----- Original Message -----

Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:36 PM
Subject:  Alert (Milk Replacer)


2:16 PM
Subject: [Coton e-ZINE]  Milk Replacers/Weaning Formulae Could be Toxic
URGENT ALERT
BEWARE PUPPY MILK REPLACERS AND WEANING FORMULA

by Robert Jay Russell, Ph.D., Coton de Tulear Club of America President

CotonNews@aol.com
www.CotonClub.com
April 26th, 2007. I was monitoring a livestock email list today when I
noticed a post by one of the members who was looking for milk replacer
for her kids (goats). She wrote:
Recently I had some kids born and mother refused them. Not having
enough milk from mother to feed these kids I went to Milk
Replacer. I usually use Land-O-Lakes Kid Milk Replacer but could not
find any anywhere. I went to Tractor Supply Company (TSC) and
purchased two 10# bags of MannaPro UNIMILK. I have since lost one
kid. I happened to be talking to a friend in Indiana about
what happened and she asked me what replacer I was using, so I told
her...This is when I found out that brand had a RECALL notice. I
searched through the information and found that INDEED the bags I
purchased were part of that recall. I Called the TSC store and they
had no idea anything had a recall on it. I printed the info out and
the next day I took everything into the store to prove to them. The
recall has been in place since 3-30-07. All the Unimilk was still on
the shelf, not taking my word for it. I showed the manager the
printout and he searched the TSC website and found no alerts. He
said he would give me my money back for both bags but he couldn't do
anything about the kid. Yesterday I stopped at a friends house and
found they she was using UNIMILK for a calf... She got it at TSC
about 2 weeks ago. Why wasn't TSC informed? And then when they
were? Why didn't they do anything about it?
Dr. Russell continues:
I went on the Manna Pro corporation web site today and had a very
difficult time finding a tiny button which stated "Information about
Manna Pro Milk Replacer" (nothing about "Alert" or "Recall" or Danger").
This is what that MannaPro information page stated:
Manna Pro has a heritage of quality and takes pride in maintaining the
highest quality standards for the products it produces and sells under
the Manna Pro brand name.
Very recently, a few customers have reported that, when mixed with
water, the Unimilk they purchased turns light grey in color rather than
the characteristic creamy white. As we have investigated these
consumer calls, we have identified that a single batch of Unimilk is
affected by this issue.
The lot codes for this product are listed below.
PLEASE IMMEDIATELY DESTROY ANY PRODUCT YOU HAVE WITH THESE LOT CODES.
Unimilk, 3.5# Poly Bag Unimilk, 10# Paper Bag
LOT CODE: AB707AZ LOT CODE: A020707AZ
LOT CODE: AB707BZ LOT CODE: A020707BZ
LOT CODE: AB707CZ LOT CODE: A020807AZ
LOT CODE: AB708AZ LOT CODE: A020807BZ
LOT CODE: AB708BZ LOT CODE: A020907AZ
LOT CODE: AB708CZ LOT CODE: A020907AZ
LOT CODE: AB709AZ LOT CODE: A021007AZ
LOT CODE: AB709BZ LOT CODE: A021007BZ
LOT CODE: AB709CZ LOT CODE: A021207AZ
LOT CODE: AB710AZ LOT CODE: A021207BZ
LOT CODE: AB710BZ
LOT CODE: AB710CZ
LOT CODE: AB712AZ
LOT CODE: AB712BZ
LOT CODE: AB712CZ
All Manna Pro products are Satisfaction Guaranteed, and we will be happy
to offer you a full refund. Simply cut the lot code numbers from the
bottom of the bag, and send in to Manna Pro Products, 707 Spirit 40 Park
Dr., Suite 150, Chesterfield, MO 63005, attn: Suze L.
If you have a receipt from your purchase, please include it. If not,
simply indicate what you paid for the product and where you bought it,
and we will issue your refund.Please call with questions at
866/489-1500.
Updated 3/30/2007
Dr. Russell continues:
Note that the MannaPro recall mentions nothing about poisoned gluten nor
does it mention any report to the FDA. However, it is reasonable to
suggest that this company may be quietly attempting to cover up another
case of Chinese gluten/protein concentrate melamine poisoning. Manna Pro
makes livestock feed for farmers AND inexpensive pet food most often
sold at farm supply stores (but note: The Tractor Supply Company is
located in suburban and even urban areas throughout the US and is
popular with suburbanites, not just farmers).
What is significant here is the penetration of possible highly toxic
food into the category of "Milk Replacer" and "Weaning Formula" for dogs
and cats. Many CTCA Code of Ethics Breeders and others use milk
replacers and weaning formulae routinely, often as a bridge between
mother's milk and puppy food at weaning time. So BEWARE!!! Check
ingredient lists carefully.
AN ALTERNATIVE: you need not use a commercial weaning formula. Instead,
blend milk with some finely blended puppy food or dog food that you've
checked to make sure is NOT on any recall list and does NOT contain
grain products (rice, corn, wheat, soy). This, in fact, is probably a
far better formulae for weaning and milk replacement.
AND EVERYONE: check ingredient lists with care. Even milk replacers may
contain protein concentrates, grain powders or glutens!
This crisis is far from over.
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(c)2007 Dr. R. J. Russell & the CTCA