If your pet is
experiencing a decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and/or
lethargy see your vet immediately. A simple blood test can be
run to evaluate your pet for kidney failure. Aggressive treatment
consisting of IV fluids, anti-ulcer, anti-nausea, and antibiotics
should be started immediately if your pet is diagnosed with kidney
disease/failure. We saw at least three patients this weekend for
acute kidney failure that could be attributed to the pet food
recall. There is no telling how many of our renal failure patients
we've seen since December could have been affected.
March 16,
2007
Menu Foods Income Fund
Announces Precautionary Dog and Cat Food Recall
TORONTO,
ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - March 16, 2007) -
Menu Foods Income Fund
(the "Fund") (TSX:MEW.UN) today announced the precautionary recall
of a portion of the dog and cat food it manufactured between
December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. The recall is limited to "cuts
and gravy" style pet food in cans and pouches manufactured at two
of the Fund's United States facilities. These products are both
manufactured and sold under private-label and are
contract-manufactured for some national brands.
Over the past several
days, the Fund has received feedback in the United States (none in
Canada) raising concerns about pet foodmanufactured since early
December, and its impact on the renal health of the pets consuming
the products. Shortly after receipt of the first complaint, the
Fund initiated a substantial battery of technical tests, conducted
by both internal and external specialists, but has failed to
identify any issues with the products in question. The Fund has,
however, discovered that timing of the production associated with
these complaints, coincides with the introduction of an ingredient
from a new supplier. The Fund stopped using this ingredient shortly
after this discovery and production since then has been undertaken
using ingredients from another source. At the same time, the Fund's
largest customer, for which it manufactures on a contract basis,
received a small number of consumer complaints and has initiated
its own recall. Furthermore, for the time being, the customer has
put future orders for cuts and gravy products on hold. This
customer's cuts and gravy purchases in 2006 represented
approximately 11% of the Fund's annual revenue. "We take these
complaints very seriously and, while we are still looking for a
specific cause, we are acting to err on the side of caution" said
Paul K. Henderson, President and CEO, Menu Foods. "We will do
whatever is necessary to ensure that our products maintain the very
highest quality standards."
While the number of
complaints has been relatively small, Menu is taking this proactive
step out of an abundance of caution, because the health and
well-being of pets is paramount to the Fund. In addition to
changing suppliers, for production after March 6, the Fund has
increased testing of all raw materials and finished goods. It is
also working closely with regulatory authorities and its customers
to learn more and will take whatever additional actions are
appropriate. The Fund is aggressively producing product,
utilizing a different supplier for the ingredient in question, to
replenish customers as quickly as possible.
In order to determine
whether cat and dog food in their possession is subject to recall,
consumers should refer to the list of brand names ("listed
products") at www.menufoods.com/recall.
This will be available by 6 a.m. Saturday March 17, 2007. Products
not identified on the
CONTACT INFORMATION
Menu Foods Income
Fund
Media and Investor
Relations
Sarah Tuite
(416) 848-1703
or
Menu Foods Income
Fund
Consumers
1-866-895-2708
Website: www.menufoods.com
ANIMAL EMERGENCY CENTER OF WEST HOUSTON
