Yesterday’s post talked about the FDA and their role in food safety issues, and I was just reminded that they are dealing with the H1N1 flu virus, and now comes what may be the beginning of a new stream of cancer medications for dogs, maybe humans too, according to an earlier post here.  I’m thinking Congress needs to get them what they need to do the job intended. Fast. Things are hopping!

Jacob Goldstein at the Wall Street Journal reports Pfizer announced June 3 that the FDA approved the first cancer treatment designed specifically for dogs with cutaneous mast-cell tumors. This type of cancer accounts for 20% of skin tumors in dogs which can be life threatening. Sixty percent of test cases treated had positive outcomes of tumors that had either stopped growing or had significant size reduction. This indicates prolonged life, but not eradication of the disease.

Cancer drugs designed for humans are currently being used for dogs. Vets have had to prescribe medication with little understanding of how well the dog would be served by it, or how severe adverse reactions may be.

Palladia is an oral drug which kills tumor cells and cuts off blood supply to the tumor, a double whammy for the disease. It will be available in early 2010, but specialists in veterinary oncology will have access before that release date. The US gets 1.2 million new cases of canine cancer every year. Mast-cell cancers are the second most common form of reported cancers.  As with most drugs there are side effects which are spelled out here.

Stephen and Sally Miller, Las Vegas-based ChemNutra company principals, and two Chinese companies will plead guilty in a June 16 hearing to the deliberate tainting of pet foods with melamine, according to court documents, alleged to have killed thousands of dogs and cats, inciting in 2007 the biggest pet food recall in history.

David Twiddy at AP reports “ChemNutra, which imports ingredients from China to the U.S. for the feed and food industries, and the Millers were charged with 13 misdemeanor counts of introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce, 13 misdemeanor counts of introduction of misbranded food into interstate commerce and one felony count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. and Suzhou Textiles, Silk, Light Industrial Products Arts and Crafts I/E Co. were also indicted.”

The question left on the table is why no felony charges regarding the lives of the animals? When did ignorance (of toxicity) become a defense? And who actually believes that putting plastic and all its toxins in dog food would not make dogs sick or worse? All this leads to still another question: how long had this practice been going on? It does not seem at all likely that this practice arose overnight.

Christie Keith at PetConnection connects the dots, asking what has been done to ensure this does not happen again? Not much as she relates; dog food companies have stepped up their own testing, but what about testing at the shipping docks? Any change in inspection practices? And what about labeling laws, any changes there? No to all of the above. [country of origin labeling instituted in 2008 does not include processed foods, like pet food].

I would continue this line of thinking by asking what of the changes requested by the FDA that would allow them to be proactive, rather than reactive? Anything of significance happening there? As I blogged back in February, the boundaries of FDA authority are not conducive to creating material changes in the system they are presumed to protect–they have no mandate to go after problems and fix them–and authority is dispersed among other agencies like the USDA: “The FDA … doesn’t have the legal tools or the resources, the staff and inspectors to prevent these outbreaks,” according to Caroline Smith DeWaal of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Congress needs to get to work on this.

Unless and until something is done to fill this gaping food security breach–let’s not lose sight of the lead in toys, repeatedly introduced to retailers, melamine in baby formula, and other cheap materials from China found to contain toxic chemicals–I suggest sticking to what was once the guidelines of our FDA which taught Europe how to keep their food supply safe(where it still works just fine, thanks): the regimen of following the product from farm to table. There are plenty of dog food companies that do a great job of ensuring quality with all US origin ingredients, and say so on the label.

Since the FDA refuses to test imported foods for melamine, the root cause of the thousands of  dog and cat deaths in 2007, and lab tests start at $200 each, an enterprising entrepreneur and owner of Gainesville’s Earth Pets Natural Pet Market decided she would design an in-home kit.  

At the Pet Connection site you’ll find that this test has been patented, and should be available late Spring 2009.  Joy Drawdy, the creator,  is credited with being among the first to alert the general public about the importation of  contaminated Chinese wheat gluten, knowing it to be a common ingredient in pet food.  Good for an IOU gift!

Another gift idea for those who are interested in the politics of food, how the melamine disaster occurred, and what impacts it has on the US food chain, you might want to read an interview with author and nutritionist Marion Nestle conducted by Michelle Nijhuis at Grist, Environmental News and Commentary and decide if the book is something for you or a friend.  Many thought after the 2007 debacle with pet food that perhaps it was time to purchase books on cooking for your pets…then we would know what we are actually feeding our furry family members.  Oh, but wait…maybe not.  Nestle reveals a little known fact in her well-researched book: surplus pet food is fed to chickens and pigs.  What do you think about that?

And the last gift suggestion can be found at Petco.  The Canine Heritage Breed Test for mixed breed pedigree is a no muss no fuss simple swab across the inside of  Max’s mouth and it’s done.  You may want to call your local stores–it is too late to order online for Christmas or Hanukkah delivery.

Happy gift hunting!

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