A cat prescription diet was recalled. Do you know which one?

Our question this week was:

Do you have any contact information for Hill’s – I heard one of their diets was pulled – one for cats?

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. I do have some information – this was a press release from the FDA released March 30, 2007.

Hills Pet Nutrition, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Single Product, Prescription Diet™

In accordance with its over-riding commitment to pet health and well-being, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food from the market. Hill’s is taking this precautionary action because during a two-month period in early 2007, wheat gluten for this product was provided by a company that also supplied wheat gluten to Menu Foods. U.S. Food and Drug Administration tests of wheat gluten samples from this period show the presence of a small amount of melamine. Prescription Diet m/d Feline Dry represents less than one half of one percent of all Hill’s products.

This is the only product Hill’s currently sells in the United States that contains wheat gluten from any supplier. No other Hill’s Prescription Diet® or Science Diet® products are affected by this voluntary recall. Hill’s Science Diet Savory Cuts Feline canned cat foods, manufactured by Menu Foods, were previously withdrawn from the market as a precaution. Together with this earlier withdrawal, less than 1% of all Hill’s products have been affected.

The voluntary recall of Hill’s Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food involves discontinuation of all retail sales and product retrieval from sellers. This recall does not include Prescription Diet m/d Feline canned food, which contains no wheat gluten.

Consumers should stop using this product and return it for a refund. All Hill’s products carry a 100 percent guarantee, and consumers can receive a refund for recalled product.

Hill’s expects to resume shipment shortly of a reformulated version of this highly beneficial product that will not contain wheat gluten. Please check with your veterinarian for an alternative Prescription Diet until m/d Feline dry is reformulated and made available again.
Following is a list of Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry products included in this recall:

Recalled product U.S. & Canada UPC Size
Prescription Diet™ m/d™ Feline dry food 52742 42770(all lot numbers) 4 lb. bag
Prescription Diet™ m/d™ Feline dry food 52742 42790(all lot numbers) 10 lb. bag

Hill’s has been fully cooperating with the FDA since the outset of its investigation and made the decision to voluntarily recall these products in consultation with the FDA. We deeply regret any concern that this has caused our valued customers.

For more information, consumers can contact the company at 1-800-445-5777 or visit www.HillsPet.com for details.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra

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