Pedigree pet food recall

[iRONKNiGHT]

FIVE types of pet food from the Pedigree and Whiskas brands have been recalled in eight countries, following fears that one product, Pedigree Dry dog food, may be linked to the death of several dogs from kidney failure.

'My dog became lethargic, kept vomitting and refused to eat. We had to hand-feed him because he would sniff the food and refuse to eat although he is normally very greedy.' - Mr Steven Tan (above), who said his two-year-old labrador, Maximus, died a week after it began eating from a new packet of Pedigree Dry -- JOYCE FANG
Pedigree Dry's ingredients include chicken protein and all the products recalled by the US-based manufacturer, Effem Foods, were made in the same plant in Thailand.

Singapore veterinarian James Tan, who runs his own animal hospital, said he saw 14 or so cases of kidney failure in dogs last month, and seven cases in the first 10 days of this month alone.

Pet owner Steven Tan, 36, the managing director of a marketing consultancy, said his two-year-old labrador died a week after it was switched to a new packet of Pedigree Dry.


TAKEN OFF THE SHELVES

EFFEM Foods advises customers to avoid feeding their pets these recalled products:

• Pedigree Dry dog food

• Whiskas Dry cat food

• Pedigree Dog's Delight Ringo

• Pedigree Dog's Delight Tasty Bone

• Pedigree Puppy Biscuit dog treats

Customers can get a full refund for unused products. Visit www.pedigreeinfo.com or call 6877-7007 between 9am and 6pm to find out how to get a refund.


The other vets approached said they had not noticed any increase in renal failure cases in pet dogs at their clinics.

Effem said it ordered the recall as soon as evidence of mould was found in raw materials on Wednesday at the factory in Pakchong, Thailand.

The manufacturer also denied any link between bird flu and Pedigree Dry.

There has been no report linking sick or dead animals with the other recalled products, but their recall is a precaution.

Worldwide, more than 600,000 dogs are said to be fed every day with Effem's products.

Thai-made Pedigree and Whiskas pet food is also exported to Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Singapore's food safety watchdog, the Agrifood and Veterinary Authority, said it had not received reports of pets with sudden renal failure after they ate Pedigree Dry, but it would monitor the situation.

From Bangkok, Effem's general manager for South-east Asia, Mr Calvin Schmidt, said there had been no complaint linking renal failure to Pedigree Dry in Singapore.

Singapore Veterinary Association president Tan Hwa Luck said kidney disease is common in dogs, but usually only in those above eight years old.

A protein-rich or high-salt diet or even a virus may cause a dog's kidneys to fail, but old age is still the main reason.

Effem said on its website: 'In recent weeks, there have been reports of increased kidney disease among dogs in Taiwan. A substantial number of them were being fed our company's Pedigree Dry dog food.'

Effem is investigating reports that about 100 dogs fell ill in Taiwan after being fed Pedigree Dry dog food and that 60 had died.

Numerous tests, it claimed, had shown no link between kidney failure and the dog food. It maintained that the salt and protein content were within safe limits.

Mr Tan is not convinced. He said his dog, Maximus, had never been sick before and was being trained as a search and rescue dog.

He said: 'My dog became lethargic, kept vomiting and refused to eat. We had to hand-feed him because he would sniff the food and refuse to eat although he is normally very greedy.

'I don't know for sure why he suddenly fell sick but we are going to send that dog food for testing.'