According to a press release from Truth About Pet Food.com, these deaths could have been prevented through proper monitoring of ingredients and pet foods.

In the same timeframe – but only after pets died – 60 million pounds of corn-based dog and cat food were recalled containing deadly levels of aflatoxins, which are poisons produced by molds on agricultural crops.

According to the FDA, “At high levels, aflatoxins can cause illness (aflatoxicosis), liver damage, and death in pets.”

The FDA allows pet food to include inferior quality corn, states the Truthaboutpetfood.com press release, including corn rejected for human consumption due to high risk of mycotoxin producing mold. Increasing the risk, most substandard corn is stored outside exposed to moisture and animal infestations – creating ideal conditions for mold and mycotoxin production.

“It’s one of the most dangerous threats to pets,” related consumer advocate Susan Thixton, who has been advocating for pet food consumers with regulatory authorities for more than 15 years. “Seven hundred thousand tons more corn is used in pet foods than any other ingredient.”

Also according to the release, pet owners across the U.S. are telling the FDA that recalls are not enough, and that, unless ingredients and pet foods are tested, mycotoxins will wind up in pets’ bowls leading to sickness and death. While many manufacturers follow Good Manufacturing Practices, some do not.

“We have asked the FDA to investigate more aggressively and issue alerts in a similar manner as the agency has investigated other issues,” stated documentary filmmaker Kohl Harrington in the press release. “We need action taken immediately.”

Harrington produced the documentary film Pet Fooled about the pet food industry. He is currently working on a sequel. 
https://www.petschooled.com/

Those requested actions include:

• Veterinarians and pet owners report any pet illness or death over the last 12 months to the FDA for pets fed any type of corn ingredient pet product;
• Identify the toxic corn suppliers and trace all customers over the last 24 months;
• Implement random mycotoxin testing for pet foods and treats that contain a corn ingredient over for the next 12 months; and
• Issue monthly updates to pet owners providing the number of mycotoxin adverse events received and test results.

Manufacturers of corn included pet foods are asked to:

• Provide pet owners aflatoxin test results on the brand’s website for every batch of pet food produced;
• Provide aflatoxin test results on the brand’s website for every load of corn (corn-based) ingredient(s) received.

“We cannot wait months and months, as with the melamine recalls in 2007 where 10,000+ cats and dogs died from 150 contaminated brands. Action is necessary now,” said Thixton.

Dr. Laurie S. Coger is an integrative veterinarian and founder of Check Your Pet Food, which provides a means of independent pet food testing for both safety and nutritional integrity.

“Proper monitoring of hazards and prevention is vital to pet food safety,” said Coger. “More immediate and consistent action needs to be taken by the FDA, veterinarians, and corn-inclusive pet food manufacturers.”

For more information, please visit:
https://truthaboutpetfood.com

SOURCE Truth About Pet Food

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