The recall of three references of the Purina cat food brand has been causing a stir for 48 hours, while cases of poisoning or infections – sometimes fatal – of cats have been reported by several witnesses, in Seine-Maritime or in the Sum. Are they really related to these kibbles? We take stock.
Contacted on the very subject of this voluntary recall, the Nestlé Purina spokesperson first provided us with some details: “A supplier informed us that there was, on an ingredient that we use in our kibbles, traces of a residue, 2-CE (2-chloro-ethanol), from water treatment. After discussions with the French authorities, measures were decided and the batches concerned recalled. However, the level of 2-CE detected in the ingredient (and not in the final food) is 200 times lower than the maximum concentration level not to be exceeded to guarantee the safety of the product, says the company.
Low dose, low toxicity
“The dose is extremely low, so low that we are within the margins of error of the analyses”, confirms Charlotte Devaux, veterinary nutritionist. But then why were the batches recalled? Because “France is the only country in Europe not to take into account analytical uncertainties”. Which means that in other countries, these products would not have been recalled. We are fully in the precautionary principle.
Let’s say our cat has eaten these kibbles, what risk is he exposed to? Sébastien Lefebvre, lecturer at VetAgroSup, is more than reassuring: “To date, there is no established toxicological basis for 2-CE; it was once suspected of having a mutagenic effect (thus acting on the genetic material), but the latest results of scientific studies do not come to confirm it”. In any case, if there was a risk, it would be very long-term effects, at much higher doses and after very prolonged exposure.
Suspicious symptoms
However, many owners, as well as shelters, are formal: their cat fell ill after consuming these kibbles and kittens even died. But several points do not stick. First of all, the symptoms: the cats showed acute digestive disorders (diarrhoea, vomiting, anorexia, etc.) sometimes resulting in death; therefore unrelated to a possible long-term mutagenic effect. On the other hand, as Charlotte Devaux points out, “the concordance of times is suspect; while the recalled batches relate to kibbles marketed from November to April, the carnage among cats did not begin until after the recall of July 8”.
Are other hypotheses being explored to explain the death of these felines? “The symptoms reported in kittens can be reminiscent of typhus,” says Séverine Boullier, immunology teacher at the Toulouse Veterinary School. It is a viral disease that circulates a lot in feline populations because vaccination coverage is unfortunately not yet good enough”. Yet it is reported that typhus tests have come back negative in sick animals: “Even if it’s not typhus, there are many other pathogens circulating that can result in these symptoms.” And when diarrhea and vomiting are associated with a heat wave, the dehydration of the youngest is very rapid and can quickly lead to the death of the animal.
To remove the doubt on the link between the traces of 2-CE and the death of the animal, autopsies were proposed on the deceased cats. Customer service is at their disposal for customers, also specifies Nestlé Purina, which ensures that it does not underestimate the concern and the emotion that the recall of the batches of croquettes may have aroused among the cat owners concerned.
As a reminder, it is recommended that you no longer consume and destroy the following products
– PURINA PRO PLAN Original Kitten 1 to 12 months, rich in chicken;
– PURINA PRO PLAN Sterilised Adult 1 +, riche en saumon ;
– PURINA ONE Junior from 1 to 12 months, made with selected chicken.
Two numbers are in place, 0806 800 361 for Purina products and 0800 226 462 for Purina Pro Plan products.