Pet Food Recall Updates

Update May 9, 2007 – Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Formulas
On May 2^nd, we implemented a voluntary recall of our four Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Formulas with January 2010 best before dates. As explained below, although our products are not formulated with wheat gluten, we were advised by our supplier Menu Foods that our Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Formulas  with January 2010 best before dates were produced on a manufacturing line following the production of another company’s product that contained affected wheat gluten. Menu Foods explained that there was some concern about possible cross contamination of our products. As a precaution, we implemented the voluntary recall.

Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Formulas do not include wheat gluten or rice protein concentrate.
Immediately upon being contacted by Menu Foods, we sent samples of the Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Formulas with January 2010 best before dates to two independent labs to test for melamine using FDA-recommended protocols and procedures.

By testing the finished product, we are testing EVERY ingredient that is in each of our formulas. We are sharing the lab results with you as part of our continued open communication that started the first day of the first pet food recall over seven weeks ago.

The FDA requires that tests for melamine be sensitive enough to detect 10 parts per million (10 ppm). As a point of reference, other companies’ pet foods that included affected wheat gluten or rice protein concentrate showed in excess of 1,000 ppm of melamine.

Test results showed that one product was possibly affected, at extremely low levels.

One lab’s tests showed 21 ppm of melamine in Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Turkey & Vegetables Platter (UPC 7 80872 07955 6). with January 2010 best before dates.  Again, as a point of reference, other companies’ pet foods that included affected wheat gluten or rice protein concentrate showed in excess of 1,000 ppm of melamine.

The balance of the tests from this lab and each of the tests from the second lab did not detect the presence of melamine in the following products -

Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Chicken & Vegetables Casserole.
Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Salmon & Vegetables Entrée.
Natural Ultramix Canned Indoor Feline Chicken & Vegetables Dinner.

Again, despite these results, out of an abundance of caution, we decided to implement the voluntary recall of all four Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Formulas varieties with January 2010 best before dates.

All of us at Castor & Pollux Pet Works thank you for your patience and support. We have received hundreds of calls and e-mails with wonderful stories about how much your cats love Natural Ultramix. We will update our website with information on when new production of Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Formulas will be available.

May 2, 2007 7 pm PST; 10 pm EST

To be safe, we're issuing a voluntary recall on our four Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Formulas with January 2010 best before dates. Throughout all of the canned food recalls, we had been repeatedly assured by Menu Foods that our products were not affected. Today we learned otherwise. We learned today from Menu Foods that our Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Formulas with January 2010 best before dates were run following another brand's product that contained affected wheat gluten. Although our products do not contain wheat gluten, we're taking the precautionary step of recalling them and having them removed from store shelves.

We have not received any calls or e-mails reporting any problems being experienced by cats; this recall is being done as truly a precautionary measure.

We will update our website with more information as we receive it. In the meantime, we will try to address some of your potential concerns and questions below.

Question: What do I do if I’ve fed my cat Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Formula?
Answer: To be safe, do not feed your cat any Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Formula with a best before date of January 2010. Return any product (even if it’s partially used) to the retailer from which it was purchased for a full refund. Menu Foods also has a special toll-free number to call for more information 1-866-895-2708.

2. Question: Does Natural Ultramix Canned Feline Formula contain melamine?
Answer: We're waiting for complete test results from independent labs. We'll keep our website updated with information as we receive it.

3. Question: Are the Natural Ultramix Canned Canine Formulas included in this voluntary recall?
Answer: Based on the information received from Menu Foods, we have no reason to suspect our Natural Ultramix Canned Dog Formulas to be cross-contaminated; however we are also testing them with independent labs. We'll keep our website updated with information as we receive it.

4. Question: Are the Organix Organic Canned Canine and Feline Formulas included in this voluntary recall?
Answer: No, they are not. For more information, please see below and the link on the safety measures and benefits of feeding organic.

5. Question: Are you still feeding Organix or Natural Ultramix to your own pets?
Answer: Absolutely! My own dogs love their Organix and Natural Ultramix canned food in addition to the dry kibble. All of us at Castor & Pollux Pet Works are completely confident in the quality of our product and continue to feed Organix and Natural Ultramix to our own dogs and cats.

6. Question: Are your dry foods made by Menu Foods?
Answer: No, our Organix and Natural Ultramix dry foods and treats are not made by Menu Foods.

For more information on Pet Food Safety click here.
For more information on the Benefits of Feeding Organic Food and Treats click here .

To review prior recall updates click here .