Pet food scare widens to new tainted ingredient

By Susan Heavey

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A chemical linked to a huge U.S. pet food recall has been found in another ingredient used to make products for dogs and cats, U.S health officials and an agricultural company said on Thursday.

Melamine, used in plastics and fertilizer, has turned up in rice protein concentrate imported from China and shipped to five pet food manufacturers. U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials suspect the chemical, previously found in wheat gluten, led to earlier pet fatalities and illness.

The finding widens the number of dog and cat food products pulled from United States retailers since mid-March. More than 100 brands of pet food have been already been recalled after reports of kidney failure.

"This is an ongoing investigation," said Michael Rogers, head of the FDA's Division of Field Investigations.

Wilbur-Ellis Co., a privately-held international agricultural and industrial products distributor, earlier on Thursday said the contaminated rice protein came from China-based Binzhou Futian Biology Technology Co. Ltd.

An official at the Chinese firm denied responsibility and said contamination may have been occurred during shipment.

"It is impossible that we would add the chemical ourselves. We've been doing exports for many years," the official, who declined to give her name, said when contacted by telephone.

The protein was shipped to five U.S. manufacturers in Utah, New York and Kansas and two in Missouri.

San Francisco-based Wilbur-Ellis said pet food makers using the protein should issue a recall but declined to name the manufacturers, although two have already issued recalls.

"It's really the responsibility of the FDA and the manufacturers to take the next step," John Thatcher, chief executive officer for Wilbur-Ellis, told Reuters.

Natural Balance Pet Foods, has recalled its venison-flavored dog and cat foods after reports of vomiting and kidney problems. Tests have confirmed melamine in the products, which contain the rice protein, the FDA said.

The Blue Buffalo Co. on Thursday recalled its Spa Select Kitten dry food labeled as best used by March 7, 2008.

Stephen Sundlof, head of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, said the agency would not name the other makers until officials could confirm whether they made pet food with the tainted protein. Sundlof said consumers should check FDA's Web site for updates.

Overall, the FDA has received more than 15,000 reports of pet illnesses so far, he added. Officials have confirmed 16 deaths but believe the actual number could be higher.

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