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.
If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.
United States
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: The CDC is continuing to track Salmonella outbreaks linked to backyard poultry. As of June 15, 2023, the agency and its state partners have identified 410 confirmed cases in 45 states. Eighty-four people have required hospitalization. Six Salmonella serotypes—Braenderup, Enteritidis, Indiana, Infantis, Mbandaka, and Typhimurium—have been recovered from outbreak victims.
Food Safety Recall: Cascade International Foods, Inc recalls Fresh Organic Freezer Strawberries Mexico with calyx (caps) removed (net wt. 18 lbs., packaged in a T60-800 Polyethylene Homopolymer picking tray; Lot codes 030122-50029 030222-50029 030822-50029 030922-50029 031122-50029) due to potential Hepatitis A virus contamination. Consignees were notified by telephone of this recall, which was initiated on May 25, 2023.
Food Safety Recall: Distribuidora El Paisano Import, LLC recalls approximately 1,715 pounds of imported TorTrix Con Chicharrón (5.3 oz. (150g) foil pouch packages) ready-to-eat pork rind product that was imported from Guatemala, because the country is ineligible to export meat products to the United States.
Food Safety Recall: BCI Foods Inc. recalls approximately 13,561 pounds of chicken noodle soup products that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall: Sunrise Growers Inc. (a subsidiary of SunOpta Inc) recalls specific frozen fruit products linked to pineapple provided by a third-party supplier due to the potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
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Canada
Food Safety Recall: Casse-Croûte Saut-Mathurine (Montréal, QC) recalls Mélange d’assaisonnement en pot / Seasoning mix in a jar (Sold up to 20 June 2023), because the preparation and packaging conditions may have rendered the product unsafe to consume.
Food Safety Recall: le Groupe Adonis inc. recalls EMMI FROM.APPENZELLER CLAS Cheese (Sold up to 20 June 2023) because the packaging does not indicate that the cheese was made from raw milk.
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Europe
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (Denmark): The Statens Serum Instituthas now received 29 confirmed case reports of Salmonella Muenchen infections across Denmark. Attempts to find the source of the outbreak strain have not yet met with success.
Allergy Alert (UK): Fito Nature Boutiquerecalls Fito Vegan Collagen capsules (40 capsules; Batch code 110323; Use by 10 March 2028) due to undeclared soy.
Allergy Alert (UK): Lidl GB recalls Snaktastic Chilli Heatwave Tortilla Chips (200g; Batch code T4B 3142; Best before 22 October 2023) due to undeclared milk.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Albert Heijn recalls Johma brand Surinaamse ei salade / Egg salad (175g; Best before 06/07/2023) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of plastic).
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Délidis recalls Bokertov brand Hummus (150g; Lot 163; Use by 01/07/2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): MJ2 BEAUTY WORLD recalls Best of Africa brand Egussi Entier / Pumpkin seeds (400g; Lot EGE392211; Best before 24/12/2025) and Tropic brand Egussi Entier / Pumpkin seeds (1 kg; Lot EGE392211; Best before 24/12/2025) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Himmerlandskød recalls three ground meat products due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (France): LDC BOURGOGNE VDR – GUILLOT recalls multiple brands of raw whole chicken due to Listeria contamination. Please refer to the Rappel Conso website for detailed information on the affected products.
Food Safety Recall (France): SAS Fromagerie OTTAVI recalls multiple varieties and brands of cheeses due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. A strain of L. monocytogenes found in samples of the company’s cheese is similar to the strain recovered from several patients suffering from listeriosis. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (France): CSF Carrefour Market recalls CARREFOUR FQC brand JAMBONS CUITS / Cooked hams (Lots from 13 JUIN to 14 JUIN 2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LIDL recalls Sélection du Fromager brand Fromage de brebis “Le Ghisoni” / Sheep milk cheese (Multiple lot codes and Use by dates) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (France): ALTA CIMA 2B recalls ALTA CIMA 2Bbrand tomette de brebis/chevre / small wheel of mixed sheep and goat milk cheese (Lots 024, 020, 027, 054; Use by dates between 01/06/2023 and 01/10/2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): ALTA CIMA 2B recalls ALTA CIMA 2Bbrand fromage de chevre U Capraltu / Goat milk cheese (Lots 104, 093, 109, 124, 117; Use by dates between 01/07/2023 and 01/10/2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): ALTA CIMA 2B recalls ALTA CIMA 2Bbrand tomette de brebis Monta / Sheep milk cheese (Lots 002, 353, 131; Use by dates between 01/07/2023 and 01/10/2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): ALTA CIMA 2B recalls ALTA CIMA 2Bbrand tomme de brebis Monta/ Sheep milk cheese (Sold by the slice; 348,349,010,060,066; Use by dates between 01/07/2023 and 30/10/2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LIDL recalls Cœur de filet de saumon qualité sashimi / Sashimi quality heart of salmon filet (140g; Lot 9231650001; Use by 28/06/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SCAMARK E.LECLERC recalls L’ATELIER TRAITEUR brand SALADE CAESAR / Caesar salad (300g; Use by 07/07/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): JEAN HERVE recalls JEAN HERVE brand Purée d’amande blanche / White almond purée (700g; Lot 1220907 after 10:00; Best before 22/11/2025) due to possible foreign matter contamination (glass splinters).
