NaturalNews.com
Originally published June 25 2008

FDA Pet Food Safety Meeting Proves No One Is Watching Out for Pets
by Susan Thixton

(NaturalNews) If you heard a thud last week it was the ball
dropping... the $26 Billion dollar a year pet food industry ball being
dropped by the FDA and every major pet organization in the U.S.
Finally, fourteen months after the world's largest pet food recall –-
on May 13, 2008 the FDA held its Pet Food Safety Meeting. It was over
in 90 minutes.

Dan McChesney, Director of the Office of Compliance for the Center for
Veterinary Management (a sub category of the FDA), opened the meeting
promptly 40 minutes late. Introducing Dr. David Acheson who told the
sparse crowd that the FDA is shifting from 'reactive to proactive'
implementing prevention, intervention, and response strategies in the
FDA's new Amendments Act. Interestingly Dr. Acheson said the response
to pet food issues has "been better on the animal side than on the
human side". Knowing that thousands of pets became ill and died in
last year's recall –- if that response was better than on the human
side, I'm very worried about eating anything.

About 30 minutes of the 90 minute meeting was taken up by several FDA
representatives who stood at the podium and stumbled reading FDAAA
regulations. As a consumer and a pet owner –- watching our FDA
representatives have difficulty reading –- I have to say this again:
FDA Representatives had difficulty reading their own regulations...
well, now I'm thinking about never eating again.

Next we heard from Dr. John Branham of the American Veterinary Medical
Association. Though Dr. Branham seemed extremely uncomfortable in a
tie, his statement offered three recommendations to the FDA:

1. Modification of pet food labels with health claims

2. Add calorie statements to pet food labels

3. Urged the development of a formalized disciplinary emergency
preparedness program to be led by the FDA

Current pet food regulations implemented by AAFCO (American
Association of Feed Control Officials) and accepted by the FDA allow
pet food labels to make "unqualified claims either directly or
indirectly". Modification of pet food labels needs to go well past
health claims if pet owners are to actually understand what they are
feeding their pets.

Whew, next we took a 40 minute break. The handful of attendees
stumbled around the room looking for coffee which we were later told
was "not available at the meeting". Are you kidding me? Coffee is even
available at Jiffy Lube.

There was a brief statement from Mr. Ricky Shrader of AAFCO. He seemed
to brag that AAFCO has 'the most comprehensive list of animal feed
ingredients' –- which puzzled me. There is nothing to brag about when
one pet food ingredient name –- such as the common pet food ingredient
by-product –- can be the combination of dozens of left over animal
parts not suitable for use in human food –- and all misleading the pet
owning consumer. Chicken feet and cow intestines listed on a pet food
label probably wouldn't sell much pet food. Compliments of AAFCO and
accepted by the FDA, pet food manufacturers are allowed to disguise
these left-over animal parts as by-products. Not much to brag about.

The highlight of the event was heard from Mike Floyd of Defend Our
Pets. Mr. Floyd nailed the FDA and AAFCO shortcomings time and time
again. One of his suggestions to the FDA was since the FDA lacks the
manpower to inspect all 327 ports of entry in the U.S., why not limit
the number to just a handful of ports of entry to assure all imported
products (human and pet) can be inspected? I'm guessing this is too
common sense for the FDA to comprehend and implement.

Conspicuously missing at the pet food safety meeting was any input
from the Humane Society, the ASPCA, and pet food manufacturers
themselves. Common sense would lead one to think that the Humane
Society and the ASPCA would speak up for the millions of U.S. pets
that they are supposed to be looking out for. And common sense would
imply that pet food manufacturers themselves would have provided the
FDA with input of new ideas and suggestions for the safety of pet
food. But common sense did not prevail.

Fourteen months after thousands of pets died and we still have
nothing. Pet food is not even a smidgen closer to being any safer than
it was prior to the last recall. Pet owners: read your labels. Call
the pet food manufacturer and ask if they import any ingredients from
China and if the food uses a human-grade quality of meat. Avoid by-
products and chemical preservatives (just for starters). The FDA and
the major pet organizations don't 'have your back'. Learn as much as
you can about what your pet is eating (with treats too).

About the author
Susan Thixton is internationally recognized as the pet food expert
helping pet owners understand how to find the safest and healthiest
dog and cat foods and treats. She's been called courageous,
perseverant, even a "pet lovers Savior" for her 16 year study of pet
food.
Susan Thixton is the author of hundreds of pet industry articles and
the 2006 released book Truth About Pet Food (currently being updated
for a second edition). She is the publisher of the ONLY pet product
consumer magazine Petsumer Report. And is a frequent speaker and radio
guest all over the U.S. and Canada with more than 70 appearances in
the last 2 years.
If you are looking for straight forward pet food information that can
have an almost immediate impact on your pet's health - subscribe to
the free newsletter, and subscribe to Petsumer Report to see reviews
on close to 600 dog and cat foods and treats (adding 40+ each month).
Susan Thixton's 'truth' will help you find a safer, healthier dog or
cat food that could add years to your pet's life. http://www.TruthAboutPetFood.com

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