Over the past six months (since October 2013) the FDA has received reports of an average of 6 sick or dying pets a day related to jerky dog treats imported from China.  This means approximately 1200 more pets have become sick or died linked to jerky treats imported from China in just the last six months.  When will this madness end?

Recent questions on jerky treats (from China) sent to FDA…

“Since your last update (October 2013) – how many reports of sick or dying pets has FDA received linked to Chinese jerky treats?”

The first response was that FDA will be posting an update soon (they didn’t want to tell me).  So I asked again (Please).  And I was told…

“Since our update in October, we have received approximately 1600 additional complaints. However, a large volume of those were historical accounts rather than new or current cases.”

And then I asked how many (approximately) is ‘a large volume’ of historical accounts?

And was told “Approximately 25% of the reports we received on or after the update of October, 2013 had event onset dates of 6 months or more prior to the October 2013 update.”

This means in just six months – the FDA has received approximately 1200 new complaints of sick or dying pets linked to jerky treats imported from China (400 of the 1600 complaints were historical – 1200 were new).  1200 new complaints in 6 months.  An average of 6 sick or dying pets reported to FDA each day (in just the last 6 months).

This investigation into why approximately 4200 (total reported to FDA) pets have become seriously ill or died linked to jerky treats imported from China has gone on for more than seven years.

Enough already.

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
– Albert Einstein

The insanity at issue to so many pet food/treat consumers:

How in the world can FDA allow this pet death and kidney destruction go on and on and on? 

How can the contaminant in a small piece of dried meat imported from China be so elusive to FDA?

The FDA might not know why – but they certainly know what pets are consuming that are making thousands sick and die…Jerky treats imported from China.

Do we need to know why?  Federal Import laws require imported foods to be “safe to eat”.  1200 new sick pets over the past six months does not meet the federal requirement of ‘safe to eat’.  We know what…do we need to know why?

My suggestion to FDA:  Immediately (as in yesterday) issue a Import Alert on all jerky treats imported from China.  Detain all jerky treats from China at port of entry.  Issue a ‘stop sale’ on all jerky treats imported from China currently on store shelves.  Then – continue your investigation.  Then and only then continue to (try) to figure out the ‘why’.

FDA, you have it in your authority to prevent 1,200 more pets from dying or suffering serious illness over the next six months.  You have it in your authority to prevent 1,200 more families from suffering emotional and financial (vet bills) devastation over the next six months.  Please stop this insanity.  Stop doing the same thing – allowing 1,200 pets to become serious ill or die in the next six months.  Stop the sale of jerky treats from China until you know why.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food

What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
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