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]