Purina Dry Cat Food Product Recalled Over Salmonella
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Illinois is one of a dozen states where a dry cat food product made by Nestlé Purina is under recall, after some bags of the food were contaminated with salmonella.
The voluntary recall affects a limited number of 3.5- and 7-pound bags of Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ Dry Cat Food, according to a news release from the company.
The cat food is from a single production run and shipped to customers in the 12 states in December 2010, the release said.
In addition to Illinois, the product under recall was distributed to customers located in California, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin. Those customers may have further distributed the product to other states, the release said.
Nestlé Purina PetCare Company found out about the contamination after samples were collected in several retail stores, the release said.
No additional Purina ONE products, or any other Purina pet food products, are involved in the voluntary recall.
Consumers who have purchased Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ Dry Cat Food products with the following specific "Best By" Date and Production Codes should discontinue feeding their cats the product and throw it away:
3.5 lbs., Best By Date: May 2012; Production Code 03341084; Bag UPC Code 17800 01885.
3.5 lbs., Best By Date: May 2012; Production Code 03351084; Bag UPC Code 17800 01885.
7 lbs., Best Buy Date May 2012; ; Production Code 03341084; Bag UPC Code 17800 01887.
7 lbs., Best Buy Date May 2012; ; Production Code 03351084; Bag UPC Code 17800 01887.
Salmonella is a risk both to the animals that eat the product and people who handle it. Those handling dry pet food can become sick with salmonella, particularly if they don't wash their hands after handling it.
The pets may exhibit a loss in appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting.
If you pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, the manufacturers ask that you please contact your veterinarian.
Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.
Healthy people infected with salmonella should be on the lookout for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.
In rare instances, salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, a endocarditis – an infection of the inside lining of the heart chambers; arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms.
Anyone exhibiting these symptoms after having contact with the cat food should contact their doctors right away.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
