The cases of pet food recalls continue to expand, with two more companies saying they’re recalling some pet food products that contain possibly contaminated wheat gluten.
The recalls, by Del Monte Pet Products and Nestle Purina, are in addition to other brands recalled in March by Canada-based pet food manufacturer Menu Foods.
Del Monte has announced that it’s recalling dog snacks sold under the Jerky Treats, Gravy Train Beef Sticks and Pounce Meaty Morsels brands, as well as some dog snack and wet dog food products sold under private label brands.
Meanwhile, Nestle Purina PetCare Co. said it was recalling all sizes and varieties of its Alpo Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food with specific date codes. No dry Alpo products are being recalled.
The companies took the action after learning that wheat gluten supplied to them by a manufacturing facility in China contained melamine, a plastic substance not approved for use in food.
The FDA made this finding as part of its ongoing investigation into the recent Menu Foods pet food recall. On March 16, Menu Foods recalled 60 million containers of “cuts and gravy” style wet dog and cat food manufactured under 100 brand names.
The recall removes all Del Monte pet products with wheat gluten from retail shelves. However, no other Del Monte Pet Products treats, biscuits or wet dog food products are impacted by this recall and no Del Monte dry cat food, dry dog food, wet cat food or pouched pet foods are subject to the recall.
The adulterated ingredients were used in limited production over the last three months, Del Monte says.
Del Monte Pet Products customers can visit the company’s website, http://www.delmonte.com/petfoodrecall.html, for a full list of recalled brands, or contact the company’s consumer hotline at (800) 949-3799 for further information about the recall and instructions on obtaining a full product refund.
Alpo customers can visit http://www.purina.com/Company/Press/2007/MightyDog.aspx for more information, including product codes of recalled dog food containers.
For all the latest updates regarding the dog food recall, visit www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/dog-food-recall-updates.aspx.