Unaware of the recalls, many pet owners continue to feed brands under FDA investigation

In most games we get a few tries. But what level of risk are we willing to accept for our pets when the pet food recalls are now connected over seven years? This is not a game.

Why put your pet at risk?  Recent FDA reports connect the 2005 recall to 2012.  Diamond Pet Foods manufacturers food for dozens of brands, including Taste of the Wild and Kirkland.  Tainted food from the SC plant in 2005 resulted in recalls of 31 brands totaling 700,000 packages shipped to 24 states and 30 countries, but not before killing dozens of dogs according to a report by the FDA.   Fast forward to a recall in 2007, then 2009, 2010, and now the 10 ongoing recalls of 2012.

FDA investigators found several violations during a December 2005 inspection and sent a warning letter to Diamond.  One violation mentioned was: “The inspection also revealed that the facility failed to implement appropriate controls to prevent the adulteration of the pet food, and that the plant personnel failed to follow established procedures.”

Do the comments from FDA inspectors who visited the plant in April 2012 sound familiar? “All reasonable precautions are not taken to ensure that production procedures do not contribute contamination from any source.” And: “An employee was observed touching in-line fat filter and oil with bare hands.”

Why is anyone still buying these brands?  Or any stale, aged food from big box stores, for that matter?