Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Testing Finds Rat Poison in Recalled Pet Food
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 23, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 23, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
NY State agricultural officials say that testing so far has indicated the presence of rat poison in recalled pet food. According to ABC News, a source says "the rodenticide, which the source says is illegal to use in the United States, was on wheat that was imported from China and used by Menu Foods in nearly 100 brands of dog and cat food." Yikes! [Via Poop City, which has had excellent coverage of the recall.]
During the press conference, NY State ag officials emphasized that they are not even half way done with testing, but they came forward with the information because it could help other investigations as well as pet owners and vets who are dealing with sick pets. The officials also said the number of confirmed deaths due to the tainted food - 15 cats and one dog - seemed low. Pet Connection has been keeping an unofficial database of pet deaths, which is now around 1,000.
The massive recall of foods from Menu Foods involved almost 100 brands, including brand names like Iams and Eukanuba as well as store-labels from Wal-Mart and Safeway; here is Menu Foods' recall site. Readers have posted heartbreaking stories on our post from Saturday.
Other online resources: In addition to Poop City and Pet Connection, check out BARC, itchmo blog, and Howl911.
Tagged
abc
abc news
animals
cat
cats
china
city
food
Menu Foods
news
ny state
Pet Connection
pets
rat
united states
us
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 23, 2026
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .