more than 2,700 samples found that only its Diamond Maintenance Dog and Diamond Premium Adult Dog foods with “best by” dates of April 3-5 and 11, 2007, are potentially toxic.

Diamond had originally recalled all pet food made at its Gaston, S.C., plant from Sept. 1 through Dec. 10 while it waited for the test results.

Diamond spokeswoman Carol Anderson said 76 dogs have been confirmed dead from aflatoxin after eating the company’s pet food.

It's unclear how many dogs have been affected by the poisoned food. Other reports say as many as 100 dogs have been killed, although veterinarians are concerned that many other animals may have died without being diagnosed.

"We don’t have a good headcount on it at the present time," said Sharon Center, professor of veterinary medicine at Cornell University Hospital for Animals in Ithaca, N.Y. "There is no central accounting area to count all this case load."

Cornell's hospital is currently evaluating four dogs for exposure, said Center. Cornell's veterinarians were among the first to recognize the toxin's affect on dogs who had died after eating lethal doses of the contaminated food. The stricken dogs suffered severe liver damage.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the state Agriculture Department have launched investigations into the manufacturing facility.

Diamond is cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration's probe of the contaminated bags of food, said FDA spokesperson Michael Herndon. This is the agency's first known investigation of aflatoxin poisoning of pet food.

"We want to get to the bottom of what happened," he said.

Aflatoxin develops on crops during hot weather and drought, and was detected in several key growing states including Iowa and Illinois in 2005. Large quantities can cause cancer in humans and can be deadly to animals.

Owners who believe their dogs may have been exposed should see a veterinarian immediately, said Center.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10807001/

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Today, 10:21 AM #70

End of this story already don't get a nasty thread generating over chicken soup! feed your dog what ever you want! Im just posting the news as it comes. Lets move on

Kathryn_V · 01-12-2006, 07:10 PM

Boy I feel like I am beating a dead horse here...

But here it goes..... These confirmed reports are about the Diamond pet food products that are listed in the recall... NOT Chicken Soup. So unless someone confirms that there is a problem With Chicken Soup... I will continue to defend the brand...

I too agree that we should feed what we want to and that each is entitled to their own opnion. I just hate to see a public lynching without proof.

End of report.

StewiesMom · 01-12-2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathryn_V

But here it goes..... These confirmed reports are about the Diamond pet food products that are listed in the recall... NOT Chicken Soup. So unless someone confirms that there is a problem With Chicken Soup... I will continue to defend the brand...

I too agree that we should feed what we want to and that each is entitled to their own opnion. I just hate to see a public lynching without proof.

End of report.

Good post Kathryn! Thanks!!

and in case anyone cares - my bag of Chicken Soup was produced in Exeter, MO.

JaniceMarie · 01-13-2006, 06:58 AM

From the chicken soup website:
"Chicken Soup Brand NOT Affected by Recall
Diamond Pet Foods has received inquiries about Chicken Soup Dog food. It is important for consumers to know that this brand does not contain corn, and is thereby not susceptible to aflatoxin. Subsequently, it is not included in our voluntary recall.

We have great empathy for our customers who are affected by this unfortunate situation, and are working very hard to do the right thing to help them. Our focus at the moment is to communicate as much information and prevent pet illnesses. To that extent, we have opened a Customer Information Center staffed by veterinarians to help customers who are concerned about their pet's health. The Center can be reached toll-free at 1-866-214-6945"

jbarile · 01-13-2006, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

Good post Kathryn! Thanks!!

and in case anyone cares - my bag of Chicken Soup was produced in Exeter, MO.

01-11-2006, 06:51 PM	#66
Jeniferlee Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: In da UP of Michigan Posts: 346	I guess I am joining Stewie Mom on the bad Momma list because I am still feeding Macy CS. The food was produced in Missouri- and I called the 800 number on the page to get the info from them---NONE NONE NONE of their food has been recalled. It is the only food besides Ceasars that she will eat- and I guess if I had to choose between the two which is worse? I love Macy with all my heart and yes I know I control what she has to eat but when she won't eat it, she won't eat it...She eats chicken soup! __________________ "Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times."-Anon

01-11-2006, 10:51 PM	#68
BabyFidgette Learn Yorkie CPR! Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New Joisey Posts: 6,136	Jeniferlee I don't think you're a bad mommy. Not that MY opinion or anyone elses should matter regarding this situation. __________________ Nicole ~ Teacher , EMT Yorkie CPR , & Baby's Mommy "Be my Pawfect Pal on Dogster, view my Videos, Photos, Age, Website, and Mommy's MySpace!"

