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Pedigree makers say toxins to blame for dog food scare

"We sincerely apologize to our customers."

Allan West, general manager of Effem Foods Taiwan

Effem Foods Taiwan Inc, the manufacturer of Pedigree Dry dog food, yesterday announced that toxins produced by mold at its dry pet food factory in Thailand were the most likely cause of a recent increase in renal illness in dogs in some Asian countries including Taiwan.

"We sincerely apologize to our customers and express our regret for any distress or anxiety this may have caused," Allan West, general manager of Effem Foods Taiwan, said at a press conference yesterday.

Earlier this month more than 100 dogs reportedly fell ill and about 30 others had died from renal illness after eating Pedigree in Taiwan.

Effem Foods dismissed the reports as rumors at that time and has offered to spend NT$1 million to find a scientific explanation for the dogs' illness and death. But in the meantime, the company started to recall its pet food manufactured at the Thailand plant to eliminate any remaining concerns about the quality and safety of its products.

Besides Taiwan, the plant in Pakchong, Thailand, also supplies dry dog and cat food to Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and six Southeast Asian countries.

After an investigation conducted by a panel of veterinary medicine specialists from the US, Europe and Asia, the company yesterday said it has concluded that the toxins were produced by mold found in an auxiliary bulk storage system for rice and corn at the factory in Thailand.

Although Effem also recalled its dry cat food, consumers and veterinarians have reported no increase in unusual cat illnesses in Asia, West said.

While West said customers are welcome to contact the company regarding product recall, discard or refund, and other concerns, he did not mention if the company will make any compensation to victims of the case.

Cheng Jen-hung (程仁宏), general secretary of the Consumers' Foundation (消基會), said consumers with invoices and diagnoses proving that the company is responsible for their pets' sickness or death are able to request compensation in accordance with Article 7 of the Consumer Protection Law (消保法).
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