There seems to be a great deal of food bashing erupting lately. Salmonella scares, too much of this vitamin, not enough of that one, issues with peas, "contaminated" raw foods...the list goes on ad naseum. Might this have anything to do with last years directive to the FDA to step up inspections of pet foods? I don't know. I do doubt however that there is a sudden rash of contaminated foods. I would discourage anyone from repeating hearsay and conjecture found on other web sites and presenting it as any sort of "proof" that a problem exists. The recently posted Consumer web site is just one example. I won't go into detail about this site, because the owner has a long history that can be found on the internet if one takes the time to do their research. I will suggest you read the legalese at the bottom of that particular site to learn users are trolled for class action suit filings by unscrupulous law firms. Am I saying you should disregard hearsay reports of pet food issues? Absolutely not! I see these as a basis for further research. I am saying you should do your own intelligent research. If you suspect your pet food has made your pet sick, then spend the money and have it tested. Check with the American Council of Independent Laboratories or your local University lab and find out where to take your food. If your pet gets sick, do the responsible thing and have blood and urine tests done. If your pet dies suddenly or unexpectedly and you suspect wrong-doing, have a competent necropsy done. Looking at the FDA web site, it would appear no food is perfect. Look at the recalls just over the past year: <http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/RecallsWithdrawals/default.htm.> Mind boggling if you ask me. With today's easy access to virtually any information about any subject, hearsay allegations abound. I work in an animal hospital, and one question I ask every client is "what diet is your pet on". Would it surprise you to know that I have to press and prod to get an exact list of foods pet owners feed their animals? Would it further surprise you if I said it is rarely the case that a pet is being fed a single source of food? Pressed further, the majority of clients will admit Fluffy and Fido are getting a variety of other treats and supplements. So I ask myself, "how do these people know one particular food is responsible for sickening their pet"? The answer is, they usually don't. There are indeed many things to be paranoid about in today's society. I suppose the point I am trying to make is, promulgating pet food hysteria based upon what Bobby-Joe's-aunt-told-Rita's-cousins-boyfriend- last-summer is irresponsible at best. Be informed consumers and pet owners. Seek out information from reliable sources that offer evidence, not hearsay and conjecture. btw....I don't really know Bobby Joe's aunt. Regards, Bonnie Tormohlen Managing Director Northern Arizona Ferret Alliance & Rescue, Inc [Posted in FML 7782]