News: Mars Petcare Recall Dog Food Over Salmonella

Some bags of Krasdale Gravy dry dog food may be contaminated with salmonella, which could affect both pets and their owners, Mars Petcare U.S., Inc. announced Tuesday. The company is recalling the product and asking pet owners who purchased it to throw it away and bring the bags in for a refund.

The new recall applies to five-pound bags of dog food sold in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania with the UPC code 7513062596 and a "best by" date of July 16, 2008 or July 17, 2008, according to a news release from the company.

Healthy Food For Dogs: Homemade Recipes!!!
Dog Food Secrets!!!

The announcement follows a massive pet food recall in March, when an unknown number of pets were sickened or died after eating products made in China that included the chemical melamine _ a contaminant that's a byproduct of several pesticides.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats. Pets with the infections could be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps and vomiting.

Healthy Food For Dogs: Homemade Recipes!!!
Dog Obedience Training Secrets!!!

Even healthy animals with the infection can pass it to other animals or humans, who could experience the same symptoms. Salmonella is especially dangerous to children, older adults and people with compromised immune systems.

Food and Drug Administration officials detected salmonella in a sample of the product during a recent review, prompting the voluntary recall from the company.

Two spokeswomen for the company did not immediately return phone calls.

A list of previously recalled dog foods by the FDA are:
ALPO
Americas Choice, Preferred Pet
Authority
Award
Best Choice
Big Bet
Big Red
Bloom
Blue Buffalo (RICE GLUTEN)