Natura Pet Products recalls all lots of dry food due to salmonella fears
Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling certain dry pet food items because it may be tainted with Salmonella.
A press release on the Food and Drug Administrations website stated the products in question include all lot codes of: Innova Dry dog and cat food and biscuits/bars/treats; EVO dry dog, cat and ferret food and biscuits/bars/treats; California Natural dry dog and cat foods and biscuits/bars/treats; Healthwise dry dog and cat foods; Karma dry dog foods; and Mother Nature biscuits/bars/treats. They all have an expiration date prior to June 10, 2014.
The items were sold in veterinary clinics, specialty pet retailers and online in the U.S. and Canada.Natura said in a letter posted on the company website that the decision was taken in part due to a positive salmonella test on a product manufactured in April.
"Normally, this would have resulted in retrieval of product manufactured over just a few days. However, we are taking the additional precautionary measure to recall all products in the marketplace. Our first priority is the wellbeing of the pets we serve," the company said.
Both animals and people can be infected by salmonella, a bacteria that causes an infection known as salmonellosis. About 42,000 cases of salmonellosis are reported in the U.S. each year, but many more milder cases may not be diagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pets that eat the products in question and people who handle the food may be affected.
Salmonellosis in cats and dogs can cause fever, shock, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, weight loss, dehydration, skin disease, mucus in stool, abnormally fast heart rate, swollen lymph nodes and abnormal vaginal discharge, according to PetMD. In dogs, it may also cause miscarriage or spontaneous abortion. Persistent forms of salmonellosis in pets may result in loss of blood, non-intestinal infections and diarrhea that comes and goes with no logical explanation, which may last up to three or four weeks, or longer.
In humans, the salmonella bacteria usually lasts five to seven das in humans and can cause diarrhea, fever or abdominal cramps. It normally goes away by itself in five to seven days with no additional treatment except for oral liquids. However, for patients with severe illness or those at risk of severe disease or complications - including young infants, older adults and immunocompromised persons - they may need additional antibiotics. A few people can also develop reactive arthritis after being infeted by Salmonella, which includes pain in their joints, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination.
All the products were produced in the same facility. There have been no reported cases of human or pet salmonellosis to date, but Natura Pet Products is recalling the products as a precaution.
Natura Pets issued a voluntary recall earlier in April for California Natural, EVO, Healthwise, Innova and Karma pet products that expired before March 24. At that time, there was also fears that the food was contaminated with salmonella.
If you suspect your pet has been infected, Natura Pet Products urges you to contact your veterinarian.
People who own the products in question can request a refund or a voucher. Visit the Natura Pet website for more information or call (800) 224-6123.
