TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - March 19, 2007) -
In order to better respond to the needs of its customers, Menu Foods Income Fund (the "Fund") (TSX:MEW.UN) has enhanced
the accuracy, comprehensiveness and user-friendliness of its website focused on its recent recall of dog and cat food. The Fund
is encouraging consumers to check back with the website regularly, to get the most up-to-date information available. Furthermore,
the Fund has enhanced its call center capabilities to better respond to consumers.
The Fund announced on March 16 the precautionary recall of a portion of the dog and cat food it manufactured between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. The recall is limited to "cuts and gravy" style pet food in cans and pouches manufactured at two of the Fund's United States facilities. These products are both manufactured and sold under private-label and are contract-manufactured
for some national brands.
Consumers can find the latest information at [url=http://www.menufoods.com/recall]www.menufoods.com/recall[/url] The website contains detailed information on the
products subject to recall, together with updated dates of production and links to related recalls.
March 16, 2007
Menu Foods Income Fund Announces Precautionary Dog and Cat Food Recall
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - March 16, 2007) -
NOT FOR RELEASE OVER US NEWSWIRE SERVICES
Attention Business/Financial Editors
Menu Foods Income Fund (the "Fund") (TSX:MEW.UN) today announced the precautionary recall of a portion of the dog and
cat food it manufactured between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. The recall is limited to "cuts and gravy" style pet food
in cans and pouches manufactured at two of the Fund's United States facilities. These products are both manufactured and sold
under private-label and are contract-manufactured for some national brands.
Over the past several days, the Fund has received feedback in the United States (none in Canada) raising concerns about pet
food manufactured since early December, and its impact on the renal health of the pets consuming the products. Shortly after
receipt of the first complaint, the Fund initiated a substantial battery of technical tests, conducted by both internal and external specialists, but has failed to identify any issues with the products in question. The Fund has, however, discovered that timing of
the production associated with these complaints, coincides with the introduction of an ingredient from a new supplier. The Fund stopped using this ingredient shortly after this discovery and production since then has been undertaken using ingredients from another source.
At the same time, the Fund's largest customer, for which it manufactures on a contract basis, received a small number of
consumer complaints and has initiated its own recall. Furthermore, for the time being, the customer has put future orders for
cuts and gravy products on hold. This customer's cuts and gravy purchases in 2006 represented approximately 11% of the
Fund's annual revenue.
"We take these complaints very seriously and, while we are still looking for a specific cause, we are acting to err on the side of caution" said Paul K. Henderson, President and CEO, Menu Foods. "We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that our
products maintain the very highest quality standards."
While the number of complaints has been relatively small, Menu is taking this proactive step out of an abundance of caution,
because the health and well-being of pets is paramount to the Fund.
In addition to changing suppliers, for production after March 6, the Fund has increased testing of all raw materials and finished
goods. It is also working closely with regulatory authorities and its customers to learn more and will take whatever additional
actions are appropriate. The Fund estimates that based on currently available information, this recall could cost between $30
million and $40 million, which will be financed from a combination of internally generated cash flow and bank credit facilities. Furthermore, the Fund is aggressively producing product, utilizing a different supplier for the ingredient in question, to replenish customers as quickly as possible.
In order to determine whether cat and dog food in their possession is subject to recall, consumers should refer to the list of brand names ("listed products") at [url=http://www.menufoods.com/recall]www.menufoods.com/recall[/url] This will be available by 6 a.m. Saturday March 17, 2007. Products not identified on the website can continue to be used.
Menu is the leading North American private-label/contract manufacturer of wet pet food products sold by supermarket retailers,
mass merchandisers, pet specialty retailers and other retail and wholesale outlets. In 2006, the Fund produced more than one
billion containers.
Here is all of the recalled cat food information:
Americas Choice, Preferred Pets
Authority
Best Choice
Companion
Compliments
Demoulas Market Basket
Eukanuba
Fine Feline Cat
Food Lion
Foodtown
Giant Companion
Hannaford
Hill Country Fare
Hy-Vee
Iams
Laura Lynn
Li'l Red
Loving Meals
Meijer's Main Choice
Nutriplan
Nutro Max Gourmet Classics
Nutro Natural Choice
Paws
Pet Pride
Presidents Choice
Price Chopper
Priority US
Save-A-Lot
Schnucks
Science Diet Feline Savory Cuts Cans
Sophistacat
Special Kitty Canada
Special Kitty US
Springfield Prize
Sprout
Stop & Shop Companion
Tops Companion
Wegmans
Weis Total Pet
Western Family US
White Rose
Winn Dixie
Here is all of the recalled Dog food information:
Americas Choice, Preferred Pets
Authority
Award
Best Choice
Big Bet
Big Red
Bloom
Wegmans Bruiser
Cadillac
Companion
Demoulas Market Basket
Eukanuba
Food Lion
Giant Companion
Great Choice
Hannaford
Hill Country Fare
Hy-Vee
Iams
Laura Lynn
Loving Meals
Meijers Main Choice
Mighty Dog Pouch
Mixables
Nutriplan
Nutro Max
Nutro Natural Choice
Nutro Ultra
Nutro
Ol'Roy Canada
Ol'Roy US
Paws
Pet Essentials
Pet Pride - Good n Meaty
Presidents Choice
Price Chopper
Priority Canada
Priority US
Publix
Roche Brothers
Save-A-Lot
Schnucks
Shep Dog
Springsfield Prize
Sprout
Stater Brothers
Stop & Shop Companion
Tops Companion
Weis Total Pet
Western Family US
White Rose
Winn Dixie
Your Pet