Exactly one month after its official debut on Amazon and other digital book retail sites, TOXIC: From Factory to Food Bowl, Pet Food Is a Risky Business retains its position as #1 New Release, in addition to having earned excellent reviews from a variety of sources and a strong five-star rating on the Amazon website.
To celebrate our successful first month, here is an excerpt from the audiobook edition, soon to be released on Audible, Amazon, and Apple.
TOXIC has garnered a following in Europe as well as North America and Australia. A British reader had this to say:
This book is a sobering read – fact! For any pet owner who wants a behind the scenes look at what goes into (some) pet foods then this is a must read. Entis has written a clear and detailed account of the shortcomings and investigations into some of the unscrupulous practices that some pet food manufacturers have adopted.
[W]hat becomes clear is that laws need to be tightened and those in positions of authority within these pet food companies need to be held to account in a more meaningful and substantial way. This book offers a balanced and insightful view of manufactured pet food recalls over the last 100 years. As a pet owner I for one shall be following Entis’ own example and moving to a home diet for my dog from now on.
Amazon UK reviewer
TOXIC
From Factory to Food Bowl, PET FOOD IS A RISKY BUSINESS
“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.
Available from all major on-line retailers, including:
If you share your life with a companion animal—especially a dog or cat—you owe it to your pet to educate yourself about the practices that take place behind the scenes in the factories and kitchens where raw, canned, and kibbled pet foods are manufactured.
The reality behind the appetizing package labels and enticing website advertising may shock you. It will certainly disillusion you, as it did me.
The stories and investigations described in TOXIC are drawn from interviews with pet owners, public records, published articles, and FDA inspection reports.
FULL DISCLOSURE: My husband and I are very fortunate to share our home with our 7½ year old Australian Cobberdog, Rutlands Shalom. She thrives on a home-cooked diet that I prepare for her myself.
Word On the Street
As part of the run-up to the publication of TOXIC, I supplied Advance Review copies to a number of colleagues in the writing community. Several of these individuals have already posted their reviews, and I am proud to share a few of their comments here. If you wish to read a complete review, please click on the reviewer’s name or handle.
“As the former global pathogen product manager at a major testing manufacturer, I found this book a fantastic companion to Tainted by Phyllis Entis.” – George Nagle (Amazon USA reviewer)
“TOXIC provides an eye-opening look at the pet food industry’s failures.” – Amy M. Reade (Amazon USA reviewer)
“Well, wow! As with Entis’s first book, TAINTED, this new installment is frighteningly eye opening.” – PeaceLoveHope (an Amazon USA Vine Voice reviewer)
“My thanks to the author for this meticulous insight – would that it weren’t necessary to hold those responsible constantly to account, but it is … and this book does that with aplomb.” – MeandtheMutts (Amazon UK reviewer)
A Peek Inside the Book
If you have read this far, please let me entice you further with a short excerpt from Chapter 9: Pentobarbital’s Pervasive Presence. I interviewed Mark Johnson via email for this story.
Mark was a California cattleman and his dogs were his workforce. He maintained a string of Border Collies and Australian Shepherd mixes to help with herding. Mark first purchased Gravy Train canned dog foods in 2015, using the products as supplemental feedings and as rewards for his dogs. In January 2018, when disaster struck, Mark owned thirteen dogs, ranging from ten months to approximately seven years old. One of his six female dogs was pregnant.
Typically, Mark purchased five cases of dog food weekly, patronizing the local Walmart and Big Lots stores for his supplies. In early January 2018, he replenished his supply of canned food with a purchase of two Gravy Train varieties: Chunks in Gravy with Beef Chunks, and Chunks in Gravy with T-Bone Flavor Chunks. On or about January 12th, all thirteen dogs fell sick within hours after eating the Gravy Train dog food. He took all of the dogs to his local veterinarian. Within two days of having consumed the dog food, all thirteen dogs were showing signs of kidney failure and were euthanized at the veterinarian’s recommendation.
Although the veterinarian performed a necropsy on one of the dogs, neither he nor Mark reported the dog deaths to the FDA. According to Mark, the veterinarian died shortly after the incident, and Mark was unable to retrieve his files. As of November 2018, Mark was still searching for replacement herding dogs that were in need of a good home.
Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.
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United States
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: FDA is working to identify the source of a new outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+ that has caused 31 confirmed illnesses to date, and is also investigating an new outbreak of 28 cases of Cyclosporacayetanensis for which no food source has yet been identified.
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: CDC, FDA and various state agencies continue to investigate a three-state outbreak of nine cases of Hepatitis A associated with frozen strawberries imported into the United States from Baja California, Mexico. Three of the victims have been hospitalized.
OUTBREAK ALERT / FOOD SAFETY ADVISORY: FDA advises restaurants and retailers not to serve or sell and consumers not to eat certain raw oysters from Dai One Food Co., Ltd, Republic of Korea due to potential Norovirus contamination. Five cases of Norovirus gastroenteritis potentially linked to the oysters have been reported in Hawaii.
Allergy Alert:Gelato Boy recalls Chocolate Chunk Gelato (16 fl oz; Lot code 4043T2; Best by of 04/25; UPC 853457008002) due to undeclared milk.
Allergy Alert: Supplement Manufacturing Partner Inc. recalls Havasu Nutrition’s Beet Root Powder + (11.5 oz; Lot #111-2023021; Best by January 2026) due to undeclared milk.
Food Safety Recall: Willamette Valley Fruit Co recalls select packages of frozen fruit containing strawberries grown in Mexico due to the potential for Hepatitis A contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Pet Food Safety Recall: Cargill, Inc Corporate Headquarters recalls Best Choice Complete Puppy Formula Dog Food (4.4 lb & 16.5 lb; UPC 0 70038 60378 8 & UPC 0 70038 60381 8, respectively; Lot code EP2264; Best before 09-21-23) due to elevated aflatoxin levels.
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Canada
Food Safety Recall Update: New Alasko recalls Alasko brand IQF Whole Raspberries (1 kg & 5 kg; UPC 6 95058 00205 4 & 1 069505 800205 1, respectively; Lot HL22227; Best before 2024 AUG 15) and Alasko brand IQF Antioxidant Blend (1 kg & 5 kg; UPC 6 95058 27150 4 & 1 069505 827150 1, respectively; Lot 0052 041 2023; Best before 2023 OC 11) due to Norovirus contamination. The recalled products were sold in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories. Illnesses have been linked to the consumption of these products.
Food Safety Recall: Simply Delicious recalls Battaglia’s Lorne Park Marketplace frozen raspberries (1 kg; Lot #22227; UPC 8 88040 40010 9) due to possible Norovirus contamination.
Food Safety Recall: Phoenicia Group Inc. recalls Al Kanater brand Tahini (330g; Lot #33101; Best before 2025 JA 31; UPC 6 92551 00053 2) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall: Fumoir artisanal Indian Bay inc. (Saint-Omer, QC) recalls SAUMON FUMÉ À CHAUD / Hot-smoked salmon and TRUITE FUMÉE À CHAUD / Hot-smoked trout (Sold up to 13 June 2023) due to lack of an expiration date and/or storage temperature instructions on the package label.
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Europe
Allergy Alert (France): SILVE INTERMARCHE recalls Monique Ranou brand Gratin dauphinois à la crème fraîche / Gratin Dauphinois with crème fraîche (850g; Lot 2362 L : M2H074 A11 05:35 à 07:50; Best before 31/03/2026) due to undeclared wheat and milk.
Allergy Alert (Germany): Taifun-Tofu GmbH recalls Räuchertofu / Smoked tofu (200g; Lot L301; Best before 27.08.2023) due to incorrect allergen information.
Allergy Alert (Italy): FVS srl recalls Fortini brand Biscotti frollini all’uvetta e misti / Shortbread biscuits with raisins & Mixed shortbread biscuits (200g, 400g, & 1 kg; Lots 12823, 12923, 13023, 13123, 13223, 13323, 13523; Best before 30/04/2024) due to undeclared sulphur dioxide.
Allergy Alert Update (UK): Warp Snacks recalls several Lentil Bites and Chips products due to undeclared gluten. Please refer to the updated recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): AFSCA orders recall of TerraSana brand Pesto Rosso (bio) / Organic red pesto (180g; Best before 04/11/2024) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of glass).
Food Safety Recall (France): WOSTIN’ recalls Pousse de Haricot mungo / Mungo bean sprouts (1 kg; Lots FF07010 & FF07011; Best before 14/06/2023 & 15/06/2023, respectively) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): EUROPAFROM recalls GORGONZOLA MASCARPONE (Lot 230517; Best before dates between 09/06/2023 and 19/06/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): FROMAGERIE OTTAVI recalls various U muntagnolu Ghisoni Fior di Corsica Petirosso Fium’orbu fleur de lava petit renoso brand sheep and goat milk soft-curd cheeses due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DU MONT PILAT recalls Rosette Salaisonniers du Pilat dry sausage (420g; Lot 2311002; Use by dates between 23/07/2023 and 25/07/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DU MONT PILAT recalls DUCULTY brand Rosette / dry sausage (420g; Lot 2311002; Use by dates between 23/07/2023 and 25/07/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DU MONT PILAT recalls DUCULTY brand Grande rosette / dry sausage (800g; Lots 2310304 & 2111003; Use by dates between 18/07/2023 and 29/07/2023 and between 01/08/2023 and 05/08/2023, respectively) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SALAISONS DU MONT PILAT recalls DUCULTY brand Grande rosette pur porc / dry pork sausage (~800g; Lots 2310304 & 2111003; Use by dates 23/07/2023 and 30/07/2023, respectively) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): FLOMAR INTERMARCHE recalls CHUTE DE SAUMON FUME / Smoked salmon (Lot C003140; Use by 05/06/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SOCIETE AUDIS E.LECLERC AUSSONNE recalls E.LECLERC AUSSONNE brand FEUILLETE SAUMON EPINARD / Salmon & spinach puffs (All Use by dates between 24/05 and 15/06) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of blue plastic).
Food Safety Recall (France): SOCIETE AUDIS E.LECLERC AUSSONNE recalls E.LECLERC AUSSONNE brand EPINARDS A LA CREME / Creamed spinach (All Use by dates between 24/05 and 15/06) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of blue plastic).
Food Safety Recall (France): SOCIETE AUDIS E.LECLERC AUSSONNE recalls E.LECLERC AUSSONNE brand TARTELETTES CHEVRE EPINARD/ Goat cheese and spinach tarts (All Use by dates between 24/05 and 15/06) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of blue plastic).
Food Safety Recall (France): SOCIETE AUDIS E.LECLERC AUSSONNE recalls E.LECLERC AUSSONNE brand QUICHE CHEVRE EPINARD/ Goat cheese and spinach quiche (All Use by dates between 24/05 and 15/06) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of blue plastic).
Food Safety Recall (France): COMAVIA INTERMARCHE recalls Gineys brand Viande de boeuf / Beef (Lot 23/BO05257; Use by 06/06/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): COMAVIA INTERMARCHE recalls Gineys brand Steak haché / Ground beef (Lot 23/BO05257; Use by 02/06/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Much More Market GmbH recalls Elit Cevapcici brand Mici Plini de Carne / Mini meat blinis (900g; Lots 516, 517; Best before 12.11.2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): TerraSana Natuurvoeding BV recalls TerraSana brand Bio Pesto rosso / Organic red pesto (180g; Best before 04.11.2024) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of glass).
Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): TerraSana recalls TerraSana brand Bio Pesto rosso / Organic red pesto (180g; Best before 04.11.2024) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of glass).
Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Norvida recalls John’s Selection blandfärs / Mixed minced meat (500g; Best before 21/06/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
Allergy Alert (Israel): A. Saiman Trade Ltd. recalls White Chocolate Brownies (no lot code details given) due to undeclared milk.
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