Voluntary Recall Of Mars Petcare US Dry Pet Food Products

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Franklin, TN - On September 12, Mars Petcare US along with the FDA issued a precautionary voluntary recall of their national brands dry pet food products, including their Pedigree® line because of possible contamination with Salmonella serotype Schwarzengrund. Although there have been no reported illnesses directly linked to the pet food or the Everson plant, Mars Petcare put its consumers first to protect both the pets and pet owners.

On July 29, 2008, production was stopped at the Everson, PA plant after they learned that there might be a link between the dry pet food made there and two cases of people who were infected with the Salmonella Schwarzengrund.

The company is continuing to work collaboratively with the FDA to determine the nature and source of Salmonella Schwarzengrund at the Everson facility. Since it has not yet identified the source of the Salmonella Schwarzengrund at the Everson facility, Mars Petcare US does not plan to resume production out of a commitment to the safety of our pet owners and their pets, customers, and associates.

Although the national brands and the PEDIGREE® line is made in several plants across the US, the Everson plant only produced 2.7% of the PEDIGREE® products. Mars Petcare US will be working with the FDA and retail customers to ensure all products are off store shelves. These products should not be sold or fed to pets.

Mars Petcare US National Brands image:43257:1::0

Pets affected by Salmonella will have symptoms of lethargy, diarrhea or bloody stool, fevers and possibly vomiting. Other symptoms might not be as severe but include, fever, not eating as usual, and stomach pain. Pets can be carriers as well with no symptoms and can infect other animals or even humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The UPC information is below:

For products made at the Everson plant look for "17" as the first two digits in the second line.

Sample:
Best By Feb 18 09
17 1445 1

For Pedigree products:

Products will have "PAE" in the last line:

Sample:
PEDIGREE ® Small Crunchy Bites
Best Before 02/2009
808G1PAE01 12:00

A complete list of all products made at the Everson plant can be found here.

Here is a list of pet food handling safety tips.

Anyone who has any of the products listed can return the pet food to the store where it was purchased for a full refund.