Although the FDA is charged with protecting public health and the safety of the nation's food supply, the agency seems to be lost in the woods, unsure of what to do in the face of mounting complaints of sick and dying animals who ate only dry food that did not contain wheat gluten, the ingredient that the FDA "pinpointed" as being responsible for contaminating dog and cat food. The agency continues to take a wait-and-see approach to this critical situation even though evidence from reputable laboratories strongly suggests that there may be another cause of the contamination, including a potentially excessive amount of vitamin D3 in the food, which can produce symptoms similar to those seen in animals who recently got sick or died after consuming only dry foods. PETA is demanding that the FDA refocus its investigation to include other likely causes of the contamination instead of trying to protect the pet-food industry by focusing on an ingredient that is found in only some foods.

The FDA has deceived the public and the media—both about the nature of the recall and about the agency's oversight of the pet-food industry—and has refused to exercise its mandate to ensure the safety of companion animal food. The FDA's own Web site verifies that the agency has left "regulation" of the pet-food industry to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a nongovernmental body with no power.

Beloved companion animals are dying horrible deaths because the FDA refuses to do its job. Please sign PETA's petition below to demand immediate action from the agency, including the prompt resignation of the FDA commissioner, who has completely failed trusting consumers.