Pet Food & Treat Recalls
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News Items - 2008 Archives
Mars Petcare,US recalls some dry pet foods
(added Sept. 30, 2008)
Mars Petcare US
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - September
12, 2008 -- Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall Friday of all
dry pet food products produced at its plant in Everson, Pa. between Feb. 18 and
July 29, citing potential contamination with salmonella.
Mars, in a news release, did not say how much pet food is involved, but said
the recall reaches 31 states and various brands and said the action was taken as
a precaution.
"Even though no direct link between products produced at the Everson plant
and human or pet illness has been made, we are taking this precautionary action
to protect pets and their owners," the company statement said.
Mars said it stopped production at the plant July 29 when it was alerted of a
possible link between dry pet food produced in Everson and two isolated cases of
people infected with salmonella.
Mars said salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats and, if
there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in humans also.
The company said consumers should look for "17" as the first two digits of
the second line on the UPC for products affected. For Pedigree products, they
should look for "PAE" on the bottom line.
They can also call 1-877-568-4463 or consult www.petcare.mars.com. The brand
names include some items under the names Country Acres, Retriever, Doggy Bag,
Members Mark, Natural, Ol' Roy, Special Kitty, Paws & Claws, Pedigree, Wegman's,
Pet Pride, PMI Nutrition and Red Flannel.
(Copyright ©2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
FDA Requests Seizure of Animal Food Products at PETCO
Distribution Center
(added June 19, 2008)
Link
Today, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S.
Marshals seized various animal food products stored under unsanitary conditions
at the PETCO Animal Supplies Distribution Center located in Joliet, Ill.,
pursuant to a warrant issued by the United States District Court in Chicago.
U.S. Marshals seized all FDA-regulated animal food susceptible to rodent and
pest contamination. The seized products violate the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act because it was alleged in a case filed by the United States
Attorney that they were being held under unsanitary conditions. (The Act uses
the term "insanitary" to describe such conditions).
During an FDA inspection of a PETCO distribution center in April, widespread
and active rodent and bird infestation was found. The FDA inspected the facility
again in May and found continuing and widespread infestation.
"We simply will not allow a company to store foods under filthy and
unsanitary conditions that occur as a direct result of the company's failure to
adequately control and prevent pests in its facility," said Margaret O'K. Glavin,
associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. "Consumers expect that such
safeguards will be in place not only for human food, but for pet food as well."
The distribution center in Joliet, Ill., provides pet food products and
supplies to PETCO retail stores in 16 states including Alabama, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
FDA has no reports of pet illness or death associated with consumption of
animal food distributed by PETCO, and does not have evidence that the food is
unsafe for animals. However, the seized products were in permeable packages and
held under conditions that could affect the food's integrity and quality.
As a precaution, consumers who have handled products originating from the
PETCO distribution center should thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and
soap. Any surfaces that came in contact with the packages should be washed as
well. Consumers are further advised as a precaution to thoroughly wash products
sold in cans and glass containers from PETCO in the 16 affected states.
If a pet has become ill after eating these food products, pet owners should
contact their veterinarian and report illnesses to FDA state
consumer complaint coordinators.
Dakota Bison/Ocean Blue Reported Issues
(added June 5, 2008)
Timberwolf Organics Customer,
Due to recent reports from some customers, we
have ordered that two formulas from three specific dates be pulled from the
shelves. These are:
• Dakota Bison with 'best by date' of 12 Feb
2009
• Ocean Blue with 'best by date' of 20 Feb 2009
• Ocean Blue with best by date' of 8 March 2009
The reported symptoms include dogs refusing to
eat, diarrhea or vomiting. While the problem is inconsistent (not every dog
eating food from those dates/bag show the symptoms and not every bag), to err on
the side of caution have decided to pull the formulas produced with the above
dates. Initial testing has come back negative for problems and further testing
is pending results.
As soon as the cause of this reported problem
is determined procedures will be put into place to ensure that an event like
this cannot happen again. Please be assured that no other formulas and Ocean
Blue and Dakota Bison with dates other than ones listed above are not affected.
We apologize for any inconvenience or problems
that this may have resulted in. If you do have a bag with those dates please
contact the retailer you purchased it from for an exchange or credit. If you
purchased it directly from us please give us a call or email us at
customer.support@timberwolforganics.com.
Thank you for choosing Timberwolf Organics.
Read the rest of the story at
the
link
Tainted dog food maker to pay for pet deaths
Diamond Pet Food agrees to $3.1 million settlement with owners
Jan. 4, 2008 -
COLUMBIA, S.C. - A company that made contaminated pet
food that killed dozens of dogs nationwide will pay $3.1
million in a settlement with pet owners, an attorney said
Friday.
The pet
food, which contained a mold called aflatoxin, was produced
at Diamond Pet Foods’ plant in South Carolina. The company
will set up a fund to reimburse pet owners for the loss of
their dog, veterinarian bills and the cost of any unreturned
contaminated food, said attorney Jim Andrews, who
represented a Knoxville, Tenn., family that sued the
company.
Diamond
Pet Foods, based in Meta, Mo., acknowledged that workers at
its Gaston, S.C., plant failed to follow internal testing
procedures to ensure its products were safe. The company
made the acknowledgment after the Food and Drug
Administration released a report showing the company has no
record of test results for 12 shipments of corn in 2005,
when grain tainted with the deadly fungus slipped into the
plant.
Read the rest of the story at
the
link
FDA warns dog owners about chicken jerky treats
Dec. 24, 2008 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution
consumers about a potential association between the development of illness in
dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products. The products—also called
chicken tenders, strips, or treats—are imported from China. FDA continues to
receive complaints of sick dogs that their owners or veterinarians associate
with eating chicken jerky products. FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers
in September 2007.
Australian news organizations report that the University of Sydney is also
investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of
chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their
chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the product was
manufactured in China.
What is FDA Doing?
- FDA, in addition to several veterinary
diagnostic laboratories in the United States, is working to find out why
these products are associated with illness in dogs. To date, scientists have
not been able to determine a precise cause for the reported illnesses.
- FDA has conducted extensive chemical and
microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant.
- FDA continues to actively investigate the
problem. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other
than eating chicken jerky.
Read the rest of the story at the
Link
Interpreting Pet Food Labels
The following consumer information is provided by David A. Dzanis, DVM,
Ph.D., DACVN.
Pet food labeling is regulated at two levels. The Federal regulations,
enforced by the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), establish standards
applicable for all animal feeds: proper identification of product, net quantity
statement, manufacturer's address, and proper listing of ingredients. Some
States also enforce their own labeling regulations. Many of these have adopted
the model pet food regulations established by the Association of American Feed
Control Officials (AAFCO). These regulations are more specific in nature,
covering aspects of labeling such as the product name, the guaranteed analysis,
the nutritional adequacy statement, feeding directions, and calorie statements.
Much more information at the
link.
Comprehensive Recall Sites
The Pet Food
List
Pet food information, manufacturers, products & ingredients
Brand
names/companies A-H
Brand
names/companies I-Q
Brand
names/companies R-Z
Archives - 2007 News Items
Current News
Disclaimer:
As with anything else you may find on the Internet, information presented here is opinion only.
It is up to you to consult with a professional (eg, a veterinarian, a dog trainer) before trying
anything on your own pet. The Gold Post offers no guarantees as to the suitability or reliability
of any of the listed links.
