Question:
I read with interest your comments in our local paper regarding Beneful dog food. I want to tell you about my experience with this product.
My aging dog had been eating Beneful weight-control dry food for several years. In May, I went north, and my daughter covered for Abby for 10 days. Upon my return, I found her food to be solidly molded into a lump and I discarded it. I bought another bag and several days later (less than a week), I checked for mold by smelling it. I couldn't detect mold immediately, but I felt something crawling on my face. I couldn't see anything in the mirror, so I took some packing tape, covered the area and, upon removing the tape, I could see through a magnifying glass some tiny, ivory-colored bugs. After I washed my face, I looked in the bag -- the contents were covered with those insects. I sealed the bag in plastic and threw it out. I bought another bag and, upon opening it, I found the same critters, and it was straight from the store. The store refunded my money.
I notified the manufacturer, and they denied any knowledge of the problem. However, my daughter found some blogs on the Internet complaining about the same thing. I was sent a generous amount of coupons, which I used for cat food only -- Abby will never touch Beneful again. The manufacturer seems to be aware of the problem, but refuses to do anything about it. The cat food was not infected.
P.J.H., Port St. Lucie, FL Jul 19, 2009
Answer:
Dry dog and cat foods can contain mites, mealworms and other insects that breed and quickly multiply inside the sealed bags. Considering the fact that many bags of pet foods are many months old before they are opened, it is little wonder that I often receive letters like yours.
I do not believe that this problem is restricted to just one brand of pet foods. For my selection of preferred cat and dog foods, check my Web site at www.twobitdog.com/DrFox.
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