chicken soup ... question
 

sorry to post this again in this forum, just thought i'd get more responses here:

whats your opinions on this? should I (we) feel better about feeding them this or u guys still stopping it??

"""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."""

Aflatoxin is a potent carcinogen. The fungus (genus Aspergillus) that secretes aflatoxin enters the plant, usually, through the wounds left by an insect pest, since most plants have a hard outer layer that acts as a barrier to fungi. Once inside the plant, the fungus can reach all parts of the plant, including its seeds. Our grain supply is routinely screened to detect and eliminate aflatoxin, but it is a serious cause of illness and death in developing countries which have fewer food safety regulations. Some plant scientists are trying to develop transgenic corn with a gene for an enzyme which breaks down aflatoxin.

http://members.tripod.com/c_rader0/aflatox.htm

Yes. I will continue to feed it. Since there is no corn in it, there is nothing to worry about IMO.

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!

Yes, I am still feeding my dog Chicken Soup. and nothing against you, but I am soooooo sick of people freaking out over this.

edited to say: I was telling my mom about this whole recall. She works for a manufacturer of baby/infant products of all kinds. It's a huge multi-million dollar fortune 500 company that you've all heard of. They're crib mattresses, bottles etc have been recalled in the past because they have KILLED newborns by suffocation. Guess what - people still trust them and buy from them. Sh*t happens. Live and learn. I'm sure Diamond Pet Foods will be one of the SAFEST, BEST brands to feed from now on since they will be SOOOO unbelievably overly cautious.

Just for clarification sake. I have never, nor will ever, feed any Diamond Food Product and that includes Chicken Soup. :)

So I know that comment wasn't directed towards me....cuz I'm not freaking out. I just know that cross contamination DOES happen.

This is from Diamond Pet Food's website:

What is Aflatoxin?
Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus, on corn and other crops. The fungus develops on crops during years with severe high temperature stress and drought.

what i'm concerned with is the "corn and other crops", what's included in the "other crops"? the problem can obviously include more than just corn. and what can happen at one plant can happen in others. chicken soup may not have corn but it does have rice and barley. is that included in the "other crops"?

i'm sure diamond will do the right thing and place corrective measures to ensure this does not happen again in the future at their Gaston facility or any other facility. so i wouldn't write off diamond products forever, but i am going to wait until those corrective measures are in place before i consider Chicken Soup again.

I really doubt that you would feel this way if your little ones were the ones that were the ones that were hurt or killed. Food for thought.

With at least 76 deaths attributed to this contamination and countless cases of irreversible liver damage, I personally can understand why people are "freaking out over this". Here is a reprint of the article that was on MSN yesterday:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27808

I agree with what hunnybunny said:
"i'm sure diamond will do the right thing and place corrective measures to ensure this does not happen again in the future at their Gaston facility or any other facility. so i wouldn't write off diamond products forever, but i am going to wait until those corrective measures are in place before i consider Chicken Soup again."

I posted this on the other thread but am putting it here also...
 

Just to prove a point about a different product, yesterday we opened a bag of frozen pole beans, and it had a large piece of brussel sprout in it. So, anything can happen. :eek:

Regarding the Chicken Soup, I, personally opt on the side of safety and precaution for my Yorkies. This is just MY opinion.

Everyone makes their own decision about what to do regarding matters like this. :questione I think we're all confused as to what to do and some feel like they need to do something to protect their babies.

Just because you don't agree with other people, doesn't mean that you should get on here and be so negative against others and their decisions.

We all have our own viewpoints about this thread and everything else in life.

If you don't agree with peoples decisions, be respectful of their decision. PLEASE, let's stop being so negative against other people and the way they feel about things. If you don't agree and are very addamant about it, just try to keep it to yourself. :thumbdown

We're all friends here so let's be nice to one another. Let's all TRY being nice. Life is so much easier this way. Some of the people don't need this stress.

I mean this in a nice way to everyone, no one in particular. I just see it here, there and everywhere within the site. I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do or what not to say, I'm just saying let's try being a little nicer about the way we do it. LOL

I feed the Chicken Soup and really like it. I have stopped feeding it for a while a while untill this is all clear. I dont see any reason to take chances.

You made some very valid points about cross contamination. I feed Ceeby Chicken Soup and Cesars. I had hoped to take him off the Cesars but he only eats a few kibbles of the Chicken Soup a day. He is so finicky, I don't know what I will feed him. I have checked my codes on my bag and since corn is not included in the ingrediants, I was comfortable feeding it until I read your post about cross-contamination. I hadn't thought of that.

Does anyone know at what time the contaminated food was prosessed? my reason for asking is I feed for kibble the chicken lovers, and I have had this bag for about 6 months,any idea if its safe,they have not ever gotton sick,and I still have about 8 lbs left,yet I would through it out in a heart beat and get some differant food,but they actually eat the chicken lovers food unlike any others I have tried..also who is ceasers made by,I usually feed for a treat the ceasers,but out of the last 10 I bought,5 were spoiled,they stunk and the dogs luckly wouldn't eat it and tried to bury it,it was a cute scary situation,now I am afraid to feed ..any ideas out there?

Look for a G in your product code. If there is a G then it was made at the Plant were there were poroblems if not then it wasnt. Mine doesnt have the G and my dogs have been just fine eating it so I am going to have them finish this bag then switch for a while. I feed Caesars too. Its too bad you got some that was bad. I am out right now so I cant tell you who makes it maybe someone else can.

