Melamine Contamination

In recent months recalls of dog and cat food contaminated with melamine have been much in the news.  Melamine is an industrial chemical that does not belong in pet food.  Other substances that may be in the food, such as cyanuric acid, may react with the melamine and increase the toxic effect.  Investigations continue into the mechanism of the toxicity that has sickened and killed dogs and cats that ate the contaminated pet foods. 

There have also been reports of swine, chickens, and fish fed contaminated pet food.  After investigation, the swine, chickens, and fish have largely been declared low risk as food for humans and allowed into the human food chain.

General works about the safety and nutritional quality of food for domestic animals with respect to the welfare of the animals are classed in 636.0855 Feeds.  Similar works about food for pets are classed in 636.0887 Pets, because of the instructions at 636.08 Specific topics in animal husbandry to "class a subject with aspects in two or more subdivisions of this schedule in the number coming last."   Works about food poisons that affect domestic animals are classed in 636.0895954 Veterinary toxicology of food poisoning (built with 636.089 Veterinary medicine plus 5954 from 615.954 Food poisons [including toxicology of food additives], according to the instructions at 636.089).

Works about food poisons that affect dogs are classed in 636.70895954 Veterinary toxicology of food poisoning in dogs (built with 636.7 Dogs plus 089 from 636.089 Veterinary medicine, according to the instructions at 636.7001-636.708 Standard subdivisions, specific topics in husbandry of dogs, plus 5954 from 615.954 Food poisons).  Works about food poisons that affect cats are classed in 636.80895954 Veterinary toxicology of food poisoning in cats (built with 636.8 Cats plus 089 from 636.089 Veterinary medicine, according to the instructions at 636.8001-636.808 Standard subdivisions, specific topics in husbandry of cats, plus 5954 from 615.954 Food poisons).

Investigation of specific foods (including meats) intended for human consumption as part of a public safety program is classed in 363.1929 Safety of specific foods.  The scope note at 363.19 Product hazards ("Adulteration, contamination, safety, adequacy, effectiveness of products offered for human consumption and use") limits 363.192 Foods and its subdivisions to food intended for human consumption.

Comments

[David]

Even with standards established by the Association Of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), you can not rely on them or other goverenment bodies to assure your pet food is safe.

Competition for shelf space in grocery and super stores and the consumer's wallet may cause pet food manufacturers to cut corners in order to beat out their competitors.

The only real solution for consumers is to become educated about how pet foods are manufactured and then decide what risks their willing to take with their beloved pets.