The head of the New York State Department of Agriculture says tests found rat poison in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs in the U.S.
At a news conference in Albany, state agriculture commissioner Patrick Hooker said the toxin has been identified as aminopterin.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the substance is used to kill rats in some countries but isn't registered for that use in the United States. Officials aren't saying how they believe the poison got into the pet food.
The pet deaths led to a recall of 60 million cans and pouches of pet food produced by Menu Foods and sold throughout North America under 95 brand names.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
There's new information on just how rat poison may have gotten into pet food linked to the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs. Nation news stations are reporting that the poison (aminopterin) may have been on imported wheat that was used in the pet food.
The type of poison identified by the network is one that is used to kill rats in some countries -- but according to the EPA, it's not registered for use in the United States. The chemical is also a cancer drug, and it's highly toxic in high doses.
Earlier today, a spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets said rat poison had been found in the pet food. She wouldn't identify the chemical or its source.
The pet deaths led to a recall of 60 million cans and pouches of pet food produced by Menu Foods and sold under 95 brand names throughout North America. The company has confirmed the deaths of 15 cats and one dog.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
