Monday, September 15, 2008
Dog Food Problems Again....
Several brands and varieties of dry dog and cat food have been recalled by Mars Petcare because the food may be contaminated with a strain of Salmonella called Salmonella serotype Schwarzengrund. A joint announcement made by Mars Petcare and the Food and Drug Administration says the recall involves all the pet food produced at the company's plant in Everson, Pennsylvania between February 18 and July 29 of this year.
The recall affects food distributed to 31 states and includes such brands as Pedigree, Country Acres, Retriever, Doggy Bag, Members Mark, Natural, Ol' Roy, Special Kitty, Paws & Claws, Wegman's, Pet Pride, PMI Nutrition and Red Flannel. A full list of the brands, varieties and sizes of recalled foods can be found on the Mars Petcare Web site. The company has not said how much food has been recalled.
Mars Petcare stopped production at the Everson facility on July 29 when it was alerted to a possible link between dry pet food produced at the Everson plant and two isolated cases of people infected with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.
Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems. Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and can potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
In June, the Centers for Disease Control attributed a large, multi-state Salmonella outbreak that occurred between 2006-2007 to contaminated dry dog food. The two brands of food involved in that recall, Krasdale and Red Flannel, were also made by Mars Petcare. As we reported here, the outbreak affected at least 70 people across 19 states. Many suffered serious illness and some were even hospitalized.
The Everson facility has been taken offline until the source of the Salmonella can be identified. Many of the brands involved in the recall are national brands produced at multiple facilities. For example, less than three percent of Pedigree products on the market were produced in Everson. The company is working with retailers to have the pet food removed from shelves.
Dry pet food has a long shelf life so the FDA is advising pet owners to check their supply. The food can be returned to the store where it was purchased for a full refund. To help consumers determine if they may have purchased any of the products, the FDA is offering this guidance.
Non-Pedigree brands. Consumers should look for "17" as the first two digits of the second line. Sample:
Best By Feb 18 09
17 1445 1
Pedigree products. Consumers should look for "PAE" on the bottom line—the sixth, seventh and eighth digits. Sample:
Pedigree Small Crunchy Bites
Best Before 02/2009
808G1PAE01 12:00
Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com. The FDA encourages pet owners to follow the agency's tips on how to handle pet food safely.
www.dogfoodsecrets.info
The recall affects food distributed to 31 states and includes such brands as Pedigree, Country Acres, Retriever, Doggy Bag, Members Mark, Natural, Ol' Roy, Special Kitty, Paws & Claws, Wegman's, Pet Pride, PMI Nutrition and Red Flannel. A full list of the brands, varieties and sizes of recalled foods can be found on the Mars Petcare Web site. The company has not said how much food has been recalled.
Mars Petcare stopped production at the Everson facility on July 29 when it was alerted to a possible link between dry pet food produced at the Everson plant and two isolated cases of people infected with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.
Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems. Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and can potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
In June, the Centers for Disease Control attributed a large, multi-state Salmonella outbreak that occurred between 2006-2007 to contaminated dry dog food. The two brands of food involved in that recall, Krasdale and Red Flannel, were also made by Mars Petcare. As we reported here, the outbreak affected at least 70 people across 19 states. Many suffered serious illness and some were even hospitalized.
The Everson facility has been taken offline until the source of the Salmonella can be identified. Many of the brands involved in the recall are national brands produced at multiple facilities. For example, less than three percent of Pedigree products on the market were produced in Everson. The company is working with retailers to have the pet food removed from shelves.
Dry pet food has a long shelf life so the FDA is advising pet owners to check their supply. The food can be returned to the store where it was purchased for a full refund. To help consumers determine if they may have purchased any of the products, the FDA is offering this guidance.
Non-Pedigree brands. Consumers should look for "17" as the first two digits of the second line. Sample:
Best By Feb 18 09
17 1445 1
Pedigree products. Consumers should look for "PAE" on the bottom line—the sixth, seventh and eighth digits. Sample:
Pedigree Small Crunchy Bites
Best Before 02/2009
808G1PAE01 12:00
Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com. The FDA encourages pet owners to follow the agency's tips on how to handle pet food safely.
www.dogfoodsecrets.info
# posted by Livestrong @ 3:33 PM 
