Pet Food Contamination Linked to Imported Wheat Gluten, FDA Says

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Imports of wheat gluten from a Chinese company have been banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after an investigation implicated the wheat gluten in the recent pet food-related deaths of dogs and cats, the Associated Press reported.

The action against Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. in Wangdian comes after the recall of nearly 100 brands of pet food tainted with the chemical melamine. An unknown number of pets have suffered kidney failure after eating contaminated food.

The FDA has found melamine in samples of wheat gluten used in the recalled pet foods and treats. The chemical has also been found in cats that died after eating contaminated food, the AP reported. Melamine is used in a number of products, including plastics, glue and fire retardants.

It appears unlikely that the contaminated wheat gluten was used in any human food, the FDA said.

Source: Associated Press