Natural Balance Eatables For Dogs Recalled Due To Botulism Risk

July 22, 2007July 22, 2007

Natural Balance Eatables For Dogs Recalled Due To Botulism Risk

Four varieties of Natural Balance’s Eatables for Dogs are being recalled by the FDA due to concerns over botulism contamination. The dog food was made by Castleberry’s, a Georgia meat processor, that also made the hot dog chili sauces already recalled. (This latest expanded recall also includes more varieties of human food. You can also find out what brands of human food are affected by checking out the Castleberry’s link) The varieties of dog food are 15oz cans of:

Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew With Beef, Potatoes & Carrots UPC-code 23633 59860

Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Chinese Take Out With Sauce With Vegetables and Chicken UPC-code 23633 59861

Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs HOBO Chili with Chicken & Pasta UPC-code 23633 59863

Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Southern Style Dumplings With Chicken & Vegetables UPC-code 23634 59862

The FDA warns that: Consumers who have any of these products or any foods made with these products should throw them away immediately. If the “best by” date is missing or unreadable consumers should throw the product out.

Symptoms of botulism poisoning can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, calves, etc. Botulism poisoning can also cause paralysis of the breathing muscles which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided.

And the CDC warns if your dog has eaten the recalled food: Watch your pet for signs of botulism for 10 days after it ate the recalled product. If your pet develops signs of botulism, seek veterinary attention immediately. Signs of botulism in pets are similar to those in people. In addition, your pet may have difficulty holding its head up or its tongue may hang out of the mouth. There is no specific treatment for botulism in animals, but supportive medical care may be helpful.

Contact of the botulism toxin with your eyes, face, or hands can also make you ill. Throw the suspect cans away by double bagging them in plastic bags. Do not try to recycle the cans. If you already opened a can or if you need to clean something that touched the recalled food, the CDC has a FAQ on botulism. If you want a refund, it is suggested you remove the label and take only the labels to the store.

There is a very well maintained list of safe (not part of the recall) pet foods at PetSitUSA.com. I strongly encourage you to check it out.

You can find out much more on previous recalls on my Pet Food Recall Archive Page.

June 15, 2007June 15, 2007

Cyanuric Acid in Unrecalled Science Diet Food—Pet Food Recall

Itchmo.com is reporting that EperTox has found cyanuric acid in Hills Science Diet Light Adult Canned Dog Food. The samples tested had the “best before date” of 01 2009 and the lot number T0520917 7048. This is especially disturbing because this food still has not been recalled.

Find out much more about the pet food recall on my Pet Food Recall Archive Page.

June 15, 2007June 15, 2007

Acetaminophen In Two Pet Pride Varieties—Pet Food Recall

The private citizen who had food samples tested has revealed what varieties they were. After his cat, Chuckles, died, Don Earl sent samples to the lab, EperTox, which found acetaminophen in Pet Pride “Turkey & Giblets Dinner” lot number APR 24 09 and Pet Pride “Mixed Grill” lot number SEP07 09—both made by Menu Foods. The other varieties that tested positive have not been revealed due to confidentiality agreements with the lab because the manufacturers themselves sent in the samples.

Strangely, the FDA is throwing doubt on the lab’s findings after testing only a few samples that they admit are not necessarily the same samples EperTox tested. Maybe it’s not so strange, but way to go FDA. You once again appear to be a shining beacon of leadership and competence. Not.

Less surprising, is Menu Foods and the Pet Food Institute casting doubt on EperTox’s findings and on the lab itself.

Find out more about the signs of feline and canine acetaminophen toxicity. And find out much more about the pet food recall on my Pet Food Recall Archive Page.

June 6, 2007

Pet Food Recall: Salmonella

Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Dog Food is being recalled due to the presence of salmonella bacteria. The recall involves 55 lbs. bags with the code 04 0735 1 and a “best by” date of April 13, 2008. The affected lot was distributed to Wal-Mart stores in Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Doane Pet Care, the makers of Ol’ Roy dog food, have more information, including which individual stores received the food.

This recall is not related to the huge pet food recall due to melamine related contaminants.

You can find out much more about that recall on my Pet Food Recall Archive Page.

June 6, 2007June 15, 2007

Pet Food Recall: New Contaminant, Acetaminophen

acetaminophen molecule

EperTox, a medical testing lab in Texas, has found acetaminophen in numerous samples of pet food. (Acetaminophen is the generic name for Tylenol.) Due to a confidentiality agreement the lab cannot release the names of the foods affected. However, at least one sample was a variety Pet Pride brand cat food. The test results were reported to the pet food makers who should then have reported the findings to the FDA. But as of June 5th, the FDA still has not investigated EperTox’s findings.

Cats are very sensitive to acetaminophen. Dogs are less at risk, but are still sensitive to acetaminophen. Find out more about the signs of feline and canine acetaminophen toxicity. And find out much more about the pet food recall on my Pet Food Recall Archive Page.