Not Even Our Pets Are Safe?

We've blogged before about dangerous, tainted products coming from Chinese plants and slipping past the FDA and other US oversight agencies injuring US consumers in the process.  Check out some of our posts on the blood-thinning drug heparin here and here and also toys with toxic lead paint here and here.

But let's not forget the first tainted Chinese product that hit the news - pet food.  After all, what did little "Sparky" and poor "Trixie" ever do to deserve this?

Just last year poisoned pet chow made with wheat gluten from China made its way overseas sparking the largest pet food recall in US history.  The wheat gluten unfortunately contained an additional flavor component most four-legged critters would not enjoy. The addtional flavor was a chemical used to make plastics - which even grosses me out. (As a side note, if your pet happened to be a spunky Chihuahua named Tinkerbell - no worry necessary).  Thousands of dogs and cats throughout the US and Canada who ate the bad food became ill and some even died.    

Luckily it appears these owners will get some justice for their sickened and deceased pets.  The makers of the pet chow agreed to a $24 million dollar settlement.

Check out the video clip below: