Tropical fish food has been recalled over risks of Salmonella contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced.
The Hartz Mountain Corporation, Secaucus, New Jersey, issued a recall for four lots of Wardley® Advanced Nutrition™ Perfect Protein™ Tropical Flake Fish Food in the one-ounce size. The recall was initiated over concerns that one or more containers in these lots could have been contaminated with the dangerous, sometimes deadly, Salmonella pathogen.
The recalled Hartz Mountain Wardley® Advanced Nutrition™ Perfect Protein™ Tropical Flake Fish Food was shipped, nationally, from December 20, 2011 through March 15, 2012; a total of 7,056 one-ounce containers with UPC number 0-43324-00591-7 are involved. The lot codes impacted are PP34911, PP34912, PP35011, and PP35012. The potentially contaminated Tropical Flake Fish Food was manufactured by Hartz Mountain at its Pleasant Plain, Ohio facility from two production runs.
A random sample testing conducted by Hartz Mountain, as part of its quality control procedures, revealed the presence of Salmonella in each of the recalled lots. Hartz Mountain continues to investigate the source of the contamination.
To date, Hartz Mountain has not received any reports of animals or humans becoming ill as a result of coming into contact with the recalled Wardley® Advanced Nutrition™ Perfect Protein™ Tropical Flake Fish Food and is working to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers.
Fish owners who have purchased the recalled Tropical Flake Fish Food are advised by Hartz Mountain to check the lot code on their containers. If the code is not visible of if the recalled lot codes appear on the container, consumers should immediately discontinue use of the potentially contaminated food and discard it.
Hartz Mountain can be reached, toll-free, at 1.800.275.1414, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with any questions and information on how to obtain reimbursement for purchased, recalled Wardley® Advanced Nutrition™ Perfect Protein™ Tropical Flake Fish Food.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the product and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with contaminated products or the surfaces exposed to these products.
The most common symptoms of Salmonella poisoning—salmonellosis—are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, with symptoms manifesting, usually, within six to 72 hours. Additional symptoms include chills, headache, nausea, and vomiting that can last up to seven days. The illness usually lasts four to seven days; however, in some, the organism can invade the bloodstream, becoming so severe that hospitalization is required. Sometimes, infection with the Salmonella pathogen can result in, and produce more severe or chronic illnesses.
Salmonella, can be dangerous, sometimes deadly, leaving sufferers with serious life-long health issues. Salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial food borne illnesses, can be especially life threatening to those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly, and persons with HIV infection or who are undergoing chemotherapy.
