PA Pet Food Company Announces Recall Due to Salmonella

September 2008

Mars Petcare US, located in Everson, Pennsylvania, has announced a recall of dry pet food manufactured at its facility. The food is being recalled because of potential Salmonella contamination.

The pet food may be contaminated with a strain of Salmonella called Schwarzengrund, and affected products were manufactured from February 18, 2008 through July 29, 2008. Brands included in the recall include Pedigree, Ol' Roy, Paws & Claws, and Wegman's. Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic, have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, decreased appetite, or abdominal pain. Pets can also be carriers with no symptoms and infect other animals or humans.

If there is cross-contamination caused by handling of the pet food, Salmonella can cause serious infections in humans, especially in the young and the elderly. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Mars Petcare is continuing to work with the Food and Drug Administration to determine the source of the contamination.