Pet Food Regulations

Madder than a Wet Hen

Approximately six weeks ago, I wrote the Inspector General’s office in Washington D.C. regarding the FDA allowing some pet foods to violate Federal law. My second follow up call to them has left me very angry.

Susan Thixton

Published

January 25, 2009

In November 2008, supporters of this website and myself wrote our Congressional Representatives in Washington to alert them to the FDA allowing some pet food manufacturers to violate laws within the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Each letter provided undeniable evidence to the Representative; yet not one Congressman/woman acknowledged the FDA crime. Furthermore, many of their responses bragged to their constituent about their work in Congress. However, once again, not one Representative addressed the content of the letter sent to them; it almost seemed like they didn’t even read it.

Down, but not out, I called the Inspector Generals Office in Washington D.C. I was instructed to send a detailed letter to Inspector General Daniel Levinson; the letter was mailed mid December 2008. Mr. Levinson’s letter was almost word for word, the very same letter that was sent to Congress from pet owners all across the U.S. You can read the letter here: https://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/143/1/Example-letter-to-Congress-/Page1.html. In early January I called the Inspector Generals office to follow up. I was told my letter would be sent to the FDA and I would be provided with their response. On my second follow up call, today (1/22/09), I was told I would NOT receive any response from the FDA, I would NOT be advised if the Inspector Generals office was planning to investigate, and I was told I would NOT be informed if they received my letter and/or just threw it in the garbage.

I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing. I reiterated what she (Robin) told me back in question form; “Are you telling me that I can’t get any information about my complaint? You can’t tell me if you received my letter, if you threw it in the garbage, or if you are going to investigate the evidence I provided?” Yes, I hear her correctly the first time; I would be provided with nothing.

I attempted to explain that I felt this was very unfair and in contradiction to what I was told on a previous call. I also shared that the issue I brought to the attention of the Inspector General is nothing frivolous; I explained to her this was an issue of the FDA allowing Federal Law to be violated; I explained there was undeniable evidence provided. She didn’t care. She told me any information she provided me might interfere with an investigation; IF they were doing an investigation, which again she stated she wouldn’t tell me.

So, here we are again; at square one. Congress, whose responsibility is to oversee the FDA, doesn’t seem to care that the FDA violates Federal law allowing the health of pets to be at risk. The Inspector General’s office, which has the responsibility to oversee all divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services (including the FDA) are abiding by Federal law, either doesn’t care that Federal law is being violated with pet food or won’t tell us if they are bothering to do anything about it.

I completely understand there are many pertinent issues that need to be addressed by Congress and more than likely the Inspector Generals Office too. However, regardless of how many other pertinent issues that need to be investigated, the FDA allowing Federal law to be violated should be of no less importance than (just about) any other issue. However, because it’s pet food, it continues to get brushed under the table. Because it’s pet food, nobody seems to care. That leaves me feeling madder than a wet hen.

Pet food should be protected under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Food is clearly defined by Federal law as anything consumed by “man or animal”. Prohibited ‘food’ is clearly defined by Federal law as any food that contains even the tiniest piece of a diseased animal or an animal that has died other than by slaughter. The FDA website provides a wealth of pages admitting diseased and euthanized animals are included in pet food.

Because it’s pet food, no one of authority seems to care.

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
PetsumerReport.com

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