WILDLIFE FOODS
CONTAINING CONTAMINATED PEANUTS NOW BEING RECALLED
RISK TO HUMANS AND PETS INCREASED
My
Dear Friends, Originally
identified as "only" being in foods made for human
consumption, the potential Salmonella contamination of peanut butter paste was
soon extended to include a number of pet food products. The original plant
identified as the source of the contamined peanut paste was the Blakely,
Georgia faciity of Peanut Corporation of America. Many companies that
received peanut butter or peanut paste from PCA issued recalls. Peanut Butter
in its various forms is used in a very wide range of foods because it adds to
foods a fatty taste desirable to both Pets and People. Now,
dead birds found in various locations throughout North Carolina and autopsied
by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, have shown
the presence of salmonellosis. The recall has now extended to
selected Wild Bird Wildlife Foods. Kentucky
-based Burkmann Feeds announced today that it is voluntarily recalling Wild Birds
Unlimited Wildlife Blend bird food after tests conducted by the N.C. Department
of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Food and Drug Protection Division revealed
the presence of Salmonella bacteria. Burkmann is recalling 20-pound packages of
Wild Birds Unlimited Wildlife Blend bird food with the specific manufacturing
date code of 81132200 2916 08124, sold exclusively at Wild Birds Unlimited Stores.
As of this emailing, there is no reported association between
the source of the newly discovered contaminated peanuts to the original source,
the Blakely, Georgia, facility of Peanut Corporation of America. This raises the
possibility that there is yet another source of contamination.
I've personally witnessed how
other countries that supply peanuts for export handle their peanuts, so I
find myself wondering if there is a connection to peanut supplies from outside
the U.S.? Just wondering. "Food safety
is a number one priority for this department, for both humans and animals,"said
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. "We are pleased that the testing
has enabled us to remove contaminated feed from the market."
Salmonella does
not only affect those eating it, there is risk from handling contaminated
bird seed or pet food or other food products. People handling contaminated
wild bird food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not
thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces
exposed to these products. Symptoms include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody
diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more
serious aliments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle
pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs
after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers. Wild
Birds Unlimited Inc. and Burkmann Feeds are cooperating to remove all affected
product from Wild Birds Unlimited franchisees. NCDA&CS is advising consumers to
discard the product, avoid touching unsealed product with bare hands and wash
their hands thoroughly after touching unsealed product. Wild
Birds Unlimited is the first wild bird food supplier that I know of, to recognize
and act on this recall.
The important links
for current information are: The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Announcement with the Wild Bird food recall information Peanut
Butter Recall Product Index A link to a searchable list
of all products being recalled Peanut
Butter Pet Food Recalls A link to the Pet
Food products being recalled
A link to the list of the biscuits
and other products, most from the Grreat Choice Line, recalled by PetSmart. The
FDA assures it will update its list of recalled products as more information
becomes available. Prevent
Food Borne Illnesses A link
to information outlining steps you can take to help prevent foodborne illnesses,
such as Salmonella. Steps include hand washing with hot water and soap before
and after handling pet food treats, washing pet food bowls and utensils after
each use, and more. It occurs here to humbly suggest that PCA's Blakely facility
read this, too. Additional
Information on this Salmonella Outbreak The FDA
says it has not yet received any reports of illnesses associated with the pet
food products. This link gives more information about the outbreak.
About Salmonella in
People Salmonella is an organism
which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail
or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected
with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea,
vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella
can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe
illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis
and arthritis. About
Salmonella in Pets 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. Well animals
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. Please
pass this information along to as many animal and wildlife lovers as possible. To
Our Animals Health, |
