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Press Release 03/23/2007

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Georgia Agriculture will continue to monitor and test pet food, Commissioner Irvin says

Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin said Friday afternoon that his department will continue to look for the pet food recalled last week and will test several samples of both dog and cat food produced by Menu Foods, Inc.

The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets reported Friday that their food laboratory scientists’ tests of the cat food suspected to have caused illnesses and deaths in some cats had revealed the presence of aminopterin, a rodenticide.

We will proceed with testing the samples of the pet foods in our Tifton Laboratory and compare our findings with those of the New York food laboratory scientists,” Irvin said.  “Our 12 inspectors will continue to first investigate complaints of the recalled pet food still being sold and make sure that it is pulled from the shelves wherever we find it.”

Irvin also said that the department would continue to cooperate with the Food and Drug Administration’s investigation and pass reports of sick and deceased animals to the agency.

The Food and Drug Administration is asking consumers whose pets may have suffered adverse reactions or other problems to “cuts and gravy” style dog food and cat food to report problems to Penny Harris, FDA’s state coordinator.  Consumers can report their pets’ problems following consumption of one of the private-labeled pet foods manufactured by Menu Foods, Inc. to the FDA at the website: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.  They also can report the problem to FDA at 404-253-1169.  Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-866-895-2708.

A list of the brands can be found on the company’s website at www.menufoods.com/recall.

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