The FDA announced the voluntary recall of several brands of pet foods for both dogs and cats made by Menu Foods Inc.
The recall affects all of the "cuts and gravy" style dog and cat foods, both in cans and pouches. These private-label pet foods were produced by the manufacturer between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007, and they were sold in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
The recall affects numerous label names such as Iams, Eukabana, Nutro, O'Roy US, Publix and Winn Dixie for dogs. For cats, label names include Iams, Eukabana, Best Choice and Winn Dixie.
The recall began after the manufacturer received a number of consumer complaints of dogs and cats in the US that had developed kidney failure after eating these products. So far there have been 10 animal deaths reported.
For a complete list of recalled brands, visit [MENU FOODS]
Class Action Lawsuit in Recalled Pet Food Case Settled in Hawaii
Earlier today a class action lawsuit against pet food manufacturer Menu Foods was settled in the First Circuit Court, State of Hawaii, according to two Honolulu attorneys linked to the case. The class action lawsuit alleged that last year, Menu Foods was distributing tainted pet food to Hawaii pet owners.
Menu Foods: "It was a Slow Death"
"Spunky, our Miniature Schnauzer, started to get sick and stopped acting his name," says Helen. "Our vet did some tests and found that his liver and kidney enzymes kept fluctuating so he gave us a few prescriptions, but he never got better." Sadly, Spunky passed away a few months before the Menu Foods recall.
Menu Foods Prohibited from talking with Unrepresented Pet Owners
Laurie Lunch is frustrated. Not only did vet bills for her cat Doobie set her back $240, she also filled out nine pages of paperwork and sent copies of invoices to Menu Foods for reimbursement -- as claimed on its website. "Guess what -- not a word back, not even an acknowledgement that they received all the paperwork," says Lunch.
Both Chinese and American Businesses Indicted for Deadly Pet Food
The top executives and their Chinese businesses, along with the owners of a United States company were indicted by a federal grand jury on February 6, 2008. The cases were separate, but related in regards to the role they played in the manufacturing and importing of an ingredient used to make pet food that was tainted. This tainted ingredient resulted in the serious deaths and illnesses of many pets in the US last year.
MAY-23-08: Menu Foods agrees to setlement for pet owners who's pets were harmed or killed by the tainted food. [FINANCIAL POST: PET FOOD SETTLEMENT]
DEC-25-07: An investigation into the March Menu Foods recall is ongoing but officials still believe contaminated wheat gluten is the cause. One veterinarian believes that thousands of pets may have died because of the contaminated food. [PLAIN DEALER: MENU FOODS]
OCT-24-07: Another round of layoffs at the Menu Foods plant has been announced due to reduced market demand for the products since the recall. [GAZETTE: MENU FOODS]
OCT-10-07: Menu Foods has announced that recall costs are 22% higher than anticipated. Due to this, the company will be cutting approximately 15% of it's workforce. [BLOOMBERG: MENU FOODS]
SEP-13-07: A class action lawsuit filed against Menu Foods may be transferred to the federal court system. Over 100 brands of pet food were recalled because they were contaminated with melamine in March of this year. [TRIBUNE-REVIEW: MENU FOODS]
AUG-15-07: Menu Foods has lost a contract with its biggest customer following a massive recall of pet food in March. The customer is believed to be Wal-Mart. [STAR: MENU FOODS]
JUL-23-07: The FDA has said they may never know exactly how many cats and dogs died from contaminated pet food made by Menu Foods. Around half the 18,000 consumers who called the FDA reported that they had a pet that died. [UNITED PRESS: MENU FOODS]
JUL-13-07: A class action lawsuit has been filed against Menu Foods in Canada alleging the company was responsible for the deaths or illnesses of many animals. [POST: MENU FOODS]
JUL-05-07: The New Jersey legislature is considering granting people whose pets are affected by contaminated pet food the right to sue for loss of companionship and claim damages of up to $15,000. If the bill were to pass New Jersey, Illinois, and Tennessee would be the only states that allow such lawsuits. [GAZETTE: MENU FOODS]
JUN-27-07: A woman whose cat died a day after refusing to eat her wet cat food or drink water received a two dollar coupon and a form letter from IAMS, the maker of her cat's food. IAMS was one of the pet foods included in the massive pet food recall earlier this year. [BULLETIN: PET FOOD RECALL]
MAY-31-07: The recent pet food recall will cost Menu Foods $45 million, not counting a drop in future sales and legal settlements not covered by insurance. [CBC NEWS: MENU FOODS]
MAY-26-07: Menu Foods has been ordered not to contact consumers who have joined a class action lawsuit against the company in the wake of a massive pet food recall. The company has been accused of harassing consumers in order to get information from them that could then be used against them in court. [NEWS 10: PET FOOD RECALL]
Pet Food Death Legal Help
If your pet has suffered or died as a result of eating any of these pet foods, you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible class action or lawsuit. Please fill in our form on the right to submit your pet food death complaint to a lawyer for a free evaluation.
I have vet bills, loss of my travel companion and loss of my best companion. I have suffered emotional distress feeling guilty for feeding the food to her.
Posted by Connecticut
on
I have incurred a little over $600 in vet bills - and my cat died from the tainted pet food. She was diagnosed in December with Chronic Renal Failure. My cat was my companion for nearly 8 years.
Posted by Montana
on
Emily was on a diet of canned dog food for a broken jaw. She was on this diet for a few years and all of a sudden in late December she started vomiting and had bloody stools and died the next day before I could get her to the vet. I blame the dog food now that it has been in the news. She was healthy until then.
Posted by Arkansas
on
We have been out over $15,000 prior to out pets death.
Posted by Texas
on
I had to watch them die slowly, for months. They started getting sick by the end of Jan. We took them to vets, in Feb., but they couldn't fiqure out what was wrong. They started throwing up and didn't want to eat. They had blood in their stool. Amazing Gracy developed a swelling on her hip, the vet thought it was a cyst that needed to be drained. When he went to drain it, he found that it was pure blood and he couldn't do anything because he was afraid she would bleed out. He did a battery of blood tests that were abnormal and treated her for a blood disorder. Buddy seemed to be bloating. The vet thought it might be his heart. Buddy bled to death internally on April 4th 2007. When I found him, there was a massive amount of blood from his mouth and rectum. I called his vet, she said he bled out, like a rat dies from rat poison. By May 11th , Amazing Gracy couldn't hold down food or water and could no longer walk. I couldn't watch her suffer any longer. I had to have the vet come to my house to put her to sleep. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I will never be the same. I couldn't sleep or eat. there were times when I couldn't breathe I hurt so bad. to this day I still cry, I miss her so much. My mother has Alzheimers and Buddy was everything to her . She was so upset, I had to replace Buddy as soon as I could. I'm still mourning Amazing Gracy, There's no way I could ever replace her. I've been dealing with Nutro's insurance co.. I've had to jump many hoops to satisfy them and everytime I do I fall apart all over again. I had Amazing Gracy's teeth cleaned and a growth removed the end of Nov. '06 ($1098.00) at the same time the poisoned food hit the shelves. Nutro's insurance co. refuses to pay me for this. So I still haven't been able put this behind me. I'm an emotional wreck because I have to relive it over and over again until this is resolved. Even then, I will be haunted by this heartbreaking experience forever more. I'm not the same without her and I will never be the same again. Amazing Gracy was my best friend, there are no words to describe how strong our bond was. The only thing that would make me feel better is to see justice for Amazing Gracy and Buddy and all the others. They were poisoned so someone could make an extra buck. The only way to hurt them back is to cost them money. I want to do whatever I can do to make them pay!
Posted by Texas
on
In December of 2006 my poor dog, Mike, died a horrible death and I am certain it was caused by the Ol'Roy pouch dog food I fed him. Mike was an adopted dog who had been previously abused. He deserved a better life and had that life with me until he was killed. They took my friend and companion and I still haven't had the heart to get another dog.
Posted by Michigan
on
Loss of life and health of two of my best friends.
