Royal Canin US Recalls Dry Dog and Cat Food, Including Veterinary Diet Foods
(Web: www.royalcanin.us; Phone: 800-592-6687 or 800-513-0041)
Royal Canin has voluntarily recalled the following dry pet food products that contain rice protein concentrate due to the presence of a melamine derivative:
Royal Canin Sensible Choice® Dry Dog Foods:
· Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Senior
· Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Puppy
· Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Adult
· Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Senior
· Rice & Catfish Meal Formula Adult
Royal Canin states that all products with an expiration date of April 19th, 2008 are made without Chinese sourced vegetable proteins and are safe. Royal Canin has also recalled pet food in South Africa due to melamine found in corn gluten.
The recall, according to findings of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is the result of contamination—specifically, the introduction of melamine into a food ingredient.
Melamine is a chemical substance used to produce durable, heat-resistant plastic for building materials, fire-retardant fabrics and kitchenware. Melamine is not approved for use in pet food or human food and should not be present in wheat gluten or any other food ingredient. The FDA has not yet determined exactly how melamine got into the contaminated wheat gluten.
Wheat gluten is the natural protein extracted from wheat or wheat flour. In addition to its rich protein content, wheat gluten produces the texture and consistency desired in many high quality food products, both human and pet. It has been a trusted food ingredient, used for decades in the preparation of breakfast cereals, high quality pastas and whole wheat bakery goods. Baking represents more than 60% of the total usage worldwide, and many of our healthier multi-grain and whole grain breads would not be appealing without it.
Just as wheat gluten is used in human foods, such as breads, to provide a desired consistency and texture, wheat gluten is used in pet foods for similar reasons. Many pet foods use wheat gluten to help other ingredients come together to form nutritious, good tasting, and appealing foods. While primarily used to enhance texture, wheat gluten also provides good quality protein. With 75% concentration of protein by weight, wheat gluten is an excellent source of protein. When used in combination with other protein sources, a balanced level of amino acids can be attained for the dietary needs of the cat and dog. In its complementary effect with other protein sources, wheat gluten also promotes lean muscle mass and healthy organs.
Purina has used wheat gluten in its foods for nearly twenty years without incident. Independent regulatory organizations, including the U.S. FDA and the Association of American Feed Control Officials, as well as respected professional organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Institute of Baking, all acknowledge the nutritional value and suitability of wheat gluten in foods for human or pet consumption. There should be no concern with wheat gluten as a pet food ingredient.
It should be noted that the wheat gluten used in most pet foods is the same quality wheat gluten used in human foods. It is sourced from the same countries, the same suppliers and inspected to meet the same high human food quality control standards. The U. S. is the largest user of wheat gluten in total, and our country's use of the ingredient in human and pet foods exceeds what is produced domestically by the agricultural industry. As a result, 80% of the U.S. demand for wheat gluten is fulfilled from Europe and Asia due to limited supplies in the U.S., where the remaining 20% is sourced.
On March 30 the FDA announced discovery of wheat gluten contaminated with melamine from a single supply source. The contaminated wheat gluten represents less than half of 1% of all the wheat gluten used in human and pet foods in the U.S. during the past year. The majority of the contaminated ingredient was supplied to Menu Foods, though it was distributed to other pet food manufacturers, as well. The FDA continues its investigation to ensure that all of the contaminated wheat gluten has been identified and contained. While the FDA further investigates how melamine was introduced into a historically safe and good food ingredient, it is suspected that the melamine contamination may have been caused by tampering.
This information provided by Purina Veterinary Diets