The Chinese whispers seem to be starting  (although not on this site yet) so thought it might be useful to post the
Champion Pet Foods Australia Re-call Consumer Release to clarify.

Does anyone know why Oz went for such a high dose when irradiating? (50's to 60's!?)
I seem to remember (but prepared to stand corrected) The US stipulate 5-25 max for animal feeds.
Anyone know what it is for the UK? (I can only find Cambridge research papers for 40 in poultry feeds)

HG :  thanks for that link.

Orijen seems to be a food that has what I would call an evangelising clientele - who are so convinced that theirs is the only way to feed dogs (and cats) that such a link is useful - it sets records straight..

I have no expertise in feeding dogs, cats or humans - all I have is experience of what my family (4-legged and 2-legged) like, and what they thrive on, and so I will not get involved in feeding frenzy threads.

Such a shame and heartbreak for those who have lost beloved pets or who are having to suffer the consequences of feeding what they felt to be the best food possible.

Margot

Can't understand what the Australian authority group authorising this thought they were doing.    Seems it is nothing to do with the food but what was done to it.

Probably could have been any brand with real fresh meat unless we know of other food with similar fresh produce being exposed to the same what seems insane levels.

You think their would be controls in place so no food animals or humans could have such an exposure.

> seems insane levels.

This is what's baffling me too  Blue!
The two thoughts that came to me on hearing about this (and continued to stay with me even after reading Champions consumer release) were:
1) Why did Champion abdicate responsibilty to the Australians for irradiation (probably that's just the way it has to be?? Oz requirement or legislation?) but surely Champion would have wanted to know before hand what the levels of irradiation etc were going to be!  Im astounded (by their admission) that this was an unknown! Even 'if' they had just presumed that the levels would be around the same as the American (5-25 KgG) you'd check wouldnt you??

2) Why the levels the Australians are using? Its not my area of knowledge so I ask this in as much for knowledge as in  incredulation .

Hopefully Kate'll be about as she's in Oz she might find more info at hand to her than us... I'm intruiged by this and how it can have been allowed to happen.

Since I feed Orijen dogfood should I be worried or should I maybe switch to Go? I am due for another bag soon and not sure on what to do. I no it says only a problem there but hmmm I dunno. It does state the dog was fine- hmmm I dunno I may just switch to Go dogfood hmmm

I would imagine Champion pet foods took the action to limit damage to their reputation because although to me the food seems clearly not to be the problems chinese whispers and general assumptions are often had to control and change ones they start.   

It seems to me that possibly ( based on the limited knowledge so far) that there is a break down in communications and lack of procedures or certainly compliance to them between a few of the parties.

If I were Champion foods I would be doing the exact same thing but I would want a full investigation and have it published , however damage contol is often too late once a rumour pointing directly at the food starts.

This is where confusing happens. If your dog is doing well on the food I would keep him on it.  It seems it was not the food but how it was treated that changed it.

I was thinking that to but it scares you all the same .... I was planing on switching back and forth from Orijen to Go so hmmm we will see.

Thanks :-)

> Why did Champion abdicate responsibilty to the Australians for irradiation (probably that's just the way it has to be?? Oz requirement or legislation?) but surely Champion would have wanted to know before hand what the levels of irradiation etc were going to be!

Champion may have nothing to do with it.  Could it be possible that the distributers buy it from Champion at source and then set about the importation and all that is involved themselves.

> Why the levels the Australians are using? Its not my area of knowledge so I ask this in as much for knowledge as in  incredulation .

Doesn't surprise me really.  Having been to Australia I am aware of how stringent the rules are regarding the protection of their flora and fauna even from state to state let alone internationally.  I have to say I don't blame them either.  What they have is so unique and in their vast nation are able to produce just about everything they need so really, is it any surprise that they have little sympathy for importing this type of goods.

> I was thinking that to but it scares you all the same .

I can't see that it will be an issue at all in the country of origin.  I can't see the Canadians having any call to irradiate it.