There were vet visits and tests, but nothing can compare with knowing that the tainted food was kept on the shelf at least a month after Menu Foods was alerted about problems and did their own testing on animals which were used as test animals for their product. Even when an unusual number of cats and dogs died, the food remained on the shelf because Menu Foods would not take it upon itself to lose money.
Posted by New Hampshire
on
Cashis, our 8 year old yellow lab ate IAMS canned food for years. He is now in the process of undergoing ultrasound and determining the extent of kidney failure. He is urinating all over the house, in his bed, etc. We are angry and sad to know that this could be happening to him since he is still a young dog. I am not sure what to do about this as of yet. If someone can help us, please, please help. We don't want to loose our Cashis!
Posted by Maryland
on
My cat Mimsy got sick in February 2007. She began vomiting yellow liquid, became lethargic and was drinking excessively so I took her to the vet. She went from 12 lbs to
4 lbs in 2 weeks. She was in kidney failure. We had to put her to sleep on 3/17/07. I had my cat for 12 years. She was my best friend through many hard times and was the one thing I could count on to be there during difficult years. After my kids were born she was a central part of our family. When she was put to sleep it was the first time my children experienced death. They can not compensate me enough because she can not be replaced. Our family, especially me, loved her and Iams is the reason she is not here still.
Posted by California
on
I have suffered the loss of my dog/ best friend & traveling companion. He died on 01/26/07 & I've suffered severe emotional distress & I'm now on blood pressure medication due to hypertension caused by the loss of my friend & the manner in which he died. I'm also using sleep inducing medication as I have severe insomnia now. There's also money I had to pay out for his cremation, money that I did not have to spend. I'm permanently disabled & can only work rarely. I tried calling Menu Foods over 12 times, the operator who answered all twelve times told me to "Get over it, it was just a dog & nothing important".
Posted by Texas
on
Bruiser was a family pet and will be missed by myself and four daughters. He was well taken care of and then just died all of the sudden. One of my girls found him dead under the house. We then had to take all of our other animals to the vet for blood work because the girls were so upset after the death of Bruiser, they thought all of their animals were going to die. It was scary, not knowing what would happen.
Posted by North Carolina
on
My veterinary costs were over $1000, not including the special lab tests and specially formulated kidney cat foods required for the treatment of my cat. I also had to take time off work to take my cat to and from the veterinary when he was well enough to be discharged. My family members and I love our "feline family member", and were quite worried and upset when he was first diagnosed and we were notified he might not live through the night- he was so seriously ill. My son missed a college examination that day due to the emotional gravity of the situation. My family went to the veterinary office almost daily to visit our cat (the office isn't open on the weekends- but there were a couple of saturdays we were allowed to visit while the staff were in to attend and feed the "patients"). The cost of gasoline alone to drive between the veterinary office and my home or work was certainly over $100. My job was in jepardy, as I left unexpectantly a couple of times when things did not look good for my cat's survival. I still have a picture of my son holding our sick cat with tears streaming down his face. He commented to me that only his concern over the cat gave him the courage to be seen by the staff and clients of the veterinary office in this way.
Posted by Alabama
on
I have lost three of my adult Purebred Cats in the last 12 to 18 months with all three exibiting classic signs of Kidney Failure. Two of them died in the care of a Vet and the last one died 2 months ago before I caught on to the signs he was showing. I am looking for an Attorney or Law Firm that can help me with this case. I lost my three babies and have more that were fed the same food but are showing no symptoms at the present time. Thank you for your consideration.
Posted by Ohio
on
Purchased "Ol Roy pet food - Wal-Mart (Milford, OH) -
One pet has died (renal failure)
One pet has had TWO transfusions and is on Steroid therapy.
Over $2,000 in vet bills (Not counting emotional upset, pain suffering of animals).
Posted by New Jersey
on
I have an indoor cat. It has never been sick. One day after eating tainted food it didnt move, or eat. It cost me about $500.00 in vet fees, I could not afford. I had to borrow it. I sent in a claim to Menu Foods. They told me they recieved it but I never heard another word. This is about 7 months now.
