Wild Bird Food Recall - March 11, 2009

Burkemann Feeds/Wild Bird Unlimited
A Kentucky-based feed manufacturer is voluntarily recalling Wild Birds Unlimited Wildlife Blend bird food after tests conducted by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Food and Drug Protection Division revealed the presence of Salmonella bacteria. WBU is working to remove all product from their retail stores.

Release from North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services: http://www.ncagr.gov/paffairs/release/2009/3-09recalledbirdfood.htm

Recall of Peanut-containing Products (Salmonella Typhimurium)

Some pet treats are also part of the peanut recall including dog chews and biscuits. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a searchable database on their website. Because the list of recalled products is ever-changing, it is best to go to the FDA website for the most up to date information. Link to the database and to most recent information from FDA on the peanut product recall: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html.

Information for Veterinarians
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has posted “Information for Veterinarians regarding Pets and the Peanut Butter and Peanut-Product Recall” on their website There are recommendations for testing both animals & product.
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium/salmonella_vets.htm

Pet Food Recall – January 20, 2009

Petsmart
Petsmart announced a voluntary recall of seven of its Grreat Choice® Dog Biscuit products that contain peanut butter paste made by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is the focus of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation into potential salmonella contamination of peanut butter and peanut butter paste made at its factory in Blakely, Georgia.

Petsmart is not aware of any cases of illness related to the products. The company has removed the products from store shelves as a precaution.
The risk to animals is minimal but people who handle contaminated treats could come into contact with the salmonella bacteria. If you think you may have been exposed to salmonella, contact your physician.

In some cases, dogs can get sick from salmonella. They may be lethargic or have bloody diarrhea. In other cases, the dog may not show any symptoms at all but could still carry the bacteria. If you suspect your dog may have been exposed to salmonella, contact your veterinarian.
The products include only the following types of Grreat Choice ® Dog Biscuits sold between August 21, 2008 and Jan. 19, 2009:

Small Assorted 32 oz., UPC 73725702900
Small/Medium Assorted 4 lb., UPC 73725700601
Small/Medium Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700605
Small/Medium Assorted 10 lb., UPC 73725702755
Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700638
Extra Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700779
Peanut Butter 4 lb., UPC 73725700766

Customers who purchased the recalled biscuits should discontinue use immediately and return the product to any Petsmart store for a refund or exchange.

Pet owners with questions can visit www.petsmartfacts.com for more information or call customer service at 1-888-839-9638.
For more information on the peanut butter product recall, visit the FDA web site at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html.

Pet Food Recall - Sept. 12, 2008

Mars Petcare US

• Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of dog and cat food manufactured at its production facility in Everson, Pennsylvania. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of the potential Salmonella contamination.
• Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats. There is a concern that people handling contaminated pet food, especially children, the agend and people with compromised immune systems, could also become ill.
• In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. A list of safe pet food handling tips can be found at: www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/petfoodtips080307.html
• The company stopped production at the Everson facility on July 29, 2008 when it was alerted of a possible link between dry pet food produced at the plant and two isolated cases of people infected with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.
• For more information including the brand names of recalled pet food, production codes and other supporting information, see the US Food and Drug Administration press release http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/marspetcare09_08.html
• Pet owners who have questions about the recall should contact Mars Petcare US at 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com.

Pet Food Recall - July 27, 2007

Natural Balance Brand dog foods

• On July 21, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded a human food recall for products made at a Castleberry Foods production plant in Augusta Georgia. The expanded recall included four Natural Balance dog foods produced on the same production line.
• Human food products from the plant tested positive for botulism. There have been no reports of pets becoming ill from the dog food.
• Recalled dog foods are
  • Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew with Beef Potatoes and Carrots
  • Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Chinese Take Out with Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken
  • Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Hobo Chili with Chicken and Pasta
  • Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Southern Style Dumplings with Chicken and Vegetables
• Natural Balance Web site
• Signs and symptoms of botulism poisoning in dogs are similar to humans: double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness. Your pet may have difficulty holding its head up or its tongue may hang out of the mouth.
• Consumers should not use the recalled products even if they do not smell or appear to be spoiled.
• Dispose of the products by double-bagging in plastic bags that are tightly closed and then place in non-recyclable trash. Check with Natural Balance for information on returns or money-back information.
• More disposal details at http://www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism.htm
• For more information on the human food recall, see the FDA web site http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/castleberry.html
• For more information on botulism, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism.htm
• Castleberry Foods http://www.castleberrys.com/
  

Recalled Pet Food Listing: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petfoodrecall/
The US Food and Drug Administration has created a list to search for recalled pet food. You can search by:

