avoid corn in dry dog food

According to an informative article in healthy pets.com, Reuters reports high levels of aflatoxins have been discovered in bags of dog food on store shelves in Iowa. Aflatoxins cause acute lethal illness and cancer in animals and humans, and are among the most carcinogenic substances on earth. Aflatoxins poison the liver, and their carcinogenic properties can lead to tumor formation.

Before buying dog food especially dry dog food, avoid products containing corn in any form, including corn gluten meal, whole grain corn, corn flour, etc. Corn is not only highly susceptible to aflatoxin contamination, but also allergenic and difficult for most pets to digest. Yet corn or some form of corn is in many brands of dog food because it’s a relatively cheap ingredient and filler.

A dog food recall is happening in six Midwest states. For now, it’s only a matter of time before the recall expands to other regions. Buyers beware.

To read the entire article, click here.

Dog Treat Recall

In a nutshell: Priority Total Pet Care All Natural Bullstrips recalled in about 15 states, possible salmonella. Arizona included.

from the press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -November 20, 2012 – Carolina Prime Pet Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of dog treats, is voluntarily recalling the following product:

Priority Total Pet Care All Natural Bullstrips in a 5-count package
UPC: 0-21130-42080-3
Lot Code: 20082712 S 3195 and Lot Code: 20090312 S3195

The UPC can be located on the back label of each package. The lot Code is located on a sticker on the back of each bag of the 5 count product.

This lot of product has yielded a positive test for Salmonella when tested by the Colorado Dept. of Agriculture. Carolina Prime Pet is not aware of any reported cases of illness related to this product.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, 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 healthcare 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. Infected but otherwise healthy pets 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.

Priority Total Pet Care All Natural Bullstrips are sold in Safeway stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington DC and Wyoming as well as Vons, Pavilions and Pak ‘N Save stores in California; Randalls and Tom Thumb stores in Texas; Genuardi’s stores in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and Dominick’s stores in Illinois. This product was distributed from about the first of September until now.

Customers who purchased the recalled dog treats should discontinue use immediately, and return items to the purchase location for replacement, refund, or discard.

No other products are included in this recall.

For further information, please call Carolina Prime Pet Inc. at 1-888-370-2360. (Mon-Fri. 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST)

dog treats recall

On September 16, 2012 Kasel recalled Beef Bully Sticks from Target and on October 2, 2012, recalled Nature’s Deli Chicken Jerky Dog Treats in a dozen states (not Arizona).

from the press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 17, 2012 – Kasel Associated Industries of Denver, CO is voluntarily recalling its BOOTS & BARKLEY ROASTED AMERICAN PIG EARS AND BOOTS & BARKLEY AMERICAN VARIETY PACK DOG TREATS product because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can sicken animals that eat these products and humans are at risk for salmonella poisoning from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the pet products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these symptoms after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare 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. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has any of these signs, please contact your veterinarian.

The recalled Roasted Pig Ears and Variety Pack Dog Treats were distributed nationwide through Target retail stores in August 2012.

The Roasted Pig Ears product comes in a clear plastic bag containing 12 pig ears marked with UPC bar code 647263899158. The Variety Pack product also comes in a clear plastic bag weighing 32oz and marked with UPC bar code 490830400086.

Kasel Industries is recalling lot number BESTBY 13SEP2014DEN for both products because this lot code tested positive for the Salmonella bacteria through analysis by the Colorado Department Of Agriculture.

No illnesses have been reported to date in animals or humans in connection with this product.

The recall was the result of a routine sampling by the Colorado Department Of Agriculture that revealed finished products contained the Salmonella bacteria. The company has ceased distribution of any lots that have possible contamination of the bacteria. No other products made by Kasel Associated Industries are included in the recall of the 12 count packages of Roasted Pig Ears and the 32oz Variety Pack Dog Treats.

Consumers who have purchased the 12 count packages of Roasted Pig Ears and the 32oz Variety Pack Dog Treats are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Kasel Associated Industries at (800) 218-4417 Monday thru Friday from 7am to 5pm MDT.

dog biscuit recall

from the press release

Nature’s Recipe Voluntarily Recalls Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits With Real Chicken Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 13, 2012 – Nature’s Recipe brand is voluntarily recalling a limited supply of Nature’s Recipe® Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken, manufactured in one of its U.S. production facilities. This is being done as a precautionary measure, as the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some, or all, of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, 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 healthcare 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. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets 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.

No pet or consumer illnesses from this product have been reported to date. However, because of its commitment to safety and quality, the Company is conducting a voluntary recall of this product.

The potentially affected lots of Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken were distributed nationally, primarily through pet specialty retailers.

Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken is sold in 19-ounce stand-up resealable pouches. The product affected by this recall is identified here.

Product and product lots that do not appear on the list above are not subject to this recall.

Consumers who have purchased the above lots of Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken should stop feeding the product and discard immediately.  For further information about the recall and for instructions on obtaining replacement product, consumers can use the Contact Us form at www.naturesrecipe.com or call the Consumer Hotline, 24 hours a day, at 800-237-3856.

Blogger’s comment: It’s funny (not) that they have to identify “real chicken.” Makes me wonder what kind of chicken is in dog food that is not identified. Rubber chicken? Plastic chicken? Fake chicken?