This one is particularly frightening because, in 2007, melamine was the culprit behind the harm suffered by so many pets who ate food containing Chinese vitamins and mineral premixes. Numerous pet deaths from kidney failure were brought on by melamine in the food.
There is a 2.5 ppm limit on the industrial chemical melamine in pet food. However, it appears to be continuing manifesting at greater levels.
Seven of the Beneful foods that the FDA examined included two melamine substances: cyanuric acid and ammelide. They contained more melamine than the permitted amount of 2.5 ppm.
Ammelide is a substance used in lubricating greases, and cyanuric acid is a chemical used in swimming pools to stabilise chlorine. Nothing about those descriptions suggests that your dog should consume them. However, the FDA discovered them in Beneful foods, and it is generally known that they are hazardous to animals.
Do dogs die from eating Beneful dog food?
Is it okay for dog owners to feed their pets Beneful dry food? According to tweets, a lawsuit alleges that the food is killing dogs. We can confirm that the tweets are untrue.
Why is Beneful dog food problematic?
The Nestle Purina PetCare Company is the target of a class-action lawsuit alleging that the chemicals in Beneful dog food can injure or even kill dogs.
One of Nestle Purina PetCare Business’s most well-known dog food brands is allegedly harming and even killing people’s pets, according to a recent complaint brought against the company.
Pet owner Frank Lucido filed the complaint in federal court in California earlier this month, alleging that consuming Beneful dry kibble dog food caused thousands of pets to get sick or die.
Three dogs—a four-year-old German Shepherd, an eight-year-old English Bulldog, and an eleven-year-old Labrador—began receiving food from Lucido and his family when they first acquired them. According to the lawsuit, Beneful will only be used starting in late December or early January. The canines were housed in three different homes due to home improvements.
According to the lawsuit, by the end of January, all three canines had fallen unwell, and the English Bulldog eventually passed away. The dog’s stomach and liver had lesions, which were visible during the post-mortem examination. Similar signs were also present in Lucido’s German Shepherd, who deteriorated rapidly before the bulldog passed away. The lawsuit claimed that the dog’s medical examination also revealed symptoms of internal bleeding and liver dysfunction “associated with poisoning.” Two of Lucido’s canines are still receiving medical attention, according to his attorney.
According to the complaint, Lucido’s incident is similar to more than 3,000 online consumer complaints about dogs getting sick and even dying after consuming Beneful kibble-style dog diets. Consistent symptoms include internal bleeding in the stomach, liver dysfunction or failure, vomiting, diarrhoea, and weight loss.
Propylene glycol and mycotoxins are mentioned as potentially dangerous ingredients in the dog food in the lawsuit, which alleges that chemicals in Beneful are to blame.
According to Purina’s website, the propylene glycol it uses is “an FDA-approved food additive that is present in human meals like salad dressing and cake mix,” despite claims in the lawsuit that it is a recognised animal poison and a component of automotive antifreeze.
Mycotoxins are a class of poisons created by mould that can be found in grains, a key component of Beneful. According to the lawsuit, mycotoxins represent a health risk to dogs, and consumer complaints about Beneful describe symptoms that are consistent with mycotoxin poisoning. Cereghino stated that he and his team intended to gather further information and test the products for toxicity.
Cases like these are crucial because we give our dogs a lot of time and affection and consider them to be members of the family.
Cereghino stated that after reviewing several such incidents, he was interested in taking on the case.
You must pay attention when there has been a crescendo of complaints, he stated.
In response to the case, Purina said in a statement that “there are no quality issues with Beneful.
The statement added, “We feel the action is without merit, and we intend to zealously defend ourselves and our brand.”
Beneful had two other class action lawsuits with similar false claims filed in recent years, both of which were dismissed by the courts.
However, Purina and Waggin’ Train LLC agreed to establish a $6.5 million fund as part of a May litigation settlement to pay pet owners who claimed their animals had been harmed after consuming Chinese-made jerky treats.
Officials from the Food and Drug Administration reported at the time that pet treats, the most of which were imported from China, had been implicated in more than 1,000 dog deaths, 4,800 complaints of animal disease, and even three incidents of human illness following consumption of the items.
