Iams and Eukanuba Cat and Dog Food Recall
This is a huge recall of pet food for products that “have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella”, though no cases of illness have been reported. Because this covers the foods so many of us as well as shelters and rescues use it’s worth it to look at any bag you have to see if it matches up.
I saw this on social media networks, of course, but I have also signed up for an automated e-mail about all things Animal & Veterinary from the federal Food and Drug Administration, which includes not only pet food recalls but drug and even process information. I can read the original press release and find links to related information, and because I’m most comfortable identifying something visually, especially a bag of pet food, the FDA also maintains a Flickr Photostream of images and logos for recalled products—all of them, not just pet foods. Above is a screen shot of the site; if you go to visit with the link now it may be different since images are added all the time.
I have the copy of the press release below, but visit the FDA site to read and download the list of all the product numbers.
One other place I always immediately visit to confirm product recalls and read other information about pet food is “Truth About Pet Food”. Susan Thixton not only posts information about recalls, she also contacts and questions pet food manufacturers to ask the questions we’d like to ask, and writes about the content and manufacture of pet food in general. Many other news sources also carry the information, but these are my first line of defense in getting the facts.
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P&G Voluntarily Recalls Limited Quantity of Dry Pet Food Due to Possible Health Risk
Contact
Consumer:
800-208-0172Media:
Jason Taylor
513-622-1111
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 14, 2013 – The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) has voluntarily recalled specific lots of dry pet food because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. These lots were distributed in the United States and represent roughly one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of annual production. No Salmonella-related illnesses have been reported to date in association with these product lots.Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
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 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.
This issue is limited to the specific dry pet food lot codes listed below. This affects roughly one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of total annual production. The affected product was distributed to select retailers across the United States. These products were made during a 10 day window at a single manufacturing site. P&G’s routine testing determined that some products made during this timeframe have the potential for Salmonella contamination. As a precautionary measure, P&G is recalling the potentially impacted products made during this timeframe. No other dry dog food, dry cat food, dog or cat canned wet food, biscuits/treats or supplements are affected by this announcement.
P&G is retrieving these products as a precautionary measure. Consumers who purchased a product listed below should stop using the product and discard it and contact P&G toll-free at 800-208-0172 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST), or via website at www.iams.com or www.eukanuba.com. Media Contact: Jason Taylor 513-622-1111.
Visit the FDA site to read and download the list of all the product numbers.
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Sign up for e-mail notices from the FDA for Animal & Veterinary and other topics as well. Near the bottom of the page there is a box of links, and when you sign up you’ll have a choice of e-mail notices for other departments under the FDA.
Browse some rescued cats and kittens!
All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in using one in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of this image or a product including this image, check my Etsy shop or Fine Art America profile to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.
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The FDA has a Flickr stream? Well, we certainly learned something new and useful today! We are on the FDA email list, too, which is a nice safety net when we don’t see the recalls earlier on social networks. We noticed that the lot code lists from IAMS also had package images on them and thought that was a really consumer-friendly move. A lot of people can identify their food by what the package looks like even if they can’t come up with the exact name of it.
Gang, I was surprised at that too, but they’ve come light years in using social media. For things like this I’m really glad–I am feeding a raw diet but no matter, seeing the picture is always the first stop for me.