FDA Expands Peanut Butter Recall to Include Pet Food Products

January 22, 2009

Many companies that received peanut butter or peanut paste from PCA have in turn issued recalls. A searchable list of all products being recalled is available on the FDA web site. The list includes a separate category of pet food product recalls. As the investigation continues and new information becomes available, FDA will update its list of recalled products. (PetWork note: At the moment, the pet food recall is limited to the Grreat Choice brand products cited in yesterday's recall notice from PetSmart.)

In addition, FDA is reminding consumers of steps they can take to help prevent foodborne illness, including Salmonella-related illness, when handling pet foods and treats. These include hand washing with hot water and soap before and after handling pet foods and treats and washing pet food bowls and utensils after each use. Visit the FDA web site for more steps to prevent foodborne illness from pet food products.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Well animals can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The FDA has not received any reports of illness associated with the pet food products.

Additional information related to this Salmonella outbreak.