Pet Food Recall: AquaMax, LabDiet & Mazuri

   

This is a big recall—over 110 varieties of food from AquaMax, LabDiet, & Mazurie.  Boo!  Many of the varieties included won’t affect you, unless you literally have a zoo.  But, buried in there are foods for fish, birds, guinea pigs, mice, reptiles, etc.  I don’t want to list just the foods I think might affect you, in case there is one for exotic pets that I’m not as familiar with.  So take a good look at the list!

The recall is due to elevated vitamin D levels which can harm or even kill animals and fish if fed for extended periods. Signs your pet has been effected are lack of interest in eating, weight loss and joint stiffness.

Please note this food was widely distributed.

  • U.S. nationwide
  • Bahamas
  • Cambodia
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile
  • China
  • Curaçao
  • Guam
  • Japan
  • Mexico
  • Puerto Rico
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom

Update–Dog & Cat Food Recall: Apex, 4Health, Canidae, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul, Country Value, Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Kirkland, Natural Balance, Premium Edge, Professional, Solid Gold, Taste of the Wild, & Wellness

UPDATE (5/21/12): Another variety of Diamond Naturals has been added to the recall—Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula.  Anyone want to guess when this information was released?  Why yes, it was on FRIDAY the 18th.  Another Dump & Run.  Color me oh-so-surprised.  Creeps.  * See below for update.  

UPDATE (5/8/12): More brands have been added to the recall.  To keep all the information in one place, I’m going to add them to this previous post.  * See below for updates.

This makes me SO freakin’ angry!  More “Dump & Run” press releases where the information is released late Friday so it will get lost in the news cycle.  And what were they announcing at a time when it would get the least coverage?  A HUGE expansion of the pet food recall due to Salmonella contamination from food made in a Diamond-owned factory in Gaston, South Carolina.  It’s gone from 3 brands to 12 brands and that doesn’t include that different varieties made by each brand.

Not only has this recall expansion not gotten much news coverage, but the FDA website doesn’t even have this new information as of Sunday May 6th.  What the hell?!  Also, on the Diamond recall page, they only list some of the brands in the recall, but not all of them.  You also have to dig to discover that some cat food is now included in the recall—Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula and Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula (see below for Best-Before Dates involved).  Again, what the hell?!  Even more disturbing is that at least 14 people in 9 different states have become infected with Salmonella with 5 people hospitalized.  10 of those infected reported contact with dog food.  But even the CDC’s website has totally incomplete information on which brands are being recalled.  Useless.

The plant that manufactured the food included in this recall is the same plant that produced pet food contaminated with aflatoxin in 2005.  The current recall has grown so much not only because of the brands Diamond owns, but also because of all the other pet food companies who contract with Diamond to produce their food instead of producing it themselves.  I am running out of brands to feed our own pets that either haven’t been bought by a large conglomerate or that don’t contract with another company to produce their food.  This recall is precisely the reason I want to feed our cats and dog food made by independent companies that produce their own food and have rigorous quality control.  I’m seriously pissed off!  Grrrrrrrr.

Ok. enough with the ranting.  Here are the all brands being recalled.  (Important note: Don’t assume that if your state isn’t listed that you don’t have product included in the recall.  The press releases state that “Further distribution to other pet food channels may have occurred.”)

  1. 4Health
  2. *Apex
  3. Canidae
  4. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul
  5. Country Value
  6. Diamond
  7. Diamond Naturals
  8. Kirkland
  9. Natural Balance
  10. Premium Edge
  11. Professional
  12. *Solid Gold
  13. Taste of the Wild
  14. Wellness

_______________________________________

Update 5/21/12

* Diamond Naturals

Product Name Size Production Code Best-By Date
 Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula  6 lb  DSL0801  26-Aug-2012
 6 lb  DSL0801  27-Sept- 2012 (Product manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011 and packaged on Sept. 27, 2011)
 8 lb  DSL0801  26-Aug-2012
 8 lb  DSL0801  27-Sept- 2012 (Product manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011 and packaged on Sept. 27, 2011)
 sample  DSL0801

The product was distributed in the following states, further distribution through other pet food channels may have occurred:

  • Colorado
  • Illinois
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Wisconsin
Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 am – 6pm EST.

_______________________________________

Update 5/8/12:

*Apex

Product Name Size Production Code Best-By Date
Chicken and Rice  20 lb ACD0101B32 24-Jan-2013
 40 lb ACD0101B32 24-Jan-2013

Recalled from South Carolina.

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Apex Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 am – 6pm EST.  Their site is apexpetfoods.com.

