Contaminated Fish Feed

Having a cat and four dogs has made me closely follow the news about contaminated pet food. Now there is something new to be concerned about. In today's edition of The New York Times (04/30/2007) in an article titled "In China, Filler In Animal's Feed Is An Open Secret" by David Barboza and Alexei Barrinouevo a gentleman named Ji Denghiu said "Many companies buy melamine scrap to make animal feed, such as fish feed." He is a manager of a company in China that sells melamine. The melamine is added to boost the protein content in testing. This is a false positive test as it does not really boost the protein content of any animal feed. What do we do now folks? How can you be certain the koi and goldfish are getting what the label says? Worse yet, are they being stressed or sickened from a possible poison?

Full Article
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/business/worldbusiness/30food.html?ex=1335672000&en=b143bd4a5d0684b6&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Ya, know, I wondering that myself since I read the label on my goldfish food a while back. It has wheat gluten in it.

It's made in Germany. I wonder if there's any way to find out if other countries import their components from China too.

also, I've been supplementing my fish with mushed peas, dried blood worms, duck weed and leaf lettuce.

I tried hardboiled egg too but they totally ignored it.

I've seen a few recipes for homemade fish food, so it is possible to feed your fish homemade food and you'll know exactly what's in it.

This page describes some of the fresh foods you can feed the fish and a recipe for gell food.

http://www.petplace.com/fish/healthy-food-for-your-goldfish/page1.aspx

This message was edited Apr 30, 2007 6:36 PM

I think just as with the pet food you have to watch who your manufacturer is and be very careful about your new stock of food. If there is a problem they will post the names and lot numbers like they did for the pet foods. Remember though that the problem came from rice gluten that was used as a thickener in the canned/pouch products. Unless something changed that I missed, wheat gluten wasn't the problem.

PeggyP

PeggyP

The first problem with contaminated pet food BEGAN with wheat gluten in wet cat and dog food.

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/chemnutra04_07.html

Then there was a problem found with corn gluten, although it isn't certain that has reached the US in dog or cat food although it has been identified in hog feed.

http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_116201409.html

The latest addition is rice protein.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/19/health/main2703621.shtml?source=RSSattr=Business_2703621

I thought they had traced it to rice gluten to start with.

Ok I'll shut up since I am obviously way behind. I'd rather be gardening when I get off work so if I don't catch it in the local news, I don't catch it.

PeggyP

PeggyP - We'd all rather be gardening. LOL I sure would. The news is just so awful these days anyway. If you're gonna miss something that would be the one activity I would pick. Your advice to watch your pet feeds is very sound. I'm wondering if there will be anything left commercially that is safe to feed our furred and finned friends.

Mary

snapple.....I also see that there is a fish virus in the great lakes, similar to the koi khv, killing large numbers......Very concerning, since there is no treatment....