Uncertainty blocks Chinese wheat gluten Recall News for 10-02-07 click HERE
One in five shipments of Chinese wheat gluten were refused entry into the USA in recent months because regulators weren't sure they were free of the contaminant that led to last spring's pet-food recall.
The refusal rate is high for a product that was rarely inspected before because it was considered low risk. It's also contributing to higher prices for an ingredient widely used in pet food, as well as breads.
The Food and Drug Administration says it refused 27 of 135 shipments of Chinese wheat gluten that came to the USA between April 24 and July 26. Fifty-two passed; 56 await review. The FDA in April started restricting Chinese wheat gluten unless the importer proved that shipments were melamine free.
An industrial chemical, melamine, was blamed for dog and cat deaths this year after being detected in pet foods intended to contain Chinese wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate. Two firms in China were later found to have spiked the ingredients with melamine to make them look more protein rich than they were. China has declared the practice illegal and launched a four-month national campaign to improve food and product safety.
The FDA data don't indicate whether melamine was in any of the refused shipments. At least 21 were refused because importers didn't submit lab tests proving they were melamine free. At least four Chinese firms exported the refused wheat gluten. When contacted by USA TODAY, three said nothing was wrong with their gluten. One could not be reached.
Wheat gluten prices are up 30% since the recall, says Bill Lawlor, president of importer Meelunie America. That's largely because of higher wheat prices, but more demand for U.S. and European gluten has contributed, he says. China's products were generally cheaper. Pre-recall, Chinese gluten made up 10% of the U.S. gluten market, says Steve Pickman of U.S.-based MGP Ingredients. It reported a 52% rise in domestic wheat gluten sales for the fiscal year ended July 1.
Demand for Chinese gluten has dropped. Menu Foods, which made most of the recalled pet foods, no longer uses it, it says. Nor does Nestlé Purina PetCare. Gluten adds protein and texture in canned pet foods.
Lawlor says he's had shipments from China refused by the FDA because private testing labs are overwhelmed with work, and reports don't get to the FDA in time. It's also taking weeks to get product cleared, says Omaha-based customs broker Phil Patterson.
No wheat gluten shortages have surfaced, but price increases have. Sara Lee (SLE) recently raised prices on many fresh bakery products because of higher wheat and fuel prices, as well as other cost increases, including for gluten, spokesman Mike Cummins says.
Bravo! Pet Food Company Announced Pet Food Recall
Bravo! LCC is recalling tubes of frozen cat and dog food, because of a potential bacterial contamination. The recall includes various-sized tubes of Bravo Original Formula Chicken Blend frozen raw food and 2-pound tubes of Bravo Basic Formula Finely Ground Chicken frozen raw food, because they could be contaminated with both salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. The original formula chicken was manufactured on August 24 and the finely ground chicken was manufactured on August 14. The company is also recalling various-sized tubes of Bravo Original Formula Turkey Blend frozen raw food because they could be contaminated with listeria. This product was manufactured on August 24.
Both salmonella and listeria can cause serious infections in cats, dogs and—if there is cross-contamination—in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. The company has received no reports of illness in people or animals. Details: by phone at 866-922-9222; by Web at http://www.bravorawdiet.com
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