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Salmonella Contamination Prompts Cat Food Recall

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

Another pet food is being recalled for Salmonella contamination that is a risk both to animals and their owners.

This time it's Buffalo, NY-based Feline's Pride that is recalling its Feline's Pride raw food with ground bone for cats and kittens.

Called "Natural Chicken Formula," the product recalled was produced on 06/10/10 in 2.5 lb packages (1.13 kg., 40 oz).

No illnesses have reportedly been associated with the Feline's Pride recall.

People handling raw pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the raw pet food or any surfaces exposed to the product.

When consumed by humans, Salmonella can cause an infection, salmonellosis.

Symptoms of salmonellosis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea--which is sometimes bloody, fever, and headache.  Children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly susceptible to acquiring salmonellosis from such pet food products and may experience more severe symptoms.

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. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The product is packaged in uncoded plastic containers and sold frozen to private consumers nationwide. Once thawed, the pet food has a shelf life of about one week.

The firm manufactures the pet food on an as-ordered basis. This recall affects only those orders placed and shipped from June 10 through June 17, 2010.

The firm and FDA are investigating this matter to determine the source of this problem, and will take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

This product should not be fed to pets but should instead be disposed of in a safe manner (e.g., in a securely covered trash receptacle). People who are experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection after having handled the pet food product should seek medical attention, and report their use of the product and illness to the nearest FDA office.

People should thoroughly wash their hands after handling all pet food--especially those made from raw animal protein such as meat or fish--to help prevent infection. People may risk bacterial infection not only by handling pet foods, but by contact with pets or surfaces exposed to these foods, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap.

Consumers with questions should contact the company at (716) 580-3096, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. EDT.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on July 02, 2010 (boomark / email).