There has been an ongoing dramatic increase in sick and dead pets believed to be linked to many brands of pet foods. The reports continued for at least three months. And for three long months the FDA has NOT released any statement on what they are doing or not doing to investigate. Why?
We do not know how many reports of sick pets the FDA has received. Based on the numbers collected, we estimate that several thousand reports have been submitted to the agency in the past three months, with several hundred pet deaths.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests have been submitted to the FDA requesting the actual number of adverse event reports the agency has received, but the FDA has not responded to those requests (any request – including from the mainstream media).
There is no valid reason not to publicly disclose how many complaints the agency has received. Is the FDA protecting the brands, deliberately trying to limit the number of complaints OR are the brands involved in controlling the FDA’s actions through corporate lawyers?
On many occasions in the past, we know that when the FDA announces an investigation, consumer reports to the agency skyrocket. During the FDA’s investigation into the potential link of pet food to dog heart disease, the FDA stated: “Most of the reports were submitted to the FDA after its first public alert in July 2018.”
The FDA’s jerky treat investigation found both an increase in reports of illness and pet death after the agency issued a public statement. The blue arrows in the chart below are the dates of the FDA’s public announcements regarding their controversial treatment investigations, the red lines indicate the number of consumer complaints the agency received.
“After FDA issues CVM Updates about its investigation into Jerky Pet Treats (indicated by the arrows in the graph above), the agency received an increase in reports from the public. The most notable increase was in late 2013, when the FDA released our most comprehensive update, which included a “Dear Veterinarian” letter requesting specific clinical data and providing a fact sheet for pet owners animal.”
Does the FDA keep quiet to protect pet foods? Or is the silence because the FDA is pressured by the pets involved?
Based on historical evidence (obtained years after each incident through FOIA requests), we also know that pet food companies can be less than cooperative with an FDA investigation and often bring of corporate lawyers in an investigation.
Like, in 2013 when the FDA was investigating multiple complaints about Good pet food – the FDA investigation documents stated: “The company is in direct contact with the Purina corporate Regulatory Affairs office in St. Louis, MO during this inspection.”
In an investigation into Mars Petcare from 2017 the FDA inspection report stated: “It was reiterated several times during the inspection that the company was required to share information requested by the FDA during inspections. Refusal to provide requested records and information for review prevents FDA investigators from thoroughly examining the company’s manufacturing processes to ensure the safety of the company’s products and determine compliance with applicable FDA laws, rules, and regulations.”
What we do know is that we continue to receive reports of sick and dying pets from pet owners. We have also received reports of human illness believed to be linked to pet foods as well.
What we also know is that we (pet owners) deserve to be updated by the FDA. Three months of constant reports from pet owners of sick and dead pets is long enough for the FDA to remain silent – no matter what their reasons are, no matter if they are challenged of corporate attorneys.
The following message was sent to the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM):
It is unacceptable that the FDA CVM has not updated pet owners about the current pet food investigation. The FDA has historically made public announcements updating the public during investigations, and there is no acceptable reason for pet owners not to be updated this time.
How many adverse event reports has the agency received?
How many brands are included in those reports?
What is the agency doing with this investigation?
If manufacturers are not cooperating with an FDA investigation, pet owners should be notified as well. After all, the agency has on several occasions in the past published early public notices when a raw pet food manufacturer did not cooperate with an FDA investigation. The agency must show impartiality in regulating pet food, all styles of pet food must be treated with equal enforcement.
Your failure to inform the public leaves the public to believe that the FDA CVM is picking and choosing what they want to share, picking and choosing which manufacturers they are willing to ‘out’ as non-cooperative – possibly implying that they are being protected of the agency the manufacturers involved in this opportunity. Your lack of public awareness increases consumer distrust of the agency – which I don’t think is your goal.
If the FDA CVM wants consumer confidence in the agency, contact us. Let pet owners know – we deserve it.
We encourage pet owners to send a message to FDA CVM asking the agency to issue a public update (email: [email protected]). We also encourage pet owners to write their state and federal government representatives to force the FDA to issue a public update. We deserve to know, and unfortunately we must press the FDA CVM to get what we deserve.
Please don’t let the FDA’s lack of communication with pet owners stop you from reporting a sick or dead pet. It is very important for all pet owners to document a sick pet that is believed to be related to a pet food or treatment to the FDA. If for no other reason than to document the issue for future reference by advocates (when FOIA requests are filed) – your report is valuable. If your pet becomes ill from any pet food, please report the incident to the FDA. Press here for more information on where/how to do that.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Buyer Beware of Author, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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