Schakowsky Demands Answers From FDA About Pet Food Contamination

SCHAKOWSKY DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM FDA ABOUT PET FOOD CONTAMINATION

WASHINGTON, DC.–U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) sent a letter today to the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demanding answers about the deadly contamination recently found in pet food processing plants. The letter calls on the FDA to disclose information about the frequency and thoroughness of their current inspection procedures at pet food plants.

Ontario-based Menu Foods has recalled over 60 million cans and pouches of pet food processed and sold throughout North America following widespread reports of pet deaths due to acute kidney failure from exposure to rat poison. According to the latest reports, there are over 100 pet deaths that have been directly attributed to this food contamination.

The letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner is attached below:

March 28, 2007

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.
Commissioner
United States Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857

Dear Dr. von Eschenbach:

I am writing to inquire about the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) role in inspecting pet food processing plants. In the wake of the numerous deaths of dogs and cats around the country due to pet food that may have been contaminated with Aminopterin, a type of rat poison, I am concerned that the FDA is not being active enough in preventing such horrible tragedies.

Ontario-based Menu Foods recalled over 60 million cans and pouches of pet food processed in its Emporia, Kansas facility and sold throughout North America after the reports of death of pets due to acute kidney failure. There are now reports of over 100 pet deaths related to food contamination.

At least one family in my own district has been affected by a sudden pet death. Their beloved cat, Max, died of renal failure on March 12, 2007.

In a recent Newsweek article, David Elder, director of the Office of Surveillance and Compliance in the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine said, "there are limited resources... for inspection of pet food processing plants. Reports that have resulted from the recent pet deaths have revealed that most pet food facilities are rarely, if ever, inspected. If they are inspected, it is reported that it only happens after a tragedy has already occurred.

In order to determine what the FDA can do in order to prevent such future problems, I would like answers to the following questions:

• What are the FDA's current inspection and monitoring processes concerning pet food processing plants?
• How often are pet food plants inspected and how many pet food plants are inspected each year?
• Is the FDA making any changes to its pet food inspection policies to ensure that this type of situation does not happen in the future?
• Does the FDA need Congressional assistance — either through statutory changes or budgetary increases — in order to assist it in protecting our pets?

Thank you for your consideration of this matter. I would appreciate responses to my questions by April, 13, 2007. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Megan Garcia in my office at 202-225-2111.

Sincerely,

Jan Schakowsky
Member of Congress