Pet Food Recall - Food Causing Death: Update from Dr. Jon

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Updated: August 20th, 2008

Hi there – It's Dr. Jon here. I wanted to give you another update on the pet food recall. Another recall came to my attention recently – it is for 52 pounds bags of pedigree (see below).

The newest recall is:

The recent statement issued by the California Department of Public Health concerning a voluntary recall of limited bags of 52-pound PEDIGREE(R) Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites is factually incorrect. The CDPH statement, also picked up by numerous Southern California news organizations, incorrectly implies that these bags have been recalled from Costco stores statewide. Mars Petcare US did voluntarily recall a limited number of 52-pound PEDIGREE® Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites bags from limited Costco stores in Northern California and Nevada only.

Costco has notified all of its customers in Northern California and Nevada about this issue directly.

Additionally, one hundred of the 20-pound bags of PEDIGREE® Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites sold in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada Albertsons locations were also recalled.

Recalled Pet Food – Costco Northern California and Nevada.

Product: PEDIGREE® Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites
Size: 52-pound bags
UPC Code: 23100 05110
Lot Code: 831BFCAT02 and 830DFCAT02
Best Buy Date: 07/2009
Best Buy
Date Location: Back of bag

Affected Stores: Northern California and Nevada. In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. A list of safe pet food handling tips can be found at:
www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/petfoodtips080307.html

Corrected information on this voluntary recall can be found online at www.petcare.mars.com.
Consumers can also call : 1-877-568-4463
Additional media inquiries can be directed to Debra Fair at (973) 691- 3536


This is just a reminder for you to check the list frequently. I'd recommend that you review it each time you buy new pet food just to be safe.

As you know several brands have been recalled over the last several months. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, "the most recent pet food recalls have been undertaken proactively, due to association with involved ingredients and suppliers rather than as the result of complaints that animals that have consumed the food and become ill."

Recall History

It appears that the recalled foods came to the attention of Menu Foods as early as February 20th, 2007. The attention came as reports of kidney failures in pets. Subsequent testing of the products lead to a bigger investigation which included feeding it to pets in which as many as 1 in 6 died after consuming products containing wheat gluten.

On March 16th, Menu Foods recalled 60 million containers of dog and cat food packaged under 95 brands. These foods were produced at two of its facilities. Since that time, the recall expanded to include over 130 brands. Most of the food recalls have been for canned and moist foods however, there have been recalled dry foods and dog biscuits recalled as well. The recall represents approximately 2% of pet foods. According to the American Veterinary Medical Associated, 98% of pet foods are unaffected by this recall.

Initially, the Agriculture Commissioner of New York State Patrick Hooker released information that Aminopterin, a form of rat poison, was found in some cat foods. Since then, it is believed that Aminopterin did not contribute to the deaths.