Menu Foods Recalls Tainted Pet Food

Menu Foods, a Canadian based pet food manufacturer on Sunday announced the precautionary recall of over 60 million cans of dog and cat food after numerous cases of weakened renal health of the pets popped upon consumption of the food. At least 10 animals are known to have died.

Dog food sold under 48 brands, and cat food sold under 40 brands are being recalled under the debacle.

However, the recall is restricted only to certain "cuts and gravy" style pet food in cans and pouches manufactured at two of the Menu’s United States facilities.

Manufactured from December 3, 2006 to March 6, 2007, these products are both manufactured and sold under private-label and are contract-manufactured for some national brands, the recall statement stated.

Meanwhile, a series of technical tests conducted by both internal and external experts of the company upon lodging of complaints, failed to identify any issues related to the afflicted products.

However, the timing of production associated with the perilous pet food is found to concur with the introduction of an ingredient, wheat gluten, a source of protein from a new supplier, authorities reveal.

The company had received an undisclosed number of complaints reporting vomiting and kidney failure in pets.

"We take these complaints very seriously and, while we are still looking for a specific cause, we are acting to err on the side of caution" said Paul K. Henderson, President and CEO, Menu Foods.

"We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that our products maintain the very highest quality standards," he vowed.

Hitting the company badly, the recall is estimated to cost between $30 million and $40 million. A combination of internally generated cash flow and bank credit facilities are being explored by the company to finance the fiasco.

Reacting to the recall, the shares of Menu Food’s fell by 26 percent on Friday.

The manufacturer of pet food for 17 of the top 20 North American retailers, Menu food products are sold as store brands for companies like PetSmart, Safeway, Wal-Mart and Pet Valu. It is also a contract manufacturer for the top branded pet food companies, including Procter & Gamble Co.