FDA: Pet Food Poison Added Intentionally

Chinese may have used melamine to boost nutrition rating
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 20, 2007 7:50 AM CDT
FDA: Pet Food Poison Added Intentionally
A man feeds dogs outside a housing compound in Beijing Friday April 6, 2007. China has denied responsibility for a slew of pet deaths in the United States that U.S. authorities blame on a batch of chemically contaminated wheat gluten from China, state media reported. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)    (Associated Press)

The chemical which contaminated over 100 brands of pet food—with disastrous results for dog and cat lovers—may have been intentionally added by Chinese manufacturers in an effort to fudge nutrition ratings on their rice protein and wheat gluten. "That's still a theory, but it certainly seems to be a plausible one," the FDA’s chief vet says.

Melamine, the cause of  the rash of pet deaths and illnesses, is said to artificially boost the nutritional content of food products. The FDA is seeking the co-operation of the Chinese government to investigate further. The Chinese say the contaminated wheat gluten was not supposed to be used for pet food. (More pet food recall stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X