01-12-2006, 07:54 AM	#69
nifer YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 255	Update Pet food firm noticed toxic problem months ago Officials issued recall after veterinarian linked dog death to company's food MSNBC staff and news service reports Updated: 8:55 p.m. ET Jan. 11, 2006 Diamond Pet Foods officials began noticing a high incidence of contaminated corn deliveries at its Gaston, S.C., manufacturing facility in September — three months before the company issued a recall of potentially poisonous dog food. The deaths of dozens of dogs nationwide have been linked to aflatoxin poisoning from eating contaminated food manufactured by the company at the South Carolina plant. The company typically has had to reject about one or two truckloads of corn each year because it contained levels of aflatoxin that exceed federal limits, said Mark Brinkmann, the company's chief operating officer. But in September, the company began identifying the fungus on one or two truckloads of corn each week and rejecting the loads, he said. The naturally occurring toxin found on grains is know to cause liver damage in pets. The company began implementing a new test to detect the presence of aflatoxin on Nov. 30. But company officials now believe they shipped out contaminated dog food in October. The company issued a wide recall after a New York veterinarian called to say she had linked the death of a dog with the company's food. "We had no idea anything slipped through until we got a call from Upstate New York that our product was hot," Brinkmann said. Company pinpoints contamination The company, which makes premium pet foods under labels that include Diamond, Country Value and Professional, said Wednesday it had narrowed down which of its pet foods were contaminated with aflatoxin. Last month, the privately held company recalled pet food distributed in 23 U.S. states because of aflatoxin. Testing of more than 2,700 samples found that only its Diamond Maintenance Dog and Diamond Premium Adult Dog foods with “best by” dates of April 3-5 and 11, 2007, are potentially toxic. Diamond had originally recalled all pet food made at its Gaston, S.C., plant from Sept. 1 through Dec. 10 while it waited for the test results. Diamond spokeswoman Carol Anderson said 76 dogs have been confirmed dead from aflatoxin after eating the company’s pet food. It's unclear how many dogs have been affected by the poisoned food. Other reports say as many as 100 dogs have been killed, although veterinarians are concerned that many other animals may have died without being diagnosed. "We don’t have a good headcount on it at the present time," said Sharon Center, professor of veterinary medicine at Cornell University Hospital for Animals in Ithaca, N.Y. "There is no central accounting area to count all this case load." Cornell's hospital is currently evaluating four dogs for exposure, said Center. Cornell's veterinarians were among the first to recognize the toxin's affect on dogs who had died after eating lethal doses of the contaminated food. The stricken dogs suffered severe liver damage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the state Agriculture Department have launched investigations into the manufacturing facility. Diamond is cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration's probe of the contaminated bags of food, said FDA spokesperson Michael Herndon. This is the agency's first known investigation of aflatoxin poisoning of pet food. "We want to get to the bottom of what happened," he said. Aflatoxin develops on crops during hot weather and drought, and was detected in several key growing states including Iowa and Illinois in 2005. Large quantities can cause cancer in humans and can be deadly to animals. Owners who believe their dogs may have been exposed should see a veterinarian immediately, said Center. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10807001/

01-12-2006, 07:10 PM	#72
Kathryn_V Out to Spoil the World! Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Palm Springs, California Posts: 2,691	Boy I feel like I am beating a dead horse here... But here it goes..... These confirmed reports are about the Diamond pet food products that are listed in the recall... NOT Chicken Soup. So unless someone confirms that there is a problem With Chicken Soup... I will continue to defend the brand... I too agree that we should feed what we want to and that each is entitled to their own opnion. I just hate to see a public lynching without proof. End of report. __________________ Kathryn, Pixie and Chynna

01-11-2006, 09:26 PM	#67
Joysie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 101	Jeniferlee , Was your CS food produced in Meta, Missouri? Our bag was... I just started feeding my baby CS, and I didn't know anything about this until I logged on here. Is the scare just from one factory??? And I have been feeding it to him for 3 or 4 days...the sickness that it causes, is this something that would show up shortly if something was wrong?

01-12-2006, 10:21 AM	#70
Kathryn_V Out to Spoil the World! Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Palm Springs, California Posts: 2,691	jbarile wrote: "76 dogs has died "not just one cat and one dog."" Well yes I did site one dog and one cat... when refering to Chicken soup and Cosco brands! At that time there were two cases claiming CS and Cosco brand as cause of death. I have yet to see proof of this... where are the "Pending" test results? Sorry, I still can't yell fire. Yes Diamond pet foods had an issue and has taken the right steps to insure that they fix it... but Chicken soup is not part of this. No matter how you spin it... it is just not right to lynch this brand without solid proof. StewiesMom I feel ya on this one...Pixie loves the food and I will continue to feed it. Your a good mommy! You picked a very high quality food! My hats off to ya for sticking to your guns! If we all jumped ship, they might go under! And then we would all be minus one really great food choice. Thanks! __________________ Kathryn, Pixie and Chynna

