The U.S Food and Drug Administration has issued a follow-up letter to Nestle Purina PetCare after their inspection of the company’s Low-acid Canned Food (LACF) manufacturing facility in Allentown, Penn., from Sept. 12-Oct. 1, 2014, revealed several “significant violations.”
The letter states:
The inspection revealed that your firm manufactures a variety of low-acid dog and cat foods. The inspection also revealed that your facility has significant deviations from the LACF regulations, Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 108 and 113 (21 CFR Parts 108 and 113).
As a manufacturer of low-acid canned food products, you are required to comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) and the federal regulations relating to the processing of low-acid canned food products.
The FDA warns Purina that, under certain conditions, these violations could cause health issues in pets.
The letter goes on to address six of the citations that were found during the inspections. This is in response to a written letter the FDA had received from Nestle Purina regarding “the adequacy of the actions [Nestle] took to correct the objectionable conditions and practices observed during the inspection.”
On all six accounts, the FDA found Purina’s responses “unacceptable” and gave them fifteen working days to take corrective actions and send another letter with documentation “that demonstrates the corrections have been implemented.”
The violations all had to do with the manufacturing processes of the low-acid canned food including: sanitation; temperature-control; product quality (pouch thickness being one); and even processing/production records not being signed off.
Product Possible Affected
The warning letter mentions several lines of Purina brand cat and dog food:
Cat
- Friskies Mariner’s Catch 5.5oz. cans
- Friskies Mixed Grill, 5.5oz. cans
- Friskies Gravy Sensations with Turkey and Giblets in Gravy
- Friskies Supreme Supper
- Friskies Indoor Chicken
- Friskies Mixed Grill
- Friskies Salmon Dinner
Dog
- ProPlan Senior Beef and Rice Entrée
- Mighty Dog Chicken Egg & Bacon Country Platter
- Mighty Dog Chicken & Smoked Bacon Combo
- Mighty Dog Lamb and Rice
- Alpo Chop House Rotisserie Chicken flavor in Gourmet Gravy
- Alpo Chop House Originals Filet Mignon
- Alpo Chop House Originals Roasted Chicken
- Alpo Chop House Rotisserie Chicken in Gravy
- Alpo Chop House Originals Filet Mignon
- Alpo Prime Cuts with Beef
Purina’s Response
According to a statement in The Morning Call, “Keith Schopp, a spokesman for Nestle Purina at its North American headquarters in St. Louis, said the company is confident there are no food safety issues or risks to pet health with the company’s products. He said the company was unaware of any product recalls or reports of ill animals.”
H/t: The Morning Call
About the Author
Based in Wilsonville, Ore., animal lover Kristina N. Lotz is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). She is the founder of A Fairytail House. In her spare time, she trains and competes in herding, agility, obedience, rally, and conformation with her Shetland Sheepdogs. She smartly married a Veterinary Technician, who helps keep the fur kids happy and healthy, and provides a quick resource for articles.
