The contaminated Chinese wheat gluten that led to the recall of pet food ended up only with manufacturers of food for animals, company officials said Tuesday.
The Chinese wheat gluten imported by ChemNutra Inc. went to companies that make pet foods, Stephen Miller, chief executive officer of the Las Vegas company, told The Associated Press.
Miller would not say which companies ChemNutra supplied.
Meanwhile another company, Eight in One, has issued a pet food recall -- the latest in a barrage of announcements that has left North American pet owners very worried.
The company is recalling packages of its Dingo brand dog, cat and ferret treats in Canada and the U.S. because of salmonella concerns.
The salmonella bacteria could infect animals and people who touch the food, says the Cincinnati-based company.
The recall involves Dingo Chick'n Jerky for dogs, Dingo Kitty Chicken Jerky and Dingo Ferret Chicken Jerky. Consumers who are seeking a refund are asked to call 1-888-232-9889.
Tuesday's announcement is not connected to recalls of other tainted dog products that have led to kidney failure in some pets.
On Monday, the Canadian division of Del Monte Foods confirmed they were 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.
