Mars Petcare Recalls More Pet Food

Mars Petcare has issued yet another recall of pet food, extending a prior recall issued on October 27, 2008 that involved dry dog and cat food made at its Allentown, Pennsylvania facility.  The recall was issued because the pet food may be contaminated with <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/salmonella">salmonella.

According to the a press release posted on Market Watch, the Mars Petcare recall involves products sold at BJ’s Wholesale Club, ShopRite Supermarkets, and Wal-Mart locations in the following states:  Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia.  The new recall adds all sizes of SPECIAL KITTY(R) Gourmet Blend dry cat food produced at the Allentown facility on August 11, 2008 as well SPECIAL KITTY(R) made on September 25, 2008 at the Allentown facility, which also tested positive for Salmonella. 

Mars Petcare US is now including all dry pet food products produced at the facility with “Best By” dates between August 11, 2009 and October 3, 2009; all code dates, regardless of brand, are included and involve the foods listed below:

• Berkley & Jensen Bistro Blend Premium Cat Food, bag size 21.6#, UPC 00000 20052 and Small Bites & Bones Dog Food, bag size 52# and UPC 00000 14958.
• Ol’ Roy Puppy Complete Premium Dog Food  4#/UPC 81131 79078 and Complete Premium Dog Food  20#/UPC 81131 79080.  Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food in the bag sizes and UPCs:  4#/ UPC 81131 17550, 4.4#/ UPC 81131 69377, 8#/UPC 05388 67144, 20#/ UPC 81131 17549, 22#/ UPC 05388 60342, 44.1#/ UPC 81131 17551, and 50#/78742 01022.  Ol’ Roy High Performance Premium Dog Food:  20#/ UPC 05388 60345 and 50#/ UPC 78742 05815.  Ol’ Roy Meaty Chunks & Gravy Premium Dog Food:  22#/ UPC 81131 69630 and 50#/ UPC 81131 69631.
• ShopRite Crunchy Bites, Bones and Healthy Squares Dog Food:  20#/ UPC 41190 04521.
• Special Kitty Original Premium Cat Food:  3.5# UPC /81131 17557, 7#/UPC 81131 17562, and 18#/UPC 81131 17559.  Special Kitty Gourmet Blend Premium Cat Food:  3.5#/UPC 81131 17546, 7#/UPC 81131 17547, and 18#/UPC 81131 17548.  Special Kitty Kitten Premium Cat Food:  3.5#/UPC 81131 17553 and 7#/UPC 81131 17554.

According to the press release, consumers should look for “50” in the first two digits of the second line of code information.  For instance, if looking at an item with a Best By date of AUG 15 09, the number beneath the sample would start with a “50” and lead into the remainder of the code to read:  50 1445 1.

The press release warns that salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, in people if cross contamination occurs.  Salmonella is particularly dangerous to children and infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems and humans can experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea/bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever.  Salmonella be serious causing arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.  Pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea/bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting but may only experience decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain and may be carriers with no outward symptoms.  See a veterinarian immediately if your pet has eaten any of the recalled products.