Recently, a nation-wide pet food recall affecting nearly 40 brands of food was recalled after reports of the Menu Food dog and cat food had been tainted and was causing kidney failure among animals. The pet food recall was prompted when complaints and trials alerted the manufacturer to the possibility of dogs and cats being sickened by the contaminated pet food. It covers "cuts-and-gravy"-style wet dog and cat food sold in small pouches and cans and marketed under brand names including Purina, IAMS, Eukanuba and Purina.

In many instances kidney failure and even death was the outcome of consumption of the Menu Food's dog and cat food. The contaminated pet food was produced in Menu Foods' Emporia, Kansas facility between early December 2006 and March 2007. It is unsure thus far what part of the food is tainted; some reports cite tainted wheat gluten, but consumers will not know until further tests have been conducted by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Menu Foods. The FDA is reporting that at least 13 animals have died due to the tainted pet food, but consumers across the country are reporting even more deaths of dogs and cats after eating tainted Menu Foods pet food.

The news has panicked pet owners, who have overloaded veterinary telephone lines and are watching their dogs and cats' symptoms with concern. Kidney failure in pets is usually accompanied by foul breath, reduced appetite, vomiting, lethargic behavior or other signs of illness. The FDA is recommending that consumers who have purchased food subject to the pet food recall refrain from feeding the food to their pets and contact the manufacturer or retailer for a refund.

Because of the recall, many are asking about the standards as well as quality control regulations among the pet food industry. While food intended for human consumption must be carefully regulated, the pet food industry sets its own testing standards and is more self-policing than the mainstream food industry. In fact, FDA inspectors had never even been to the plant that is suspected to have produced the tainted food; the FDA places human food and health at a higher priority than those of pets. However, the adverse affects have already taken a toll on those pets that have been fed the tainted food.

food now subject to the pet food recall. Since the recall affects 53 dog food brands and 42 cat food brands with varying UPC codes, visit Menu Foods' recall website at www.menufoods.com/recall to determine whether you have purchased food subject to the pet food recall. Menu Foods has also set up a recall information hotline at 1-866-895-2708. If your pet is suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned above after eating Menu Foods pet food, contact your veterinarian immediately to obtain proper medical care.

It is important to speak with an attorney who is experienced in unsafe products if your pet had been sickened by the tainted food or if the animal died because of the cuts and gravy Menu Food. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses.

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