New Melamine and Cyanuric Acid Theory...

**UPDATE**

Here's an article that I think that many of you will be interested in.

Chinese Businesses Say Animal Feed Commonly Laced with Mildly Toxic Melamine

"We've been running the melamine feed business for about 15 years and receiving positive responses from our customers," Wang said in a telephone interview.

"Using the proper quantity of melamine will not harm the animals. Our products are very safe, for sure," Wang said.

Although apparently widely practiced in China, concern over the use of melamine arose only in March, after the U.S. recall of nearly 100 brands of pet food made with wheat gluten contaminated by the chemical. Adding melamine to food is illegal under U.S. law, and China's government last week said it was banning its use in food products.

Cyanuric acid, which was found in urine samples from animals that died, and melamine, a compound identified in the gluten found in the recalled pet food, react with one another to form crystals that may block kidney function, researchers at the University of Guelph said Friday.

...Adding melamine raises the nitrogen level of feed, making it appear that the feed is higher in protein without increasing its nutritional value. That makes it attractive to makers of feed for stock animals such as pigs, chickens, and fish, as well as companies that make prepared foods for household pets such as cats and dogs.

..."As far as I know, there are no rules of regulations that make this illegal. As to whether melamine is toxic or not, I believe it won't do any harm if there is only very small amount," Ji said. "Otherwise, those companies could not do that."

Calls to China's food safety regulator, the State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine, rang unanswered Monday afternoon.

Tainted animal feed is merely the latest revelation about China's food safety woes, ranging from dye-tainted fish, and fake baby formula to the alleged use of ingredients intended for animal consumption to make snack foods.

I'm sooo glad I don't shop for groceries in China.

Hopefully, our food manufacturers will quit shopping there and buy their ingredients here in the United States.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

(Bold is my emphasis.)

AVMA Press Release

For More Information:
Tom McPheron
Phone: 847-285-6781
Cell: 773-494-5419
e-mail: tmcpheron@avma.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 1, 2007


Melamine and Cyanuric Acid Interaction May Play Part in Illness and Death from Recalled Pet Food

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.
— Tests conducted on contaminated pet food and necropsies from affected animals have resulted in a new theory to explain how animals are being adversely affected by contaminated pet foods. A chemical reaction between melamine and cyanuric acid is suspected of forming crystals and blocking kidney function.

The investigation into contaminated pet food has focused on melamine contamination of ingredients imported from China, such as wheat gluten, rice protein concentrate and corn gluten (imported into South Africa). It is now believed that cyanuric acid, as well as melamine, has been found in urine samples from animals that died.

Analysis of the crystals in the kidneys of affected animals have revealed that they are approximately 70 percent cyanuric acid and 30 percent melamine, and are extremely insoluble. Furthermore, tests mixing melamine and cyanuric acid in samples of cat urine resulted in almost immediate formation of crystals that were identical to crystals found in the kidneys of affected animals. Two other melamine- related substances—ammelide and ammeline—may also play roles and are under investigation.

As the recalls continue, the AVMA reminds pet owners and veterinarians that over 98 percent of pet foods are still deemed safe and haven't been recalled. The FDA is currently testing 100 percent of wheat gluten, rice protein concentrate, corn gluten, corn meal, soy protein, and rice bran being imported from China for these contaminants. The most recent pet food recalls have been undertaken proactively, due to association with involved ingredients and suppliers rather than as the result of complaints that animals that have consumed the food and become ill.

Most affected cats and dogs are recovering through use of standard fluid therapy and supportive care. The AVMA urges all veterinarians who have seen animals they suspect have been affected by a contaminated pet food to submit their findings to an ongoing survey. This survey is being conducted by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) and is accessible at http://www.aavld.org.

The AAVLD Web site also offers a protocol for sample submission and a list of accredited veterinary diagnostic laboratories. It is important to note that samples from the kidneys should not be preserved in formalin, as the crystals seem to dissolve over time in formalin. Instead, they should be preserved in 100 percent ethanol or snap-frozen in OCT medium and sent to a diagnostic laboratory on dry ice.

A comprehensive AVMA Pet Food Recall List is available at http://www.avma.org/aa/menufoodsrecall/products.asp. The AVMA Pet Food Recall List contains all recall information that has come to the attention of the AVMA, but it is not guaranteed to be complete. The AVMA encourages all concerned to contact the specific manufacturer regarding the status of any particular pet food or treat.

For more information, please visit the AVMA web site at www.avma.org.

Melamine Contamination Advances to Poultry Production...

Melamine and Melamine Related Compounds...

Pet Foods=Human Foods... It's All the Same Thing

Pet Food Recall Expands to Rice Protein...

Royal Canin States: We're Not Involved...

The Pet Food Recall Expands... Again.

FDA Announces: Melamine in Tainted Pet Foods...

Menu Foods Posts FAQ's Page...

Pet Food Recall...

Still Looking for Answers on the 2007 Pet Food Recall...

Menu Foods Pet Food Recall Update