Medically Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on September 15, 2008 From the WebMD Archives
Sept. 15, 2008 — Mars Petcare is recalling pet food products manufacturedat its Everson, Pa., facility because of a potential salmonella contamination. In addition to beingdangerous for pets, the pet food could sicken people who handle the food.
Children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems areparticularly vulnerable. If you think you may have been exposed, look forsymptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, andfever.
On rare occasions, salmonella can result in more serious ailments, includingarterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, musclepain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. The FDA urges people withthese symptoms who have come into contact with the pet products to contacta health care provider.
Some animals may have similar symptoms, but others may have minimal or nosymptoms. Whether or not they have signs, they could infect other animals andhumans.
Many pet food brands are produced at the plant, including several varietiesof Pedigree and a number of flavors of Special Kitty Gourmet. A complete listof brands is posted on the FDA website.
Mars Petcare stopped production at the Everson facility July 29 afterlearning of a possible link between dry pet food produced at the plant and twoisolated cases of people infected with salmonella. The company is nowimplementing a voluntary recall of all products produced at the facilitybetween Feb. 18 and July 29; only the U.S. is affected.