Posted by Florida
on
I had two cats. One, her name was Scout, had to be put down early this year. Her body just shut down with no explanation. Kidneys stopped working then liver, then everything. This was before I had even heard about the recalls. My second cat, Jem, now has acute kidney failure, but for some reason he survived and is on special Kidney diet food (which costs me a ton of money) and frequently has to be medicated when his kidney "slows" down. So far between the two cats it has cost me over $2,000 and now I have to decide whether to put a cat I love down because I cannot afford the cost of keeping him alive. Even though for the most part he's pretty happy. It's horrible.
Posted by Wisconsin
on
We put Abby the cat out of her misery of renal failure. After her passing, we fed her food to my other cat, who was eating a different food earlier. After the news revealed the deadly pet food, we had Zoey tested and revealed she was in acute kidney failure and we sent her for emergency vet care, where she spent a week. After she came home she had many vet visits as well as treatments and luckily she made a full recovery. We have an FDA affidavid stating that the food, which we still have some of, included the toxins and we have records of our vet bills and care. We have been interviewed by 2 separate news agencies. We have over $3000 in bills.
Posted by New York
on
Aside from veterinary costs exceeding $1,000, I had to put my best friend to sleep because of what I view as corporate greed and convenient oversight from the likes of Menu Foods, Eukanuba Proctor and Gamble and whatever Chinese company responsible for allowing their gluten to be tainted. I had to watch my dog rapidly disintegrate and when he couldn't even physically walk anymore, although his mind and spirits remained strong throughout, I had to have him put to sleep. I feel he would have lived much longer; I had spent thousands on other expenditures to enable a healthier life and while I would have done anything, there was nothing else I could do in this case. The damages come in the form of having to put my dog to sleep when he would have been with me today and for many more. The damages include increased distrust for corporate responsibility, food safety and what I see as a complete lack of basic protocol to ensure the health of people and their pets. And the reason I feel this lack of protocol exists is because there are a growing number of folks at the C-Suite level of major multinational corporations who can make more money for themselves if they look the other way or lessen their safety procedures.
Posted by California
on
Losing both of our beloved cats who were an integral part of the family should be plenty enough. But our 1 and only kitty who had walked from 4 towns away to come and adopt us fought off death until just 2 weeks ago when she finally succumbed. Her vet bills total around $20,000 but she deserved every penny of it. I would rather have her back but....... Our other kitty was special too but he sucumbed rather quickly.
Posted by California
on
I started feeding my cat Eukanuba Restricted Calories canned food on or about May 2006 and continued until her date of death August 9, 2007. During this time I also fed her Pounce brand treats. In May of 2006 her vet report indicated a slight elevation of kidney values, but nothing to be concerned about. In August she became very sick, very fast and I took her to a vet ER and her levels were off the map. There was nothing I could do to save her at that point. I have suffered greatly by her loss and companionship and would like retribution, not only for me, but in her honor. The veterinarian bills ($500+) does not even scratch the surface of the amount of grief and guilt I have sustained. She was my world.
Posted by Pennsylvania
on
Our family pet has died in a cruel manner within a lethargic state of mind. My entire family endured heavy emotional trauma and stress while while attempting to have our cat treated and thereafter. Ultimately our closest companion passed on leaving the entire family crushed.
Posted by North Carolina
on
Veterinary bills paid by me have been approximately 1,000 dollars and I have receipts. I contacted menu foods the day I took one of my cats in with symptoms (my other cat will not eat anything but dry food and did not become sick). I was told by the Menu Foods representative that my veterinary bills would be reinbursed, and I would be contacted. I was never contacted, but I returned several calls and was told each time that I would be called. The last time I called, I was told they had been ordered not to talk to pet owners.
Posted by California
on
We were feeding our cats Special Kitty pouch food in December. Two cats died as a result in a 24 hour period. Sweetpee and Gizzy were our (my wife and I) most beloved pets. My wife still won't deal with this. She is truley heartbroken. I am only now dealing with this. I have the receipts of the food purchase and vet evaluations but no food samples.
