Lisa dvm
Active Member
Shelby has asked me to copy and paste his letter here since he is not a board member. ( I am just the messenger.)
Hi, my name is Shelby Gomas,
I am the owner of Feline’s Pride and have been making this diet for the last 5 years and hope to continue for the rest of my life. We got bombed with a Class I recall based on a positive FDA lab reports for salmonella for product manufactured between 6/10/2010 and 6/17/2010. All product was to be recalled back to our factory but by the time that was issued all product manufactured was consumed. No kitty or person has reported any illness or sickness or death that is associated with a Class 1 recall. Very interesting to note not one person or kitty fell to any type of illness .
Discussion with FDA officials to reduce the classification to a class 3 recall was absolutely fruitless. A class 3 recall is where no individual gets sick or pet falls victim to illness. Why the Class 1 designation? I would like to add that the Associated Press, who called me directly, spent a moment to discuss the issue. After the conversation, they were reluctant to even publicize the issue based on the fact no one became ill and the class designation was inappropriate.
I have been making this diet without incident for 5 years for kitties with IBD, IBS and diabetics with mostly all going into remission. This operation is, in my opinion, the cleanest food operation I have ever worked in and I have 13 furry food critics that have been eating every batch made since day 1, without any incident of illness. I would like for those who read this to understand that salmonella is a common bacteria that is found in most poultry, if not all poultry. Our operation is to manufacture a clean product as best as possible with stainless steel grinders that are sanitized after every operation. For the last 5 years we have tested negative for salmonella. We manufacture food according to FDA guidelines FDA#122 which specifically requests, as part of their guidelines, for food to be fine ground and all product used be of USDA quality or better. We have been compliant since opening day.
Also remember, fine ground food has more exposure to the possibility of salmonella because of increased surface area for the possibility of contamination than, say, a whole chicken thigh or chicken wing.
We have the honor of being in compliance with New York State Agriculture and Markets and are also a FDA registered food facility and we invite agencies to make inspection whenever possible. When we ship a sample of food, say a 2.5 lb. container to a new client, we ship it in a container that has 3 lbs. of gel pak on top and bottom. That is 6 lbs. of refrigerant for a 2.5 lb. sample that is shipped . The FDA procured items from us and used less than 6 lbs. of refrigerant for 50 lbs. of food and shipped it to their labs.
I have an issue with that and have requested a hearing with the FDA. I have heard nothing from them. I have also contacted an FDA ombudsman who is suppose to intercede between businesses such as mine to help us through this mess, but still no response. The State of Virginia has suspended our sales in that State because they feel our labeling is not in compliance. The State of New York FDA assures us that our labels are totally in compliance. Both legal counsel and myself have asked for that to be placed in writing. That request was denied….my question is - for what reason? Meanwhile, sick kitties, mostly IBD’s and diabetics are the one’s suffering for the official delays in registration.
There are many issues I could address but I am just here to let people know we are in a pickle of a situation trying to deal with governmental administration and trying to get someone to commit themselves to a decision. Meanwhile, I will go back to trying to make the best food possible. Many of you who know this company are aware of my love for these furry little critters and my commitment to their health. Six years ago, six of my guys were poisoned in less than two months from eating contaminated food. When I dug those graves, I promised myself I would research and learn how to avoid this issue with any more of my “kids.” When I came up with the idea to make this food, I did it for my own objectives. That being, to make sure my remaining guys got the best food possible.
Our customers are all being treated the same as my “kids.” If you wish to discuss any issue, you can call me at 1-716-580-3096 at Feline’s Pride. Thank for reading my two cents on this recall issue.
Sincerely,
Shelby Gomas
Hi, my name is Shelby Gomas,
I am the owner of Feline’s Pride and have been making this diet for the last 5 years and hope to continue for the rest of my life. We got bombed with a Class I recall based on a positive FDA lab reports for salmonella for product manufactured between 6/10/2010 and 6/17/2010. All product was to be recalled back to our factory but by the time that was issued all product manufactured was consumed. No kitty or person has reported any illness or sickness or death that is associated with a Class 1 recall. Very interesting to note not one person or kitty fell to any type of illness .
Discussion with FDA officials to reduce the classification to a class 3 recall was absolutely fruitless. A class 3 recall is where no individual gets sick or pet falls victim to illness. Why the Class 1 designation? I would like to add that the Associated Press, who called me directly, spent a moment to discuss the issue. After the conversation, they were reluctant to even publicize the issue based on the fact no one became ill and the class designation was inappropriate.
I have been making this diet without incident for 5 years for kitties with IBD, IBS and diabetics with mostly all going into remission. This operation is, in my opinion, the cleanest food operation I have ever worked in and I have 13 furry food critics that have been eating every batch made since day 1, without any incident of illness. I would like for those who read this to understand that salmonella is a common bacteria that is found in most poultry, if not all poultry. Our operation is to manufacture a clean product as best as possible with stainless steel grinders that are sanitized after every operation. For the last 5 years we have tested negative for salmonella. We manufacture food according to FDA guidelines FDA#122 which specifically requests, as part of their guidelines, for food to be fine ground and all product used be of USDA quality or better. We have been compliant since opening day.
Also remember, fine ground food has more exposure to the possibility of salmonella because of increased surface area for the possibility of contamination than, say, a whole chicken thigh or chicken wing.
We have the honor of being in compliance with New York State Agriculture and Markets and are also a FDA registered food facility and we invite agencies to make inspection whenever possible. When we ship a sample of food, say a 2.5 lb. container to a new client, we ship it in a container that has 3 lbs. of gel pak on top and bottom. That is 6 lbs. of refrigerant for a 2.5 lb. sample that is shipped . The FDA procured items from us and used less than 6 lbs. of refrigerant for 50 lbs. of food and shipped it to their labs.
I have an issue with that and have requested a hearing with the FDA. I have heard nothing from them. I have also contacted an FDA ombudsman who is suppose to intercede between businesses such as mine to help us through this mess, but still no response. The State of Virginia has suspended our sales in that State because they feel our labeling is not in compliance. The State of New York FDA assures us that our labels are totally in compliance. Both legal counsel and myself have asked for that to be placed in writing. That request was denied….my question is - for what reason? Meanwhile, sick kitties, mostly IBD’s and diabetics are the one’s suffering for the official delays in registration.
There are many issues I could address but I am just here to let people know we are in a pickle of a situation trying to deal with governmental administration and trying to get someone to commit themselves to a decision. Meanwhile, I will go back to trying to make the best food possible. Many of you who know this company are aware of my love for these furry little critters and my commitment to their health. Six years ago, six of my guys were poisoned in less than two months from eating contaminated food. When I dug those graves, I promised myself I would research and learn how to avoid this issue with any more of my “kids.” When I came up with the idea to make this food, I did it for my own objectives. That being, to make sure my remaining guys got the best food possible.
Our customers are all being treated the same as my “kids.” If you wish to discuss any issue, you can call me at 1-716-580-3096 at Feline’s Pride. Thank for reading my two cents on this recall issue.
Sincerely,
Shelby Gomas
