The Mars Petcare pet food plant is responsible for producing about 25 different brands of dry pet food, both cat foods and dog foods. An inspection of the manufacturing plant revealed an isolate of the outbreak Salmonella strain on an environmental surface and two isolates in two brands of dry dog food.

Following the inspection, operations were suspended between July and November, 2007, for cleaning and disinfection, and specific batches of the two brands of dog food, Krasdale Gravy dry dog food and Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula dry dog food, were recalled as of August 21st, 2007.

Neither of the recalled brands was related to human illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which publishes the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports. The CDC added that the limited recall by Mars Petcare means that contaminated dry pet food is almost certainly still present in many homes.

Mars Petcare US, Inc. manufactures a variety of well-known pet food brands, including Pedigree dog foods, the Goodlife Recipe cat and dog foods, Whiskas cat food, Cesar Canine Cuisine wet dog food, and Sheba wet cat food. The company originated within the Mars, Incorporated family as Masterfoods Pet Division/Mars, Inc. and later acquired the Doane Pet Care company.

Mars Petcare expanded again last year with an acquisition of Nutro Pet Food Products, manufacturers of a healthy line of “super premium dog and cat foods,” including Nutro Max, Nutro Ultra, and Nutro Natural Choice brands.

To date, Mars Petcare has not recalled any brands or batches other than specific batches and sizes of the Krasdale Gravy dry dog food (5lb bag) and Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula dry dog food (50lb bag). The dog foods were sold in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania markets.

Salmonella bacteria can cause diarrhea (possibly bloody), fever, and abdominal cramps, with most victims recovering within a week without treatment. Babies, elders, and those with weak immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

The CDC urges pet owners to wash their hands immediately after handling pet food in order to prevent a possible Salmonella infection and also recommends that infants and children be kept away from pet feeding areas and prevented from touching or eating pet food, pet treats, or supplements.

Additional information is available on our Mars Petcare Dog Food Recall page.

A+ FRR Note: Flint River Ranch has no involvement with Mars Petcare or Nutro Products, and none of Flint River Ranch’s all natural, healthy dog food formulas or cat food formulas are involved in the dog food recall mentioned above or any other pet food recall.

A statement from Wal-Mart warns customers to be especially wary of Chicken Jerky treats from Shanghai Bestro Trading with a UPC number of 0087784900006 and item number of 839751. Wal-Mart officials don’t know if the amount of melamine found in these dog treats would be enough to sicken or kill a dog that ate the suspect products, but there’s been at least one report of a customer claiming her dog died after eating some of the tainted treats.

MSNBC has more on this developing story.

» View Our Complete 2007 Pet Food Recall FAQ

Botulism can lead to general weakness, dizziness, double-vision, and/or trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, muscle weakness, abdominal distension, and constipation may result from botulism as well.

The recalled dog food varieties are:

• Natural Balance Eatables Irish Stew with Beef Dog Food – 15 Oz. can (23633-59860)
• Natural Balance Eatables Chinese Take Out with Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken Dog Food – 15 Oz. can (23633-59861)
• Natural Balance Eatables Southern Style Dumplings with Gravy with Chicken and Vegetables – 15 Oz. can (23633-59862)
• Natural Balance Eatables Hobo Chili with Chicken Pasta Dog Food – 15 Oz. can (23633-59863)

The U.S. FDA has warned customers not to purchase or eat any of the canned dog food products listed above (as well as various hot dog chili sauce and canned meat products also produced by Castleberry Food Company. All “best by” and code dates for the foods are affected by the recall). Additional information is available from the Castleberry Food Company website.

Additional information is available on our Natural Balance Pet Foods Recall page.

According to the lab, The contaminants were found in foods that are not among the more than 150 brands recalled since March 16. We’ll have more information as it becomes available, but the Pittsburgh Tribune-review has a news story about the lab results that’s definitely worth checking out.

“We were looking for cyanuric acid and melamine, and the acetaminophen just popped up,” Donna Coneley, lab operations manager for ExperTox Inc. in Deer Park, Texas, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review yesterday. “It definitely was a surprise to find that in several samples.”

Doane reports that people handling the food could potentially be exposed to the bacteria, as well as pets that eat the food; the company however says no illnesses have been reported to day.

This recall does not have any relation to the melamine-tainted pet food recall. Additional information can be found on the Doane web site.

Not all details are available yet and we may see more brands added in the near future, but canned dog foods and cat foods currently recalled include the following brands and formulas:

Diamond Pet Foods

• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Kitten Formula (5.5 oz. cans)
• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Puppy Formula (13 oz. cans)
• Diamond Lamb & Rice Formula for Dogs (13 oz. cans)

Natural Balance

• Chicken Formula Canned Dog Food (13 oz. cans)
• Lamb Formula Canned Dog Food (13 oz. cans)
• Beef Formula Canned Dog Food (13 oz. cans)
• Ocean Fish Formula Canned Cat Food (3 oz. and 6 oz. cans)

Kirkland Signature (Costco brand)

• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Chicken and Rice Canned food for Dogs
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Lamb and Rice Canned food for Dogs

Additional information is available on our 2007 Pet Food Recall Details page.

In addition to the previously reported Natural Balance Pet Foods recall for its Venison and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison and Green Pea Dry Cat Food formulas manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods, Royal Canin has now recalled seven canine dry dog foods and one dry cat food formula, and Blue Buffalo has recalled one production run of its Spa Select Kitten dry cat food formula.

The recalled Royal Canin foods are:

• Royal Canin Chicken & Rice Formula Senior Dog Food
• Royal Canin Lamb & Rice Formula Puppy Dog Food
• Royal Canin Lamb & Rice Formula Adult Dog Food
• Royal Canin Lamb & Rice Formula Senior Dog Food
• Royal Canin Rice & Catfish Formula Adult Dog Food
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Early Cardiac EC 22 Dog Food
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Canine Skin Support SS21 Dog Food
• Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Hypoallergenic HP23 Cat Food

Wilbur-Ellis announced that it had shipped its contaminated rice protein concentrate to five different pet food manufacturers, but it didn’t identify the companies by name. So far three have been identified (Natural Balance via Diamond Pet Foods, Royal Canin, and Blue Buffalo). The contaminated rice protein concentrate has also made its way into hog feed, according to Wilbur-Ellis.

Additional information is available on our Menu Foods recall, Royal Canin recall, and Natural Balance recall news alert pages.

The recall includes all date codes of Natural Balance Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Food. The company does not know the cause of the problem but reports that it is focused on one particular lot.

Additional information is available on our Natural Balance pet food recall page.

The recall specifically applies to Menu Foods’ “Cuts and Gravy” style food, a moist pet food consisting of chunks of meat in gravy that is sold in cans as well as small foil pouches. These foods are sold at major retailers such as Wal-Mart (Ol’ Roy), Target, PetSmart, Kroger, Food Lion, Price Chopper, Publix, and Safeway.

We now have a full FAQ available on the Menu Foods pet food recall with additional information.

We now have a full FAQ available on the Wegmans dog food recall with additional information.