 

*Solid Gold

Product Name Size UPC Best-Before Date Batch Code Prefix
WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food  4 lb  093766750005 December 30, 2012 SGB1201
 15 lb  093766750012 December 30, 2012 SGB1201
 33 lb  093766750029 December 30, 2012 SGB1201
WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food  4 lb  093766750050 December 30, 2012 SGB1201
 15 lb  093766750067 December 30, 2012 SGB1201
 28.5 lb  093766750081 December 30, 2012 SGB1201

Recalled from the U.S. and Canada.

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, would like replacement product or have additional questions, can call (800) 364-4863 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM through 5:00 PM Pacific time) or visit solidgoldnorthland.com.

_______________________________________

1. 4Health
2. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
3. Country Value
4. Diamond
5. Diamond Naturals
6. Premium Edge
7. Professional
8. Taste of the Wild

         

To determine if their pet food is recalled, consumers should check the production code on their bag. If the code has a “2” or “3” in the 9th position AND an “X” in the 10th or 11th position, the product is affected by the recall. The best-before dates for the recalled products are December 9, 2012 through April 7, 2013.  The following graphic illustrates how to read the production code and best-before date:

The recall affects only products distributed in the following U.S. states and Canada.  Further distribution through other pet food channels may have occurred.

  • Alabama
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Massachusetts
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia
  • Canada
Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST.  Consumers may also go to a special website, www.diamondpetrecall.com, for more information.

_______________________________________

9. Canidae:

Product Name Best-Before Dates
All Life Stages dry dog food December 9, 2011 – January 31, 2012
Chicken Meal & Rice dry dog food December 9, 2011 – January 31, 2012
Lamb Meal & Rice dry dog food December 9, 2011 – January 31, 2012
CANIDAE Platinum dry dog food December 9, 2011 – January 31, 2012

Only CANIDAE dry dog food formulas with production codes that must have BOTH a number “3” in the 9th position AND an “X” in the 10th or 11th position with best before dates of December 9, 2012, through January 31, 2013 are being voluntarily recalled.

Following is an example of how to read the production code and best before date:

 

The recall affects only products distributed in the following Eastern U.S. states and were manufactured at the Diamond Pet Food Gaston, South Carolina plant. Further distribution to other pet food channels may have occurred.

  • Florida
  • Massachusetts
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like a replacement product or a refund, may contact Canidae Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-800-398-1600, Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm PST. Consumers may also go to canidae.com for more information.

_______________________________________

10. Kirkland Signature:

Product Name Best-Before Dates
Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013
Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013
Super Premium Adult Dog Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013
Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013
Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013
Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013
Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula December 9, 2012 – January 31, 2013

To determine if their pet food is recalled, consumers should check the production code on their bag. If the code has both a “3” in the 9th position AND an “X” in the 11th position, the product is affected by the recall. The best-before dates for the recalled products are December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013.The following graphic illustrates how to read the production code and best-before date:

The recall affects only products distributed in the following U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Canada.

  • Alabama
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Canada
  • Puerto Rico
Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST.  Consumers may also go to a special website, www.diamondpetrecall.com, for more information.

_______________________________________

11. Natural Balance:

Product Name Size Best-By Date
Sweet Potato & Venison Dog  5 lb December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; March 12, 2013
Sweet Potato & Venison Dog  15 lb December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; December 14, 2012; March 5, 2013; March 6, 2013
Sweet Potato & Venison Dog  28 lb December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; December 14, 2012; March 5, 2013; March 6, 2013; March 7, 2013; March 8, 2013; March 12, 2013
Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog  5 lb December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012
Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog  15 lb December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012
Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog  28 lb December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012
Sweet Potato & Bison Dog  5 lb December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012
Sweet Potato & Bison Dog  15 lb December 9, 2012; December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012
Sweet Potato & Bison Dog  28 lb December 9, 2012; December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012
Vegetarian Dog  5 lb December 9, 2012
Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Large Breed Bites  28 lb December 12, 2012; December 20, 2012; December 21, 2012
Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites  5 lb December 21, 2012
Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites  12.5 lb December 21, 2012

Recalled products may have been distributed in the following states:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Washington, DC
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Iowa
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Massachusetts
  • Maryland
  • Maine
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Mississippi
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • Vermont
  • Wisconsin
  • West Virginia
  • Wyoming
  • Canada
Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact the Natural Balance Customer Service team at (800) 829-4493 or email info@naturalbalanceinc.com.  Or visit www.naturalbalanceinc.com.

_______________________________________

12. Wellness:

Product Name Size Best-Before Date
Large Breed Super5Mix Puppy Health 15 lb, 30 lb, 5 oz sample bags JAN 9 2013 – JAN 11 2013

Wellness notes in their press release that they will no longer purchase any product from Diamond Pet Foods.

