Chagrin Falls, Ohio (September 16, 2008)—Mars Petcare US announced another recall of its pet food products manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility. The pet food is being recalled because of contamination with a bacteria called Salmonella, which causes severs diarrhea and can be fatal. This recall only affects the United States. Salmonella bacteria can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, people are also at risk if they handle the contaminated food. People especially at risk are children, older individuals and those with compromised immune systems. Healthy people that may have touched the tainted food should monitor themselves for some or all of the following signs: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. On rare occasions, Salmonella can result in more serious problems including artery infections, heart infections called endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers showing these signs after having contact with the tainted pet food should contact their physician immediately.
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 signs and can potentially infect other animals and/or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. 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. Many of the brands involved in the recall are national brands produced at multiple facilities. A chart for all products is listed on the mars web site.
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.com