Another Pet Food Recall

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Time and time again, we are seeing this company having problems. This time it's salmonella. Just another reason to cook your own dog food. See article:

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

August 10, 2008
A salmonella scare has forced Mars Petcare US to recall 100 of its 20-pound bags of PEDIGREE Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites sold at some Albertsons in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada.
The company also makes Nutro pet food, which scores of consumers nationwide blame for the recent illnesses — and even deaths — of their dog and cats.
Nutro products, however, are not included in this recall.
Mars said a "component" that tested positive for salmonella was inadvertently shipped to its Tracy, California, plant and used in the production of 100 bags of PEDIGREE pet food.
The affected bags have the "best by" dates of July 7, 2009.
"Our primary concern is the safety and welfare of our pet owners and their pets," the company said in a statement. "Although the finished product tested negative and we have received no reports of illness of pets or their owners, out of an abundance of caution we are issuing a voluntary recall of the limited number of bags of Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites containing the component in question."
Mars said it is working with Albertsons to retrieve any of the affected bags still on store shelves or in distribution centers. Consumers who bought the food should return it to Albertsons for a full refund.
Mars also said it is cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on this recall.
Salmonella can cause infections in dogs and cats. It can also be transferred from pets to people who ingest or handle contaminated products. Children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk.
To prevent the spread of salmonella contamination, the FDA said consumers should wash their hands for 20 seconds with hot water and soap before and after handling pet foods and treats.
Consumers should also:

• Wash pet food bowls, dishes, and scooping utensils with soap and hot water after each use;

• Not use their pets' feeding bowl as a scooping utensil. Pet owners should use a clean scoop or spoon;

• Dispose of old or spoiled pet food products in securely tied plastic bags and put them in a covered trash cans.
The FDA's Web site has additional tips on how to safely handle pet food.

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This is so scary - do you cook your own food now?

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Yes. For 2 years now, since the recall of 2006 killed my std poodle. I will never go back to fully trusting a dogfood company. At first homecooking is difficult, but becomes second nature. I cook a big stew every Sunday, freeze daily pouches and thaw and serve daily. I do supplement with free grazing dry (only 6 star quality like Evo or Wolf King) and will sometimes add a can of Evo 95% or other 6 star can to my homemade to supplement. I give a multivit and fish oil daily and have it down to a science now. My 3 dogs are healthy and I have no itching, smelly ears or tear stained eyes which can accompany commercial dog food. I give raw sometimes and after doing extensive research now believe I am feeding a much more natural diet then commercial food could ever meet.

Once you have a plan, as I do, the cost is even less then dog food. I get my human quality meats and veggies at Costco, use organic whenever possible and only add some red or brown rice and flax seed meal to thicken all the juices. My friend Aimee, who joined here is also now homecooking for her doodle.

The scary part is that even if your brand is not recalled now, who's to say it won't be? I am not prepared to wait.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Hi Lynne,
Where are you seeing the actual recall info.? I looked on the fda site and did not see it. I have been watching this company as I have heard for several months now they are on the verge of major problems and a recall and I am aware of all the complaints and investigations. I did not see where the recall had been implemented yet.

If anyone is interested I have been researching food until my head felt like it was going to pop off and I have gone pretty in depth. I do have some of this on our group page "trinity doodles tails from home". I do not want to seem overbearing though so please let me know if you wish to obtain this information.

Dianne
http://www.trinitydoodles.com

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Hi Dianne, I am signed up with the FDA to recieve any recall alerts. Here is the alert I recieved last night.
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/marspetcare09_08.html

Here is the release copied from the above site:

Recall -- Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Mars Petcare US Issues Voluntary Recall of Everson, PA Plant Dry Pet Food Product due to Potential Salmonella Contamination
Contact:
Debra Fair
[phone]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Fanklin, Tennessee -- September 12, 2008 -- Today, Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of products manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella serotypeSchwarzengrund. This voluntary recall only affects the United States.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems. Healthy people potentially infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. On rare occasions, 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. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and can potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

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.

Even though no direct link between product produced at Everson and human or pet illness has been made, Mars Petcare US is taking precautionary action to protect pets and their owners by announcing a voluntary recall of all products produced at the Everson facility beginning February 18, 2008 until July 29, 2008 when we stopped production.

The company is continuing to work collaboratively with the FDA to determine the nature and source of Salmonella Schwarzengrund at the Everson facility. Since it has not yet identified the source of the Salmonella Schwarzengrund at the Everson facility, Mars Petcare US does not plan to resume production out of a commitment to the safety of our pet owners and their pets, customers, and associates.

The top priority of Mars Petcare US has always been and continues to be the health and welfare of pets and their owners. Consumers can continue to have confidence in the quality and safety of the products produced at other Mars Petcare US facilities. Only those products which were produced at the Everson facility are impacted by the voluntary recall.

Many of the brands involved in the recall are national brands produced at multiple facilities. A chart for all products is below. For example, PEDIGREE® is manufactured in numerous facilities throughout the country, and Everson represents a very small portion of the manufacturing base – 2.7 percent of total PEDIGREE® production.

Mars Petcare US will work with retail customers to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or fed to pets. In the event that consumers believe they have purchased products affected by this voluntary recall, they should return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Specific product details and other information can be found at www.petcare.mars.com

Please find recalled pet food UPC information below.

The products listed below are made at our Everson facility on behalf of a variety of retailers. All code dates, with the exception of PEDIGREE®, are listed in a similar format as noted below:
Consumers should look for “17” as the first two digits of the second line. Sample:
Best By Feb 18 09
17 1445 1

For PEDIGREE® the Everson code date format is as follows:

Consumers should look for “PAE” on the bottom line – the sixth, seventh and eighth digits. Sample:
PEDIGREE ® Small Crunchy Bites
Best Before 02/2009
808G1PAE01 12:00

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

Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com.

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I hope this helps!

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Thanks Lynne ~
Told you, pure oatmeal brain here. I am currently reading Pet Food Politics, the chihuahua in the coal mine - unbelievable. That is why I have not been the least bit surprised that this Nutro incident has been under wraps for so long. Our premium pet food provider shared this information with me quite a while ago and told me it was only a matter of time.

We were feeding Canidae and though we did not have health issues with changing because I knew in advance, I took incredible issue with the ethics with which it was handled. My responsibility goes beyond the best choices for our pets, our puppy families depend on us to give them accurate and current information and guidance. We are responsible for giving their family companions the best possible start in life and for guiding them to follow up on that nutritionally and otherwise. I take that very seriously.

I had narrowed to a top 3, but am back to a 2 because of a personal prejudice that exists within the company towards non AKC dogs. It was verbally expressed to me in person by a company representative. It was not a pleasant experience, but I suspect after our little talk it was rather unpleasant for her as well - especially after I talked to the owner of the company and posted on several forums. I spend a LOT of money on food and other - I cut no corners in the care of our doodles and I refuse to financially contribute to anyone capable of not even hiding their hatred for their own financial gain.

[2wpu1zztl11wu]

This is some scary stuff!!! Anyone have a good dog food recipe??

Lori~