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, would like replacement product or have additional questions, may call us at (877) 227-9587 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM through 6:00 PM Eastern time and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM through 5:00 PM Eastern time) or visit wellnesspetfood.com.

_______________________________________


Pet Food Recall: Dog, Bird, Mouse, Rat, Hamster, & Poultry

We’ve got a bunch of pet food recalls going on—several due to possible salmonella contamination, two because of dangerously high levels of Vitamin D, and another due to incorrect packaging.

First up we have an expanded recall of Diamond dog foods due to potential Salmonella contamination.  (If you have questions or want replacement product or a refund, contact Diamond Pet Foods at 800-442-0402, 8 am – 6 pm EST, Monday through Friday or check out their site www.diamondpetrecall.com.)

1. Diamond Puppy Food (dry dog food)

 Size  Product Code   Best-By Date   
 40lb  DPP0401B22XJW  6-Apr-2013
 40lb  DPP0401A21XAW  6-Apr-2013
 40lb  DPP0101C31XME  11-Jan-2013
 40lb  DPP0401B21XDJ  7-Apr-2013
 20lb  DPP0401B22XJW  6-Apr-2013
 20lb  DPP0101C31XME  11-Jan-2013
 20lb  DPP0101C31XRB  11-Jan-2013
 8lb  DPP0401B2XALW  7-Apr-2013
 6oz (sample)  DPP0401

 

2. Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice

Size Product Code Best-By Date
 6lb  DLR0101D3XALW  04 Jan 2013
 20lb  DLR0101C31XAG  03 Jan 2013
 40lb  DLR0101C31XMF  03 Jan 2013
 40lb  DLR0101C31XAG  03 Jan 2013
 40lb  DLR0101D32XMS  04 Jan 2013

 

3. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula (dry dog food)

Size Product Code Best-By Day
 35lb  CLF0102B31XCW  27/JAN/2013
 35lb  CLF0102B31XCW  28/JAN/2013
 35lb  CLF0102B32XWR  28/JAN/2013
 6lb  CLF0102B3XALW  28/JAN/2013

 ______________________________________________

Kaytee is recalling 2 types of baby bird food due to dangerously high levels of Vitamin D which can cause kidney failure.  Signs of hypervitamintosis D in birds include:

  • Lethargy
  • Anorexia
  • Crop stasis
  • Vomiting
  • Dehydration
  • Polyuria
  • Polydipsia
  • Stunting or delayed development

For important information on tests and treatment read Kaytee’s hypervitamintosis D information page for you and your veterinarian.  (Call Kaytee at 1-800 Kaytee-1 (800 529-8331) or email kayteehandfeedingbabybirdrecall@central.com for information on a refund.)

1. Kaytee exact Hand Feeding Formula Baby Bird 

Size Product Code Lot/Serial # UPC Code Best-By Date
 6/7.5 oz  100032326  A1  07185947510  21 Mar 2013
20 Apr 2013
 6/18 oz  100032328  A2  07185947511  9 Mar 2013
19 Apr 2013
 4/5 lb  100032330

 A3  07185947512  14 Mar 2013
30 Mar 2013
16 May 2013
 4/5 lb  100034332  A3 (Petco)  07185947512 30 March 2013
 1/22 lb  100032336  A4  07185947518  21 Mar 2013
13 Apr 2013
16 May 2013

 

2. Kaytee exact Hand Feeding Formula Baby Macaw 

Size Product Code Lot/Serial # UPC Code Best-By Date
 4/5 lb  100032337  B1  07185947515  1 Mar 2013
14 Mar 2013
19 Apr 2013

 ______________________________________________

Kaytee is also recalling a mouse, rat, & hamster food due to potential salmonella contamination.  This food was widely distributed around the world—states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin; and, into the countries of Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, Dutch Antilles, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guam, Honduras, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, and Trinidad.   (Call 1-800-Kaytee1 (800 529-8331) phone number or Kaytee.com for questions regarding pets that have been fed the product.  For a refund, fill out this form on the Kaytee site.)

1. Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Mouse, Rat and Hamster

Size Material # UPC Code Best Before Code
 6/5 lb  100502315  71859 00001  03-Apr-2013 K61
 25 lb  100502086  71859 99995  31-Mar-2013
 6/3 lb  100502085  71859 99994  31-Mar-2013 K63
 25 lb  100502275 (Petco only)  71859 00000  30-Mar-2013

______________________________________________

And finally, DuMOR produced for the Tractor Supply Company is recalling a poultry feed due to incorrect packaging.  This one can be confusing if you look at the FDA site, so here it is in a nutshell.  Some packages of DuMOR Poultry Grower/Finisher (which is for chicks) actually contain DuMOR Poultry Layer 16% Crumbles (which is for egg layers).  The adult food can be harmful to chicks.  (For more information contact your Tractor Supply Company location, or Feed Solutions Customer Service at 615-315-4092 or 615-315-4090 (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM CDT).