• Brand name (Example: Americas Choice, Authority)
• UPC Code (Example: 54807-59114)
• Product Description (Example: SL Beef/Gravy 24x5.5oz)
• Container (Example: Pouch)
• Any combination of: container, brand name, description, size (Example: Pouch Menu Beef/Gravy 24x5.5oz)

Pet Food/Animal Feed Update – May 31, 2007

Feed Ingredients Voluntarily Recalled

• On May 30, two U.S. companies voluntarily recalled feed ingredients used in the production of livestock feed and fish/shrimp feed.
• Tembec BTLSR Inc. of Toledo Ohio added melamine as an ingredient in the manufacture of a binding agent that the company further used to make pelleted feed for fish and shrimp.
• Uniscope, Inc. of Johnstown, Colorado used ingredients supplied by Tembec to make pelleted feed for cattle, sheep and goats.
• Melamine is not approved for use as a feed additive.
• There have been no reports of animal or human health problems.
• FDA Press release http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01643.html

Tainted Animal Feed

• During FDA’s investigation, it was determined that scraps of pet food that contained melamine were used to produce animal feed.
• Hogs and chickens that consumed the contaminated feed were held until the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the FDA determined the likelihood of illness after eating pork or chicken from animals fed the contaminated product would be very low.
• A Canadian fish feed manufacturer, Skretting found they had received contaminated wheat gluten which was then made into fish feed used in hatcheries and commercial aquaculture operations in the U.S. and Canada.
• The USDA and FDA determined there is no human health risk from eating fish fed the contaminated feed.  In addition, small fish (fry) will grow and switch to a new food source.
• Read joint USDA/FDA release http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01629.html

Melamine Human Health Risk Assessment

• On May 25, the FDA released an interim melamine and analogues safety/risk assessment
• The assessment describes the risk to human health associated with eating pork, chicken, fish and eggs from animals that had been inadvertently fed animal feed that may have been adulterated with melamine and its analogues (cyanuric acid, ammelide and ammeline).
• The assessment was prepared by FDA in collaboration with the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the Department of Agriculture, and in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• The safety/risk assessment was developed in response to the ongoing investigation of contaminated vegetable protein products imported from China.
• Based on currently available data and information, the results of the safety/risk assessment indicate that the consumption of pork, chicken, domestic fish, and eggs from animals inadvertently fed animal feed contaminated with melamine and its analogues is very unlikely to pose a human health risk.

Safety/Risk Assessment
You will exit to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration web site to view the assessment.

Pet Food Recall Update - April 27, 2007
Drs. Foster and Smith, a Rhinelander company issued a precautionary recall for two of their products and Adult Lite Dry Dog and Adult Lite Dry Cat food. Preliminary tests on the products have been negative and final tests results are expected in about two weeks. For more information visit the company Web site.

Pet Food Recall Update - April 18, 2007
Another Potentially Contaminated Ingredient
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was informed on April 16 that Natural Balance Pet Foods has received complaints regarding their Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Food. The complaints reported animals vomiting and experiencing kidney problems. The company is advising consumers to discontinue feeding these two products. The FDA cannot say if the potential problem with the Natural Balance Pet Foods is related to the Menu Foods pet food recall.

Natural Balance Pet Foods: http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/

Recalled Pet Food Listing: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petfoodrecall/
The US Food and Drug Administration has created a list to search for recalled pet food. You can search by:

• Brand name (Example: Americas Choice, Authority)
• UPC Code (Example: 54807-59114)
• Product Description (Example: SL Beef/Gravy 24x5.5oz)
• Container (Example: Pouch)
• Any combination of: container, brand name, description, size (Example: Pouch Menu Beef/Gravy 24x5.5oz)

Menu Foods Pet Food Recall
On March 16, 2007, Menu Foods initiated a nationwide recall of dog and cat food. Originally, the pet foods of concern were the "cuts and gravy" or "chunks and gravy" styles sold in cans and foil pouches.  Over the weekend of March 31-April 1, some other products made by other companies were recalled, including one brand of dry food and several brands of “treats” that are soft but not in gravy. On April 5, many brands and varieties of dog biscuits made by Sunshine Mills were recalled.

Several dog and cat illnesses and deaths appear to be linked to these foods. On March 23, the New York State Department of Agriculture announced that aminopterin, a rodenticide banned from use in the U.S., had been identified as a toxin present in cat foods samples and may be the agent responsible for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs. However, those findings and any relationship to recent pet deaths have not been confirmed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The investigation will continue.

On March 30, the FDA announced that a chemical used to make plastics, called melamine, has been identified in the wheat gluten, an ingredient used in the recalled pet foods and in samples of the pet foods. Also, the chemical was identified in some of the animals who were affected by the recalled pet food. The FDA believes there is a strong connection between the melamine and the illnesses and deaths of pets.

The only brand of dry food affected to date is Hill’s Pet Nutrition Prescription Diet m/d Feline; however this could change as FDA continues with their investigation. It is possible that additional pet foods may be implicated. Please refer to the FDA website for further developments.

As for the announcement on March 23 by the New York State Department of Agriculture that aminopterin, a rodenticide banned from use in the U.S., has been identified as a toxin present in cat food samples, those findings and any relationship to recent pet deaths have not been confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration.

On March 23, the New York State Department of Agriculture announced that aminopterin, a rodenticide banned from use in the U.S., has been identified as a toxin present in cat foods samples and may be the agent responsible for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs. However, those findings and any relationship to recent pet deaths have not been confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration.

Below are links to web sites that list recalled products by company producing them.  Most of the products were produced by Menu Foods and sold under other brand names and private labels, but four other companies have also issued recalls on their own.

Food and Drug Administration (Excel file)
An Excel spreadsheet created by FDA listing recalled products. You are encouraged to review the list frequently as new products may be added as the investigation continues.

Recalled Cat Product Information
This link will take you to Menu Foods Web site.

Recalled Dog Product Information
This link will take you to Menu Food Web site.

Menu Foods Consumer Information Line: (866) 895-2708 or

Iams and Eukanuba Brands: (800) 882-1591, www.iams.com or www.eukanuba.com

Hill's Pet Nutrition Science Diet canned cat food and dry Prescription Diet m/d Feline: (800-445-5777) or http://www.hillspet.com

Nestle Purina
Alpo Prime Cuts in gravy dog food: (800)218-5898 or www.purina.com
Mighty Dog pouches: (800) 551-7392 or www.mightydog.com/voluntarypouchwithdrawal.aspx

Del Monte Pet Products
These are all dog and cat treats, rather than dry or canned foods.

Sunshine Mills: www.sunshinemills.com/

Advice for Pet Owners

1. If you believe you have the recalled pet food(s), stop using it. 
   
   
2. Verify the product codes on the product packaging against the recalled food lists. Iams pet food has a guide on their Web site on how to read a product code, although with the expansion of the recall to all recalled products, regardless of date, reading product codes may not be necessary.

How to Read a Product code - 1 page PDF

3. If your pet is sick, contact your veterinarian. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, decreased appetite, increased thirst/urination. The animals have been diagnosed with renal (kidney) failure and more than 16 animal deaths are being investigated, although experts expect this number to increase. Your veterinarian can order laboratory tests to check your pet's kidneys. Then, if your pet is sick, contact your veterinarian. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, decreased appetite, increased thirst/urination. The animals have been diagnosed with renal (kidney) failure and more than 16 animal deaths are being investigated, although experts expect this number to increase. Your veterinarian can order laboratory tests to check your pet's kidneys. The American Veterinary Medical Association is working with animal poison experts to identify appropriate treatments should aminopterin be confirmed as the cause of the pet deaths and illnesses associated with the nationwide pet food recall issued on March 16. You can also contact the FDA’s consumer complaint coordinators. For Wisconsin, the coordinator is located in the Minneapolis regional office at (612) 758-7221.
   
   
4. Contact the retail establishment to determine how to return unused pet food products. You may want to keep copies of receipts.
   
   
5. Select alternative pet foods from the non-recalled brands. 
   
   
6. If you believe your pet has died because of contaminated pet food, contact your veterinarian and your FDA state complaint coordinator. For Wisconsin, our state coordinator is located in the Minneapolis district office at (612) 758-7221. You can also contact Menu Foods at (866) 895-2708 or (866) 463-6738 (www.menufoods.com).
   
   
7. You may want to document your situation as best as you can, keeping records such as receipts, veterinary bills, a timeline and product labels or packaging. 
   
   
8. If you see recalled products being offered for sale, please contact our Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-422-7128. 

Advice for Veterinarians

Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, 608-257-3665

American Veterinary Medical Association

Advice for Retailers

1. Check the list of recalled pet foods and check the list frequently for updates to ensure that the correct products are removed from the point of sale.

Recalled Cat Product Information
This link will take you to Menu Foods Web site.

Recalled Dog Product Information
This link will take you to Menu Food Web site.

Menu Foods Consumer Information Line:  (866) 895-2708 or (866) 463-6738

1. Contact your distributor or supplier to return product or wait for further instructions on product disposal.
   
2. Be sure to clearly mark recalled product so it is not offered for sale.
   
3. Pet food products returned by consumers should also be marked as recalled products and returned to your distributor.

If you have further questions on the pet food recall, contact the web sites or phone numbers listed above or call 608-224-4500 or send an email.