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Dramatic Shift

In the eight years I have devoted (full time) to the advocacy of pet food consumers, this week has proven to be the most dramatic shift in acceptance of the petsumer voice I’ve ever seen. Pat yourselves on the back, we’ve just made some great strides.

In the eight years I have devoted (full time) to the advocacy of pet food consumers, this week has proven to be the most dramatic shift in acceptance of the petsumer voice I’ve ever seen.  Pat yourselves on the back, we’ve just made some great strides.

As all of you who have followed this website for very long know, I have fought for a voice for the pet food consumer with regulatory authorities.  Several years ago, my screams for petsumer representation were joined by ally Mollie Morrissette.  In early 2013, we established our petsumer stakeholder association – Association for Truth in Pet Food – and the changes since that move (our association) have been dramatic.

In July 2013, we were notified by AAFCO President Tim Darden that Association for Truth in Pet Food would be provided advisory positions to AAFCO’s Pet Food Committee and Ingredient Definitions Committee.  This advisory position was a hard fought battle, but our voice was finally heard.

But this week – actually within the last four days – we have made even greater strides forward.  The FDA contacted us (Association for Truth in Pet Food) three times in the last four days to keep our association involved.

  • Tuesday, October 22 we received a call from FDA’s Dr. Dan McChesney (Director, Office of Surveillance and Compliance, Center for Veterinary Medicine) giving us “heads up” of the soon to be announced jerky treat investigation update.  Later that same day Dr. McChesney graciously accepted our call and answered further questions.
  • And this morning, October 25, the FDA invited us to participate in a conference call regarding the above proposed rules.

I have to admit – I’m floored.  Thrilled actually.  We have a long way to go, but the door has finally been opened.

This ‘acceptance’ from regulatory authorities is due – I believe – to all of you!  Your determination to spread the word, share posts, post comments, tell your neighbor, and more – has worked.  We ARE being heard.

THANK YOU!  THANK YOU to all of our Association members!  We have many battles in front of us, but we are making headway – enjoy the victory.

If you have not joined our consumer association – please give it consideration.  Your support helps a great deal.  Click Here to join.

 

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible

What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
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64 Comments

64 Comments

  1. Lynne Fowler

    October 25, 2013 at 12:13 pm

    WOW! Great news and Congratulations. I am so glad they are finally listening. Thank you, Susan for NEVER giving up!

  2. Mary Huber

    October 25, 2013 at 12:18 pm

    Susan, all praise and credit goes to YOU! Without your persistence, none of this would have come about. You have earned the eternal gratitude of gazillions of pets and their guardians.

    ~~ Mary Huber, Raleigh Wood Huber, and Shep Huber, our two elderly rescued Border Collies who are doing VERY well on the food you recommend as safe and wholesome!

  3. Janet Velenovsky

    October 25, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    Fantastic news, Susan! Thank you for your hard work!!

  4. The Dogma Online

    October 25, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    Susan, we congratulate you for all your hard work! Thank you!

  5. Dawn

    October 25, 2013 at 12:34 pm

    Thank you Susan! This is great news. 🙂

  6. Greg

    October 25, 2013 at 12:34 pm

    Wow, Susan, that is just incredible! Thank you again, as always, for all your hard work and tireless devotion to this cause that touches us all!!

  7. Cris Ballenger

    October 25, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    Congratulations! That is fantastic news.

  8. Jaimy

    October 25, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    Thank you, Susan, you are going to make big changes happen and maybe finally, we can breathe a sigh of relief
    knowing our pets are fed safe & nutritious foods someday !

  9. Lynn Haughwout

    October 25, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    Thank you Susan

  10. Laurie Matson

    October 25, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    Susan, you and Mollie deserve many congratulations!!! This is indeed such good news after many, many long years of effort!!! Thank you so much!!!

  11. Lanette Ramey

    October 25, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    Awesome new Susan! All of this due to your hard work and the work of Mollie and others supporting you. Thank you for being a voice for all our four legged kids!

  12. Lynn Evan

    October 25, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    Yes, we’ve shared and commented and passed along the news but we would never have been able to do so without all YOUR hard work and dedication. Thank you so much, Lynn and “the girls”

  13. Rose Studdard

    October 25, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    I could not be happier for you. You have really put your blood sweat and tears into a cause that needed you. With your guidence we can put our collective voices into a mighty “ROAR”

  14. Brad Nicholson

    October 25, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    On behalf of our Kiddo and Dinah-Mite Dawgs, I would like to thank you and Mollie for all you have done! Our little Kiddo did get sick from the chicken jerky treats twice, but we were fortunate, thanks to you, to learn about the problem before something worse happened. We now make our own dog food and dried chicken jerky.

