Dog Jerky Deaths With No FDA Recall Prompt Campaign Against Nestle Purina

When Terry Safranek's nine-year-old fox terrier became violently ill after consuming Nestle Purina PetCare Co. jerky and died in mid-January, she launched a campaign against the company. The product was responsible for her pet's death, she alleged.

The treat, a Waggin' Train chicken jerky product, which is produced in China, has been claimed to be associated with hundreds of similar cases.

Safranek's petition on Change.org urges Nestle Purina to "take chicken jerky treats made in China off the shelves until they can be proven safe." To date, Safranek has collected 4,444 signatures, just short of her 5,000 goal.

MSNBC reports that, according to internal Food and Drug Administration documents, at least three popular brands of jerky treats may be associated with kidney failure and other deadly ailments. As of late last year, there were 22 cases listed as "Priority 1" -- meaning that they involved animals aged 11 years or younger with documented illness. Thirteen of those involved Waggin’ Train or Canyon Creek Ranch jerky treats or tenders, which are both Nestle Purina products.

Despite the evidence -- and three FDA warnings about jerky products since 2007 -- no recall is in effect. Nestle Purina and Del Monte, which also produces products claimed to be associated with illnesses in dogs, maintain their treats are safe.

"No specific products have been recalled because a definitive cause has not been determined," said FDA officials in a statement.

However, two lawmakers, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), confirmed Wednesday that FDA inspectors have been dispatched to investigate Chinese plants that make chicken jerky pet treats.

Waggin' Train's website discloses that its products are made in China, but stresses the safety of said products.

These treats are made in China at facilities that are modeled after U.S. Department of Agriculture standards for quality and safety. In China, dark meat chicken is more popular with consumers than white meat chicken, and so the supply of quality, white meat chicken used in our products is more readily available for dog treats. The factories are under stringent safety and sanitary guidelines and monitored by a dedicated team of quality control inspectors, who are in the plants where the products are being produced. The benefit to our consumers is a premium dog treat at an affordable price.

Canyon Creek Ranch's website listed an identical disclosure.

The news comes as concerns about other products made in China have surfaced in recent years. In 2007, 1.5 million toy trains and associated products -- four percent of all sold in the U.S. over the last two years -- were recalled when it was discovered they were coated with lead paint in a Chinese factory. Lead paint is known to damage brain cells, especially in children. Additional toys were recalled for various other infractions, including a toy eyeball that was filled with kerosene.

In 2008, more than 1,300 Chinese babies were hospitalized after drinking tainted powdered formula. Acute kidney failure accounted for 158 of those cases.

Related on HuffPost:

Comments

[Airroll]

10:06 AM on 03/21/2013

Purina doesn't care about our family members My kitty 5 years old and he loved the out doors I live on a one acre fenced off land and my dog and cat were in heaven well now my cat is really in heaven because purina could care less about the posion they feed our animal maybe the CEO's that sell purina Cat chow should eat it themselves as a child I eat dog food a few times with my dog I wonder how many kids are doing the samer and chanceing liver failure you sell it you eat it

[Airroll]

09:58 AM on 03/21/2013

My kitty died today and Purina killed him I trusted purina and thought that they cared about animals but they don't so I don't care about them I will write everywhere until I save those poor kats and dogs that are about to die next! once they eat purina and it damages their kidneys and liver they're is nothing you can do except watch you family member die slowly and painfiully not to mention the vet bills Purina Cat DeathI think those who sell it should eat it I'll send you a bowel just tell me were

[Cheekygrrl]

06:59 PM on 06/23/2012

This NEW petition is aimed squarely at NESTLE PURINA PETCARE Company, asking for an immediate voluntary recall, in a ...See More
Nestle Purina: Recall Chicken Jerky Treats Made in China
www.change.org
I lost my best friend Sampson on Friday, January 13, 2012. He died 9 days after ingesting the last food he ever ate: Waggin’ Train...
Like · · Unfollow Post · Share · April 2 at 3:05pm

[Freebird78]

09:01 PM on 05/25/2012

Argh..how many times does this have to happen before they stop using these companies that have a history of killing our dogs?? This is the second time this exact issue has happened again? This is unforgivable..
I just read that 1,000 dogs are sick from these treats! http://www.findavet.us/2012/05/fda-reports-1000-dogs-sick-jerky-treats/

[Mechelle Gagliano Clark]

06:22 PM on 05/05/2012

Continued.....
If your feeding a treat and in small writing on the back (Mine is under the UPC code) made in china STOP feeding it now.. All Chicken Jerky treats are suspect and now many more have been added to the list. Including Sweet Potato treats! They make it look as if the treats are made in America by putting the distribution state on the package. But look very closely at all tiny writing and if you find its made in CHINA stay away from it. Please warn all of your friends with pets... I would never want anyone to go through what my family has gone through. My Mariah died a horrible painful and bloody death! I cannot believe with all the deaths and illnesses that Purina REFUSES to pull this product!! It tells you just how much they REALLY care about our dogs and their safety! Its all about money. Same with Pet Smart,Target, Sam's and Walmart and any other store who continues to sell treats that kill out beloved family members!!! Everyday I have to live with the heartbreak they caused. PLEASE tell everyone you know... Mechelle Clark

[Mechelle Gagliano Clark]

06:21 PM on 05/05/2012

My name is Mechelle Clark, We purchased Canyon River Treats for my dogs on November 3th for my younger dogs Birthday. By November 17th my 13 year old Rottweiler Mariah was dead. and my 4 yr old was throwing up. We stopped giving the treats a few days prior because it was apparent they were having a bad effect on them. Mariah stopped throwing up over the weekend then by Tues she was very sick and by wed early morning she passed away. On Oct 21 we took her to the vet for a check up he was impressed by how well Mariah was doing. Within a couple weeks she was gone. Mariah ate cooked raw food only. We purchase from our butcher here locally. We never give them treats but this was a birthday special treat. It is the only change in Mariahs diet. I immediately called Canyon Creek and of course they denied having heard any other problems and even said the 2007 problem was never proven. I put it aside until the FDA called and informed me that they reissued a new warning on Friday (I was not aware of) and asked me many questions.. They say they will be contacting me again soon. My mission is to make sure as many people know about these Chicken treats an to also make sure people do not think Canyon Creek are the only treats that are suspected.

