Texas-based Merrick Pet Care has issued a recall for its Beef Filet Squares for Dogs pet treats. While no illnesses have been reported in people or pets to date, 86 cases of the Merrick dog treats have been recalled following a sample testing positive for Salmonella.

Dogs infected by Salmonella may have diarrhea (possibly bloody) and show signs of vomiting or lethargy, while other dogs may only have decreased appetite or abdominal pain. Pets infected by Salmonella are at risk for infecting other animals and humans.

The Merrick recall is only for the company’s Beef Filet Squares for Dogs treats (also sold in some stores as Texas Hold ‘Ems) sold in 10 ounce plastic bags and marked with Lot #10084TL7 and a “best by” date of March 24, 2012 on the top of the bag.

Customers can return any unused portion of the recalled Merrick dog treats to the place of purchase for a full refund, and questions regarding the Merrick recall should be directed to Merrick Pet Care’s toll free number, 1-800-664-7387.

The newly recalled dog food formulas include all sizes and varieties of Eukanuba Naturally Wild, Eukanuba Pure, and Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin dry dog food formulas with “Best By” dates that fall in the July 1st, 2010 to December 1st, 2011 range.

Eukanuba Naturally Wild Dog Food varieties recalled include Eukanuba Naturally Wild Salmon & Rice, Turkey & Multigrain, and Venison & Potato dry dog foods, and come in 4lb, 9.5lb, 15lb, and 30lb bag sizes, as well as 7 ounce sample packs.

Eukanuba Pure dry varities in the dog food recall include Eukanuba Pure Turkey, Pure Adult Maintenance, Pure Puppy Growth, and Pure Adult Large Breed dog food, and come in 4lb, 4.5lb, 15lb, and 30lb bag sizes. The Eukanuba Dog Custom Care – Sensitive Skin dog food formula recalled is available in 5.5lb and 28lb bag sizes.

The Iams Veterinary Formula Dry Cat Food formulas recalled are the Weight Loss Restricted Calorie, Intestinal – Low Residue, Optimum Weight Control D, Renal Multi-Stage, Urinary 0 – Moderate pH/0, and Urinary S – Low pH/S cat foods.

The Iams Veterinary Formula Dry Dog Food formulas recalled are the Intestinal – Low Residue, Optimum Weight Control D, Weight Loss Restricted Calorie, Renal Early Stage, Joint, Skin and Coat Response FP, Skin & Coat Response KO, Puppy Intestinal Low Residue, and Intestinal Low Residue Breeder Bag dog foods.

All of the Iams and Eukunba pet foods involved in the recall have been pulled from shelves due to potential salmonella contamination.
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 recalled pet foods are sold in veterinary clinics and specialty pet retailers throughout the United States and Canada. The recall doesn’t currently include Iams / Eukanuba canned pet foods, pet biscuits and treats, or pet care supplements.

P&G recommends that customers with potentially contaminated bags throw the food out immediately. Additional information and product refund inquiries should be directed to P&G’s toll free number at (877) 894-4458.

This isn’t the first pet food recall due to possible salmonella contamination. Just last month, Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food formula was recalled for the same reason.

And in 2007, a Salmonella outbreak that affected more than 70 people in 19 states was linked to contaminated dry dog food produced in a Mars Petcare pet food plant.

No other Iams formulas or other P&G pet foods are currently involved in the new recall, and none of the formulas involved in the recenty acquired Natura Pet Products, the parent company of Innova, Evo, California Natural, and Karma pet foods, have been recalled.

Still, with many Natura customers already questioning the acquisition and what it might mean for the long-term quality of the Natura products, three recalls involving P&G’s Iams and Eukanuba pet foods in two months likely won’t help ease concerns.

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.

While no illnesses have been reported to date, the U.S. FDA has identified positive results on lot numbers 01384174B4 0 19014 21405 1 and 01384174B2 0 19014 21405 1 of the Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal 5.5 lbs formula.

P&G recommends that customers with potentially contaminated bags should throw the food out immediately. Additional information and product refund inquiries should be directed to P&G’s toll free number at (877) 894-4458.

The recall news follows last month’s Iams recall that resulted from potentially insufficient levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1) in the company’s Iams ProActive Health canned cat and kitten food.

This also isn’t the first pet food recall due to possible salmonella contamination. Just last month, Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food formula was recalled for the same reason.

And in 2007, a Salmonella outbreak that affected more than 70 people in 19 states was linked to contaminated dry dog food produced in a Mars Petcare pet food plant. Mars Petcare manufactures a number of pet foods, 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.

While no other Iams formulas or other P&G pet foods are involved in the new recall, Innova and Evo customers may be wondering what’s in store for them, as P&G in May moved to acquire Natura Pet Products, the parent company of Innova, Evo, California Natural, and Karma pet foods.

Many Natura customers had already been questioning the acquisition and what it might mean for the long-term quality of the Natura products, and a pair of Iams recalls in two months likely won’t help ease their concerns.

The recalled dog food formula was manufactured on December 17th, 2010, and was recalled following a positive test for salmonella by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Although two lots of the dog food formula had tested free of contaminants with Natural Balance’s Buy With Confidence on-site lab, and confirmed later as free of contaminants by an independent laboratory, the finding of salmonella by the FDA was evidence enough to issue the voluntary recall.

There have not been any reports to date of dogs getting sick from the dog food.

The Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken dog food was sold at retailers in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Consumers who have purchased the dog food can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Cats fed the ProActive Health canned foods may be at greater risk for developing signs of thiamine deficiency, according the P&G. Thiamine deficiency can contribute to vomiting, a loss of appetite, weight loss, and excessive salivation. Prolonged cases can lead to falling or wobbly walking, excessive circling, ventroflexion of the neck (downward curing), and seizures. When treated promptly thiamine deficiency is reversible in most cases.

Proctor & Gamble recommends trashing the canned cat foods where the date on the bottom of the can falls between 09/2011 and 06/2012. Additional information and product refund inquiries should be directed to P&G’s toll free number at (877) 340-8826.

This isn’t the first case of a pet food recall for thiamine insufficiency. Last December, Diamond Pet Foods issued a similar recall for some bags of its Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball cat foods.

While no other Iams formulas or other P&G pet foods are involved in the recall, Innova and Evo customers may be wondering what’s in store for them, as P&G recently moved to acquire Natura Pet Products, the parent company of Innova, Evo, California Natural, and Karma pet foods.

Many Natura customers had already been questioning the acquisition and what it might mean for the long-term quality of the Natura products, and an Iams recall likely won’t help ease their concerns.

The Tribune reports that Joel Sher and his wife, Holly, altered their gas meter to prevent it from recording how much gas they used for their high-end pet food company and also built a separate underground pipe to divert the flow of gas before it reached the meter at their company. To cover their tracks, the couple allegedly inserted a two-way valve so the gas flow could be re-directed when gas company officials did inspections.

Evanger’s offers both canned and dry dog and cat foods as well as a line of kosher pet products. The company is also known for being featured on an episode of a Food Network television show starring Rachael Ray.

This also isn’t the first time the Evangers pet food company has made news. This past June the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) announced it was suspending Evanger’s Dog & Cat Food Co.’s emergency permit to ship pet food as a result of the company’s manufacturing procedures potentially allowing the bacterium that causes botulism to survive in some of its products.

Botulism is a powerful toxin that affects the nervous system and can be fatal. The disease has been documented in dogs and cats, with signs of botulism including progressive muscle paralysis, disturbed vision, difficulty in chewing and swallowing, progressive weakness to the body, and potentially even death, usually due to paralysis of the heart or the muscles used in breathing.

Also, in April 2008, Evanger’s was issued an “Order of Need for Emergency Permit” after the FDA determined that the company had failed to meet the regulatory requirements to process a product that does not present a health risk.

In June 2008, FDA did issue Evanger’s a temporary Emergency Permit, but following inspections conducted between March 2009 and April 2009 the FDA determined that Evanger’s was not operating in compliance with the mandatory requirements and conditions of the Temporary Emergency Permit.

The FDA claimed that Evanger’s “deviated from the prescribed process, equipment, product shipment, and recordkeeping requirements in the production of the company’s thermally processed low acid canned food (LACF) products” and that under-processed pet food could be the result.

For more information on these events, click on the articles below:

Owners of pet food company featured on Rachael Ray show charged with stealing gas, electricity

FDA Orders Evanger’s To Stop Shipping Pet Food

Pet Owners Unsurprised by FDA Shutdown of Evanger’s

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.”