Hi Deburs. I will do my best to answer your questions with what I have managed to find out.

1)Could it be possible (and if so, I don't know why Orijen don't say as it would exonerate them) that the import authorities did not advise Orijen that their food would be irradiated to a far higher amount than human food.

From conversing with AQIS themselves I do not believe this would be possible. There are forms that need to be signed when imported goods require further treatment. These forms will not only state what further treatment the goods require but at also what level. These forms need to be viewed, read and signed before any treatment will go ahead. They also state that the treatment will only render the goods safe for quarantine purposes only and that it is up to the importer/manufacturer to decide if the treatment will affect their product for its intended end use.

2. Reading between the lines on the press statement on the UK website, it suggest the import authorities gave an amount which far exceeded that that was necessary. Why was it irradiated to such a high amount?

I agree that the level was excessive. Unfortunately pet food in Australia is classified as a biological and not a food. IMO I believe the reason such a high level is applied is due to the poor ingredients many PFC's use in manufacturing pet foods. Many ingredients (not all) come from diseased and infected carcasses so the high levels are to keep Australia free from diseases such as mad cow, bird flu etc. and again this is all stated in paperwork that needs to be signed before treatment will proceed.

3. Or perhaps, Orijen's importer (not Orijen themselves) made this serious error

It seems that this may be the case, however the manufacturer is still liable for their product. It was Champions decision to leave their product in the hands of a very small time importer in Australia (and I do mean small time as it is almost impossible to find any info on this guy or his business). It is Champions responsibility to ensure the safety of their product from the time it leaves their factory to the time it reaches our cats bowl (something that Peter Muhlenfeld himself stated during a phone call to one affected cat owner). It was also Champions decision to continue to sell their product in Australia even after they say they found out it was being treated with irradiation. It is common knowledge that irradiation leaves food depleted of essential vitamins and minerals yet Champion where still happy to sell their nutritionally depleted and expensive product to us here in Australia. Champion advertise Orijen as biologically appropriate. They state on their website “After all, it is with our own dogs and cats in mind that we developed ORIJEN—a food that puts “nature” back into “natural” and nourishes all dogs and cats as Nature Intended.” Nature did not intend the use of gamma irradiation. Champion did not deliver what they advertised. This is where we believe that Champion are responsible for what happened to us in Australia. Their product, their responsibility.

4. Or perhaps, no one really realised that the food would be irradiated to that level

Please see answer to your first question. It is all stated in paperwork. It has also came to light that the irradiation facility offered to irradiate a small batch sample for free. This irradiated sample could than be tested before deciding if irradiation would affect their product. To the amaisement of the irradiation facility this offer was declined.


I don't understand why, to be honest, Champion Food seem to be taking the whole blame - why not the importer or the import authorities?

They should be taking the whole blame as it is their product. The importer is working for Champion therefore again it is Champions responsibility. The import authorities unfortunately get off the hook because of the paperwork that needs to be signed. This paperwork states that it is up to the importer/manufacturer to see if treatment will affect the goods for there end use and that AQIS &/or the irradiation facility do not take responsibility for any damages caused by treatment. AQIS's only job is to keep Australia safe from pests and diseases, Champion's job is to keep their product safe.

At the end of the day Champion petfoods did not do due diligence when entering the Australian market. They did not work closely with their importer nor did they choose a reliable importer. They did not act quickly when Australian vets found the link and they have not put in any effort when it comes to communicating with us, the affected cat owners in Australia. Our email are ignored and go unanswered, something to keep in mind should any other problems occur with their food further down the track. I will give them credit for taking some responsibility but they should be taking all of the responsibility.

All you have to ask yourself is if your beloved cat ended up with brain damage, spinal cord damage,spasticity or dead due to consuming a certain brand of cat food, who would you say is liable. Just like Champion are responsible for the way their product is manufactured they are also responsible for any further treatment their product requires to enter any other countries.

Sadly there are still some cats that are far from recovered. One owner told me today that their cat who was paralised from the neck down now has movement in her limbs but also has fits / seizures every day, you could only imagine how scary this would be for this owner. This has been a truly horrific time for all involved and this could have been avoided if Champion payed closer attention to their importer and the safety of their product.