file this under "sadly, no big fucking surprise there"

Ceres Hog Farm Quarantined

April 20, 2007, 10:13AM
© 2007 The Associated Press

CERES, Calif. — A Stanislaus County hog farm was placed under quarantine after an industrial chemical that's tainted more than 100 brands of dog and cat food was found in pig urine there, state agriculture officials said late Thursday.

Additional testing was under way to determine if the chemical, melamine, was present in the meat produced by American Hog Farm in Ceres since April 3, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

"Although all animals appear healthy, we are taking this action out of an abundance of caution," State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Breitmeyer said in a statement. "It is unknown if the chemical will be detected in meat."

State officials believe the melamine came from rice protein concentrate imported from China by Diamond Pet Food's Lathrop facility, which produces products under the Natural Balance brand and sold salvage pet food to the farm for pig feed.

Pacoima-based Natural Balance announced a limited recall Monday of its Venison and Brown Rice canned and bagged dog foods, Venison and Brown Rice dog treats and Venison and Green Pea dry cat food.

Officials were investigating American Hog Farm's sales records to determine who may be affected by the quarantine, said Steve Lyle, a CDFA spokesman. The 1,500-animal farm operates as a "custom slaughterhouse," which means it generally does not supply meat to commercial outlets.

"Mostly it is not so-called mainstream pork. This is an operation that sells to folks who come in and want a whole pig," said Steve Lyle, a CDFA spokesman.

Officials urged those who purchased pigs from American Hog Farm since April 3 to not consume the product until further notice.

Dr. Mark Horton, the state public health officer, said so far "evidence suggests a minimal health risk to persons who may have consumed pork" from the farm.

A man who answered the phone for American Hog Farm late Thursday declined to comment and referred calls to state officials. Phone calls to Diamond Pet Food's Lathrop facility and Meta, Mo. headquarters were not immediately returned.

Melamine, which is used in making plastics and other industrial processes, has been blamed for causing health problems in dozens of dogs and cats. The Food and Drug Administration could not provide updated numbers of pet deaths or injuries due to the contaminated food.

Federal officials said Thursday they were investigating reports that tainted rice protein made its way into hog feed, but did not name specific farms. California officials were not aware of any other cases of melamine found on a hog farm, Lyle said.

www.chron.com/disp/story....4733635.html