  15. Susan Thixton

    October 25, 2013 at 1:04 pm

    Thank you everyone for your kind words…this is team work. We are one determined team – I’m proud of all of us.

  16. Regina

    October 25, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    Thank you Susan!!!!!

    You deserve so much credit for this. You are a force to be reckoned with, and this is giving me hope that there will be changes on the pet food “industry”

    Let’s hope this leads to more involvement by folks like you who actually are in it for the sake of the animals, not just the money.

    Thank you Susan, and thank you to all of Susan’s supporters for providing the momentum to get this far.

  17. Wendy

    October 25, 2013 at 1:07 pm

    WOW!!! Huge thank you’s to you Susan!!!

  18. Mollie Morrissette

    October 25, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    Yeah, it was great. I was honored to be asked to participate. It is a wonderful feeling to know you are being heard.

    Susan and I are pretty proud of ourselves. And, it goes without saying that are grateful to be given a seat at the table and honored to represent the many pet parents who have suffered the tragic loss of a pet due to a foodborne disease.

    It is because of you that we continue this work.

    With all the heavy hitters at the table, I was pleased to hear the first question addressed to Dr. McChesney (from Tony Corbo of Food and Water Watch) ask about a topic close to our hearts: Pet jerky treats and their relationship between allergy to drug residues (hypersensitivity to antibiotics).

    Naturally, I forced the issue as well. We will leave our comments regarding this issue on the FDA page and we urge you to do the same!

    We have 120 days to let the FDA know exactly what we think about the proposed rules, so here’s your chance follks – you too can be heard.

    • Shirley McGuire

      October 27, 2013 at 9:16 am

      Wonderful! Just goes to show you when “We The People”..get involved to right the wrongdoing that has been able to go one for so long!
      I think everyone is fed up with the bloated systems and the jobs they are being paid to do but don’t!
      Now, if we could just get the government to cut the fat….!!!

  19. DC

    October 25, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    Thank you Susan and Mollie, for your courage and tenacity to relentlessly pursue the issue of pet food safety. Keep up the great work! It is so needed!

  20. Leilani

    October 25, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    Congratulations and thanks from all the animals you have helped by bringing to the foreground the need for transparency in the manufacturing, marketing, etc., of ‘pet’ food. You have expended a great deal of time, money and your life in protecting our animals. Thank you very much. I am proud to be a member of this ‘elite’ club for animal welfare.

  21. Lisette

    October 25, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    I’m so thrilled to hear about this! Amazing. Thank you so much for your continued efforts. Because of you I was able to teach a veterinarian about my dog’s illness due to Chinese chicken jerky a few years ago. He was completely out of the loop with the news of pets getting sick and dying. Go figure, right?

    I can’t wait to see how far your influence will go!

    • Laurie Matson

      October 25, 2013 at 2:32 pm

      If the FDA had properly notified all Veterinarian’s years ago he would have known ahead of time!!!

  22. Ann Vanderlaan

    October 25, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    While I wholeheartedly support and share your advocacy, I’m concerned that the new FDA openness is spurred more by the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms off of the factory farm reservation and into the general population than any “I give a $shit” about companion animals. Recycling of ‘downers’ is dangerous business I’m thinking.

  23. Asher Wilson

    October 25, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    We love our pets. They are family. And you are looking out for that family. Kudos to you personally. We will get this right eventually but only through political power and your continuing appeal to “the better angels of our nature.”

    Best

    Asher

  24. Donna Shuford

    October 25, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    Congratulations! Even thought I now feed by cooking for my pets, I am glad a small door has opened for other owners.

  25. BC

    October 25, 2013 at 2:20 pm

    Super news- you have a seat at the table- stay ever vigilant – and don’t be co-opted!!
    Check out the Delphi technique for further help in recognizing co-scription techniques. The Delphi Technique was perfected by the Rand Corp. enough said.

  26. Joye

    October 25, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    Susan and Mollie….way to GO!! And thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

    Love and big hugs,
    Joye, Anna, Jake, Cate, Bubba, Marco, Polo, PattyCake, Bingo, Jack, Isabelle, Lily, Chloe, Nikki, Davy, Ricky, Sweetie Pie

  27. Kerri Wagner

    October 25, 2013 at 2:30 pm

    Thank you so much Susan for helping us and our doggies!

