Feline’s Pride Recalls Cat Food for Possible Salmonella Contamination

Feline’s Pride just announced it is recalling its Feline’s Pride Raw food with ground bone for cats and kittens, Natural Chicken Formula, Net Wt. 2.5 lbs. (1.13 kg., 40 oz.) produced June 10, 2010, over concerns the food may be contaminated with <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/food_poisoning">Salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wrote.

People handling raw pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the raw pet food or any surfaces exposed to the product. When consumed by humans, Salmonella can cause an infection, Salmonellosis. The symptoms of Salmonellosis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, minimal diarrhea, fever, and headache. Certain vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly susceptible to acquiring Salmonellosis from such pet food products and may experience more severe symptoms.

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. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The product is packaged in uncoded plastic containers and sold frozen to private consumers nationwide. Once thawed, the pet food has a shelf life of about one week. The firm manufactures the pet food on an as-ordered basis. This recall affects only those orders placed and shipped from June 10 through June 17, 2010.

The firm and FDA are investigating this matter to determine the source of the problem, and will take any additional steps necessary to protect the public health. To date, no reports of Salmonella infection relating to this product have been received by either the firm or FDA.

This product should not be fed to pets but should instead be disposed of in a safe manner, such as a securely covered trash receptacle. People experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection after having handled the pet food product should seek medical attention, and report their use of the product and illness to the nearest FDA office.

People should thoroughly wash their hands after handling the pet food, especially those made from raw animal protein such as meat or fish, to help prevent infection. People may risk bacterial infection not only by handling pet foods, but also by contact with pets or surfaces exposed to these foods, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap. Since certain vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly at risk from exposure they should avoid handling this product.

The firm can be reached at (716) 580-3096, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Eastern Daylight Time.

Salmonella is the most prevalent food borne pathogen in this country. Infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis. Salmonella poisoning can also lead to Reiter’s Syndrome, a difficult-to-treat reactive arthritis characterized by severe joint pain, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination. Some Salmonella bacteria are antibiotic resistant, largely due to the use of antibiotics to promote the growth of feed animals.