previous dog food recalls

Those two companies were involved in the same recall and the class-action lawsuits which followed.
 
During the Canadian Mad Cow scare a couple of years ago, Canadian pet food companies were banned from importing their foods to the U.S. So Petcurean (makers of Go Natural) contracted with Merrick to make their food.  Animals became sick, some died, and a recall and lawsuits followed.
 
While Petcurean admitted a problem and kept customers up-to-date and said that they would never use that Texas company again, Merrick kept very silent.
 
Because of their actions and lack of communications with the consumer, I would never feed Merrick even if it was offered free.

Thanks for the info. I knew these foods were recalled but I didn't know any details. Thats a shame---I was really interested in the GO Natural Salmon and Oatmeal formula becuase it looks like it would be great for allergies and really healthy. But now I guess I shouldn't risk it....

I work for a company that distributes Merrick. They have made alot of changes recently.

I use the food myself and have not had a problem since they made the changes.

What was the deal with Merrick? I ask because I got a big sample bag of the "puppy plate" by Merrick and my pup likes it alot....

When Merrick first came out with their dry food, they put holes in the bags to prevent moisture from causing mold.  Well, it made the dog food stale, which destroyed the paletability.  They also used chicken fat as their fat source, which is great if the main protien source is also chicken, but in their Wilderness Blend and Cowboy Cookout formulas it is not chicken and, therefore, caused all sorts of tummy upsets.  Now the company vacume seals the bags instead of poking holes and uses conola oil as the main fat source in all the formulas, which is also a bloat preventative.

From my experience, when I first tried Merrick 2 years ago, my dog didn't like it and from working at a pet supplies store it was getting returned alot because dogs didn't like it and in some cases made the dog sick.  I recently tried it again after I found out they made changes and now my dog loves it and no tummy issues.

I'm just not crazy about Merrick's history.  In 2003, their treats were recalled due to salmonella.  In 2004, the food they produced in their Texas plant for Petcurean caused some pets to get sick or die.  Also, a subsidiary of Merrick is one of the largest pick-up and disposal services for 4D animals in the state of Texas.  Even their canned food is suspect.  Members of this and other dog boards have reported finding foreign objects (shipping staples, pieces of plastic, etc.) in their canned foods.  Note that their Wingaling canned food was recalled this past April.

There are so many other great foods out there with much better quality control histories than Merrick - why would anyone want to take the chance? (even if they do say that they have made changes).  It's not like they are the only food on the market!

Well, I'm the one that found the shipping staple in one can and a piece of plastic in another. 

You know what happened, I found the plastic first and called and gave them the benefit of the doubt.  I thought after speaking with them that they really cared and were going to look into it.  They did offer me free food but I just wanted to make sure it didn't keep happening.

Then very soon after I opened another can and found the shipping staple.  At that point, I was very upset and concerned.  A little plastic is unacceptable but a shipping staple could of killed or required surgery to remove if she had eaten that. 

They again took all the information and seemed very concerned.  Well, after all was said and done, they did nothing.  They didn't even contact me back.  I called a few times to "remind" them that they were supposed to get back to me and they never did.  I even sent them the objects I had found at their request, but still nothing. 

That's when I decided she'll never get Merrick again, not even the treats.  I find something that could potentially kill my dog, my absolute love, and they don't even get back to me?? 

I don't care what they put in their food or how nice the names of the formulas are, they'll never get me back.  And, my friends and family and any client I can get to listen are all not feeding it either.  The "changes" and I'm not sure I even believe them after my experience, are too little, too late.

willowchow---eek that is not good.  I can def. see why you chose never to give them business anymore.  I may purchase a bag of the puppy plate to mix with the Royal Canin after I finish this sample bag since he seems to like it so much (although he eats both together, which is rare, but a good thing).  I will definately be weary though!

Is Go Natural better than Merrick?? Like I said, both are at my  feedstore so it would be convenient, but I won't buy a food that is considered unsafe to my baby.