Some of this is fact and some rumor, so read on if you're interested...
Merrick seems to be having a very big quality control issue.
The Go Natural brand of food was voluntarily recalled in 2003 because animals were getting liver failure from it. This foods was manufactured by Merrick:
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/Documents/HHEGoNatural.pdf
Two sites say Merrick treats were recalled in 2003 because of salmonella:
http://www.recalls.org/vet2003.html http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/...0020918e.shtml
One version of their canned food was recalled in 2006 because their was metal in it:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MD...l_164985_7.pdf
Garth Merrick doesn't want tougher restrictions:
https://web01.aphis.usda.gov/regpubl...M2?OpenElement
It is hard to say if he really wrote this or not but he does own a rendering facility, Tejas, as far as I know.
Two out of four dogs from one family are in renal failure and they were all eating Merrick.
Someone said Turducken canned cat food has been soupy and smells rancid.
Another person says the Turducken (for cats, I believe) now has started looking "weird".
Then there are some rumors that Merricks is involved with Nature's Logic and another company. This other company makes Solid Gold canned food. Most of this can be found on Itchmo.
There is obviously a lack of quality control and I would be very uncomfortable feeding this food.