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Second Toxin Found in Lethal Pet Food

Cyanuric acid plus melamine could be fatal combination

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted May 9, 2007 7:19 AM CDT

(Newser) – Add cyanuric acid to the list of industrial chemicals found in the contaminated pet food that killed thousands of dogs and cats. Like melamine, it was used by Chinese animal feed producers to fake higher protein content in their wheat and rice products, the New York Times reports.

In the States, cyanuric acid is used as a stabilizer in swimming pools. Neither of the two substances alone would have proved fatal, researchers say, but together they may form toxic crystals which led to kidney failure in the pets. China announced yesterday that two companies have been found guilty of exporting pet food ingredients contaminated with melamine.

A woman looks at pet food in a store 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... (Associated Press)

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Second Toxin Found in Lethal Pet Food

Cyanuric acid plus melamine could be fatal combination

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Second Toxin Found in Lethal Pet Food

Cyanuric acid plus melamine could be fatal combination

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Contaminated Pet Food

China • pet food recall • melamine • cyanuric acid • protein • contamination

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Melamine Death Toll Passes 8,000 Pets

FDA says health risk for humans unlikely

Chinese Add Melamine to Animal Feed

Filler that tainted pet food is commonly used as fake protein

Chinese Goods Flunk Gov't Safety Tests

Nearly 20% of domestic consumer products can't meet quality standards

Trail of Chinese Chemicals Leads to Toothpaste

Governments on two continents investigate tainted product

China Detains Pet Food Contaminator

Beijing cracks down on source of melamine-tainted gluten

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