Beneful had two other class action lawsuits with similar unfounded claims filed in recent years, and both were rejected by the courts.
Any consumer whose dog may have consumed the dog treat products before a voluntary recall was issued in January 2013 was eligible for the settlement. Purina constantly claimed that tests had shown no pollutants and that its treats were safe to consume when used as intended. Nevertheless, neither corporation in the deal ever admitted wrongdoing.
In response to the most recent concerns regarding Beneful, Purina stated: “Like other pet feeds, Beneful occasionally becomes the target of false information spread via social media. Online postings frequently make incorrect, unsubstantiated, and misleading claims that worry and confuse our Beneful customers.
Purina is being asked to provide Lucido and other participants in the class action case with unspecified actual, statutory, and punitive damages as well as restitution in the new filing.
Cases like these are crucial because we give our pets a lot of time and affection and consider them to be members of the family, according to Cereghino. “What is happening now has a big impact on the lives of people who lost their pets,”
What dog food brand does a veterinarian recommend?
the top 18 veterinarian-recommended brands of both dry and wet dog food (2022)
- Dog Wellness Natural Food
- Caduceus and Pollux
- Pet foods from Kirkland.
- Ultra Nutro.
- The Sincere Kitchen
- Natural Equilibrium
- Prince Canin.
- Pro Plan by Purina.
Which dog food causes dogs to die?
The Food and Drug Administration reported that more than twenty dogs died after consuming Sportmix brand dry kibble, prompting an expansion of the pet food recall.
According to the statement made on Monday, the suspect is aflatoxin, a derivative of the corn mould Aspergillus flavus that, in high concentrations, can be fatal to animals.
Kibble made from corn that was produced in one of Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc.’s factories in Oklahoma is now part of the enlarged recall.
The recall affects pet food brands sold under the Sportmix, Pro Pac, Splash, Nunn, and Sportstrail names, according to the FDA, which also noted that over 70 unconfirmed pet deaths were linked to use of these meals.
Aflatoxin-contaminated kibble can cause pets to become lethargic, have digestive problems, or develop jaundice, which in dogs manifests as a yellowish tinge to the eyes or gums.
The FDA cautioned that while some dogs may show no signs, their livers may nonetheless be affected.
The FDA advised consumers who purchased the goods to properly dispose of them and clean any food bowls. “Pet owners should cease feeding their pets the recalled products mentioned below and visit their veterinarian, especially if the pet is displaying indications of sickness,” the FDA warned.
“The pet owner should take the food out of the house and make sure no animals can get their hands on the recalled goods.”
A full list of the products, along with images of their packaging, is available on the company’s website. Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. started its recall on December 30 and expanded it this week to include all foods made at a specific factory that contain corn. As a result, dozens of different types of dog and cat foods across hundreds of different lot numbers are now under recall.
The FDA stated that it is collaborating on this inquiry with the states of Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
Does the dog food from Beneful contain antifreeze?
SACRAMENTO — A dog owner has launched a class-action lawsuit against the manufacturer of a well-known pet food brand, claiming that ingesting the company’s dry dog foods has poisoned or killed thousands of canines.
On February 5, Frank Lucido, a pet owner, filed a lawsuit against Nestle Purina PetCare Company in the Northern District of California.
Lucido asserts that after feeding Beneful to his three dogs, two of them became ill and one of them passed away quickly.
The lawsuit asserts Propylene glycol, a substance used in antifreeze for automobiles, is a component of Beneful dry dog diets that is poisonous to animals. Propylene glycol is a food ingredient that has been given FDA approval and is used in products for human consumption, according to Purina.
Additionally, the lawsuit asserts that Beneful contains toxic mycotoxins, which are toxins made by fungus that lives in grains.
In the lawsuit, Lucido claims that over 3,000 online complaints about dogs getting sick or dying after ingesting Beneful over the previous four years have been made. These complaints allege that the dogs displayed “consistent symptoms,” such as internal bleeding in the stomach and other organs, liver dysfunction or failure, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, weight loss, seizures, and kidney failure.
Numerous pet owners’ testimonies are cited in the court document, including one who claims that “My dog’s liver died just over a week after taking Beneful. She had stopped eating, was vomiting, and was drinking much more than normal. She received IV fluids and antibiotics during her two days in intensive care.”
