KROGER RECALLS PET FOODS DUE TO POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK

Kroger Cat Food and Dog Food Recalls 2010

CINCINNATI, Ohio, December 18, 2010 – The Kroger Co. said today it is recalling select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, which poses a health risk to pets.

Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The recall also includes Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana.

Stores the company operates under the following names are not included in this recall: Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., and Food 4 Less stores in California and Nevada.

Kroger is recalling the following items:

Aflatoxin is a naturally-occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. If your pet shows any symptoms of illness, including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea, please consult your veterinarian immediately.

The safety of our customers and their pets is important to Kroger. The company is using its Customer Recall Notification system to alert customers who may have purchased these recalled products through register receipt tape messages and automated phone calls. Customers who have purchased a recalled item should not use it and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement.

Customers who have questions about this recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900. For more information, please visit www.kroger.com/recalls.

Pet Food Recall Questions & Answers

Q. How will I know if my pet food is included in the recall?

Please check your packages at home for the specific brand names, package sizes, sell-by dates and UPC codes listed above. All of the pet foods included in the recall have package sell-by dates of Oct 23 11 DP and Oct 24 11 DP.
Stores included in this recall: Kroger stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia; Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana.
Stores Kroger operates that are not included in this recall: Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., and Food 4 Less stores in California and Nevada.

Q. Will Kroger contact me if I purchased items included in this recall?

Kroger is using its Customer Recall Notification system to alert customers who may have purchased these recalled products using their shopper’s card with register receipt messages and automated phone calls. Out of an abundance of caution, we
are notifying all customers who purchased the recalled products using their shopper’s card between October 23 and December 18. Please also check the item descriptions listed above to see if your pet food at home is included in the recall.
If you purchased an item that may have been recalled and did not use a shopper’s card, you will not receive these alerts. Please check your packages for the specific items and sell-by dates listed above.

Q. Why is this pet food being recalled?

The product is being recalled because it may contain aflatoxin, which poses a health risk to pets.

Q. What is aflatoxin?

Aflatoxin is a naturally-occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. It may be present in some cereal grain crops, including corn, especially if exposed to high humidity or drought. Aflatoxin can affect people and animals, particularly dogs, by causing illness and liver damage.

Q. What symptoms would my pet have?

Symptoms of aflatoxin exposure include lethargy, sluggishness, anorexia, vomiting, bloody diarrhea and yellowing of the eyes. If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms, please consult your veterinarian.

Q. If I have the recalled pet food, what should I do?

Customers who purchased a recalled item should not use it and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement. If you prefer, please discard the pet food and call 1-800-632-6900 for more information.