1. DuMOR Poultry Grower/Finisher

Item # Formula # Lot #
 0046445  60Y9  2MAR15OKC1

News Bites: Diamond Dog Food, Wardley Tropical Flake Fish Food, Chicken Jerky Pt.II

Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice is being recalled due to possible salmonella contamination.  Salmonella is dangerous for people and dogs. The affected product is Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice:

  1. 6lb,  DLR0101D3XALW,  Best Before 04 Jan 2013
  2. 20lb,  DLR0101C31XAG,  Best Before 03 Jan 2013
  3. 40lb,  DLR0101C31XMF,  Best Before 03 Jan 2013
  4. 40lb,  DLR0101C31XAG,  Best Before 03 Jan 2013
  5. 40lb,  DLR0101D32XMS,  Best Before 04 Jan 2013
What you need to know about Salmonella

Salmonella can cause serious illness in cats and dogs and cross-contamination to humans is possible resulting in serious illness.

If you have any product being recalled, stop feeding it to your dog and discard it.  For further information or to obtain a product refund,  call Diamond Foods at 800-442-0402 or visit www.diamondpet.com.

 

Hartz is recalling Wardley Advanced Nutrition Perfect Protein Tropical Flake Fish Food also due to possible salmonella contamination.  The affected products is:

  • 1oz. containers,  UPC Code 0-43324-00591-7
    • lot PP34911
    • lot PP34912
    • lot PP35011
    • lot PP35012
What you need to know about Salmonella

Salmonella can cause serious illness in humans.  I couldn’t find anything on whether fish can get salmonellosis.

If you have product included in the recall, stop feeding it to your fish and discard it.  Consumers can contact Hartz at 1-800-275-1414 (24 hours/day 7 days/week) with any questions they may have and to obtain reimbursement for purchased product.

 

 

FDA inspectors are visiting plants in China the produce chicken jerky looking for links to the over 600 chicken jerky related illnesses & deaths reported to the FDA by pet owners and veterinarians.  A concrete reason for the illnesses & deaths hasn’t so far been discovered, but 3 brands have been implicated according to internal FDA documents.  The FDA has yet to an announce a recall.

Those brands are:

  • Waggin’ Train chicken jerky treats or tenders made by Nestle Purina PetCare
  • Canyon Creek Ranch chicken jerky treats or tenders made by Nestle Purina PetCare
  • Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats made by the Del Monte Corp

3 Brands Of Chicken Jerky Implicated In Canine Illness

  

After the pet food recalls in 2007, I stopped buying any dog treats made in China because it became clear in the months following that the FDA just couldn’t ensure the safety of pet food or treats from China.  (I was fortunate that the pet food I use wasn’t involved in any of the recalls.)  I kept seeing recalls and intermittent reports of illnesses associated with chicken jerky from China.  Now internal documents from the FDA reveal at least three brands may be connected to illnesses reported in dogs.  For complete information on what the FDA is testing for, what you should do if you suspect your dog has been harmed, why there hasn’t been a recall, etc. be sure to read what the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association has to say.  (Update: In light of these latest issues with pet food safety, lawmakers are demanding action from the FDA and a petition has been started by pet owners who believe their pets have been harmed by chicken jerky treats.)

The brands named are:

  • Waggin’ Train chicken jerky treats or tenders made by Nestle Purina PetCare
  • Canyon Creek Ranch chicken jerky treats or tenders made by Nestle Purina PetCare
  • Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats made by the Del Monte Corp

I want to stress that this doesn’t mean other brands of chicken jerky from China are safe.  There are reports of illness from single brands or with no brand listed.  The FDA is urging owners and vets to report illness and samples of suspect chicken jerky.

Lab tests on your pup may show kidney failure, liver disease, or Fanconi-like syndrome.  It’s possible for dogs to recover, but there have been deaths, so if you dog gets sick get her to the vet.  The possible signs of illness that can appear hours or days after consuming chicken jerky are:

  • decreased appetite
  • decreased activity
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea, possibly with blood
  • increased water consumption
  • increased urination

If all of this sounds familiar, it’s because it is.  There have been multiple recalls and warnings about chicken jerky from China.  So read those labels carefully!  It’s not always obvious a product is made in China.