Beyond Pet food: “Pet” Food Debacle (A)

May 8th, 2007

By Rowan Wolf
[Originally published 4/22/07]

As predicted, corn gluten has joined wheat and rice in the pet food recall. Also, it is now believed that the contaminant has entered the human food chain via pigs out of Sacramento, California - they ate contaminated food.

Since tons of pet food is now under recall, or questionable, it is critical that people not dump their contaminated food. That could cause an even larger environmental issue. Melamine is a significant danger in water supplies.

The possibility is being floated that the gluten was intentionally contaminated. Apparently, melamine can artificially increase the protein readings and so there is an economic benefit in adding it. If this is the case, then it has become a standard process in China as we are dealing with multiple manufacturers and multiple grains (wheat, rice, and corn). By this logic, it would make sense that the same thing be done with foods destined for human consumption.

Corn is also a big feed for poultry and beef. One assumes that if it ended up in pig feed, it is likely to also show up in other animal feed. Since those animals are slaughtered, especially if they seem to be possibly failing, then these animals may enter the food stream before they are diagnosed. [To the best of my knowledge, there are still downed cattle entering the food chain.] If those meat and meat products pose a threat to human food, then that is yet another problem.

This is a story that is going to continue to grow. I am dumbfounded that it is not being better covered by the corporate press. One assumes that it is ti avoid a “panic,” but given the risks involved, lack of information could quite literally be deadly.

No cases of contaminated gluten or concentrated vegetable protein has yet been reported in human foods directly.

Entry Filed under: NEGATIVE SPACE, SPECIAL SERIES