Exactly how does aminopterin, a rat-poison derivitive end up in pet food?

Question

This toxin they call Aminopterin that's killing our pets across the country doesn't just magically appear. It's "put there" by someone or some company. All the news can decipher is that "wheat-gluten," upon becoming contaminated somehow derives "rat-poison" as part of its chemical makeup. This stuff comes from China! Are we supposed to sue China ? How is it possible that this company is allowed to continue making pet food? Seems kind of odd. If someone kills a domestic animal in the USA, that someone usually pays for it. Touche'?

Answer 1

There is specualtion that:

(i) the wheat from China was originally grown and stored for seeds. In this case, as it was not intended for human consumption, having rodenticide in its vicinity was not a cause for concern. Obviously, there was mix-up. (Although, I'd prefer if grain seeds weren't kept around rodenticide regardless)

(ii) I can't imagine anyone suing the country China. Maybe the Chinese company that sold the wheat.

(iii) Regulation for pet food manufacfturing seems to be quite lacking and I imagine the only way this company will be forced out of business will be loss of confidence by its purchasers. The fact that Menu Foods just fill cans for dozens of companies makes me kind of laugh at the people who pay $20 for Iam's "science diet" when it's made in the same trough as "Billy Bob's 99 cent no-frill dog chow".

(iii) I hope that pet owners can successfully sue. While it's true that with large corporations it's nearly impossible to put a finger on who exactly threw the wrong grain on the truck, I don't give a cat's meow. Pets are like family members to some, so if a company's going to sell cat food, they should uphold a duty of care.

Answer 2

Aminopterin can be used as a rodenticide, although it is not approved for that use in Canada or the United States.

The fact that this "wheat-gluten" wasn't inspected prior to companies changing suppliers and using it pet food products speaks a lot about FDA standards when it comes to pet food.

It looks like there was quite a bit of illegality going on with the whole thing in the first place.

Answer 3

It's obvious to me that yes -- either in China or on the way here, someone poisoned that Wheat Gluten

btw guys, there seems to be this misconception that this wheat gluten was only fit for pet foods.. actually its used for all foods. due to the wonders of corporate shills in high office, rather than the US doing food testing for poisons, alot of things like Wheat Gluten, etc that come into this country are FIRST just used in pet foods, until its determined that its "safe" for human consumption, then its released to companies that make human foods.

companies/govt are using our pets as "taste testers", well in the days of kings, twas one of the most important jobs. and i guess it did thwart someone's plans right.

Answer 4

Well, seems pretty simple to me. Wheat is stored in barns or grain silos, vulnerable to rats. So they are probably putting poison down in an attempt to kill the rats, but it's also contaminating the grain.

Answer 5

Thank You for allowing me to address this. It is someone who is a VERY sick individual. My Persian Cat got sick, but we caught it in time. I don't understand exactly How the nutcase pulled this off, but I hope he/she is caught...quickly. Then they should be given some "Special Kitty"

Answer 6

Scarily, if I understand right, the Chinese growers of the wheat additive actually used it as part of their pesticide -- another example as to why organic food is best. Very scary...