Subject: Food and Pet Food Recalls
Date: 7/15/2010; 16:18:08
Message#: 101659-7-15-2010-PHIN
Contact Info: Alan L. Talarsky, NJDHSS/CEHS/Food and Drug Safety Program
Phone: 609-588-3123; Email:
at2@njlincs.netAttachments: None
Please review the following message from Alan Talarsky, Environmental Scientist 1, Food and Drug Safety Program, DHSS regarding the following Class 1 Recalls issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:
1. Diamond USA Inc. is recalling its 1 lb packages with code#01-12-2010 of "Dry Apricot Rolled" because they contain undeclared sulfites. People who have severe sensitivities to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
The recalled Dry Apricot Rolled was distributed in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and California to retail stores. The product comes in a 1 lb sealed package with code #01-12-2010. It is a product of Afghanistan.
The recall was initiated after routine sampling by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of sulfites. The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics. Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites. Analysis of the "Dry Apricot Rolled" revealed it contained 53.24 milligrams per serving.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
Consumers who purchased "Dry Apricot Rolled" are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (718) 938-0345.
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2. Feline’s Pride is expanding its July 1, 2010 voluntary recall of Feline’s Pride Raw food with ground bone for cats and kittens, Natural Chicken Formula, Net Wt. 2.5 lbs. (1.13 kg., 40 oz.) produced on 6/10/10 to include the product produced on 6/21/10, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. People handling raw pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the raw pet food or any surfaces exposed to the product.
When consumed by humans, Salmonella can cause an infection, salmonellosis. The symptoms of salmonellosis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, minimal diarrhea, fever, and headache. Certain vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly susceptible to acquiring salmonellosis from such pet food products and may experience more severe symptoms.
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.
The product is packaged in uncoded plastic containers and sold frozen to private consumers nationwide. Once thawed, the pet food has a shelf life of about 1 week. The firm manufactures the pet food by an as-ordered basis. This expansion of the recall affects those orders placed and shipped from June 21 through June 26, 2010 (produced on 6/21/10).
The firm and FDA are investigating this matter to determine the source of this problem, and will take any additional steps necessary to protect the public health.
To date, both the firm and the FDA have received no reports of Salmonella infection relating to this product.
People who are experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection after having handled the pet food product should seek medical attention, and report their use of the product and illness to the nearest FDA office.
People should thoroughly wash their hands after handling the pet food – especially those made from raw animal protein such as meat or fish -- to help prevent infection. People may risk bacterial infection not only by handling pet foods, but by contact with pets or surfaces exposed to these foods, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap.
Since certain vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, are particularly at risk from exposure they should avoid handling this product.
Consumers with questions should contact the company at (716) 580-3096, Monday-Friday from 10 am - 4 pm EDT.
No action is required of local health departments at this time for either of these recalls. If any requests for assistance are received from FDA, the Food and Drug Safety Program will contact you. For additional information regarding warnings and recalls, please click on the weblink below.
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For all recalls - http://www.recalls.gov/recent.html
This information has been distributed to: DHSS Senior Staff; DHSS Staff; LINCS Coordinator Backups; LINCS Coordinators; LINCS Epidemiologists; LINCS Health Educators; LINCS Health Officer Assistants; LINCS Health Officers; LINCS Health Planners; LINCS IT Specialists; LINCS Partnership Coordinators; LINCS Public Health Nurses; LINCS Regional Health Planners; LINCS Team Members; LOCAL Health Officers; LOCAL Public Health; Animal Health Organizations; Food Safety Organizations
Further distribution of this message should be directed to: Animal Health Professionals; and other partners in your region, as appropriate.
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