Recalled Dog Treats Are Coming Back, but Are They Safe?
In 2013, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that various jerky treats made in China were linked to nearly 600 deaths and thousands of illnesses in dogs. Ten cats were also reported as being affected. The cause was a mystery, with the main link being China as a source. This led to a recall of multiple jerky treats by several brands, including Nestle's Purina and Del Monte's Milo's Kitchen (view the list here). After further investigation by the New York State Department of Agriculture, it listed trace amounts of illegal poultry antibiotics as the cause. However, the FDA and treat manufacturers disagreed.
Now the Purina Waggin Train treats and Del Monte Milo's Kitchen treats are coming back to the shelves. But are they safe?
Nestle Purina says that they will being back Waggin' Train dog treats beginning next month, which will include products made from a single China supplier and new products sourced in the United States. Del Monte says that they will begin selling Milo's Kitchen Chicken Jerky Strips and Chicken Grillers Recipe treats in March using meat sourced in the United States. However, as Mercola Healthy Pets notes, information is lacking about the specific changes made to the products.
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I question whether Purina has made any significant changes to their treats made in China. I have not seen any details about changes other than a statement that they will be using a single supplier there. In regards to US-sourced meat, simply sourcing the meat from the United States does not answer the question of where other ingredients came from or where the product as a whole was assembled. Even a "made in the US" label will speak only to the location of manufacturing. Individual ingredients could still come from overseas. In any event, it sounds like these products will still be assembled in China.
Given the history of problems with treats made in China, I am not about to start giving them to my dogs. So, what can a pet owner do? One of my favorite sources of pet health information, Dr. Karen Becker at Mercola Healthy Pets offers these suggestions:
-Don't overfeed treats to your pets.
-Look for treats with all ingredients sourced in the US and made in the US.
-Buy high quality treats without fillers, chemicals, or added sugar.
-Give fresh human food as treats. For example, my corgis adore zucchini, carrots, and green beans.
In addition to these items, I like to buy treats at a local boutique pet store that focuses on all natural and U.S. sourced and made items. That makes shopping much easier. Many of the treats I buy there are locally or regionally made, so it also benefits small businesses in the area. I also really like Dr. Becker Bites, which are entirely U.S. sourced and produced. They are incredibly crunchy, and my dogs think they are just about the best thing ever. The only downside to them, and to other entirely U.S. sourced and made treats, is that they tend to be more expensive. However, I find the extra expense well worth the peace of mind.
-Top Photo Credit: Infowidget
-By: Carleen Coulter
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