[Texan78730]

03:40 PM on 04/12/2012

Hartz also has some of their products made in China.
And Wal-Mart sells their brand and others.
I have written both Hartz and Wal-Mart, and neither has replied.
I will not buy ANY Chinese made product from dog treats to televisions.
Please, let's STOP SHOPPING PRICE! I would be glad to pay an extra 10% or more for American made products.

[gulopartisan]

03:10 PM on 04/11/2012

The real story here is decptive advertising. I threw away 2 pounds of duck jerky that was clearly made in China (I had purchased it from a store whose integrity I trusted. Then I read the fine print), and began purchasing the more expensive Canyon Creek jerky because it loudly proclaims itself as a U.S. product. This evening, I'll throw their jerky away too. And it will be a cold day in Hell before I buy another product with their name on it. I don't care how frickin' U.S.A.-like the Chinese factory is. They lied, and that, consumers need to learn to never forgive.

[gulopartisan]

03:45 PM on 04/12/2012

In the interest of accuracy. The Canyon Creek jerky (and their dried yams) package says "Manufactured for the U.S." (What ad wonk realized that most of us would see "in" when we read "for"?) And it does mention that it's made in China. Slightly less deceptive, but just as unforgivable.I'll never buy another product of theirs, and I'll be reading the packages even MORE carefully.

[Imanurse2]

08:24 PM on 04/09/2012

EVERYONE....Please check out the Facebook group called....Animal Parents Against Pet Treats Made In China! You will receive info on where to sign petitions, give your testimonies, and be put in a demographic they are documenting to show where the heartbreaking acts are occurring. Tell everyone you know. Even those without pet kids, they can be messengers for our babies also!!! Thank You.

[ELS1976]

12:33 PM on 04/09/2012

My husband's mother's dog died from the contaminated dog food a few years ago. Since then we have never bought and food or treats made in China. We only buy if they are made in the US or Canada. I'm glad we stuck to that after hearing this. Something needs to be done about the safety of animal products.

[happycamper09]

10:36 PM on 04/08/2012

I just lost our dog today, in a very strange way we have been feeding them some chicken jerky treats with apple now I am very concerned how my pretty healthy 9 year old dog died, and our other dog will be going to the vet tomorrow am. And they better check this out.

[mollymac]

02:04 PM on 04/09/2012

First of all, so very sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is devastating; at least for most of us. In any event, don't trust anything made in China, especially if it means the safety of your child, pet, etc. I quit giving my dog jerky treats made in China, even with their admonition of safety. Yeah, right. Also, be aware that most rawhide chews are soaked in formaldehyde if from China or S. America. Do not give them to your pet! Make sure they are American made!

[dayofwine]

11:17 AM on 04/10/2012

Sincere comdolences on your loss. The FB group Animal Parents Aginst Pet Treats Made In China is very supportive and has a tremendous amout of resources. Best of luck with the vet visit.

[Kathy Lyman-Moser]

02:43 PM on 04/08/2012

STOP making American products in CHINA!!! That would be a great start!! The US sure could use a plant like that over here, that would make a few thousand jobs for our economy! Be done with Made In CHINA!!! Let them keep there lead base products and their contaminated foods off American shelves!!!TY;))

[Groucho1951]

01:08 PM on 04/08/2012

How much more are we going to take before we start fighting back? These companies are more interested in the bottom line $$$$$$ than resolving an obvious problem such as this. We need to go into EVERY per store and tell the manager to STOP selling dog/cat food made in China...EVERY store...including grocery stores such as Costco, etc...the best way to make a point with grocery store buyers is to STOP buying the product...that will get them to eliminate the brand INSTANTLY

[mymansbelly]

12:12 PM on 04/08/2012

Our dog LOVES these chicken jerky treats, but I started making my own. A dehydrator and chicken breast is all you need. You could also dry them in the oven, but it takes much longer. Here's the recipe if you're interested.
http://mymansbelly.com/2011/07/27/healthy-homemade-chicken-dog-treats/

[Takes Brains]

12:23 AM on 04/13/2012

Thanks!!! I will try it!

[ruthtruth]

03:46 PM on 04/07/2012

I read every product for my pets as propylene glycol is a cheap sweetener in lot of dog products and it is a form of antifreeze. It will hurt the liver. It is also in some types Colgate toothpaste, Crest toothpaste ans some antihistamine tabs. I suggest everyone read every label and find out what else we are being fed. We grow our own and eat nothing processed to limit this kind of crap.

[gulopartisan]

03:13 PM on 04/11/2012

I'm allergic to propylene glycol, and I can tell you it is in almost all deodorants and most shampoos. And yes, one lick of antifreeze can kill your dog in 20 minutes (of agony).