Amid reports of more than 500 dogs sickened by chicken jerky pet treats imported from China, government health officials are ramping up border inspections for dangerous toxins.
Food and Drug Administration officials have begun collecting and testing chicken jerky treats upon import, analyzing samples for evidence of melamine and melamine analogs and diethylene glycol, chemicals used in plastics and resins, a spokeswoman said.
Melamine-tainted imported pet food sickened and killed thousands of dogs and cats in the U.S. in 2007, leading to massive recalls and criminal indictments of Chinese and American pet food executives.
So far, FDA officials have found no evidence of harmful levels of melamine or other substances in the chicken jerky treats.
FDA now has received 537 reports of illnesses in dogs, including 437 reports since it issued a renewed warning about chicken jerky treats from China in November.
That number includes 353 reports logged in 2011 and 184 submitted so far this year, Ward said.
The illnesses appear tied to imported Chinese chicken jerky products, also sold as chicken tenders, chicken strips or chicken treats.
FDA scientists have been worked for months to detect a source of illnesses and samples have been tested for drugs, poisons and mycotoxins, as well as for heavy metals and certain chemicals.
Still, the source of the problem remains a mystery and no specific brands or products have been named or recalled in connection with the illnesses, FDA officials said.
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TXT 24
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