(Click on story and then click on "NOTE")

FDA Testing Reveals Chemical in Animals  (tags: dogs cats died Menu Recall petfood )

TinasArk
- news.yahoo.com

 [ send green star]

http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html

 [ send green star]

Warning For Pet Owners: Huge Recall on Dog & Cat Food Animals  (tags: recall, pet food, dog, cat )

TinasArk
  wten.com

 [ send green star]

Hey Gang!   ~ Sadly, I haven't been around lately {on the computer} I miss all of U!   But as I popped in to 'CLICK', I came across this article and thought I should warn U!!

{Looks like kitty food isn't the only salmonella poisoning going around! THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP TINA! }

PLEASE READ!  ........ Christine

By MIKE STOBBE
AP Medical Writer

ATLANTA Feb 14, 2007 (AP)— A salmonella outbreak that has slowly grown to nearly 300 cases in 39 states since August has been linked to tainted peanut butter, federal health officials said Wednesday.

It is believed to be the first salmonella outbreak associated with peanut butter in U.S. history, said officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 20 percent of the 288 infected people have been hospitalized, but none has died, said Dr. Mike Lynch, a CDC epidemiologist.

About 85 percent of the infected people said they ate peanut butter, CDC officials said.

How salmonella got into peanut butter is still under investigation, Lynch said.

The Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to eat certain jars of Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter because of the risk of contamination.

The affected jars have a product code on the lid that begins with the number "2111." The affected jars are made by ConAgra in a single facility in Sylvester, Ga., the FDA said.

Great Value peanut butter made by other manufacturers is not affected, the agency said.

ConAgra said it is recalling all Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter beginning with product code 2111.

"Although none of our extensive product tests have indicated the presence of salmonella, we are taking this precautionary measure because consumer health and safety is out top priority," spokesman Chris Kircher said. "We are working closely with the FDA to better understand its concerns, and we will take whatever additional measures are needed to ensure the safety, quality and wholesomeness of our products."

The largest number of salmonella cases were reported in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri.

Salmonella infection is known each year to sicken about 40,000 people in the United States, according to the CDC. Salmonellosis, as the infection is known, kills about 600 people annually.

Symptoms of salmonella can include diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting.

The new outbreak began in August, but just two or fewer cases have been reported each day, CDC officials said.

It was only in the past few days that investigators were able to hone in on a particular food, Lynch said.

ConAgra is destroying all affected products the company still has, the FDA said.

The company will cease production until the exact cause of contamination can be identified and eliminated. Meanwhile, ConAgra advised consumers to destroy any Peter Pan and Great Value brand peanut butter beginning with product code 2111.

The FDA sent investigators to ConAgra's processing plant in Sylvester where the products were made to review records, collect product samples and conduct tests for salmonella.

 [ send green star]

CAT OWNERS...

WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration Tuesday warned pet owners not to buy Wild Kitty cat food, a frozen raw product, because salmonella has been detected in some batches of it.

Cats could become infected with salmonella if they eat contaminated food. Humans can also become infected by handling the cat food or touching animals that consumed it, the FDA said.

The FDA said it discovered salmonella contamination during a routine analysis of the company’s cat food. The agency urged consumers to stop buying Wild Kitty chicken with clam food and to dispose of any containers they may already have.

Wild Kitty Cat Food is made by a small company in Kennebunkport, Maine and sold at pet stores in more than a dozen U.S. states. It advertises itself as a raw food that does not include any artificial flavorings or preservatives and is sold in frozen, single-serving and 1 pound containers.

Salmonella can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and serious illness in small children, frail or elderly people, and people with chronic diseases.

Wild Kitty also makes cat food in three other flavors.

 [ send green star]