Please rate my "Analyze an Argument" essay

[C_Chattra]

I'd love to get your thoughts on my argument essay. I'm aiming for at least a 4 and would appreciate any feedback (harsh ones, preferably!). Thank you!

 

Prompt

A pet food company recalled 4 million pounds of pet food in response to complaints that pets that had consumed the food experienced vomiting, lethargy, and other signs of illness. After the recall, the pet food company tested samples from the recalled food and determined that all chemicals found in the food were chemicals that are approved for use in pet food. Thus, the recalled food was not responsible for these symptoms, and the company should not devote further resources to the investigation.

 

Essay

A pet food company claims it is not their responsibility that the pets show signs of illness from eating their product. In addition, they claim that it is not necessary for them to devote further resources to investigate the cause of illness in pets. They make this argument because the company tested samples from the food and no illegal or life-threatening chemicals were found. However, before they decide to stop further investigation, they should ask several questions to determine what the real cause of the illness is.

First, the pet food company must ask whether the chemicals are really the only potential cause of illness. They claim that after the recall, they tested samples and all chemicals found were approved for use in pet food. However, did they consider that it could be something else that is causing the illness among pets, such as, a deadly bacteria like Salmonella? Salmonella is the leading cause of vomiting and lethargy in pets and it could be that the food is contaminated with this bacteria. While the pet food company tested for chemicals, they did not mention about testing for bacteria. It could be that the food is responsible for the illness, therefore, the company should devote further resources to investigate this possibility.

Similarly, the pet food company should ask whether the quality of ingredients could be the cause of the illness. The argument does not provide information about the food and what the food is made of. It could be that the pet food is comprised of mainly grains and animal by-products, as opposed to high quality ingredients such as chicken meat. Animal by-products could consist of chicken bones, and we know that chicken bones can puncture animal's sensitive GI tract, and therefore, this could lead to vomiting. Before claiming that they are not responsible for the illness, the pet food company should consider whether their ingredients could be the cause of the illness. In order to determine the actual cause, it is necessary that they devote the time and resources for further investigation.

The pet food should devote further resources to the investigation before claiming that their recalled food was not the cause of illness among pets. They should do this because the cause of the illness may not be from the chemicals, but rather from a potential bacteria contamination. Moreover, it could be that the low quality ingredients, such as animal by-products, is the cause of the illness. In order to determine the real cause, the pet food company should test the samples of the recalled food again.