The Canadian division of Del Monte Foods is recalling a brand of dog treats as a precautionary measure, after learning wheat gluten supplied to the company from China contained melamine.
The brand affected in Canada is Jerky Treats Beef Flavour with the best before date of 16.08.08 (Aug. 16, 2008).
"Consumers should discontinue feeding this product and return affected products to their store for a refund," DLM Foods Canada Corp. said in a press release Monday.
Del Monte Pet Products in the U.S. recalled the Jerky Treats Beef Flavour Dog Snacks over the weekend, in addition to Gravy Train Beef Sticks Dog Snacks and Pounce Meaty Morsels Moist Chicken Flavor Cat Treats.
DLM Foods Canada Corp. said no other product besides Jerky Treats Beef Flavour is subject to its voluntary withdrawal in Canada.
Wheat gluten supplied by a company in Wangdien, China is suspected as a contaminated ingredient in pet food that is being blamed for the deaths of hundreds of cats and dogs. The finding led to the recall of nearly 100 brands of pet food in North America.
"This withdrawal removes all DLM Foods Canada Corp. pet products with wheat gluten procured from this manufacturing facility from retail shelves," said the company.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported last week that it had found melamine, a chemical used in plastics and some fertilizer, in samples of recalled pet food.
"Melamine is a substance not approved for use in food in the United States," said DLM Foods.
"The FDA made this finding as part of its ongoing investigation into the recent pet food recall in the United States. DLM Foods Canada Corp. conferred with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency today to coordinate the details of this voluntary withdrawal as it applied to the Canadian market."
DLM Foods Canada said all returned products will be refunded.
Consumers with questions or concerns can contact the consumer affairs department at 1-866-657-6929.
