Will FDA Put an End to Tainted Pet Food?

Last week we shared the news of pervasive problem of tainted "jerky" treats for dogs and received 171 Facebook likes and a few comments from readers. 

PJ said, "This is exactly the chix jerky strip that is sold by Costco...groups have been trying for a couple of years to get them to stop selling these poison strips that are killing our dogs but they refuse to do so...next time you go to Costco, PLEASE stop and ask for the manager and tell them you think they should stop selling these until they are safe...PLEASE!"

Apparently the Food and Drug Administration wants to step in and take action.

The FDA recently bid to regulate animal food, following pet food recalls and deaths of pets. According to an article in the New York Times, a new set of rules would require producers of food for farm animals and pets to take steps to prevent illness.

A proposed rule by the FDA would establish requirements for manufacturing, processing, packing, and holding of animal food. 

According to the Daily Journal of United States Government, "Federal Register," existing food safety challenges are "compounded by globalization and the increasing amount of imported human and animal food."

The proposed regulations would require that certain facilities establish and implement hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls for animal food. They would exempt some small businesses, small and very small on-farm businesses.

In the meantime, if your dog develops symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, vomiting with blood or diarrhea with blood after eating treats, save the packaging with an eye to noting the lot number. This will help the FDA in investigating the tainted treats.