Information provided to TruthaboutPetFood.com is showing some private label brands and another large importer are scrambling to test their jerky treat products for illegal drug residues and/or are taking their own initiative to remove non-recalled jerky treat products from China from store shelves.
It was shared that Hartz is “putting all of its chicken chew products on hold.” Hartz is performing additional testing on their chicken jerky treats in light of the recent recalls from Milo’s Kitchen, Waggin Train, and Canyon Creek Ranch.
Also, new information provided to TruthaboutPetFood.com states that the Kroger Corporation (and all divisions including Smith’s, Dillons, King Soopers, Ralphs, Frys and Fred Meyer stores) will be removing their own brand of jerky treat (Pet Pride) and the Dogswell brand from all stores “temporarily”.
It has been shared with me by several in the pet industry, many expect the entire product category of chicken treats from China will disappear completely from the market. Years too late (and at what cost to so many), but that will be a welcome sight.
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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Andrew
January 14, 2013 at 5:12 pm
Susan,
Kroger has pulled nearly half of all treats off the shelves and red “PRODUCT RECALLED” labels now greet the pet parents.
This time, the issue will not blow by like the major players hope. I’m sure there are a lot of sleepless nights right now…
Storm
January 14, 2013 at 5:18 pm
Purina is continuing to sell in Canada because we don’t have regulations to stop them. A WT Canada csr told me last week that treats are “not feed or food so they fall into a grey area” that allows them to keep selling here. So they may be patting themselves on the back for voluntarily recalling in the US because they “care deeply”, but they don’t seem to care about Canadian dogs at all.
Annette
January 14, 2013 at 5:57 pm
Can we put pressure on these companies to acknowledge country of origin for chicken in pet foods???
Susan Thixton
January 14, 2013 at 6:03 pm
Actually regulations don’t allow country of origin of ingredient information on labels. They could provide that information on websites – but most don’t. And to me, the concern is not just chicken – it is any food ingredient (including supplements) sourced from China.
Lori Jablon
January 14, 2013 at 6:44 pm
Here’s what Sergeant’s Pet Care Products emailed me today:
US law requires the country of origin of the product to be clearly displayed on the product, or on the product’s container if it is enclosed if it is not made in the US.
Susan Thixton
January 14, 2013 at 6:47 pm
That could be in reference to non food related products. For pet foods and treats, there is no regulation that requires manufacturers to state COO. I’ve asked AAFCO and FDA for this (regulation), but they have told me it would be too difficult to fit on the label (with all of the ingredients used in a pet food).
Debbie Daniel
January 14, 2013 at 6:19 pm
I am hearing from Purina that have plans of these going back on the shelves ASAP. Which bothers me even more. any confirmation on that?
Susan Thixton
January 14, 2013 at 6:43 pm
Purina told you this? No – I’ve heard just the opposite. That the treats from China are probably gone for good (or a good long time). That is unless Purina begins to source the chicken from another country – that could bring them back.
Susan Thixton
January 14, 2013 at 6:44 pm
Plus it’s strange the Waggin Train has completely taken down their old website…everything.
Debbie Daniel
January 15, 2013 at 12:47 am
WT are still on Facebook.
This is a post from their page:
Waggin’ Train Dog Treats
We know dogs love these treats, and we are currently assessing options to get back on shelf in the future. Thanks again!
Debbie Daniel
January 15, 2013 at 12:52 am
here is a new website I guess..
http://www.waggintrainbrand.com/
Annie
January 15, 2013 at 2:17 am
Hmmm… Strange indeed.
Then again, perhaps THEY got hacked into as well.
That old “karma” magic…
Andrew
January 14, 2013 at 8:41 pm
http://www.waggintrainbrand.com/voluntary-withdrawal.html
Shirley
January 14, 2013 at 10:01 pm
I will keep on making homemade food and treats for my four legend family of 4
I know what is in it. the cost to make it is only about 1/3 of store bought items
( i would not serve them any store bought food )
It really dose not take that much time. To make a batch of food if you love your pet don’t you want the best for them.
Anniw
January 14, 2013 at 10:38 pm
Thank you Susan! And all who are calling, writing, and trying to make our pets safe.
Peter
January 14, 2013 at 10:53 pm
Stop N’ Shop in the Northeast has pulled their private label “Companion” brand of chicken treats. They have pulled the entire line of Waggin’ Train (not just the chicken). Their own labels that they have attached to the shelves state that there is no safety risk to pets (that seems an unnecessary, presumptuous and unreasonable addition, to me).
Reader
January 15, 2013 at 12:00 am
Belated victories are at least that. Sadly after too much heartbreak. The issue is 5 years in the making. The last 2 of which were an intense multi pronged campaign. Inexperienced consumers and cynics, please take note, of the greediness of the pet food industry. How the welfare of pets is compromised. How the feelings of pet owners are ignored. Honor the incredible effort of “amateurs” who pushed for a discovery process. Not that they didn’t understand what was already going on. But because independent evidence was required. A subject the FDA was reluctant to deal with in favor of politics. Yes, it’s easy to blame the source, especially on a simple phrase “Made in China.” Except the real problem are the “decision makers” who favor profit at the expense of caution! More than “pet products” are at issue, because the mentality is defective. Meaning how many more 2007’s, years of manufacturing mistakes, defective products, and carcinogenic ingredients does it take to convince people to change? The answer is, that it depends on how the consumer chooses to spend money, and chooses to vote, and remains convinced about speaking up!
Annie
January 15, 2013 at 2:19 am
Who’s next???
Who knows.
Ask him.
(Who is on first).
🙂
Sebs
January 15, 2013 at 8:56 am
I guess at least hartz finally pulled some poison from the shelves; check out hartzvictims.org
in the business
January 15, 2013 at 7:20 pm
There could be many more to come. Purina, Del Monte, Menu Foods etc…etc…etc…. sell private label products to stores all of the time. So the same treats that they make are simply packaged in the stores packaging (i.e., the dog biscuits sold under the Purina label could also be the exact same dog biscuits under Kroger, Stop-N-Shop, Safeway’s etc… label). Unfortunately, it won’t surprise me a bit to see many more grocery and pet stores pulling their own labels off the shelf with regards to this issue.
Phyllis
January 31, 2013 at 1:25 pm
What about chicken jerky from Thailand? Are they safe, Petsmart puts out chicken jerky under Authority name brand & it is from Thailand?