01-12-2006, 05:41 PM	#71
jbarile Tilly & Sami Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Syracuse, Utah Posts: 1,097	Kathryn_V "quote" your words.... For all we know this cat and dog died of some other cause and we have upset owners looking for someone to blame...... Tests are pending? There is no comfirmed contamination? Is this a greiving owner who is looking for someone to blame? Could this be a dishonest pet owner looking to cash in on the pending lawsuits that are surely to come? Is this the public jumping to conclusions? Who is this source that wrote this latest update? Update -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pet food firm noticed toxic problem months ago Officials issued recall after veterinarian linked dog death to company's food MSNBC staff and news service reports Updated: 8:55 p.m. ET Jan. 11, 2006 Diamond Pet Foods officials began noticing a high incidence of contaminated corn deliveries at its Gaston, S.C., manufacturing facility in September — three months before the company issued a recall of potentially poisonous dog food. The deaths of dozens of dogs nationwide have been linked to aflatoxin poisoning from eating contaminated food manufactured by the company at the South Carolina plant. The company typically has had to reject about one or two truckloads of corn each year because it contained levels of aflatoxin that exceed federal limits, said Mark Brinkmann, the company's chief operating officer. But in September, the company began identifying the fungus on one or two truckloads of corn each week and rejecting the loads, he said. The naturally occurring toxin found on grains is know to cause liver damage in pets. The company began implementing a new test to detect the presence of aflatoxin on Nov. 30. But company officials now believe they shipped out contaminated dog food in October. The company issued a wide recall after a New York veterinarian called to say she had linked the death of a dog with the company's food. "We had no idea anything slipped through until we got a call from Upstate New York that our product was hot," Brinkmann said. Company pinpoints contamination The company, which makes premium pet foods under labels that include Diamond, Country Value and Professional, said Wednesday it had narrowed down which of its pet foods were contaminated with aflatoxin. Last month, the privately held company recalled pet food distributed in 23 U.S. states because of aflatoxin. Testing of more than 2,700 samples found that only its Diamond Maintenance Dog and Diamond Premium Adult Dog foods with “best by” dates of April 3-5 and 11, 2007, are potentially toxic. Diamond had originally recalled all pet food made at its Gaston, S.C., plant from Sept. 1 through Dec. 10 while it waited for the test results. Diamond spokeswoman Carol Anderson said 76 dogs have been confirmed dead from aflatoxin after eating the company’s pet food. It's unclear how many dogs have been affected by the poisoned food. Other reports say as many as 100 dogs have been killed, although veterinarians are concerned that many other animals may have died without being diagnosed. "We don’t have a good headcount on it at the present time," said Sharon Center, professor of veterinary medicine at Cornell University Hospital for Animals in Ithaca, N.Y. "There is no central accounting area to count all this case load." Cornell's hospital is currently evaluating four dogs for exposure, said Center. Cornell's veterinarians were among the first to recognize the toxin's affect on dogs who had died after eating lethal doses of the contaminated food. The stricken dogs suffered severe liver damage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the state Agriculture Department have launched investigations into the manufacturing facility. Diamond is cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration's probe of the contaminated bags of food, said FDA spokesperson Michael Herndon. This is the agency's first known investigation of aflatoxin poisoning of pet food. "We want to get to the bottom of what happened," he said. Aflatoxin develops on crops during hot weather and drought, and was detected in several key growing states including Iowa and Illinois in 2005. Large quantities can cause cancer in humans and can be deadly to animals. Owners who believe their dogs may have been exposed should see a veterinarian immediately, said Center. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10807001/ nifer View Public Profile Send a private message to nifer Find More Posts by nifer Add nifer to Your Buddy List Today, 10:21 AM #70 End of this story already don't get a nasty thread generating over chicken soup! feed your dog what ever you want! Im just posting the news as it comes. Lets move on

01-13-2006, 06:58 AM	#74
JaniceMarie Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 46	From the chicken soup website: "Chicken Soup Brand NOT Affected by Recall Diamond Pet Foods has received inquiries about Chicken Soup Dog food. It is important for consumers to know that this brand does not contain corn, and is thereby not susceptible to aflatoxin. Subsequently, it is not included in our voluntary recall. We have great empathy for our customers who are affected by this unfortunate situation, and are working very hard to do the right thing to help them. Our focus at the moment is to communicate as much information and prevent pet illnesses. To that extent, we have opened a Customer Information Center staffed by veterinarians to help customers who are concerned about their pet's health. The Center can be reached toll-free at 1-866-214-6945"