Below is a link to FDA notices regarding a recall of diets made by Diamond Foods. Diamond foods, beside making their own diets, makes foods for Natural Balance, Wellness, Canidae, Kirkland (Costco), and Taste of the Wild diets along with many more. Even though California is not listed as being affected, it’s important to stay updated as sometimes based on one plant closure, others can be closed down the line. Please check lot numbers carefully, as purchases made online could be affected and the recall may spread. So far the recall is limited to diets made in a South Carolina plant. I will update this post as more information develops.
The recall is due to Salmonella. Luckily, most dogs tend to handle bacterial infections well; however, dogs can become carriers and this increases human health risk.
As an aside, please note that I subscribe to USDA and FDA websites, and I scour the bulletins looking for recall and safety information. I do this because I love your pets too and want no harm to come to them. I doubt any of you will ever receive notification from the pet store about safety information or recalls. If we sold a product here and it was deemed unsafe or recalled, we would immediately call and e-mail you to let you know about the problem. And make sure you pet stays safe. Just a FYI.
I am also upset by the lack of transparency by pet food manufacturers. After the Menu Foods recall (in 2006) which resulted in multiple deaths and unknown numbers of illnesses, I thought maybe the pet food industry would learn its lesson and decrease the reliance on outsourcing the manufacturing of pet foods. How difficult it is for the consumer when they believe they are paying a premium price for a premium food only to discover a much less expensive brand is made by the same manufacturer, only with a different label. The pet food companies’ party line is that the manufacturer makes them to different specifications/recipes. But it’s a good bet that to save money, diets are similar if not the same and ingredients all come from the same source. While I can’t say for certain, these companies are already outsourcing to save money. And when you outsource, you lose quality control…and risk for complications such as salmonella, or toxins like melamine and aflatoxin (in other historical recalls) increase. Unfortunately, as long as enforcement is lax and fines are small, things will not change. Such is also the case with our own food supply. Okay, off soap box now.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Dr. Horn
Natural Balance:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm303042.htm?source=govdelivery
Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Taste of the Wild, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul, Country Value, Premium Edge, Professional, 4 Health:
Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013), Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013), Kirkland Signature Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013), Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013), Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013), Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula (December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013), Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs (December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm303034.htm
Wellness Complete Health® Super5Mix® Large Breed Puppy, 15 lb. and 30 lb. bags and 5 oz. sample bags with best by dates of JAN 9 2013 through JAN 11 2013
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm303039.htm
Canidae Dog, All Life Stages, Canidae Dog, Chicken Meal & Rice, Canidae Dog, Lamb Meal & Rice, Canidae Dog, Platinum
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm303063.htm
Solid Gold WolfCub and WolfKing
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm303371.htm