From the trade publication Food Chemical News, Nancy Cook of the Pet Food Institute thinks “the 2,200 complaints of pet illnesses has to be viewed in context of the 79 million dogs in the United States that are fed two meals a day.” In other words, Ms. Cook of PFI thinks we need to focus on the numbers; not the dead pets. I wonder if Ms. Cook would dare say that to a pet owner whose dog died after eating the jerky treats?
I’ve been at AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) when Ms. Cook of Pet Food Instutite (PFI) has spoken up repeatedly – against consumer friendly issues. But this takes the cake. Defending her PFI interests in a recent trade publication (provided to me via Tony Corbo of Food and Water Watch – thank you Tony!) was crossing a line. Nancy Cook of PFI is quoted in this article stating “FDA is very concerned that these complaints continue, even though they reflect a very low number of occurrences when considering 79 million dogs.” Ms. Cook feels the 2,200 complaints of pet illnesses reported to FDA needs to be taken in context with the number of dogs in the U.S.
I think the Pet Food Institute needs to have a face to face with some pet owners. Defending your business interests might not be so priority if you actually met with some broken hearted families whose pets have been killed by pet food or pet treats. I think the PFI has lost touch with consumers, lost touch with the real reason there are commercial pet foods and treats. The real reason isn’t profit, the real reason is to feed dogs and cats healthy meals.
So, PFI…how about it? Meet with us. You name the time and place, and I’ll bring the pet owners.
Pet owners will bring pictures of their dead or permanently health damaged pets, they will bring vet records and vet bills, and they will bring their personal stories of how poorly they were treated (dismissed, threatened, mocked) by the companies your organization represents. What will you say to them?
It is nothing more than single-vision of the Pet Food Institute to dismiss the 2,200 complaints the FDA has received. It is nothing more than single-vision of the Pet Food Institute to dismiss the 360 dog deaths and 1 cat death FDA has received linked to the jerky treats. That single-vision is profit.
Meet with us. I double dog dare you to meet face to face with those that have paid the ultimate price. We’ll be waiting to hear from you. In the meantime Nancy Cook and others from PFI, watch this video on what jerky treats from China has done…
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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Glenn Beaver
January 25, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Face to face meetings with broken-hearted owners of poisoned pets won’t work, because PFI is concerned only with their corporate member’s profits. FDA is another industry promotion group, with no real concern for individual pets, nor people.