Congress Launches Probe into Pet Food Recall

Shannon Weidemann

Contributor

0 CommentsPrint ArticleSubscribe

The House Oversight and Government Reform Domestic Policy Subcommittee Chairman Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio is launching an investigation into the Menu Foods recall. Over 90 brands of dog and cat food have been recalled. Researchers have discovered melamine in the wheat gluten used to make the food. Other tests have found rat poison, but that has not been confirmed by the FDA. The investigation is into the FDA's handling of the recall.

Kucinich posed as many as 20 specific questions to Sundlof in a letter dated Tuesday, including a request for FDA plant inspection reports over the last two years.

"Millions of American families have a right to be assured that everything possible is being done to protect the health of their beloved family pets," Kucinich, owner of two beagles and a cocker spaniel, said this week. A Kucinich spokeswoman said the subcommittee might conduct a hearing on the issue.

The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee is also launching an investigation. The recall has focused on canned and foil packet wet dog and cat food, but the recall has expanded to at least one brand of dry food.