Pet Food Recall: Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care

August 31, 2010September 1, 2010

Pet Food Recall: Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care

Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care in 6.8 lbs. bags is being recalled due to possible salmonella contamination. The recall, so far, is for a small number of bags sold in Colorado (Update: now involves more states–Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) with the code date of 02304173 (B1-B6) and a UPC number of 1901403921.

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.

Here is good information on the symptoms & treatment of salmonellosis in dogs & cats.
The FDA has information on safe pet food handling to prevent food born illnesses like salmonella.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has a very informative page on salmonellosis in humans.

August 2, 2010

Pet Food Recall: Iams & Eukanuba

The recall of Iams Veterinary Prescription Renal Diet Cat Food has been expanded by Procter & Gamble to include many other varieties made in the same manufacturing plant due to possible salmonella contamination. The recall now includes

Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas–All dry sizes & varieties, Best by: 01Jul10-01Dec11, All UPC Codes
Eukanuba Naturally Wild—All dry sizes & varieties, Best by: 01Jul10-01Dec11, All UPC Codes
Eukanuba Pure—All dry sizes & varieties, Best by: 01Jul10-01Dec11, All UPC Codes
Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin—All dry sizes & varieties, Best by: 01Jul10-01Dec11, All UPC Codes

There are over 60 varieties being recalled so be sure to check the lengthy list.

Interestingly Proctor & Gamble and the FDA have conflicting explanations as to why this news was made public yet again on a Friday where it gets less coverage over the weekend—dump & run. Therese at PetSitUSA recieved email from Bev VanZant from P&G stating the FDA dictated the timing of the news release. However, FDA representatives at the American Veterinary Medical Convention told Gina Spadafori from PetConnection:

the FDA has no power to force a mandatory recall, and only after companies refuse to put out information on these so-called “voluntary” recalls — which are often the result of FDA arm-twisting — will the FDA put out information in advance of a company’s own efforts to share — or not share — the information.

Maybe someday all companies will put safety before profits. Maybe?

What you need to know about Salmonella

Salmonella can cause serious illness in cats and dogs and there can be cross-contamination to humans causing serious illness in humans.

Here is good information on the symptoms & treatment of salmonellosis in dogs & cats.
The FDA has information on safe pet food handling to prevent food born illnesses like salmonella.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has a very informative page on salmonellosis in humans.

July 28, 2010July 30, 2010

Pet Food Recall: Iams Renal Diet Cat Food & Mice Direct Frozen Reptile Food

Iams is recalling their Veterinary Prescription Renal Diet Cat food due to salmonella contamination. FDA testing came up positive for salmonella in two lots. For information or a product refund call P&G toll-free at 877-894-4458 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST). These are the effected lots (lot codes are on the lower right corner on the back of the bag):

Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal 5.5lbs, Lot Code 01384174B4, UPC Code 0 19014 21405 1
Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal 5.5lbs, Lot Code 01384174B2, UPC Code 0 19014 21405 1

Mice Direct is recalling frozen mice, rats, and chicken due to possible salmonella contamination. According to the FDA, Human illnesses that may be related to the frozen reptile feed have been reported in 17 states. The recalled product should not be fed to animals, even after heating in a microwave oven, since the heating may not be adequate to kill Salmonella. The recall is based upon sampling by the FDA of frozen mice. The company continues their investigation.

The frozen reptile feed was distributed in all states, except Hawaii, through pet stores and by mail order and direct delivery.

Frozen reptile feed was shipped in plastic bags with the following product codes:

M-SP100, M-P100, M-PF100, M-F100, M-H100, M-W50, M-A50, M-JA25
R-P100, R-F50, R-PUP50, R-W50, R-S50, R-M20, R-L10,R-J5, R-C5, R-M3 followed by E9, F9, G9, H9, I9, J9, K9, L9 or A10, B10, C10, D10, E10, F10, G10
whole frozen chicks in 25 count bags.

What you need to know about Salmonella

Salmonella can cause serious illness in cats and dogs and there can be cross-contamination to humans causing serious illness in humans.

Here is good information on the symptoms & treatment of salmonellosis in dogs & cats.
The FDA has information on safe pet food handling to prevent food born illnesses like salmonella.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has a very informative page on salmonellosis in humans.

June 12, 2010

Pet Food Recall: Iams ProActive Health

The FDA has announced a recall of canned Iams ProActive Health food for cats and kittens due to insufficient levels of thiamine (B1). The recall is only for North America and includes:

all varieties of ProActive Health canned food in 3 oz & 5.5 oz cans with dated 09/2011 to 06/2012 on the bottom of the can

Cats who only eat ProActive Health food are the ones at risk for thiamine deficiency.

Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include loss of appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, signs may include ventroflexion (downward curving) of the neck, wobbly gait, falling, circling and seizures. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat is displaying any of these signs. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is typically reversible.

The FDA says to discard any cans included in the recall and contact Proctor & Gamble for information and refunds. Call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8826 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST).