The US Federal Drug Administration says tests of recalled Menu Foods cat and dog food show no signs of aminopterin reported in the original recall of pet food March 16th.

The FDA held a news conference today, their findings have been reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Their tests indicate the presence of melamine, a plastic used in homes and textiles.

Update: April 2, 2007

In a move unrelated to the Menu Foods/wheat gluten recall, Eight In One, Inc. of Hauppauge, NY, a division of United Pet Group, Inc., has recalled nationally all lots of Dingo® Chick’n Jerky treats due to company concerns that the jerky treats have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella, which can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination, in people, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems.

Testing by the FDA and at least one lab independent of the agency found melamine, a chemical used in plastics and household textiles, in samples of the recalled pet food and in one of its ingredients — wheat gluten — said an FDA official and another source close to the investigation. Neither wanted to be identified prior to the FDA’s formal announcement this morning.

The FDA has not determined how melamine got into the pet food. Melamine is used as a fertilizer in Asia and has several commercial and industrial uses.

The FDA has received 8,000 complaints regarding the recalled food and is testing hundreds of customer-submitted samples

The ASPSA reports: (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

Today the ASPCA reports that, based on these data, clinical signs reported in cats affected by the contaminated foods are not fully consistent with the ingestion of rat poison containing aminopterin that, according to Menu Foods, is at the “root” of the contamination issue.

“We’ve seen reports coming in from all around the country that animals that were eating the contaminated foods are definitely suffering from renal failure,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president with the ASPCA, who manages the ASPCA’s Midwest Office, including the APCC. “But the data that we’ve been collecting do not conclusively prove this connection, which is why we strongly recommend that those involved in the investigation continue to search for additional contaminants.”

Dr. Hansen continued, “Aminopterin has been used to treat cancer in people, since it is able to disrupt rapidly-growing cells. In animals, it should result in effects that mimic this function, and these include bloody diarrhea, bone marrow suppression, abortion and birth defects. Further, renal damage—which has been seen in the affected animals—can occur at high doses.

“However, to be consistent with the effects of aminopterin, we should also be seeing a significant number of affected pets showing the accompanying signs of severe intestinal damage, as well as bone marrow suppression, including ‘leukopenia,’ which is a serious reduction in white blood cells.

“This is the missing connection that we want to alert veterinarians around the country to. We are asking all veterinarians treating cats affected by these products, to report their findings to the U. S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).”

Although Menu Foods announced last week that aminopterin was at the “root” of the contamination issue, the FDA, the agency leading this investigation, has not corroborated this finding.

“There are so many inconsistencies in the purported link between aminopterin and the animals affected, that we urge veterinary toxicologists and veterinary pathologists at diagnostic laboratories to continue looking for additional contaminants,” said Dr. Hansen. “Only continued rigorous testing will uncover the real reason or reasons for this crisis among our pet population.”

The FDA and Menu Foods do not have updated news releases up on their home pages at this time.

Menu Foods press release March 30, 2007

Colgate-Palmolive has pulled it’s Hill’s Pet Nutrition Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food off shelves,  saying they used the same wheat gluten supplier as Menu Foods during their recall period.

Update: April 2, 2007 FDA blocks imports from Chinese supplier

Update: April 2, 2007   1-888-232-9889

In a move unrelated to the Menu Foods/wheat gluten recall, Eight In One, Inc. of Hauppauge, NY, a division of United Pet Group, Inc., has recalled nationally all lots of Dingo® Chick’n Jerky treats due to company concerns that the jerky treats have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella, which can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination, in people, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems.

Update: April 5, 2007 Menu Foods has increased the recall date times of dog and cat food going back to November 8, 2006.

Update: Sunshine Mills Inc are recalling their dog biscuits made with the wheat gluten. The dog biscuit recall can be found on the Sunshine Mills site.

Update: April 17, 2007 Natural Balance has recalled some of it’s product. Note: The company does not use wheat gluten, the recalled foods are believed to have used rice gluten from a US supplier containing melamine.