MONTREAL (AFP) - The Canadian company that sold tainted pet food blamed for at least 14 pet deaths expanded its product recall Saturday, saying it worried consumers could still find the products on store shelves.
Toronto-based Menu Foods said some of its pet foods, possibly tainted with a toxin used as rat poison, were still being sold.
The company said store owners should remove all of its products, regardless of the production date.
"As a result of reports from the FDA (US Federal Drug Administration) and various media outlets that some recalled lots of 'cuts and gravy' style wet pet food remain on store shelves, Menu Foods has asked all retail outlets to immediately remove all impacted varieties of wet pet food posted at www.menufoods.com, regardless of the date code," the company said in a statement.
"Menu Foods remains concerned that consumers are able to purchase recalled items," it said.
"There is no known risk from items not listed on the recall list but an abundance of caution is called for in this situation. FDA has been apprised of this action," it said.
Last week the Menu Foods recalled 60 million cans and pouches of food made in the United States and sold under 95 different brand names after reports that house pets were falling sick and dying after eating the some of their products.
On Friday US scientists in New York identified a toxin used for rat poison in the tainted pet food.
The toxin, called aminopterin, can cause cancers and birth defects in humans and kidney damage in cats and dogs.
Menu Foods President Paul Henderson said Friday the company would compensate owners of animals that died or became ill from its products, but did not know how the toxin got into their products.
ABC television reported that the toxin had been found in wheat imported from China used in the pet food.
Several lawsuits have been filed in US and Canadian courts following the pet deaths.