Food Safety Recall (France): JEAN HERVE recalls Ti!Bio brand Purée d’amande complète / Whole almond purée (350g; Lot 1220906 after 10:00; Best before 22/11/2025) due to possible foreign matter contamination (glass splinters).
Food Safety Recall (France): JEAN HERVE recalls JEAN HERVE brand Purée d’amande complète / Whole almond purée (350g; Lot 1220906 after 10:00; Best before 22/11/2025) due to possible foreign matter contamination (glass splinters).
Food Safety Recall (Hungary): Nébih recalls several varieties of flavoured, roasted corn kernels due to presence of aflatoxin above the permitted level. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Johma recalls Johma brand Surinaamse eisalade / Egg salad (175g; Best before 06/07/2023) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of plastic).
Food Safety Recall (UK): Ramona’s recalls Ramona’s Heavenly Original Houmous (500g; Use by 28 July 2023) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of plastic).
Australia and New Zealand
Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Maketū Foods Ltd recalls Maketū Pies brand Steak & Mushroom Pie (200g; Batch 06062023; Fresh use by 24 June 2023; Frozen best before 15 Jun 2024) due to undeclared fish.
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?
Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
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.
If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.
United States
Allergy Alert:Frito-Lay recalls Tostitos Avocado Salsa Jar Dips (15 oz. (425.2g); 2 NOV 23 or 3 NOV 23; UPC ending in 0559) due to possible undeclared milk.
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Canada
Allergy Alert:Aliments Ludo (Mont-Carmel, QC) recalls La vraie sauce à la viande / Real meat sauce (750 ml; Sold up to 16 June 2023) due to undeclared fish (anchovy) and soy.
Allergy Alert: D Way Foods Inc. recalls Miyako brand Shredded Crab Meat (12 x 2.5 lbs; Lot #JUN/06/23, JUN/20/23, and MAY/08/23; UPC 10720182014851) due to undeclared egg and wheat. The recalled product was sold in British Columbia.
Allergy Alert: Aquamar Inc. recalls several Kanimi brand Imitation crab products due to undeclared egg and wheat. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were sold in Alberta and British Columbia.
Allergy Alert: APO Products Ltd. recalls Sorbetero brand Mango Frozen Dessert Bars (300 mL (4 x 75 mL); Best before 12 07 2023; UPC 7 74310 68140 1) due to undeclared milk. The recalled product was sold nationally.
Food Safety Recall: New Alasko recalls Alasko brand IQF Antioxidant Blend (1 kg & 5 kg; UPC 6 95058 27150 4 & 1 069505 827150 1, respectively; Lot 0052 044 2023; Best before 2023 OC 11) due to possible Norovirus contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): Industry recalls OTTAVI FIORE DI MACCHIA brand Tomme de chèvre et/ou brebis en Libre service et à la coupe / goat and/or sheep milk cheese, sold by the slice (All lots) due to probable Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LDC SABLE LDC recalls LE GAULOIS PROFESSIONNEL brand POULET NU / Unwrapped whole raw chicken (Lot 0093015879; Use by 06/06/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): AUCHAN RETAIL SERVICES AUCHAN recalls POUCE brand POULET BLANC / Whole raw chicken (Lot 0093015768; Use by 06/06/2023 and 07/06/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LDC BOURGOGNE recalls NEUTRE brand POULET PAC ROTISSOIRE / Whole raw rotisserie chicken (~1200g; Lot 0093015879; Use by 06/06/2023 and 07/06/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): FOODIZ DELI recalls various Happy Yummy brand Wok dishes and spring rolls due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): La Vie Est Belle recalls La Vie Est Belle Lenteburger / Spring burger (Use by 05-06-2023, 12-06-2023, 19-06-2023, and 26-06-2023) due to foreign matter contamination (metal particles).
Food Safety Recall (Romania): Mega Image recalls ECO Crema tartinabila vegan cu spanac / ECO Spreadable vegan cream with spinach (Lot codes 2402003D, L2403058C, and 405093FG; Expiry dates 03.02.2024, 27.03.2024, and 03.05.2024) due to foreign matter contamination.
Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
Allergy Alert (Israel): Dan Next Import and Marketing Ltd. recalls GULLON ZERO Sugar free CHIP CHOC cookies (150g; All production dates) due to undeclared soy lecithin.
Australia and New Zealand
Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): New World Aokautere recalls New World Aokautere brand NZ Beef Prime Mince (various weights; Best before 19.06.23) due to foreign matter contamination (metal fragments).
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?
Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
eFoodAlert 