Copyright 2007 by Mary L. Conley, N.D.
All Rights Reserved

Permission to cross-post to other lists
but not to change or delete information.

RECENT FOOD RECALLS IN THE U.S. FOR PETS AND PEOPLE

The recent food scare in the U.S. in 2007 has caused a scare for pet
owners. Most of the problems have originated in other countries: China
(wheat gluten and melamine); and the inclusion of sulfites in products
made in India, Vietnam, or Brazil but packaged in the U.S. (1) So the
question Americans automatically should ask is "With terrorism on the
rise, why do these American manufacturers use foreign companies to
make/mix their products? Do they do an on-site study? Are these
factories cleaned completely if they make animal foods after using
their equipment to make industrial products (the melamine problem)? Is
there any kind of regulation that these companies are in compliance
with American standards? Nobody had an answer for me. While this is
not a political article, I do want to provoke awareness and make these
multi-million dollar companies responsible.

Using FDA information and press releases from commercial companies I
found some information, but not enough. Some press releases didn't
even designate between animal treats and people treats so I had to
go further. References are at the end of this article and contain a
working bibliography in them.

The two groups of people listed as of this date (April 10, 2007) are
people and animals. The animals included cats, dogs, ferrets (probably
for safety), The reference to people (usually those with compromised
immunity, routine sickness, asthamatics, and the elderly) and in one
instance included pet food tainted by salmonella and touched by their
owners when preparing or handling their food. There are other problems
listed for people below. (2)

SULFITES AND PEOPLE
New York State Agriculture Commissioner, Patrick Hooker, has warned
that 'Energy Club brand Healthy California Mix' may affect sulfite
sensitive consumers, and asthamatics. The press release did not tell
me this was "people food." It is a people snack is distributed by ECI
out of Pacoima, California 91331, but this is the company that also
contracts out of India, Vietnam, or Brazil. For further information see
footnote #1. (3) The items are found to contain sulfur dioxide, a food
preservative used in dried fruit products. An important compound of
sulfur is sulfur dioxide. It is prepared in 3 ways: by burning sulfur
in air (it unites with oxygen); and by heating sulfide ores in air
(known as roasting); and by using strong acids on sulfites in a
laboratory setting. Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas at room
temperatures, with a strong, pungent odor (think rotten eggs). It
neither burns nor supports combustion. In the presence of catalysts
it will combine with oxygen to form sulfur trioxide; sulfurous acid;
and sulfuric acid.(4) I'm not sure why this is in our food. Sulfites
are also found in red wines and as preservatives in certain foods.
They are on the migraine-trigger list of foods to avoid. Since more
are appearing in our food supply you have to become a label reader.
Unfortunately Healthy California Mix did not include "sulfites" on
their labeling. The next day Energy Club added "Raisin Nut Mix" to
their unlabeled list. Consumers taking more than 10 miligrams can have
severe reactions and even anaphylactic shock, mainly asthamatics. (4)
Consumers with questions can call 1-800-688-6887.

Warmly ~
Mary L. Conley, M.S. Natural Health, Herbalist, N.D.
Conley Mountain Herbs
Teas, tinctures, flower essences
http://www.herbgrow30.com/

[Posted in FML 5574]