Ok I just checked my bag that i bought about 2 weeks ago...the production code is:

CSD1104GKM

Is this a contaminated bag????
Daisy has been eating it for almost 2 weeks, is the ONLY kibble I can get her to eat..and hasn't shown any signs of being sick or anything???

from Diamond's website:
Recalled products can be identified by the Date Code and "Best By" dates listed on the back panel of the package. Recalled products will have a capital "G" (in reference to Gaston) in the 11th or 12th position of the date code (18 lb. to 55 lb. bags), and "Best By" dates between March 1, 2007 and June 10, 2007. The capital "G" will be in the 9th position on smaller 4 lb. to 8 lb. bags.

Diamond's quantitative analysis records substantiate that shipments were definitively clear of aflatoxin after December 10. As such, "Best By 11-June-07" date codes or later are not affected. Also, products with "Best By" dates prior to 28-Feb-07 are safe.

I dont know your guess is as good as mine. I just read on here to look for a G in the product code it didnt say where to look for the G to be.

hmmmm

well it keeps saying that it isn't the chicken soup line...but who knows?

darn..its the only kibble she'll eat, now I dont know what to do!

i have a trial size (1.5 lbs) of the chicken soup. Are these size bags mentioned anywhere?
I have stopped feeding Cisco this food for the time being.

HunnieBunnie's post tells you where the G is on the bags processed at the plant in question. Last post on first page of this thread.

Whoops it sure does I missed that thank you.

I missed that too, thanks! The G in mine is in a different spot..and my bags best buy date is May of 06...not any of the 07 they mention

Something I have learned from this . . . .

I put my food into another container for storage (especially because I purchase 40# bags). From now on, I will cut the code and tape it to the inside of the cover of my container.

Everything I've read says that if your dog experiences problems with a food to call the company with the code. I don't have the code as it stands right now, therefore, I will correct that problem.

The reason the company will ask for a code is because the manufacturers retain a sample of each code lot for cases just like this. They have a sample of the particular code lot on hand to do testing immediately if there is a problem.

Don't know if anyone else stores their food in other containters but thought I would share how I plan to remedy my problem.

Lisa

I just got Chicken Soup this week. I only ordered it because lots of people said it was good and their furbabies love it. Princess is such a picky eater, she won't eat it. I ordered a small bag 6 pounds. The code is CSD1201EC1 Best by
June 13, 2007 17:23 JJ
Ok should I throw it out, or send it to someone who can use it?
Princess is so picky, I wish I could find a food she will eat.

This food was not distributed in all states. There are certain states that are affected and California was not on the list, so no need to worry.
Check on the Diamond Pet Food website for the list of states affected.

I know California was not on the list. But Princess won't eat it. So I'll have to find someone who can use it. Thanks. :)

Some pet stores let you return it if your pet don't like it. You can call the telephone number on the bag. I did that once, not for Chicken Soup and they refunded my money and sent me a check for the product, no questions asked.

Hmmm I'll have to look up the web site again. They don't sell it here at the store, so I ordered it on line. I know Pets Mart is really good at taking food back.
I have tried so many different kinds for her, and can't seem to find the one she likes. I don't want to give it to Poncho or Mandy because their diet is set, they are both on Nutro Natural Choice. It's only a 6 pound bag, I'm sure I can find someone who can use it. Thanks Again! :)

Where does it say that Diamond has recalled Chicken soup?

Chicken Soup has not been recalled. Here is a full list:

What products are being recalled?
Recalled products can be identified by the Date Code and "Best By" dates listed on the back panel of the package. Recalled products will have a capital "G" (in reference to Gaston) in the 11th or 12th position of the date code (18 lb. to 55 lb. bags), and "Best By" dates between March 1, 2007 and June 10, 2007. The capital "G" will be in the 9th position on smaller 4 lb. to 8 lb. bags.

Diamond's quantitative analysis records substantiate that shipments were definitively clear of aflatoxin after December 10. As such, "Best By 11-June-07" date codes or later are not affected. Also, products with "Best By" dates prior to 28-Feb-07 are safe.

Products manufactured at our Gaston S.C. facility included in the recall:

Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food
Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food
Diamond Maintenance Dog Food
Diamond Professional for Adult Dogs
Diamond Performance Dog Food
Diamond Puppy Food
Diamond Low Fat Dog Food
Diamond Maintenance Cat Food
Diamond Professional Cat Food
Country Value Puppy
Country Value Adult Dog Food
Country Value High Energy Dog Food
Country Value Adult Cat Food
Professional Chicken & Rice Adult Dog Food
Professional Puppy Food
Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food
Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food
Professional Adult Cat Food

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

What products are NOT included in the recall?
Although certain pet foods produced at the Gaston facility have been voluntarily recalled due to potential aflatoxin contamination, a wide range of the plant's products are perfectly safe and still can be purchased from retailers.

Gaston products not part of the recall include:

All Premium Edge products
The complete Chicken Soup product lines
Canine Club
Kirkland Signature Puppy
Kirkland Signature Chicken & Rice Adult Dog
Kirkland Signature Lamb & Rice Adult Dog
Kirkland Signature Mature Dog
Kirkland Signature Maintenance Cat
Diamond Lamb and Rice Adult
Diamond Large Breed Adult 60+
Diamond Large Breed Puppy (Lamb & Rice Puppy)
Diamond Senior 8+
Diamond Kitten
Professional Lamb and Rice
Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food

http://www.diamondpetrecall.net/faq.html#5

Thanks. There has been talk on the list about it being recalled, but I could not find a source.