Another recall

New Topic

Posted : 9/22/2008 1:15:29 PM

ron2
It's not even on their site, anymore.

I just checked and the large breed lamb and rice puppy isn't there anymore either. This may explain why they're not available;

http://www.nutroproducts.com/quality_facts.html;

Q: Why are some NUTRO™ products unavailable?

A: Our ongoing commitment to high standards for product quality has created some temporary difficulty regarding availability of key ingredients. However, we feel that it is critical that we maintain our standards for product quality and performance. The temporary availability issues that Nutro™ has experienced with certain products are operational in nature, not-quality related.

We are continuing to work with suppliers in New Zealand and in the U.S. to increase availability of key ingredients to Nutro™. We have already secured additional, high-quality supply sources of most raw materials, and are currently working with suppliers in New Zealand and in the U.S. to establish an additional supply of lamb meal.

It looks like I was wrong about the rice gluten and Glenda and Becca are correct.

Also, on the same page, Nutro addresses some of the charges and concerns circulating on the internet;

Q:

I've heard reports that Nutro products contain potentially harmful levels of copper and zinc. Is this true?

Aq:

NUTRO™ products are safe and conform to the standards set by the FDA, USDA and AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials). The claims regarding the safety of Nutro pet food in a recent report posted on the Pet Food Product Safety Alliance website are unfounded.

In order for a food to provide all the essential nutrition for a pet, it must exceed the minimum requirements for all essential nutrients. AAFCO has established Nutrient Profiles which identify these minimum dietary levels for all essential nutrients in canine pet food products.

Specifically, these guidelines indicate that pet foods formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of dogs contain no less than 120 mg/kg dry matter and no more than 1,000 mg/kg dry matter of zinc in order to ensure that the requirements for zinc in dogs are met. Based on these guidelines, the 260- 400 mg/kg diet levels of Zinc found in Nutro™ Natural Choice Chicken, Meal, Rice and Oatmeal Formula (which converts to approximately 288-444 mg/kg dry matter) are well within AAFCO recommended levels. Like zinc, levels of copper in Nutro are necessarily above the minimum AAFCO requirements and do not exceed maximum requirements; they are well within recommended levels.

Q:

I read a posting on ConsumerAffairs.com which provided specific examples of dogs that experienced health issues from eating Nutro™ products. Is this true?

A:

ConsumerAffairs.com is a self-described “independent Web-based consumer news and resource center,” not affiliated with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission or Consumer Reports.

ConsumerAffairs.com has posted an August 6 update to their June 23 posting regarding NUTRO™ pet foods. The most notable information in the posting, and the subject of its title, "Expert Finds Unexplained Pet Deaths 'Not Consistent,'" are the findings of Dr. Steven Hansen, a veterinary toxicologist at the ASPCA. Dr. Hansen conducted an in-depth review of the complaints against Nutro and concluded that the complaints appear to be random, non-pet food related health issues.

Every NUTRO™ product that was analyzed in relation to the June 23 posting on ConsumerAffairs.com has been shown to be safe. It should be noted that in some of these cases outside sources have provided clear verification that NUTRO™ products were NOT the cause of any pet health issues. In others, NUTRO™ has taken active steps to address pet owners' concerns and determine the cause of pet health issues. We've either spoken with or left multiple messages for all of the consumers cited in the June 23 posting. Our findings agree with Dr. Hansen’s; there is nothing that indicates that these pet health issues were caused by NUTRO™ pet foods.

ron2

Posted : 9/22/2008 6:56:32 PM

Thanks for sharing that.

As I have said, I have no special affiliation for Nutro. It's just that the formula I was feeding did great for him. And I'm a stickler for not messing with something if it's working just fine. I get update notifications for my os software and decline them all the time. "Improvements" are not always improvements. And maybe that's because we didn't have a good experience the one time I changed brands and type of food. Nothing against that other fine food, it just didnt' work for us and I got gun-shy about it. Of course, if I had been homecooking all along, it wouldn't really matter too much. But, like others, I would want to maintain kibble in the rotation so that he would be used to eating it for occasions, such as when we're out of town, when I wouldn't be able to fix it, though we have a neighbor check on him when we're gone for a few days.

Some may think I am bad but he is happier and better off in the yard. Kennels literally frighten the crap out of him. The problem is, he won't eat except in my presence. Other than some treats from DW, now and then. So, we can't just leave filet mignon au gratin on the patio. But I have filled his bowl before we left and it is still full, save a few bites, literally, when we get back. Once we are back and he's sniffed everywhere I've been, then he dives in. True to the breed trait, he is group or pack oriented.

Thanks for the wonderful advice and I'll figure out what we're going to do, somehow. I'm wondering why I have received an email back from EP, yet.

chelsea_b

Posted : 9/22/2008 8:00:13 PM

ron2
I don't think 5 years old is senior, just yet,

Geesh, I was gonna say.. Cherokee's TEN and I just barely consider her a senior...