In yet another pet food recall, Mars Petcare US today announced it is recalling certain bags of SPECIAL KITTY® Gourmet Blend dry cat food sold, which was sold at Wal-Mart locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia. The pet food tested positive with Salmonella. Owners are being advised not to feed the SPECIAL KITTY® Gourmet Blend dry cat food to pets and pet owners should dispose of the contaminated food in a safe manner, such as in securely covered trash receptacles. Consumers should return the empty pet food bag to the store where purchased for a full refund.
Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, in the event of cross-contamination, can cause serious infections in people, especially children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. Healthy people could experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. Sometimes, Salmonella can result in more serious health problems, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Pets infected with Salmonella may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting, although some pets may only experience decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Also, animals can carry the salmonella infection without exhibiting any visible symptoms and can potentially infect other animals or humans. Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or should visit the firm’s Website at www.petcare.mars.com.
The recall includes: SPECIAL KITTY® Gourmet Blend Dry Cat Food with a Best If Used By Date of AUG 11 09, which is located on the back of the bag. The Production Lot Code: 50 XXXX X can be found following the “Best If Used By” date. Consumers should look for the number “50″ in the first two digits of the second line. UPC code numbers can be found directly underneath the packaging’s bar code. UPC code 81131 17546 appears on recalled 3.5 pound bags of SPECIAL KITTY® Gourmet Blend, UPC code 81131 17547 appears on seven pound bags, and UPC code 81131 17548 appears on the recalled 18 pound bags.
In September, Mars Petcare US also announced another voluntary recall, also for a potential salmonella contamination, of all dry pet food products produced at its Everson, Pennsylvania plant between February 18 and July 29. That recall spans 31 states and a variety of brands. Also, in late August, we reported that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found strong evidence linking recalled dried pet food manufactured by the Mars Petcare US company to a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella. In that case, 66 people in 18 states were sickened by Salmonella Schwarzengrund, the same strain that detected in Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula and Krasdale Gravy dry dog foods recalled by Mars Petcare that same week. The CDC said that the Schwarzengrund strain was found in stool samples from the dogs of two patients with Salmonella poisoning. The Pennsylvania Health Department also found traces of Schwarzengrund Salmonella at the southwestern Pennsylvania factory that produced the food.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
