A now former employee of Platinum Pet Treats posted several videos on TikTok showing what he was required to do as part of his job. In one video he was instructed to remove the expiration date stickers on treats, replacing them with new expiration stickers (moving the expiration date well into the future). In another video he was instructed to open up packaged treats that were infested with bugs and bug feces, clean the treats, and place them into new bags.
After the videos received hundreds of thousands of views, Platinum Pet Treats posted a statement on their website claiming “The recent social media claims are not true.” But almost contradicting their ‘not true’ claim they also stated “Once we get more information from the manufacturer, we will release an additional statement.”
Not surprisingly – but unfortunately – the treat company fired the employee who posted the videos stating: “Unfortunately, Platinum Pet Treats was forced to part ways with the author on Monday the 17th prior to him posting his claims and prior to the company being made aware of the claims, solely for reasons related to work performance.”
Personal Statement: These videos were sent to me by several different pet owners, I was asked if I believed they were true. After watching them, in my opinion – they were true.
Over the years I’ve spoken with dozens of pet food/treat employees. Not management, the blue collar workers who actually make the products. In private, I’ve been told horror stories. These employees hated what they had to do as part of their job, they knew the grain was toxic or the ingredient was rancid – but they had no choice. Many people I’ve spoken with have gone to their supervisors with complaints about ingredient or product quality so many times, they were told if the complaints continued they would be fired.
I have such respect for those that risk everything to come forward like the employee (former employee) of Platinum Pet Treats. I thank you for your bravery. You saved pets lives by being a whistle blower.
Personal Request: The former employee of Platinum Pet Treats also posted a video stating he has heard from company lawyers, he was concerned he would be sued. In support of this whistle blower, please post on social media and/or even send Platinum Pet Treats a message – leave him alone.
Platinum Pets shared this email address in their public notice: legal@platinumpettreats.com.
Wishing you and your pet the best –
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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Rox
October 24, 2022 at 1:39 pm
Unfortunately whistleblower laws don’t protect an employee once that employee has terminated the employment – willingly or not. So this company firing the employee has not only exposed the employee to litigation (with the company of course having a much deeper pocket for litigation costs) but the employee having been fired for alleged “cause” will be ineligible for unemployment compensation. I just hope the employee back when first hired wasn’t forced to sign a confidentiality agreement which would really complicate things. I was a whistleblower from one job in my field, was fired on a bogus reason, and then blacklisted – never worked again in my field in my city. So it’s a very, very tough row to hoe and the fired employee MUST immediately lawyer up – retain counsel in an area nowhere geographically close to where the former employer is located!
Kim
October 24, 2022 at 2:36 pm
Funny, the products in Jim’s video’s are not currently available on Premium Pet Treats website.
Jo-Anne
October 24, 2022 at 3:33 pm
I wrote the company telling them to leave him alone.
Susan Thixton
October 24, 2022 at 3:41 pm
Thank you so much!
Christine
October 24, 2022 at 7:32 pm
I also wrote to the legal department email you provided and told them they were wrong to fire this guy for being a whistleblower and I find it disgusting that they are selling pet food that is bug infested and beyond the use-by date. I said they ought to have to eat their own company’s dog treats. I said that I would share this story with all my pet owner friends on social media and if this guy starts a go fund me page for legal costs I would contribute.
T Allen
October 24, 2022 at 4:15 pm
The company would be really foolish to sue him. Do you kow how much money he could raise in short order to hire and attorney and then file a class action lawsuit? The PR for this company has failed miserably. But on the positive side (not for James but hopefully he finds another job quickly) millions more people know what a disgusting industry pet food is.
Peter
October 24, 2022 at 6:55 pm
I agree, and that statement posted is awkwardly written and totally unconvincing.
Liz
October 24, 2022 at 6:23 pm
I wrote them. Let them know that we’re aware of their dishonest decisions. We will not support their suing honest employees.
debbie
October 24, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Email sent and your plea posted on my FB
Thank you for all that you do
Kathy
October 24, 2022 at 7:50 pm
Is it wishful thinking that the FDA (or whoever’s in charge) will do their job and pay an unscheduled visit to the company? I also sent an email but wondering who else we can we write to, to make sure this doesn’t get swept under the rug?
Susan Thixton
October 24, 2022 at 8:56 pm
You can write FDA – AskCVM@fda.hhs.gov. Illinois Department of Agriculture (the state where the company is located) – https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/About/Pages/ContactUs.aspx. For pet owners in Illinois – you can write your state government officials.
Diane
October 25, 2022 at 8:02 am
I sent them an email. This is disgusting. Thank you Susan for letting us know,
Concerned
October 25, 2022 at 10:59 am
This needs to get passed
https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/6409?r=7&s=1
Shown Here:
Introduced in House (09/13/2012)
Private Sector Whistleblower Protection Streamlining Act of 2012 – Sets forth whistleblower protections for private sector, state, and municipal employees who are retaliated or discriminated against by an employer for disclosing threats to public safety or violations of federal law. Authorizes a whistleblower who has been discharged or discriminated against by an employer to seek appropriate relief either by: (1) filing a complaint with the Secretary of Labor; or (2) bringing an action at law or equity in the appropriate U.S. district court.
Prohibits restrictions on whistleblowing and relief provided under this Act.
Establishes the Whistleblower Protection Office in the Department of Labor.
Makes conforming whistleblower amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, the federal criminal code with respect to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974.
Establishes in the Department of Labor an Administrative Review Board with jurisdiction and authority to decide appeals from administrative decisions and issue final agency decisions on behalf of the Secretary. Declares that this Board supersedes the one established by the Secretary pursuant to an administrative order.