ALL POSTS RE: PET FOOD RECALLS GO HERE IN THIS THREAD

[Traci]

January 28, 2010 - Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is recalling the Jr. Texas Taffy pet treat (ITEM # 27077, UPC # 02280827077, All Lots up to and including 10364) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Merrick Pet Care has made the decision to recall all Jr. Texas Taffy pet treats in the abundance of caution. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling the treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products. Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle.

Read more information on this at at FDA/CVM:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm241476.htm

[Tambrey]

Yet another one

P&G recalls some Iams ProActive dog food

...voluntarily recalled certain bags of Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food, due to detected aflatoxin levels above the accepted limit.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pg-rec ... 2011-12-06

[Traci]

More on the above from:

Iams:
http://www.iams.com/en_us/data_root/_pd ... 20_2_x.pdf

FDA:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm282506.htm

[Marty]

The same goes for a couple Cargill foods...

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm282753.htm

I'm not really familiar with these, but isn't Marksman a store brand? Maybe Sam's Club...I should go look it up.

Edited to ad that all I can find is that it's a regional food...have no clue where it's sold.

[Traci]

Cargill animal feeds are mainly for agricultural, and for farm and ranch stores.

More on the Cargill recall:

Recall of River Run, Marksman dog food that may contain aflatoxin:
http://www.cargill.com/feed/dog-food-recall/index.jsp

Product list and photos of products recalled:
http://www.cargill.com/feed/dog-food-re ... /index.jsp

[k9Karen]

Yet another one

P&G recalls some Iams ProActive dog food

...voluntarily recalled certain bags of Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food, due to detected aflatoxin levels above the accepted limit.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pg-rec ... 2011-12-06

Aflatoxin "above acceptable limits" ?????? There should be NO acceptable limit for aflatoxin (a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus). Mold contamination is bad enough, but this one is especially nastly - possible liver failure and cancer. How in the H - E - double hockey sticks does the FDA allow ANY aflatoxin?

[Traci]

Karen, I don't think the FDA/CVM has established specific guidelines for aflatoxin levels in pet foods per se, (unlike livestock feeds) but I believe they consider the 20 ppb the "acceptable" limit, the same as for human foods. FDA/CVM have not revised any of their guidelines for a very long time.

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Pro ... 050974.htm

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManu ... 074703.htm

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManu ... 074695.htm

Whether Cargill and other manufacturers combine their feeds for different species at the same plant is another matter, I suspect most of them do, hence the greater risk for unintended contamination - although we should be grateful that aflatoxins are found to be relatively rare in most manufactured pet foods.

[k9Karen]

Unfortunately, it gets in our food too. Most grains ) had it in the field before harvest, so it gets into the food product (flour, pasta, rice, breakfast cereals, etc) . Peanuts and peanut butter are products that are very commonly affected. I think it's heat ressitant - so it's not destroyed by cooking, but I don't remember for sure if that's right. Some toxins are destroyed by heating and others aren't. If this is a heat-resistant one - there is really no way to get away from it completely.

[Traci]

WAGGIN TRAIN CHICKEN JERKY TREATS, AGAIN!!

History: From 2007 through 2008, there were widespread reports of these treats causing illness and fatalities in dogs (fanconi syndrome/renal failure) - in Canada and Austrailia, and the US. The FDA could not detect the source, so the products were not recalled. In 2009 through early 2010, reports dropped but again rose in mid 2010 and continue today. The FDA continues to investigate:

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/New ... 280586.htm

Waggin Train's statement:
http://www.waggintrainbrand.com/news.html

My local news stations are reporting new problems (including fatalities) that vets feel are related to these treats. A google search reveals many other areas in the US are also reporting new problems.

I think it's important to note that the news stories' are undermining the retail aspect, in that, they are only mentioning "Walmart and Target stores" as point of sales, but these products are also sold at Costco, Sam's Club, Kmart, pet stores and literally hundreds of ONLINE pet stores.

Additionally, the reports seem to single out the chicken varieties only, but I would strongly caution pet owners not to buy these products, nor any other jerky treat, particularly when this particular product is made in, and shipped from China.

Please, READ PACKAGES carefully when buying food, treats etc and try to avoid products made in China. I realize that may be difficult for toys, beds, accessories etc, but food should be never be bought if it originates from China.

[Tambrey]

http://www.chicagonow.com/steve-dales-p ... pet-foods/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 6, 2012 -Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice. This is being done as a precautionary measure, as the product has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. No illnesses have been reported and no other Diamond manufactured products are affected.

Individuals handling dry pet food can become infected with salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. 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, Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice, was distributed to customers located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia, who may have further distributed the product to other states, through pet food channels.