Beneful - alerted to problem in January

I also totally missed the post on DU!!

by RebelOne

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=243&topic_id=23532

I wish I had known - I did buy this brand once, not long ago but before this recall started - our dogs were eating it for about a week...and our finicky bi guy loved it -
But then, an unusual thing occured - the sweetest 160 lbs character - bit me by accident as he was going after our little guy and I stopped the fight - I presumed he was not feeling well and was annoyed at the pup pestering him - but he had never even growled at anyone before...he had even let this pup turn him over...
Could this have been the food? I wonder...


The Beneful Countdown begins on Good Friday, Friday the 6th.

Purina has until Good Friday to recall Beneful and issue an apology to all of the people who have had to deal with the sickness or death of their dogs. An apology will be necessary, since Nestle/Purina was made aware of the problem with the food by DoggyBling.com staff in January. (We are positive they knew of the problem before we initially notified them)

We will count down the days in our "Comments" section, each day, until Nestle/Purina does the right thing. They had the opportunity to be a corporate hero, yet chose to be corporate cads.

Dogs continue to get sick and die after their owners are told by Nestle/Purina that "All is ok". "All is not ok" and Nestle/Purina knows it. There is no safe Nestle/Purina dog food. They are all low quality in the first place. Don't listen to the commercials, read the ingredients.

http://www.doggybling.com/newsarticle.php?id=1099

can you explain this to me? our dog isn't sick but eats Beneful 100% of the time. what the HELL did I miss here??

It's all we feed him.

:shrug:

and that is why this group is so angry!

or is this just some anti-Purina shit?

Same symptoms of animals eating beneful were reported to this group

Kind of harsh. If you want to deny that the ingredients in Beneful (and all purina foods) are not high quality, fine, but to accuse people who won't feed purina foods because they are bad for animals of a bias against purina is not fine.

here's what you're feeding when you feed Beneful

Ingredients: Ground yellow corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole wheat flour, beef tallow preserved with mixed-tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), rice flour, beef, soy flour, sugar, sorbitol, tricalcium phosphate, water, animal digest, salt, phosphoric acid, potassium chloride, dicalcium phosphate, sorbic acid (a preservative), L-Lysine monohydrochloride, dried peas, dried carrots, calcium carbonate, calcium propionate (a preservative), choline chloride, vitamin supplements (E, A, B-12, D-3), added color (Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 2), DL-Methionine, zinc sulfate, glyceryl monostearate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, manganese sulfate, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, biotin, thiamine mononitrate, garlic oil, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, sodium selenite.
F-4090



Number one ingredient is ground yellow corn -- which is no-no for dogs. I breed and show dogs as a hobby and have been doing it for almost 20 years now. I breed a litter every 3-4 years. My guarantee is null and void if you feed any of my puppies this crap.

This food is horrible for dogs and pointing it out is not an anti-purina bias.

I feed these two kibbles - Fromm Salmon A La Veg and Timberwolf Organics Dakota Bison. here are the ingredients:

Fromm's -- Salmon, Salmon Meal, Brown Rice, Sweet Potato, Pearled Barley, Potato, Oatmeal, White Rice, Whole Dried Egg, Salmon Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Millet, Dried Tomato Pomace, Safflower Oil, Cheese, Flaxseed, Carrots, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Apples, Lecithin, Chicken Cartilage, Potassium Chloride, Monosodium Phosphate, Calcium Sulfate, Cranberries, Blueberries, Salt, Monocalcium Phosphate, Chicory Root Extract, Alfalfa Sprouts, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Folic Acid, Parsley, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Longum, Enterococcous Faecium, Vitamin A, D3, E, B12 Supplements, Choline Bitartrate, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Cobalt Carbonate, Calcium Iodate, Sorbic Acid, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite.

Timberwolf Dakota Bison -- ingredients: Fresh Bison Meat, Salmon Meal, Millet, Sweet Potatoes, Oats, Flaxseed, Carrot, Watercress, Spinach, Celery, Parsley, Fennel Seed, Wild Salmon Oil, Atlantic Kelp, Hydrated Alfalfa Leaf, Potassium Chloride, Currants, Cranberries, Pears, Figs, Thyme, Anise Seed, Ground Cinnamon Bark, Fenugreek, Garlic Pieces, Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Apples, Chicory Root, Spirulina, Choline Chloride, Lecithin, Probiotics: (Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Lactis, Bacillus Bifidum, Streptococcus Diacetilactis, Bacillus Subtillus), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols (a source of vitamin E), Lysine, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine, Methionine, Carnitine, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Iodine Proteinate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine (a source of vitamin B6), Cobalt Proteinate, Papain, Yucca Schidigera Extract.

yet I have yet to see proof. this is serious shit. my dog has been eating since day 1 and he *knock on wood* hasn't been sick but if there IS a doubt I want to know about it.

