Natura’s Response to Menu Foods’ Recall: ‘We Will Operate our Own Canning Facility’

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Although not implicated in the recent massive Menu Foods canned food recall, Natura Pet Products has pledged to either acquire or build a canning plant so that the company can exercise complete control over its product lines.

In a video message to Natura customers, Peter Atkins, one of Natura’s founders and owners, made assurances that no Natura canned food contains the suspected contaminate, wheat gluten from China, or wheat of any kind. Furthermore, Natura’s canned foods are made exclusively in a Menu Foods South Dakota plant, rather than in the affected Kansas and New Jersey plants. Nonetheless, Natura plans to remove any doubt that they are producing pet foods with unsafe ingredients.

“I want to make sure that you know that we take very seriously our responsibility to provide healthful and safe products for the thousands of dogs and cats that eat Natura pet foods,” said Atkins. “To do this effectively we must ultimately control the manufacture of ALL products that we sell. Therefore, the Natura Pet Products board of directors has authorized the immediate implementation of a plan to either acquire an existing canning operation or build a new can plant from scratch. This substantial financial commitment will insure that you, our loyal customers, can be confident in knowing that all Natura pet food products will always be of the highest quality – that we truly live up to our mission to make the healthiest pet foods in the world.”

Natura owns and operates the manufacturing plants that make its dry pet foods and its baked treats and biscuits. Its quality management programs at these plants are unequaled in the industry and as a result of these programs Natura has achieved many human food plant certifications, including a “Superior” rating from the American Institute of Baking, Organic Certification, registration with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and ISO 9001:2001 compliance.

Until Natura begins its canning operation, it will have one of their own Quality Control employees on-site in South Dakota to oversee the production of its products. Natura has also instructed its buyers to utilize ingredients from domestic suppliers only.

About Natura Pet Products

Founded fifteen years ago by John and Ann Rademakers and Peter Atkins, Natura is recognized as the most trusted name behind the healthiest pet food in the world. Natura’s products are formulated, manufactured, and prepared at human grade levels. Lines include: INNOVA, EVO, CALIFORNIA NATURAL, HEALTHWISE and KARMA. For more information visit: www.naturapet.com or call (800) 532-7261.