Man Allegedly Sold Cat Food As Tuna

A Chinatown food supplier turned cat food into human chow by slapping new labels on the cans and peddling 33,000 cases of it, federal prosecutors claim.

Michael Chu allegedly turned quite a profit: He purchased the cat food for as little as $4 a case and sold the “chunk light tuna” for up to $24 a case, the indictment says.

The cat food was distributed in 1991 and 1992 in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin under the labels “Ocean King,” “Blue Bay,” “National,” and “IGA.” An undetermined amount was eventually recalled and authorities believe none of it is in stores anymore.

At least one person became ill after eating the rechristened “Seventh Heaven Tuna Treat Cat Food,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Hill said Friday.

Chu faces up to 29 years in prison if convicted on nine counts of fraud.