Dog biscuits sold at Wal-Mart recalled

The recall of pet foods and treats contaminated with an industrial chemical expanded Thursday to include dog biscuits made by an Alabama company and sold by Wal-Mart under the Ol’Roy brand.

The Food and Drug Administration said the manufacturer, Sunshine Mills Inc., was recalling dog biscuits made with imported Chinese wheat gluten. Testing has revealed that the wheat gluten was contaminated with melamine, which is used to make plastics and other industrial products.

Also Thursday, Menu Foods Income Fund, a major manufacturer of brand-name and private-label wet pet foods, expanded its original recall to include a broader range of dates and varieties. Ontario, Canada-based Menu Foods was the first of at least six companies to recall the more than 100 brands of pet foods and treats made with the contaminated ingredient.

The recall now covers “cuts and gravy”-style products made between Nov. 8 and March 6, Menu Foods said. Previously, it applied only to products made beginning Dec. 3. In addition, Menu Foods said it was expanding the recall to include more varieties but no new brands.

The FDA knows of no other pet product companies planning recalls, agency officials said.

“Other than that, I think, you know, the public should feel secure in purchasing pet foods that are not subject to the recall,” said Stephen Sundlof, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Sunshine, of Red Bay, Ala., sells pet foods and treats under its own brands as well as private labels sold by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Kmart, Longs Drug Stores Corp. and Stater Bros. Markets.

The recall included specific brands such as Wal-Mart’s Ol’Roy, as well as a portion of Sunshine’s own Nurture, Lassie and Pet Life dog biscuit brands.

Previously, Menu Foods had recalled some wet-style dog foods it made under the Stater Bros. and Ol’Roy brands as well.

Sunshine said there had been no reports of dog illnesses or deaths in connection with the recalled dog biscuits, which contain 1% or less wheat gluten by weight.

The FDA continues to focus on melamine as the suspected contaminant of the pet products, although Sundlof said it could be a marker for the presence of another, not yet known, substance. Melamine previously was not believed to be toxic.

The recall is one of the largest pet food recalls in history, Sundlof said.

The FDA has received more than 12,000 complaints but has confirmed only about 15 pet deaths. Anecdotal reports suggest that the tally may be in the hundreds or low thousands.

Sunshine Mills said it would post a complete list of the recalled dog biscuits on its website, www.sunshinemills.com.

Also Thursday, the FDA warned consumers not to give American Bullie A.B. Bull Pizzle Puppy Chews and Dog Chews to their pets. The FDA said salmonella could contaminate the dog treats, which are made and distributed by T.W. Enterprises of Ferndale, Wash.