BREAKING NEWS ALERT chemical found in pet food

From: WLKY.com Newsroom
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 10:28 AM

BREAKING NEWS: Plastics Chemical Found In Recalled Pet Food

FDA: Plastics Chemical In Recalled Pet Food
The FDA says it knows what got into pet food that killed pets.

MORE DETAILS: http://www.wlky. com/tu/5nJcbXZhu .html

Chemical From Plastic Found In Pet Food
PETA Calls For Expanded Recall

UPDATED: 2:03 pm EDT March 30, 2007

RICHMOND, Va. - Government testing of recalled pet food linked to
dog and cat deaths has found a chemical used to make plastics.

The Food and Drug Administration said it found melamine in samples
of the Menu Foods pet food, as well as in wheat gluten used as an
ingredient.

Cornell University scientists also have found the chemical, also
used as a fertilizer, in the urine and kidney of a sick cat.

Earlier results from a lab in New York had blamed a rodent poison
and cancer drug called aminopterin for the deaths.

PETA Wants Bigger Recall

Meanwhile, some animal rights advocates say a pet-food recall does
not go far enough.

The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called on the
government and pet food makers to expand the recall to include dry
varieties, too.

Nearly 100 brands of pet food were recalled after animals suffered
kidney failure. The recall involved "cuts and gravy" style dog and
cat food. Some major brands, including Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba,
were involved.

The Food and Drug Administration said it has no plans to suggest a
wider recall and veterinarians said they've seen no trend of dogs
and cats getting sick from eating dry food.

Previous Stories:
March 23, 2007: Rat Poison Found In Recalled Pet Food
March 21, 2007: Pet Food Maker Can't Explain Deaths
March 19, 2007: Tests Of Pet Food Killed 7, FDA Says
March 17, 2007: Pet Owners Worried After Massive Pet Food Recall
March 16, 2007: Animal Deaths Prompt Pet Food Recall