How can food become contaminated?
In pet food processing, grains such as corn, wheat and rye can become infected with fungus in cool and wet weather. Some fungi produce toxins causing illness and liver and kidney failure in animals. Q: Other than the Diamond case, has this occurred before? A: In 1999, contamination with a different fungal toxin killed 25 dogs. Producer Doane Pet Care of Brentwood, Tenn., which made food for companies including Wal-Mart, recalled its dry dog food. In 1995, Nature’s Recipe dog food was recalled after a fungus that produced vomitoxin sickened dogs. The company lost $20 million. Q: What should pet owners feed their animals? Should people make their own pet food? A: If you have a recalled product, don’t feed it to your pets. Call your vet if your pets show signs of kidney problems (lethargy, frequent urination, copious drinking). Beyond that, there’s no reason to believe that other commercial pet foods are dangerous. Owners shouldn’t try to make pet food unless they’re very careful about nu
