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As a
result of the 2007 recall of pet foods that contained
melamine, the FDA commissioned various groups to
recommend pet food regulations. One of the think-tank
groups to make recommendations to the FDA is AAFCO (the
American Association of Feed Control Officials).
Rather
than targeting the garbage contained in pet foods, the FDA "is
spending a lot of time on a joint effort with AAFCO to create
an "enforcement" event targeting
supplements--vitamins, herbs, antioxidants. The first
"target" was rumored to be glucosamine-a proven
supplement for arthritis. That target was abandoned when
veterinarians and others voiced major objections. New
targets are planned, including MSM and garlic.
"Investigators" have been appointed, an
"surveillance" has been set up. An FDA/AAFCO
coalition believes that launching a war against these kinds of
"unapproved" supplements and additives in pet foods
will protect the health of cats and dogs."
(See Pet
Food: The Inside Scoop)
If you read Commercial
Pet Foods, you will understand that melamine and
supplements to support health are the least of the
problems inherent in pet foods and that current AAFCO
standards for feed are currently inadequate.
Accordingly, I urge you to send a letter to your local AAFCO representative
demanding (i) stricter and longer pet food feeding
trials, and that package labeling include (ii) the
bioavailability of the food, (iii) source of meat--whether from
a rendering plant or human grade, (iv) the percentage of
moldy grains used in the composition of the food, and (v) the
amounts of chemicals (denaturing agents, sodium pentobarbital,
ethoxyquin, BHA and BHT) in the final food product.
Please also state your support for the addition of supplements
in pet foods.
I urge
you to write or email your local AAFCO representative and
demand these changes in regulations. If you live in IL,
the AAFCO representative is:
Jim
Larkin
Illinois Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Ag. Products Inspection
Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281
Springfield, IL 62794
Phone: 217-785-8212
E-mail: jim.larkin@illinois.gov
If you
live in a state other than Illinois, please contact Defend
Our Pets, an organization established after the melamine
recall of pet food, to learn the name, address, phone and
email address of your local AAFCO representative.
Thank you
for visiting our website.
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