Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Pet Food News

What Was Behind the AVMA Policy?

Many if not most pet owners believe the AVMA Policy against the feeding of raw pet foods was biased. The big elephant in the room – which AVMA has thus far ignored, is why did the AVMA policy – which is based on risk to pets and humans – exclude the only type of pet food confirmed by the Centers for Disease control to be the cause of human illness…kibble? Request for explanation from AVMA.

Many if not most pet owners believe the AVMA Policy against the feeding of raw pet foods was biased.  The big elephant in the room – which AVMA has thus far ignored, is why did the AVMA policy – which is based on risk to pets and humans – exclude the only type of pet food confirmed by the Centers for Disease control to be the cause of human illness…kibble?   Request for explanation from AVMA.

The following request for information was sent to AVMA via their website contact form and directly to the Assistant Director of Media Relations on 8/13/2012.

Subject:  House of Delegates Resolution 5 Raw Animal-Source Protein Policy

This is a request for explanation of your recently approved Resolution 5 Animal-Source Protein Policy.  Specifically, on behalf of thousands of pet owners, I am requesting AVMA explanation as to why Resolution 5 excluded a warning – “to mitigate public health risks” – of “nutritionally balanced and complete commercially prepared” kibble pet foods; the ONLY pet food linked to human illness per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As you must be aware, the recent Diamond Pet Food manufacturing facility – a cooked/kibble pet food facility – experienced a significant pet food recall involving numerous brands of kibble dog and cat foods.  This recall resulted in 49 confirmed human cases of Salmonella Infantis linked to kibble pet food manufactured at Diamond’s Gaston, South Carolina plant.  To date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have no confirmed cases of human illness linked to raw pet foods.

You must be aware that many thousands of pet owners feel the Resolution 5 AVMA policy – excluding the only confirmed type of pet food linked to human illness – appears to be biased.   You must be aware that a Purina Pet Foods executive sat on the board at Delta Society when their policy was approved, and you must be aware that thousands of pet food consumers believe this AVMA policy is linked to AVMA partnerships with large kibble manufacturers.

And lastly, you must be aware that your actions – approving a policy singling out one style of pet food – has caused massive consumer distrust of the AVMA and in turn member practicing veterinarians from thousands of pet owners.  Many pet owners are seeking out veterinarians that are not a member of AVMA as a result of your newly approved Resolution 5.

As a representative of pet food consumers – consumers that purchase kibble, can, fresh and raw pet foods – we are aware of the science linking all types of pet foods to dangerous pathogens.  We face many challenges when selecting a pet food for our beloved family members – dangerous pathogens is only one of our struggles.  However the fact remains, despite hundreds of studies, only kibble pet foods have a confirmed connection to human illness thus far.

To be painfully honest and by no means intended to show disrespect to AVMA, thousands of pet owners believe AVMA Resolution 5 was “bought” – paid for by donations/partnerships to AVMA.  We are asking for clarification/explanation.  Why did Resolution 5 exclude all other types of pet foods?  Why didn’t Resolution 5 address the “public health risks” of the only type of pet food confirmed linked to human illness – kibble?

This request is a sincere plea to open communication between AVMA and thousands of raw pet food supporters.  Pet owners deserve full explanation from AVMA why only one style of pet food was singled out in Resolution 5.  Our current assumptions do nothing to build (repair) consumer trust of AVMA and its members.  Consumer distrust of the largest veterinary association in the United States does no one – no pet, pet owner, or veterinarian – any good.

 

 

If the AVMA responds, it will be shared with all.

 

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

What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
Is your dog or cat eating risk ingredients?  Chinese imports?  Petsumer Report tells the ‘rest of the story’ on over 2500 cat foods, dog foods,  and pet treats.  30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. www.PetsumerReport.com

Are you subscribed to Truth About Pet Food Newsletter?  Click Here to subscribe

Follow Truth about Pet Food on Twitter

Become a Fan of Truth about Pet Food, Dinner PAWsible, Buyer Beware on Facebook

Find Healthy Pet Foods in Your Area Click Here

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Learn More

Human Grade & Feed Grade
Do you know what the differences are between Feed Grade and Human Grade pet food? Click Here.

 

The Regulations
Pet Food is regulated by federal and state authorities. Unfortunately, authorities ignore many safety laws. Click Here to learn more about the failures of the U.S. pet food regulatory system.

 

The Many Styles of Pet Food
An overview of the categories, styles, legal requirements and recall data of commercial pet food in the U.S. Click Here.

 

The Ingredients
Did you know that all pet food ingredients have a separate definition than the same ingredient in human food? Click Here.

Click Here for definitions of animal protein ingredients.

Click Here to calculate carbohydrate percentage in your pet’s food.

 

Sick Pet Caused by a Pet Food?

If your pet has become sick or has died you believe is linked to a pet food, it is important to report the issue to FDA and your State Department of Agriculture.

Save all pet food – do not return it for a refund.

If your pet required veterinary care, ask your veterinarian to report to FDA.

Click Here for FDA and State contacts.

The List

The Treat List

Special Pages to Visit

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Click Here

Pet Food Recall History (2007 to present)
Click Here

Find Healthy Pet Foods Stores
Click Here

About TruthaboutPetFood.com
Click Here

Friends of TruthaboutPetFood.com
Click Here

You May Also Like

Pet Food News

But continues to ignore the risk of dry pet food.

Pet Food News

Pet owners are often led to believe owning a pet is like owning a bacterial time bomb - especially if you feed raw pet...

Pet Food News

A not so clinical (but evidenced) diagnosis: the FDA suffers from raw pet food phobia.

Pet Food News

A recent visit to pick up my order of pet food resulted in disclosure of a potential problem that could be playing a role...