Beneful is not part of the recall, I wouldn't feed it. It's not a good food. If your dog isn't too big, then it is not cost prohibative to feed a better food. In my breed, allergies to yellow corn and wheat are so common and when people buy puppies from pet stores, those of us in rescue get to deal with a dog who is in horrible condition, mentally and physically, from being fed a bad diet. Yellow corn and wheat gluten leads to skin problems, ear infections, poor muscle tone and on and on.

There are studies linking inadequate pet food diets leading to hip dysplasia and other muscular-skeletal problems in large breeds.

I cannot stress enough that dogs should not be eating a diet of yellow corn. And the "rendered" part includes dogs and cats from shelters. They're "rendered" right along with the beef parts.

I don't like to think that vets who should know better recommend this stuff because they're paid to. It kills me to think that, so I try not to.

My vet, BTW, does NOT recommend any of this stuff. He recommends Solid Gold, but I introduced him to Timberwolf and he's switched his Irish Wolfhounds over to it.

Guess I will be picking up new dog food on my way home today.

and not from some unknown site I know nothing about

Thanks!

misinformed company.

now I'm suspicious

http://www.doggybling.com/sponsor.php?categoryKey=1034

experience...

and they screen their advertisers

http://www.doggybling.com/sniffusout.php

Thanks

http://www.connecticutk9.com/dogfood.htm

On this scale, Beneful scores a lowly 17 points:

How to grade your dog's food:
Start with a grade of 100:

1) For every listing of "by-product", subtract 10 points

2) For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points

3) If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points

4) For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points

5) If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. "ground brown rice", "brewer's rice", "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points

6) If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points

7) If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points

8 ) If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3points

9) If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points

10) If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points

11) If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points

12) If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points

13) If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points

14) If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to beef), subtract 1 point

15) If it contains salt, subtract 1 point

Extra Credit:

1) If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points

2) If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points

3) If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points

4) If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points

5) If the food contains fruit, add 3 points

6) If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points

7) If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points

If the food contains barley, add 2 points

9) If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points

10) If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point

11) If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point

12) For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein source, but "chicken" and "" as 2 different sources), add 1 point

13) If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point

14) If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point

94-100+ = A
86-93 = B
78-85 = C
70-77 = D
69 = F

:eyes:

:eyes:

I haven't been involved in the dog food discussions so maybe I stepped into something accidentally.

No offense was intended - I just saw the grading system myself this weekend.

directed at the study. might be true or not but as I sarcastically stated, doesn't sound like there is anything left for my dog to eat except grass.

our vet recommended Beneful to us as well

At whoever keep spreading these stories. I called my vet. She said Benefil is not on any of the lists she has.

saved me a phone call when I get home.

these accusations are dangerous

It could be a regional thing. Maybe the Beneful I get here is made in a different place than yours.

based on the reaction.

:-)

i wonder if this problem is in their cat food as well...

so it may be product specific?

they were talking about this way before anyone...


http://www.doggybling.com/newsarchive.php


A Note from the FDA reguarding Beneful
I work at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you are a consumer and you feel Beneful has made your dog ill, please contact the FDA consumer complaint coordinator (CCC) for your state as well as the manufacturer. Numbers for CCC’s are at . Thank you. A second request from an FDA agent I work at the Food and...
(read full article)

Beneful update and info from Cornell University

This is an email exchange from a person whose dog has died and Cornell University, who was very diligent and helpful in the Diamond food disaster last year. We are going to insert Cornell's response first and then the originating email. We are praying for all o...
(read full article)

IMPORTANT! Information relating to the Beneful issue! Updated 02-21-07.

This first post was pulled from our Forum and may be of help to people.

The second post was received in email form and gives information on how to file a complaint with the FDA.

(read full article)

A Note From Ric Relating to Beneful.

A Note From Ric

(Please read the email from Jan and continue for my message)

Received from Jan who initiated the Beneful alert to DoggyBlin...
(read full article)

Huntsville Texas Item Newspaper Reports on the Beneful Scare.

Article from the January 31, 2007 issue of the Huntsville Item. Stewart Smith Staff Reporter When Huntsville resident Robert Barley switched his dog’s b...
(read full article)

BENEFUL UPDATE-Dr. Levitan's Response and a Statement From Purina


BENEFUL UPDATE

Dr. Levitan's Response and a Statement...
(read full article)

Latest update on Beneful

Beneful update

I spoke to Mr. Scopp again today and he said that Purina is still waiting on samples so they can test the dog food. He again asked tor us to be sure to let people know to contact Purina directly if their dog has gotten sick or worse after eating Beneful ...
(read full article)

UPDATE ON BENEFUL ISSUE!

UPDATE ON BENEFUL ISSUE!

Report problems to 1-888-BENEFUL

I received a phone call this afternoon from Keith Scopp from Purina and spoke with h...
(read full article)

BENEFUL DOG FOOD ALERT!!! We have received multiple notices of dogs dying after eating Beneful...

BENEFUL DOG FOOD ALERT!!!

Please read the following emails from people who have fed Beneful to their dogs. We have researched this and have come to the conclusion that the problem...
(read full article

i'll wait for proof thanks. i have SPECIFICALLY been looking for Purina in the recall and haven't heard a word (to date)

I would say to read the ingredients on the packages/cans. Is there wheat gluten listed? If so, I would be inclined not to feed it until this mess is finally explained. My canned Science Diet foods use corn gluten. The only recall (and Hill's is already supplying $100 per cat to owners for testing) is of their Prescription Diet. m/d. Feline dry. They removed their Savory cuts in the first recall.

the source of contamination is identified.

Here is Purina's latest press release dated March 30:

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company today announced it is voluntarily recalling all sizes and varieties of its ALPO® Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food with specific date codes. The Company is taking this voluntary action after learning today that wheat gluten containing melamine, a substance not approved for use in food, was provided to Purina by the same company that also supplied Menu Foods. The contamination occurred in a limited production quantity at only one of Purina's 17 pet food manufacturing facilities.

Earlier today the FDA announced the finding of melamine in products related to the March 16 Menu Foods recall, and advised Purina of the source of the contaminated supply. Purina then determined that it had received some quantity from the suspect supplier. The company proactively notified the FDA and immediately began this recall process

Purina is confident that the contaminated wheat gluten has been isolated to this limited production quantity of ALPO Prime Cuts canned products.

The recalled 13.2-ounce and 22-ounce ALPO Prime Cuts cans and 6-, 8-, 12- and 24-can ALPO Prime Cuts Variety Packs have four-digit code dates of 7037 through 7053, followed by the plant code 1159. Those codes follow a "Best Before Feb. 2009" date.** This information should be checked on the bottom of the can or the top or side of the multi-pack cartons.

Purina's 5.3-ounce Mighty Dog® pouch products, manufactured by Menu Foods, were previously withdrawn from the market as a precaution on March 16 as part of the Menu Foods recall. ONLY Mighty Dog pouch products and specific date codes of ALPO Prime Cuts canned dog food are being recalled.

Importantly, no Purina brand dry pet foods are affected by the recall – including ALPO Prime Cuts dry. In addition, no other Purina dog food products, no Purina cat food products, Purina treat products or Purina Veterinary Diet products are included in this recall, nor have been impacted by the contaminated wheat gluten supply.

More at:
http://www.purina.com/company/press/2007/MightyDog.aspx

Here is Snopes' coverage of doggybling's Beneful accusations. It was last updated February 7:

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/beneful.asp

I read through doggybling's forum and noticed - as mentioned on Snopes - that much of the Beneful suspected of being a problem was purchased at Wal-Mart in December. Snopes' page also contains Purina's testing results of the product suspected in the death of the first two dogs, however doggybling posters are saying that product purchased at other Wal-Mart outlets, and at Costco, is also suspect.

I also noticed that some of the posters who attribute their dogs' illnesses or deaths to Beneful were previously feeding them stuff like Kibbles 'n Chunks. No offense to owners who buy it, but that stuff is just bellyfill, like raising your kids on a diet of PBJ sandwiches. Why Beneful would be any worse for them just doesn't make sense to me.

Finally, I know a number of Purina Pet Food managers, nutritionists, scientists, veterinarians and others who work on petfood development. Yes it's a big corporation, yes it's owned by Nestle, and no I'm not speaking in defense of the whole company. But it's not a faceless conglomerate. The individuals I know are pet owners themselves who are dedicated to and passionate about pet wellness and longevity.

I think Purina did have a bad batch - but since Beneful is mainly corn based perhaps it was not as bad?

It seems products sold in December and January - For everyone involved - Purina should clarify whether they did purchase the suspected wheat gluten...

http://www.doggybling.com/newsarticle.php?id=1098