Mars Petcare US Recalls Several Cat and Dog Foods

From a press release Dated September 12, 2008, by Mars, Inc.:

Mars Petcare US Announces Nationwide Voluntary Recall

Franklin, 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 serotype Schwarzengrund. 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 cat foods recalled include the following brands, in various sized packages:

• Country Acres Cat Food
• Members Mark Complete Nutrition Premium Cat Food
• Natural Cat Food (Sam's Club)
• Paws & Claws Delicious Mix Cat Food
• Paws & Claws Premium Choice Cat Food
• Pet Pride Indoor Cat
• PMI Nutrition Feline Medley
• Red Flannel Cat
• Special Kitty Gourmet
• Wegman's Buju & Ziggie Complete Cat Food
• Wegman's Buju & Ziggie Indoor Cat Food
• Wegman's Buju & Ziggie Kitten
• Wegman's Buju & Ziggie Original Medley Cat Food

The full press release and the complete list, including the UPC codes for each recalled product may be seen at the Mars Petcare Web Site.

Nutro Pet Foods Not on the List

It should be noted that Nutro Pet Foods, the target of increasing consumer scrutiny, appears nowhere on the list. I couldn't help but notice that the some of the symptoms indicated in this press release are very similar to those who have reported their cats and dogs became ill after eating Nutro pet foods. (Mars Inc. purchased Nutro Product Inc. in May of 2007.)

I'll also mention that after considerable deliberation following a surge of consumer comments on my previous blog, I removed Nutro Cat and Kitten Foods from my top picks lists of recommended food for cats. Like other responsible cat cargivers, I'll be watching closely for further information from Mars Petcare and/or the FDA.