More Pet Food is Included in the Recall

Shannon Weidemann

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Another company has announced they are recalling dog and cat food. Royal Canin is recalling several varieties that were made with rice protein that may have been tainted with melamine. Previously pet food made with wheat gluten that had melamine in it were recalled. A third ingredient, corn gluten, has also tested positive for melamine. Melamine is used to make plastic kitchenware and is used as a fertilizer in Asia. It is unknown how the ingredients were contaminated.

The government, meanwhile, is exploring the theory that imported ingredients in some pet food may have been intentionally spiked with an industrial chemical to make them appear to have a higher protein content.

The Food and Drug Administration is looking into how the chemical, melamine, contaminated at least two ingredients used in more than 100 brands of dog and cat food.

Melamine has been found in both wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate imported from China.

Earlier this week Natural Balance also recalled two varieties of dog and cat food. The recalled food has been blamed for causing kidney failure in dogs and cats. It is unknown how many pets have been affected, but it is feared the number is in the thousands.