05/14/07 Investigating the Problem

Investigating the problem. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. We have all heard about the pet food recalls and the contaminated protein products that have found their way into hog, chicken and fish foods. The USDA has issued statements saying the low levels of contaminant pose no threat to humans and they are investigating the source. As reported earlier, some of the melamine contaminated products were manufactured in Canada and shipped into the U.S. According to USDA's Dr. David Acheson, the fish food was used in several Oregon hatcheries including the Marion Forks Hatchery. ACHESON: The hatchery manager had discontinued use of the feed which according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife was used as a starter diet for juvenile salmon and trout. The fish feed was manufactured in Vancouver, Canada, by the Skretting Company and distributed under the Bio-Oregon label out of Longview, Washington. Acheson reiterated that the meat from the products pose a very low risk for human consumption. ACHESON: The human health risk assessment that was announced this past Monday on May 7 also included an assessment for eating fish. Based on that assessment, federal scientists from multiple agencies concluded that humans who may have eaten fish fed the melamine-containing feed face a very low health risk. But of continued concern is where the products came from originally and where else was it sent for processing. According to Acheson, they have been working with the Chinese Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. ACHESON: Our team has visited both of the firms that exported the contaminated products to the United States as well as an independent test lab that is analyzing samples collected by AQSIQ at the two firms. Visits to the two firms indicate they are no longer in business. AQSIQ has confirmed the reports that you as well as others have heard that officials of the firms have been detained. Our investigation in China continues. There are preliminary discussions about formalizing future cooperation with China on food safety and food defense issues, and those discussions will continue in the forthcoming weeks. The USDA continues to work with the FDA and other agencies to track the contaminated products and we will keep you informed with any new information as it is made available. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.