Citizen Petition to the FDA

  • Written By: Susan Thixton
  • 7-22-2010
  • Categorized in: Pet Food Regulations

The official first step towards challenging the FDA allowing diseased animals, euthanized animals, and other horrors into pet food and treats is a Citizen Petition.  If you would like to be part of changing the future of pet food, here is your opportunity.

This is something that I believe should have been done a long time ago.  Watching the hidden camera video of the rendering plant has motivated me into action.  (By the way, I have learned the video was filmed by Last Chance for Animals in May 2007 at a southern California rendering plant.)

The short story is that the FDA allows the pet food industry to violate Federal law.  While not all pet food manufacturers use horrendous illegal pet food/treat ingredients, some do.  An FDA Compliance Policy tells the industry that those who wish to rob the bank, they will not be prosecuted.  The laws are written, in place, but the FDA does not enforce them.  This must stop.

The beginning to the end of euthanized animals or diseased USDA rejected animals processed into pet foods and treats is the Citizen Petition.  "Background:  An interested person may petition the Commissioner to issue, amend, or revoke a regulation or order, or to take or refrain from taking any other form of administrative action." Granted, it seems ridiculous to petition the FDA requesting the Commissioner to enforce the very laws their organization is designed to enforce, but...it's what we have to do.  I am cautious of getting anyone's hopes up, however unless we try it is certain that nothing will change.