  28. Yvonne McGehee

    October 25, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    So good to hear of the positive results from your many years of work and dedication; you go girls! A big rousing thank you from all of us.

  29. Sandra Short

    October 25, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    Thank you Susan and Mollie!!! I’ve been following you since you started and it’s been such an uphill battle but you guys never give up. You give us all hope. Thank you a million times and then some! Sandy and Libby

  30. Felicia Dale

    October 25, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    This is GREAT news! Keep up the great work! Thank you so much for all you do- and our pets thank you, too!

  31. Susan

    October 25, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    So happy to hear this news… it bought tears to my eyes. Congratulations!

  32. Gloria

    October 25, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    Susan – of course you’re in shock! You’ve been in battle for so long and seeing little to no results – yet you have fought on – perhaps not expecting good results, only hoping for them after so much rejection – so WHEN something like this happens you want to pinch yourself hoping you’re not dreaming.

    The radio news, this morning (FRiday 10/25/13) brought the good news about the FDA and the new rules for safe food for animals. Guess who I immediately though of – YOU!

    WOW! Congratulations – you deserve the recognition for all the work you are doing on behalf of all our beloved animals and us, the caregivers.! I hope you CELEBRATE!

  33. Deb

    October 25, 2013 at 3:42 pm

    Congratulations, this is wonderful news. Thank you for all that you do.

  34. Lee

    October 25, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    Congrats & thanx to Susan, Mollie & your amazing team. I, too, have shared your links w friends & family & all are grateful. As a new ‘Dog Person’ (Gracie is 5 now),I got your weblink from our groomer/ ’boutique’ in Lafayette, Colo. What a help you’ve been. I also subscribe to ASPCA emails & today, they shared the FDA News that you’ve been the Leader of the Pack on! Also – I wonder if THEY (ASPCA)are on your list, since they, too, should be as well informed as we are. Thanks to you, we now have an inexpensive dehydrator to make Gracie’s treats. (She’s a BIG jerky fan, so we had little choice.) DEFINITELY no ‘made in China’ at our house. Gracie thanks you

  35. Barbara S

    October 25, 2013 at 4:09 pm

    Congratulations! A hard fought battle but well worth it for you and all of us and our beloved pets!

  36. Nancy

    October 25, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    While I have always wholeheartedly supported your efforts… I am a bit concerned that this new legislation may have an ulterior motive.
    For instance I like a local raw food supplier MyPetCarnivore and have used them for years now to purchase items for my two pups. Question is how will these new requirements affect my right to chose whole raw foods for and the little guy local supplier that doesn’t have a full time attorney on staff. I don’t want to see something stating that meat has to be denatured or cooked before it can be sold and I don’t want my only choice to be mass produced kibble.

  37. lynn

    October 25, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    susan,
    YOU! did it! wonderful news

  38. caroline

    October 25, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    all support work needs a good leader and you sure fit the bill –to get a call from the FDA is like a MIRACLE -you have done so much for so many and lots of them cant talk -but they bark and meow THANKS TO ALL -WE LOVE OUR HELPERS –just makes me worry -about the FOOD WE EAT and worst of all the food I FEED TO MY PETS –I can check out things and be carefull -the pets have to TRUST and that’s hard to deal with –you help us so much —just to know its got to work finally —great news –good job –caroline and buddy (dog) and judy and pookie (cats) —–

  39. Gitta

    October 25, 2013 at 5:52 pm

    What a great milestone!

    Take a moment to let it sink in, to be proud, to run a victory lap around your neighborhood.

  40. CSollersa

    October 25, 2013 at 6:03 pm

    Congratulations and thanks for all of your untiring efforts for the good of our family members.

  41. Jeanette

    October 25, 2013 at 9:32 pm

    Congrats & many thanks!!! Maybe you can get down to the bottom why my cats turn up their noses at canned cat food? Most of them… What the heck is in it? Surely nothing good & tasty to eat. They usually like the gravy though.

  42. Lucy Rasmussen

    October 25, 2013 at 10:03 pm

    Susan, this is long overdue. You have been a tireless advocate for our furry families for so long. You have no idea how much your dedication is appreciated by all! Good going! Congratulations. They are lucky to have your input!

