Concerned pet owners in Australia have obtained Orijen Pet Food import documents under Freedom of Information regulations. While these documents do not change the outcome for many pet owners in Australia, they do speak volumes.
Import documents show that Champion pet foods was informed that their dog foods and cat foods were required to be irradiated upon entrance into Australia. Furthermore, the Australian government advised Champion to contact a gamma irradiation facility if they have any questions regarding the effects of irradiation on their foods (page 52 of PDF linked below). This document was dated July 30, 2007 (one year prior to importation).
Page 54, dated August 6, 2007 states the manufacturer (Champion Pet Foods) agrees to have the pet food irradiated.
Early statements from Champion Pet Foods (post recall in Australia), stated Champion was not aware of Australian requirements to irradiate their pet foods; subsequent statements did not make this claim.
Australian pet owners remain angry. They remain vigilant to holding Champion accountable for the deaths and illness of their pets. As well, they remain vigilant in making changes with Australian import and pet food regulations.
Keep up the good work Australia! We all must continue to hold our government and pet food manufacturers accountable for pet food safety; more letters to decision makers and more public awareness of the ‘truth’.
Should you wish to read more of the documents related to Champion Pet Foods and the Australian recall, links are provided below.
FOI Documents http://www.filefactory.com/file/ahh0aa0/n/2_Orijen_irradiation_Docs_released_under_FOI_pdf (click on ‘Free Download’)
More FOI Documents http://www.filefactory.com/file/ahhh99a/n/3_Formal_review_responses_to_questions_pdf (click on ‘Free Download’)
Champion Pet Food Release http://www.championpetfoods.com/Australia_Consumer_Release_Mar10.pdf
Champion Pet Food Release (see page 3 Item 1) Click Here
Itchmo Forum Post by Champion Pet Food Representative http://itchmoforums.com/news-recall-related/problems-with-orijen-in-australia-t6985.225.html
