Winalot...a warning!!!!

zaksmum

I opened a can of Winalot several weeks ago to mix with the Hills Science Plan I feed my dogs. I was absolutely horrified to see a large greenish insect amongst the Winalot, immediately threw out the hills food I was mixing it with and emailed the manufacturers, Purina.

I got a message saying they were experiencing technical difficulties and I may have to wait some time for a response...I haven't had one yet, seven weeks later.

I phoned them a week later and returned the can and insect. Today I got their reply, that despite their precautions they get "only" a couple of similar complaints per year. That's a couple too many!

They enclosed £15 vouchers but I feel like sending them back. Although they assured me the insect would not have harmed my dogs, I'd really rather not feed them such things - and have to question how many dog owners would! Maybe they should put a warning on Winalot cans - may contain insects??

I think it's totally unacceptable. Just want some advice...should I just accept the £15 vouchers and go away or should i make more of a fuss?

I took photos of the insect on my phone so I still have the evidence. It just made me feel SOOOO sick.

zaksmum

The insect was about three quarters of an inch long and completely intact

redlooney

zaksmum wrote: »

I opened a can of Winalot several weeks ago to mix with the Hills Science Plan I feed my dogs. I was absolutely horrified to see a large greenish insect amongst the Winalot, immediately threw out the hills food I was mixing it with and emailed the manufacturers, Purina.

I got a message saying they were experiencing technical difficulties and I may have to wait some time for a response...I haven't had one yet, seven weeks later.

I phoned them a week later and returned the can and insect. Today I got their reply, that despite their precautions they get "only" a couple of similar complaints per year. That's a couple too many!

They enclosed £15 vouchers but I feel like sending them back. Although they assured me the insect would not have harmed my dogs, I'd really rather not feed them such things - and have to question how many dog owners would! Maybe they should put a warning on Winalot cans - may contain insects??

I think it's totally unacceptable. Just want some advice...should I just accept the £15 vouchers and go away or should i make more of a fuss?

I took photos of the insect on my phone so I still have the evidence. It just made me feel SOOOO sick.

Shame you sent the can and insect back - you would have had more of a bargaining tool with which to claim more than £15 in vouchers.Did you take any photos or video ?

foreign_correspondent

to be honest, although I can understand your concern, and I do think winalot should recompense you, having seen the sort of things dogs will happily eat, given half the chance I would not worry too much. My dog thinks catching flies and eating them is a great hobby in the summer months! Also, insects are an important source of proteins for humans in many parts of the world...

Insects are often found in processed human food, it is impossible to totally prevent this, and as a result, there are actually permitted percentages of insect matter in many foodstuffs
http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/06/29/how_many_insect_parts_and_rodent_hairs_are_allowed_in_your_food.htm

Was it a winged insect? Any idea what sort? I think the only time I would be concenred is if the insect was anything that could pose a risk - do you want to post the piccy on here in case anyone can ID it?

Fire_Fox

What result are you looking for from this? Did you lodge a complaint with Environmental Health at the time?

Viper_7

As said - this does happen, and legislation in place does cater for it.
You have a right to complain, and the company acknowledged this and offered some compensation which was suited to the issue.
This insect would have cause no harm to your dog, and probably not to you nor I. I'm sure you have swallowed a few flies and spiders and other snacks with or without knowing it, it's no big deal.
Why are you so horrified? Does everything have to be bleached and sanitised and 100% perfect these days?

BeenieCat

I bet your dog would have enjoyed the added crunch

I think you should leave it, although i can see why you're annoyed, especially having waited so long fro a response.

foreign_correspondent

Viper_7 wrote: »

As said - this does happen, and legislation in place does cater for it.
You have a right to complain, and the company acknowledged this and offered some compensation which was suited to the issue.
This insect would have cause no harm to your dog, and probably not to you nor I. I'm sure you have swallowed a few flies and spiders and other snacks with or without knowing it, it's no big deal.
Why are you so horrified? Does everything have to be bleached and sanitised and 100% perfect these days?

yup - from the link I posted above -

An Ohio University fact sheet estimates that we eat from one to two pounds of insects each year, and without knowing it.

it is enough to put you off eating!

Apparently, pasta and noodle products contain an "average of 225 insect fragments or more per 225 grams" whilst chocolate contains an average of "60 or more insect fragments per 100 grams" and fruit juice contains, on average "5 or more Drosophila and other fly eggs per 250 ml" - mmmm!:eek:

SimonJB

Meat which is unfit for human consumption is not unfit for animals.

Not pleasant for you to see but not against the law.

Buttonmoons

If it was a maggot then it would be a different story, but dogs eat bugs all the time!

I found a snail shell in my bag of peas, I just kept on eating through the bag hoping to find the snail, extra protein and all that....

Mutter_2

The insect was possibly the most wholesome item in the food.

I recall pics of dog food here with feathers showing. There are sites that expose all kind of nasties in pet food.
Basically, whatever is not fit for us goes to our pets. Unpalatable but true. And let's face it, some human food is pretty disgusting.

Having said that. Years ago salesmen, yes men then, were expected to sample canned dog food. Spratts dog food. Not compulsary but expected.

I have wondered in my cynical old age whether the tin was Stewing Steak and just to test loyalty to the brand.