This resolution demonstrates that the systems are working between industry and government to assure a safe food supply. Purina's quality assurance program is designed to assure strict adherence to the company's formulation standards and Purina Mills' tests quickly identified the formulation variance at our Gonzales plant. The efficiency and exactness of the company's quality programs were evident in the cattle feed manufactured by the Gonzales plant on the evening of January 16 and completely recalled by the morning of January 17.

"The safety of the beef supply to America is of utmost priority to us and all in the industry. Holding of the 1,222 cattle in Texas proves the system in place is working. Purina Mills voluntarily and immediately recalled the product in question and immediately notified the regulatory agencies as is our standard policy and procedure. Self policing, integrity, and a long standing compliance with regulatory agencies has been a hallmark of our company for many decades. Our quality system detected the human error and our full cooperation with regulatory agencies prevented any animals in question from reaching the food chain", stated Brad Kerbs, President and CEO, Purina Mills, Inc.

"Purina Mills takes full responsibility for the manufacturing incident that occurred in Gonzales, Texas. As always, Purina Mills will stand behind our product. We fully intend to support responsible industry solutions for the future use and regulation of the animal feed ingredient, ruminant bone and meat meal. Until better solutions are in place, we have discontinued the use of ruminant bone and meat meal by removing the ingredient from all formulations and eliminating it from the inventories of our manufacturing plants. This step assures Purina Mills now operates at a 'zero risk' position for any formulation variance involving this ingredient in the future", said Kerbs.

Purina Mills practices and promotes responsible safeguards and regulations for modern production, processing and distribution of animal feed products. As a responsible partner of the American food and agricultural industry, we supply and monitor products and manufacturing processes to assure our customers and the American consumers that Purina products are of the highest quality and are produced in a safe and environmentally responsible manner to meet or exceed consumer expectations.

Additionally, Purina Mills is initiating an unprecedented proactive decision within the industry by the company's decision to purchase the 1,222 cattle and voluntarily removing them from the food chain. The cattle will be used for non-human food purposes. This guarantees the meat from the cattle will not enter the human food supply.

"In our company's leadership position in the industry, we are committed to quality assurance. We are equally committed to assuring our customers that the United States has the highest quality and safest food supply of any nation on earth", said Kerbs, "and removing these cattle from the food system exemplifies our company's commitment to quality assurance in the eyes of the consumers."

Purina Mills stands ready to lead and cooperate to support strategies and tactics that would assure the United States beef supply is not compromised. We wish to commend the FDA and the USDA for their cooperation, support and leadership.

Purina Mills is America's leader in animal nutrition products. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, the Company has 49 plants and approximately 2500 employees nationwide. Purina Mills is permitted under a perpetual, royalty-free license agreement from Ralston Purina Company to use the trademarks "Purina" and the nine-square Checkerboard logo. Purina Mills is not affiliated with Ralston Purina Company, which distributes Purina Dog Chow brand and Purina Cat Chow brand pet foods. 

SOURCE: Purina Mills

CO: Purina Mills; FDA; USDA