Huge Pet Food Recall Launched After Deaths

NEW YORK — A pet food producer has announced a massive recall of "cuts and gravy" style dog and cat food found in 90 private-label store brands after reports of several animal deaths.

Ontario-based Menu Foods launched the precautionary recall Monday of food produced between last Dec. 3 and March 6, based on feedback in the United States about the food's impact of pets' kidneys.
 
Some 10 dogs and cats have died as a result of the food, which has sickened others, according to a San Jose Mercury News report.

But despite testing the food in question, the company remained unclear about what had caused the problems.

It said the complaints coincided with the introduction of wheat gluten from a new supplier.

"We take these complaints very seriously and, while we are still looking for a specific cause, we are acting to err on the side of caution" said Paul K. Henderson, CEO of Menu Foods, in a statement.

Menu listed the affected brands on its Web site at http://menufoods.com/recall/