I thought I did all my research, even the blogs that are tracking the pet foods had "Life Abundance" (purchased through Trilogy) listed as one that was not connected to Menu Foods... then I noticed on one of the lists under "Life Abundance" while the company still claimed it was safe, etc... it said "only ONE product was made at Menu Foods". I can't believe I didn't research it better I bought their canned and dry foods after news of the recall and started feeding it to my cats along with some Merrick canned. After seeing that note on the blog (after my babies had been eating their food) about the "one product" I sent them several emails... well I finally received a reply (posted below) and I am shocked! The "ONE product" manufactured by Menu Foods is their canned cat food

here is the email I received:

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First off, we’d like thank you for your patience in waiting for a
response. In the wake of the pet food recall, we have been inundated
with calls and emails seeking more information about our products.

This email is in response to your question about whether or not we use
Menu Foods. We want to make sure that you understand the facts fully.
Our dog and cat dry foods are made by a third-generation pet food maker
in Ohio with an outstanding reputation. Our baked treats are made in a
bakery that also makes baked goods for people. Of all our pet products, only
one “our canned cat food“ is made in a Menu facility.

It’s important to keep in mind, that all of the products that were
included in the recall were “cuts and gravy” type products, and as
you know, we don’t make any products like that. The FDA suspects that
the wheat gluten in these products was contaminated, and we don’t use any
wheat gluten.

You know, a lot of folks don’t realize this, but Menu Foods makes
over 90% of all privately labeled canned pet foods sold in the U.S. and
Canada. They operate four plants in the U.S. The problem ingredient was used
In Kansas. Our canned cat food is made in an entirely separate facility
in South Dakota. There is absolutely no chance that our canned cat food
was contaminated, because it never came into contact with the plant in
question.

Like we mentioned before, the authorities are almost certain that the
contamination is linked to an ingredient that we do not use in any of
our products.

We maintain very strict quality control measures in the manufacture of
All of our foods, treats, care products and supplements. We have devoted a
great deal of energy into using only the best vendors in the market, so
that only the highest quality ingredients are included in our products.

We just want to reiterate “all” of our products are completely safe.

We will continue to monitor this situation, and we will continue to do
everything that we can to provide the safest, healthiest options for
our consumers and their companion animals.

Customer Service
Trilogy International, HealthyPetNet

If the canned food you got, Jacko, does not have any wheat gluten in it, then I don't see that you need to worry. It is known that it was a batch of wheat gluten from a supplier in China that was the problem.

So if there is no wheat gluten in the food, it would be fine, as far as anyone can know.

It is hard to avoid foods not made in any way by Menu Foods as they do make products for 90% of the pet food manufacturers.

I have never heard of "Life Abundance" foods.... I personally stay away from anything that I've never heard off.... I know they can be cheaper sometimes but I'll stick with the stuff I know has a good reputation just to be on the safe side - especially right now with all these foods being recalled.

As Margaret said, however, since your food does not have wheat gluten in it, there should be no worries.

I hope you are right that it is just the wheat gluten... I heard from a friend there was something on the news in Chicago yesterday about them finding an additional contaimination/poison in the Menu Foods products but they didn't say what it was yet.

It just bothers me that a company would be secretive about such things and I do not trust anything from menu foods and hope to never buy a product that has anything to do with them. Life Abundance food was recommended to me by my vet because of the recall. Unfortunately it wasn't inexpensive

But another question comes to mind... what about corn gluten? Possible it is the "gluten" portion that may have been tainted and not as they first thought the wheat itself (I have no idea how gluten is made)?

They only said that Menu foods got wheat gluten from one certain supplier in China, and that wheat gluten from that supplier was tainted with melamine.

Not all wheat gluten in the world is a problem. It's only a problem when someone adds poison to it!

It is possible that Menu foods got tainted corn gluten from somewhere. We don't know where they got their corn gluten from. If it was from that same company in China, that could also be a concern.

Basically, if we don't use anything that was made by Menu foods, there should not be any problems.

Jacko wrote:

It just bothers me that a company would be secretive about such things and I do not trust anything from menu foods

For sure! There were many problems with the entire situation, delays in getting the info out, not all info given at first, etc.

I have heard of Life's Abundance, but I only recall the name. They don't sell it at my one and only nearby pet store.