Sigh, Yet Another Recall

[kat2220]

Recall -- FDA Press Release


This listserv covers mainly Class I (life-threatening) recalls. A complete listing of recalls can be found in the FDA Enforcement Report at: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html



FDA News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2007
Media Inquiries:
Michael Herndon, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA




Mars Petcare US, Inc. Recalls Dry Dog Food
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers that Mars Petcare US, Inc. has recalled two dry dog food products because of the potential contamination with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.

The Mars Petcare US, based in Franklin, Tenn. is voluntarily recalling five-pound bags of Krasdale Gravy dry dog food sold in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, and 50-pound bags of Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula dry food sold in Pennsylvania.

The FDA conducted tests on 10 samples, representing seven product brands from the company. Each sample (same size and brand of product) consisted of 15 subsamples, for a total of 150 subsamples. Tests of the 150 subsamples revealed two positive samples; one from the Krasdale Gravy dry food and another from Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula dry food.

Salmonella can potentially be transferred to people handling pet food, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to the product. To date, there have been 64 cases of illness in humans related to Salmonella Schwarzengrund reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); however, none of the reported cases have been directly linked to the recalled product that was tested. The FDA is working with local and state officials, and with officials at the CDC in the investigation.

Here is identification information on the recalled products:

Product: Krasdale Gravy dry dog food
Size: Five-pound bag
UPC Code: 7513062596
Best By Date: July 16, 2008 & July 17, 2008
Best By Date Location: Back of bag
Distribution: Stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

Product: Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula dry dog food
Size: 50-pound bag
UPC Code: 4286900062
Best By Date: July 12, 2008
Best By Date Location: Back of bag
Distribution: Stores in Reedsland and Richlandtown, Pa.

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.

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.

Consumers with questions about the recalled product should call Mars Petcare US, Inc. at 866-298-8332.

For more information:
Safe Handling Tips for Pet Foods and Treats

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FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts Page: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html

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[kat2220]

FDA Press Release


This listserv covers mainly Class I (life-threatening) recalls. A complete listing of recalls can be found in the FDA Enforcement Report at: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/Enforce.html



This release was updated on August 27, 2007 to include additional areas of distribution.

FDA News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2007
Media Inquiries:
Michael Herndon, 301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA




FDA Expands Warning on Eating Raw Oysters from
Hood Canal in Washington State
Additional Growing Area Linked to Illness Outbreaks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat raw oysters harvested from an additional part (growing area 5) of the southern tip of Hood Canal in Washington state due to a foodborne illness outbreak caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria. This follows an earlier outbreak and August 10 warning about oysters harvested from growing area 6 of Hood Canal.

Symptoms of the illness, vibriosis, include watery diarrhea, often with abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. Usually these symptoms occur within 24 hours of ingestion and last no more than three days. Severe disease is rare and occurs most commonly in people with weakened immune systems. Those who believe they have experienced these symptoms after consuming raw oysters should consult their health care provider and contact their local health department.

Raw oysters harvested from growing area 5 in Hood Canal from July 31 through August 20, 2007 have caused at least six people to become ill in Washington state. To date, records indicate that raw oysters from the area were distributed to Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington state, British Columbia (Canada). Bali (Indonesia), Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand.

The Washington State Department of Health has closed the growing area associated with the illness and has asked commercial oyster harvesters and dealers who obtained oysters from this area to recall them.

Consumers who have recently purchased oysters should check with the place of purchase and ask if they were harvested from the affected growing areas. The recall involves both shucked oysters and oyster in the shell (shell stock oysters).

Those with weakened immune systems, including people affected by HIV/AIDS, chronic alcohol abuse, liver, stomach, or blood disorders, cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease, should avoid eating raw oysters, regardless of where they are harvested.

FDA advises that consumers can continue to enjoy oysters in many cooked preparations by doing the following:

At Restaurants and other Foodservice Establishments:

Order oysters fully cooked.
In the Shell:

Purchase oysters with the shells closed
Throw away any oysters with shells already opened.
Never allow raw seafood to come into contact with cooked food.
Boil or steam the oysters:
Boil oysters until the shells open. Once shells open, boil for an additional three to five minutes.
To steam—add oysters to water that is already steaming and cook live oysters until the shells open, once open steam for another four to nine minutes.
Use smaller pots to boil or steam oysters. Using larger pots, or cooking too many oysters at one time,
Discard any oysters that do not open during cooking.
Shucked Oysters:

Never allow raw seafood to come into contact with cooked food.
Cook the oysters in one of the following ways:
Boil or simmer shucked oysters for at least three minutes or until the edges curl. \
Fry at 375° F for at least three minutes.
Broil three inches from heat for three minutes.
Bake at 450° F for 10 minutes.
For more information:
Hood canal oyster area closed — second closure due to illness outbreak
www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2007_news/07-143.htm


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FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts Page: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html

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