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Coleman Natural Foods and Petaluma Poultry
In the month of April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined
that some shipments rice protein and wheat gluten imported from China
were contaminated with melamine and melamine-related compounds. It has
also been reported that salvage pet food tainted with melamine has been
fed to hogs and chickens in Indiana. These animals have been quarantined.
On April 27, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued
import alert #99-29 about detaining all vegetable protein products from
China for animal or food use, due to the presence of melamine and/or
melamine analogs.
FDA and USDA are continuing to investigate the situation. FDA officials
are testing products in the marketplace that go into animal and human
food. FDA stressed that it does not believe at this time that melamine
will be found in other products, but it is conducting the testing as
a precaution.
Coleman’s position:
- We do not, and never have, fed any pet foods (salvage or otherwise)
to any of our animals
- Due to our rigorous procedures and protocols at our feed-mills,
we are highly confident that Coleman is clear of this issue. However,
for further certainty, Coleman has implemented a melamine testing procedure
at our California, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina feed-mills. In addition,
we are requiring that feed component suppliers test and certify that
all components are melamine-free.
- In addition to our rigorous on-going testing of finished feeds
by third-party laboratories, all Organic feed ingredients for our animals
have been certified by independent auditors according to the USDA National
Organic Program (NOP).
For nearly 30 years, Coleman has led the industry in defining natural,
organic and humane animal raising practices that represent the highest
standards for meat production in the United States. We will continue
to rigorously ensure that all Coleman meat products meet or exceed the
protocols that we have maintained since our founding.
We sincerely thank you for your confidence in our products, and encourage
you to register any questions, comments or suggestions at 1-800-442-8666
or www.colemannatural.com.
Mike Leventini
President, Poultry Division
Coleman Natural Foods
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