Nestle Purina Recalls 870 Bags of Cat Food Due to Salmonella Concerns

Nestle Purina Monday issued a limited recall of dry cat food due to potential Salmonella contamination. The voluntary recall applies to 870 bags of dry cat food distributed in February 2011 and shipped to Colorado, Idaho and Oregon. It is possible that the affected food was distributed to other western states as well.

The recall statement explains there are no consumer complaints or reports of illness and applies only to the following three products with the specified production codes and AUG 2012 as the "Best By" date:

* 6.3-pound Cat Chow Naturals Dry Cat Food, Production Code: 10331083 13, UPC: 17800 11320
* 3.15-pound Friskies Grillers Blend Dry Cat Food, Production Code: 10381083 06, UPC: 50000 08450
* 16-pound Friskies Grillers Blend Dry Cat Food, Production Code: 10381083 06, UPC: 50000 57578

Handling Recalled Products

Nestle Purina advises customers to discard the recalled cat food and contact the company for additional information or refund details. The company's toll-free hotline, 1-800-982-6559, is available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT.

During similar pet food recalls, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued detailed disposal information to help keep pets and people safe. It emphasized the importance of washing hands after handling the product and securely placing the food in the trash, taking care to secure it so humans, pets and wild animals were unlikely to contact it.

Salmonella Symptoms in Cats

Exposure to Salmonella can affect individual cats differently, but common symptoms include lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea and vomiting. Excessive salivation or drooling is another possible symptom. Infected pets can also act as asymptomatic carriers.

Contact a veterinarian to address specific concerns or if pets exhibit any of these symptoms.

Salmonella Risks for Pet Owners

Infected pets can shed Salmonella in their stools, but contaminated pet food also poses a health risk. In 2007, the CDC found a link between an outbreak of Salmonella and contaminated pet food.

It is important for pet keepers to maintain healthy habits, including washing hands after petting, touching, handling or feeding pets and cleaning waste or litter boxes. It is also important to wash hands before preparing food, dining or feeding babies. The CDC recommends thoroughly washing hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds.

Clean any surfaces, dishes or utensils that came in contact with recalled cat food.

Salmonella Symptoms in Humans

According to the CDC, Salmonella symptoms in people include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The illness can run its course in four to seven days, but there is also the possibility of complications, such as dehydration or the illness entering the blood stream.

Children are most likely to get salmonellosis. Infants, the elderly and those with an immunodeficiency have a higher risk of developing a severe infection. Contact a healthcare provider at the first sign of symptoms.

Sources:
"Nestle Purina Recalls Limited Number of Dry Cat Food Bags," Nestle Purina
"Questions and Answers," CDC
"Salmonella Schwarzengrund Outbreak Investigation," CDC
"What is Salmonellosis?," CDC