New Pet Food Recall

Fortunately, there has been a huge reduction in the numbers of pet food recalls during the past few months. Last year, it seemed that almost every day a new product was on the list of recalled foods. With pet food companies on the alert for potential dangers and announcing them in a timely manner, many pet food related illnesses and deaths might thankfully be avoided. Today while going through my email, I found this item, which I think, is important to share with pet owners. The director of the California Department of Public Health, Dr. Mark Horton, has issued a warning for pet owners to refrain from feeding their pets certain bags of PEDIGREE Complete Nutrition Crunchy Bites. The product may be contaminated with Salmonella, which may result in serious illness in humans as well as their cats and dogs. Manufactured by Mars Petcare US of Franklin, Tenn. this recalled product was sold at Albertsons in Southern California in 20-pound bags. The Lot Code number is 830BFCAT02 and Best By Date of 07/2009 and also sold at Costco stores throughout California, in 52-pound bags with the Lot Code numbers 831BFCAT02 and 830DFCAT02 and Best By Date of 07/2009. These codes and dates are found on the back of the bag. Symptoms of Salmonella infection are lethargy, fever and vomiting, or diarrhea or bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may be loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. While animals who are infected may not be symptomatic, they may be carriers that potentially may infect other animals or even humans. If your pet has consumed this product and is exhibiting symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. For more information about this recall, call 1-877-568-4463, or visit the Mars Petcare website at http://www.petcare.mars.com. The Salinas Californian Information center may be contacted at newsroom@thecalifornian.com Because of pet food recalls, many people have started to make their own. Do you continue to be concerned about contaminated pet food and are you preparing your own special diet for your pets? Leave a comment and share any of your recipes.