Due to a potential salmonella contamination at the Mars Petcare plant in Everson, a voluntary recall has been announced and the facility has been shut down until the source of the contamination has been found.
On Sept. 12, Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of products manufactured at its Everson facility. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with salmonella Schwarzengrund. The voluntary recall only affects the United States.
Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross-contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well, especially children, the aged and those with compromised immune systems. Healthy people potentially infected with salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of these symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. On rare occasions, salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their health care providers.
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. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and potentially can infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.
The company stopped production at the facility on July 29 when it was alerted of a possible link between dry pet food produced at the plant and two isolated cases of people infected with salmonella Schwarzengrund.
Even though no direct link between the product produced at Everson and human or pet illness has been made, Mars Petcare US is taking precautionary action to protect pets and their owners by announcing a voluntary recall of all products produced at the Everson facility beginning Feb. 18 until July 29 when it stopped production.
The company is continuing to work collaboratively with the Food and Drug Administration to determine the nature and source of salmonella Schwarzengrund. Since it has not yet identified the source, Mars Petcare US does not plan to resume production out of a commitment to the safety of pet owners and their pets, customers and associates, the company said.
The top priority of Mars Petcare US has always been and continues to be the health and welfare of pets and their owners. Consumers can continue to have confidence in the quality and safety of the products produced at other Mars Petcare US facilities, the company reported. Only those products produced at the Everson facility are impacted by the voluntary recall.
Mars Petcare US will work with retail customers to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or fed to pets. In the event that consumers believe they have purchased products affected by this voluntary recall, they should return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Specific product details and other information can be found at www.petcare.mars.com.
In an effort to prevent the transmission of salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. A list of safe pet food handling tips can be found at: www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/petfoodtips080307.html
A representative on behalf of Mars Petcare US had no comment on whether the Everson plant will open if the salmonella source is found.
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