  43. Lynn Utecht

    October 25, 2013 at 11:41 pm

    Way to go!
    But—- I am concerned also. I just heard the announcement on the news. Very vague… FDA wants petfood to be safe…does that mean no more downer cows, drug euthanised rendered animals…
    I just don’t trust the FDA…..

  44. Susan

    October 25, 2013 at 11:56 pm

    Truly amazing – thank you *so much* for your untiring efforts to keep our critters healthy!!!

  45. K.Tanabe DVM

    October 26, 2013 at 1:55 am

    Susan and Mollie,

    Thank you very much for working for our beloved animals at all times.
    We are supporting your activities from the opposite side of the globe.

    I have already translated this posting on great shift into Japanese on my website, Truth about Pet Food. jp.

    Mollie, Thank you very much for supporting Susan there.

    • Mollie Morrissette

      October 26, 2013 at 10:14 am

      You are so welcome. We are honored to have you as a member!

  46. carole henry

    October 26, 2013 at 6:06 am

    You have been a true thorn in their sides for years and more and more people are aware of what is in their dogs food ONLY due to you.

    Never forget that they are a multi billion dollar money making business’ They also control those gov. agencys that are suppose to look out for the public.

    What is the best way to deal with the opposition? Made them your best friend and they will be more unlikely to object to the little things that are wrong and then to the big things. This is human nature.

    BEWARE you WILL be in the lions den.

  47. Pacific Sun

    October 26, 2013 at 6:09 am

    “In early 2013, we established our petsumer stakeholder association – Association for Truth in Pet Food – and the changes since that move (our association) have been dramatic.” This was such a smart move!! In another article (maybe regarding Wysong and the Pledge) you said, this is no longer about an individual crusader and a fanatical cause, these demands and expectations for transparency represent the ASSOCIATION for Truth About Pet Food. With this declaration of a formalized base you’ve promoted the cause into being a conscientious for change!! What could be scarier for these companies than realizing individuals are UNITING with a voice and (worse) action! Bravo Susan!!! Thank you for protecting the health and safety of our companions!

    • Pacific Sun

      October 26, 2013 at 12:24 pm

      …of course that should be “consensus” for change … not conscientious

  48. Maria

    October 26, 2013 at 7:03 am

    Awesome news Susan, Cathy and Mollie !!!

  49. B Dawson

    October 26, 2013 at 11:15 am

    The FSMA has major issues when it comes to small and/or organic farmers. The proposed regulations are burdensome and will either push up the cost of food from small farmers or push them out of business – these are the ones who are now reliable and producing nutritious food.

    See this link from Organic Gardening magazine: http://writetofarm.com/2013/10/02/fsma-rules-unfair-to-farmers-bad-for-public-health/

    I fear the same will happen with the pet food industry. The small respectable companies will face costly regulation while the larger producers will once again find unpalatable ways around the rules, such as chemical or irradiated methods of “sterilization” to remove the offending bacteria. Remember that this “safety” update for pet food is driven more because people may become sick handling the pet food rather than the animals. From the NYT: “The regulation would help prevent food-borne illness in both animals and people, officials at the agency said, as people can become sick from handling contaminated animal food and from touching pets that have eaten it.” Great, now we’re supposed to be worried about touching our pets?

    I admit that I haven’t read the entire proposal yet, but it seems to not address the issue of chemical contamination (the reason for the Great Pet Food Recall of 2007) and it absolutely fails to address antibiotics in feed. Again from the NYT: “The proposal does not address the use of antibiotics given to animals, sometimes in feed. Public health advocates warn that the practice is contributing to dangerous levels of antibiotic resistance in humans.” There also seems to be very little about supply source documentation. Remember that “US sourced” can mean bought from a US distributor who imported the raw ingredients – a favorite word game played by the big manufacturers.

    While the invite to the conference call will provide pet food advocates with some input and should be celebrated, I remain skeptical that much will come of it. This is simply a case of “keep your friends close and your enemies closer”.

  50. Jacque

    October 26, 2013 at 12:10 pm

    Congratulations and thank you! You have accomplished something that surprises all of us…keep up the good work and representation of pets everywhere!

  51. Jay Smith

    October 26, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    Just finished a quick scan of the draft of the proposed new rules. A few immediate concerns stand out:

    1) There are several areas of proposed rule changes that differ from the standards in place for human food chain safety, such as a requirement that foods be handled in a way that removes or greatly minimizes the potential for allergen cross-contamination. Seems like this is as just as — or moreso — important for pets as humans, and differences like these should be identified, scrutinized and minimized. If this is too much of a burden for farm animal feed, create a separate rule (or set of rules) for dog & cat foods (see 3, below);

    2) The rules appear to be very carefully worded to exclude any new requirement that IMPORTERS of food from offshore hold responsibility to ensure that he facility with which they contract offshore has food safety, inspection, hazard control, and record-keeping in place. The FDA cannot regulate those FOREIGN entities, but the IMPORTERS can require their suppliers to comply contractually, and the FDA can require the IMPORTERS to do so;

    3) These rules still (ridiculously) lump domestic dog & cat food together with farm, ranch and other animal feed. This may be a good chance to nudge strongly toward a standard specific to domestic pet foods.

    (more as I read.)

    • Laurie Matson

      October 26, 2013 at 3:18 pm

      After reading all the comments from various people about this new FDA ruling, I am getting a bit suspicious as well. Keep your guard up Susan and Mollie. It sounds almost too good to be true. I know you guys know what your doing though, and even if the FDA is pulling a fast one on you guys, they are pulling it on the wrong two people!!! If there is a rat, you guys will be the first to smell it!!! Thank you for all you do!!! 🙂

    • Pacific Sun

      October 26, 2013 at 5:31 pm

      Questions. 11) Since this appears to be “proposed” new legislation who will be allowed imput to make modifications? How can we as the TAPF Association make an impact? 2) How much of this is an improvement of existing? 3) Is the bullet point regarding “Imported Food Safety” at all worthwhile? 4) How could the Association campaign for a separation between Animal/Lifestock Feed and Domestic Animal (companion dog & cat) Feed? Or, is this where the PFI has us over a barrel??
      ____________________________________________
      From: http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm237934.htm

      Imported Food Safety

      The legislation provides significant enhancements to FDA’s ability to achieve greater oversight of the millions of food products coming into the United States from other countries each year. An estimated 15 percent of the U.S. food supply is imported, including 60 percent of fresh fruits and vegetables and 80 percent of seafood.

      More specifically, relative to import food safety, the legislation:

      requires importers to perform supplier verification activities to ensure imported food is safe
      authorizes FDA to refuse admission to imported food if the foreign facility or country refuses to allow an FDA inspection
      authorizes FDA to require certification, based on risk criteria, that the imported food is in compliance with food safety requirements
      provides an incentive for importers to take additional food safety measures by directing FDA to establish a voluntary program through which imports may receive expedited review of their shipments if the importer has taken certain measures to assure the safety of the food (.)
      _____________________________________________

      New Bullet Point:

      For the first time, FDA will have mandatory recall authority for all food products. While FDA expects that it will only need to invoke this authority infrequently since the food industry is largely compliant with FDA’s requests for voluntary recalls, this new authority is a critical improvement in FDA’s ability to protect the public health.

      • Laurie Matson

        October 26, 2013 at 6:40 pm

        Does this mean the FDA can recall Chicken Jerky Treats without a found contaminent? Because of so many sick and dead dogs?

  52. elaine

    October 26, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    I heard about it on the news last night. I was shocked and extremely happy. I haven’t read the new rules but did hear a bit of them. I hope they help our pets. I would think it’s a huge step in the right direction!

  53. elaine

    October 26, 2013 at 4:13 pm

    I meant to add~ I immediately thought of you Susan and how hard you have worked for this. Thank you. Also thank you to Mollie. You both have saved many pet’s lives.

  54. Patrick Doyle

    October 27, 2013 at 9:33 am

    Congratulations Susan and Mollie! Well deserved and we can all feel better about the direction things are taking now that the FDA has finally started to listen to you!

  55. Mitzy

    November 19, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    Wow, fantastic, congratulations! I just learned about this site but I’m passing it along to other pet people I know. I actually work for one of the pet food companies that has recently become highly questionable (due to being bought out and hence lowering standards) but hope to exit as soon as I can. Carry on folks – great work!

    • Pacific Sun

      November 21, 2013 at 12:37 am

      I am fascinated whenever an Industry insider participates on the forum. Thank you so much for being open minded and willing to share the info. Also am curious. Speaking in generalized terms only, (for example) are Industry employees bound by “non-disclosure” contracts? Are they applicable to all staff, or does it depend upon level of responsibility? Do they have a fear of becomming unemployable if they speak about the business, much like those employed on certain classified military projects? Just wondering …

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