Posted by Virginia
on
My cat died. We took him to the vet and she confirmed it in a letter. We still have the pkgs of the food. My cat was only 1 1/2 year's old and part of our family.
Posted by Pennsylvania
on
I bought a new bag of Iams Dry Regular cat food Tuesday July 24th, before leaving on a business trip. My cat became sick Thursday July 26. My neighbor was watching the cat and said she became unresponsive, and was burning up. When I came home Saturday the 28th she could barely move. I took her to the animal hospital. They estimated her care at $3,000 - $4,000, and I paid $1,000 upfront for them to admit her. After performing an x-ray and ultrasound, they determined she ingested a toxic substance. By sunday she was too far gone to help, and she was put to sleep Sunday afternoon. I have not recieved the final bill yet.
Posted by Texas
on
My Toy Poodle died on March 22, 2007 after eating Mighty Dog food. My veterinarian said he died of acute kidney failure. My dog had a physical only one month earlier, and his kidneys were functioning normally. In fact, he was in good health. He died a terrible death and was in considerable pain. I lost my friend, and he was a purebred Toy Poodle.
Posted by California
on
My dog started choking after I gave her a chicken jerky round I purchased from Target. She started gagging and I noticed that she was choking. I tried to clear her throat but didnt get the treat out. My dog was admitted to the hospital to dislodge the treat from her throat. My dog almost died and we end up paying a hefty hospital bill. Target should post a warning notice on the packaging.
Posted by Michigan
on
My cat Aben was hospitalized for 6 days for IV fluids, to support her kidneys. After the IV fluids her numbers were much improved. I have her at home now and am giving her fluids under her skin every other day. After a month the vet tested her blood, and the test showed her numbers going up slowly. So now its just a matter of time before her untimely death.
Posted by Louisiana
on
The vet bill is the least important thing to me in dealing with this horrible epidemic! But the emotional grief over my pets death was extremly hard and traumatic, as I watched him slowly die an agonizing death. He suffered for three weeks before succumbing to the poisions in the dog food that was fed to him by my hand, the one he loved and completely trusted to be taking good care of him! I can't even describe in words how devistated I was during this whole tragedy! Not to mention the fact that it will haunt me until the day I die!
Posted by Pennsylvania
on
My cat was ill for over 6 weeks and I was hoping with some good care and good food he would recover. He was 10 years old and was in excellent health in the beginning of March. He became ill at the end of the month and that is when I became aware of this tainted food. He suffered for a few weeks with renal failure and then he had a massive heart attack and had to be put down on 6-23-2007. He cost me over $300.00 for the vet as well as pain and suffering on my part. I lost a couple of days of wages to stay home and look after him.
Posted by California
on
Me and my children suffered tremendously by being forced to watch our little dog slowly die in front of us, after learning that he had kidney disease due to pet food poisoning. What was even harder was knowing that there was nothing that anyone could do for him, and that we were losing someone very special to us all. Spot was a happy, smart, and strong little dog; who I believe fought very hard and held on for several months just for us.
Posted by Missouri
on
We fed our beloved family member her favorite- the cuts and gravy food she had loved since her teeth were no longer able to chew crunchy food. She became lethargic, extremely thirsty all the time, and eventually succumbed to kidney failure. We did the humane thing by having her euthanized, as we couldn't bear to watch her suffer any longer.
Posted by Nova Scotia
on
Dog's health deteriorated rapidly after consuming IAMS pet food. Dog has been deliberately interred in such a way as his corpse can be accessed easily for veterinary testing for poison. I wish to join a CLASS ACTION SUIT against Menu Pet Foods. My loss caused me to lose my valuable, well trained canine companion and protector of nine years. I cannot put a price on what he meant to me, but I will settle for ALL the costs of his purchase; training; food and veterinary bills over the entire nine years.
Add Your Comment on This Issue
Request Legal Help
Please complete this form to request a review of your complaint by an attorney.
There is absolutely no cost to you to submit this form. Doing so places you under no obligations and does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
The FDA announced the voluntary recall of several brands of pet foods for both dogs and cats made by Menu Foods Inc. 