On its website, Purina claims to utilise “an FDA-approved food ingredient” that is also included in foods for humans. In a statement, Purina claimed that Beneful’s quality was unaffected.
The lawsuit requests that the case be expanded to include additional dog owners whose canines became ill or passed away, and that the court award them unspecified damages and restitution.
What dog meals should I steer clear of?
Butylated hydroxyanisole, or BHA, is first on our list. It is an additive to fats and oils that acts as a chemical preservative. BHA is permitted for usage in Europe, the United States, and Canada, but only in very small amounts.
Even the smallest quantity, if consumed, can be harmful to your dog’s health. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) classifies this substance as a human carcinogen. In dogs, it can be just as lethal. It can irritate your dog’s skin and eyes as well as negatively impact their kidney and liver.
Why did Beneful recall its dog food?
A significant number of customer complaints concerning Beneful dog food started to appear online around 2011.
Nestl Purina maintains that there are no issues with Beneful and labels many of the criticisms as “false” and “misleading.”
A consumer class-action complaint filed in February 2015 said that toxic ingredients in Beneful caused 1,400 dogs to become ill or die. In response, Nestl Purina said the claim was “baseless” and Beneful was still a “high-quality, wholesome food.
“According to the company, online postings frequently make incorrect, erroneous, and misleading claims that worry and confuse our Beneful clients unnecessarily.
Nestl Purina introduced the in 2015, “To refute the rumours, use the advertising ad I Stand Behind Beneful.
And the class action case was rejected in November 2016 after the judge said there was insufficient proof the pet food was “based solely on the 1,400 dogs that consumed Beneful and subsequently became ill or died, hazardous.
The judge continued: “In fact, there is no proof that a dog’s consumption of Beneful caused it to become ill or to pass away, such as a veterinarian’s assessment.
“Fearmongering and Hysteria
“Even though many vets will inform you that Beneful and other budget pet meals are not on their “recommended” list, Dr. Lichtenberg advised you shouldn’t worry if you’re giving Beneful.
She claimed that board-certified veterinary nutritionists who are not motivated to defend Nestl Purina or any other corporation did not concur that Beneful was fatal.
The persistent falsehoods and grievances pertain to “Dr. Jennifer Larsen, DVM, PhD, DACVN, of the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, claims that there has been panic and scaremongering.
Lawsuit Dismissed
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed propylene glycol as a food additive for both humans and dogs. It was claimed in the class-action lawsuit that propylene glycol was to blame for the illnesses and fatalities in dogs who consumed Beneful. Propylene glycol is frequently confused with ethylene glycol, a hazardous substance present in antifreeze. They do not compare.
Propylene glycol is something you should probably avoid for yourself, your dog, and cats, but it’s doubtful that the deaths were caused by the level of propylene glycol contained in Beneful.
According to Dr. Lichtenberg, there are thousands of reasons why a dog could act’sick,’ become lethargic, collapse, etc. ” The internet has made it possible for individuals to find one explanation—beneficial—for a wide range of canine illnesses, which has led to panic among otherwise decent people.
“Millions of dogs have consumed Beneful and other poor quality diets without becoming sick,” she continued. It is possible to die from low-exposure poisoning over a period of years, but this is more of a scenario for TV dog drama than for real life.
Has Beneful Dog Food Ever Been Recalled?
Yes, there was a recall for Beneful in March 2016. The specific 10 oz. tubs of wet dog food from Beneful Prepared Meals and Beneful Chopped Blends may have been deficient in vitamins and minerals. Nestl Purina claimed to have found the issue through internal quality inspections.
If there had been any reports of disease as a result of the vitamin issue, it was not stated in the recall notification. The business stated that it was issuing the recall “for those dogs who may have eaten the concerned product as their only meal for more than several weeks,” and that this was the reason for its extreme caution.
March 2016
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are the cause. Announcement: a business press release from March 9, 2016 (archived here). What was remembered was this 10 oz. tubs of Beneful wet dog food with “best before” dates between June and August of 2017 with manufacturing codes that range from 5363 to 6054 for the first four digits:
