New pet food recall.

[TNDemo]

Mars, in a news release, did not say how much pet food is involved but said the recall reaches 31 states and various brands.

The brand names include some items under the names Country Acres, Retriever, Doggy Bag, Members Mark, Natural, Ol' Roy, Special Kitty, Paws & Claws, Pedigree, Wegman's, Pet Pride, PMI Nutrition and Red Flannel.

The company said consumers should look for "17" as the first two digits of the second line on the UPC for products affected.

For Pedigree products, they should look for "PAE" on the bottom line. They can also call 1-877-568-4463 or consult www.petcare.mars.com.

[SammyWinstonJack]

1. Thank you. My dogs eat Natural Balance sweet potato formula.

*whew*

[votetastic]

2. This reminds me of that quote about the Republican party

"The Republican brand is in the trash can. I've often observed that if we were a dog food, they would take us off the shelf."
- Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.)

[blue sky at night]

3. Perhaps this will help also...

more of the website information.


Mars Petcare US will work with retail customers to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or fed to pets. In the event that consumers believe they have purchased products affected by this voluntary recall, they should return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Specific product details and other information can be found at www.petcare.mars.com

Please find recalled pet food UPC information below.
The products listed below are made at our Everson facility on behalf of a variety of retailers. All code dates, with the exception of PEDIGREE®, are listed in a similar format as noted below:
Consumers should look for “17” as the first two digits of the second line. Sample:
Best By Feb 18 09
17 1445 1

For PEDIGREE® the Everson code date format is as follows:
Consumers should look for “PAE” on the bottom line – the sixth, seventh and eighth digits. Sample:
PEDIGREE ® Small Crunchy Bites
Best Before 02/2009
808G1PAE01 12:00

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

Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com.

[rosesaylavee]

20. Damn! We have that and my dog has been throwing up

the past two days. Couldn't figure it out - until now.

Thank you so much for posting that. Will call Pedigree/Mars right now.

Edit to add: Just called them. The food we have is not on the recall list - gave them the numbers just in case and asked them to call me if they add them to the list. Knowing how the last recall grew and grew, didn't want to take any chances. I am setting this stuff aside today and will go get some other brand until this is resolved.

[CitizenLeft]

32. I hope your babies are okay.

I've got three, and it freaks me out every time there's a recall.

[ejpoeta]

31. i just checked my bag and don't have the 17 number.

wondering if i should go buy a different food and throw it out anyway. have had this bag for a week or so and the cats have shown no signs of illness. i am getting SOOOO tired of this with the problems with pet food.

[SoCalDem]

35. Here's the thing.. we don't save the damned bags

we use cleaned out litter containers with the snap lids, because they fit perfectly on the lowest shelf of our pantry cupboard, so we never HAVE the damned bags when they port these recalls.. Two of our cats are pukers, but the others are fine, so I guess they're ok and our food is not one of the suspect ones...

[ejpoeta]

37. normally i don't have the bags. i have a container.

but since my husband was setting up a computer, and had put it on the cat food box, i just kept the bag next to it. but i see where you are going. it's maddening, really. i keep thinking if this were people food, something would be done! i love my cats. the thought that their health is not deemed as important angers me.

[ColbertWatcher]

43. Any info on WHY the food is being recalled? n/t

[beac]

55. Potential Salmonella Contamination

http://www.petcare.mars.com/

[meow mix]

4. i like EVO its a good quality, grain-free food.

and the kids really love it. http://www.evopet.com/

[jane_pippin]

51. That's what I feed our dog. And it's not ridiculously expensive either. n/t

[Rhiannon12866]

5. Thanks! K&R. Here are links to news stories on what's being recalled...

Mars Petcare,US: recall of some dry pet foods
13 hours ago

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) — Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall Friday of all dry pet food products produced at its plant in Everson, Pa. between Feb. 18 and July 29, citing potential contamination with salmonella.

Mars, in a news release, did not say how much pet food is involved, but said the recall reaches 31 states and various brands and said the action was taken as a precaution.

<snip>

The company said consumers should look for "17" as the first two digits of the second line on the UPC for products affected. For Pedigree products, they should look for "PAE" on the bottom line. They can also call 1-877-568-4463 or consult http://www.petcare.mars.com.

The brand names include some items under the names Country Acres, Retriever, Doggy Bag, Members Mark, Natural, Ol' Roy, Special Kitty, Paws & Claws, Pedigree, Wegman's, Pet Pride, PMI Nutrition and Red Flannel.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jpUUps5pPCZaG4qaHExtyOKkr1SQD935H3H02



Published: September 12, 2008 11:49 pm
RECALL: Tops pulls varieties of dog food in manufacturer's recall

Staff Reports
Greater Niagara Newspapers

As part of a manufacturer’s recall, Tops Markets has removed from its shelves several varieties of Pedigree dog food.

Mars Petcare U.S. is recalling the dog food because of a potential contamination with salmonella. The recalled products include: Pedigree large breed original, size 20 pounds and UPC code 2310029158; Pedigree mealtime crunchy bites small, size 4.4 pounds and UPC code 2310005104; Pedigree small crunchy bites beef, size 32 pounds and UPC code 2310031483; and Pedigree small crunchy bites, size 20 pounds and UPC code 2310014719.

http://www.grandislandrecord.com/local/gnnlocalnews_story_256234950.html?keyword=topstory

[whistle]

6. Mars makes candy for kids

[jmowreader]

38. Your point is?

The Mars plant that makes candy isn't the one that makes cat food.

[whistle]

46. I suppose but the formulas for both come from the same corporate labs

[TNDemo]

7. I give mine Paul Newman brand.

I hope there are no horror stories about it.

[AllieB]

8. My boys eat Evo and Wellness (grain-free).

They love it. I also supplement with table scraps.

[Lorien]

11. Great choices!

:thumbsup:

[MzNov]

9. Wellness and Natural Balance cat and dog food

absolutely the best you can buy. I've done hours of research and testing with my own cats. These two brands, and there are others (Paul Newman), have the first ingredient of real meat.

I've seen a noticeable difference with a male cat who had urinary crystals, and an amazing improvement to my little one's coat. It's now softer and shinier. A friend took my advice and research and her female cat's long time diarrhea is gone. I don't work for either company and am not marketing either, but after years of trials I think I've hit the jackpot.

I've had animals my entire life and have tried just about every kind of food there is. If we are going to be constantly worried about the absolutely garbage that is today's commercial pet food, I think we as informed pet owners should give them the best, and be sure that the food is made right here in the U.S. I am appalled that after all of the past recalls, there really hasn't been any serious investigations or regulations of imported pet food. Or, people food for that matter, but I digress.

Here's to pet food companies who care! :toast: :bounce:

[Lorien]

10. There are many great human grade pet foods on the market these days:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=243&topic_id=4388&mesg_id=4388

but none of them are in the grocery stores. Wellness is good, Solid Gold, Pinnacle, Newman's own, Prairie Nature's variety, Merrick, Call of the wild, organix, honest kitchen, California Natural, Origen, Innova Evo, and Ziwipeak are among many USDA human grade pet foods that are miles apart from the toxic sludge that is dumped into feed grade foods like Friskies, Purina, and Fancy Feast. As you can see by the above link I, too, have spent many hours researching safe and healthy pet foods. Feeding grain free human grade foods makes a HUGE difference in a pet's health. It can mean the difference between a pet that lives 12 years but requires thousands in vet bills, or a pet that lives 22 years with only yearly checkups. The investment is well worth it!

My only reservation with Natural Balance is the manufacturing source, which is the same as most grocery store brands (it was one of the only USDA foods with a recall last year).

[flvegan]

13. Oddly enough, I've started to see Newman's Own in the grocery.

Saw it for the first time at a Sweetbay around a month ago. I'm hoping that becomes a trend as more folks refuse to feed their animals garbage.

[MzNov]

18. My little darlings won't eat Newman's.

:shrug: It looks good to me but you know how it goes.....

[Lorien]

42. Mine either. But there are other great brands out there that are just as good

it's a shame, because I like the cause that Newman's donates their profits to.

[bicentennial_baby]

14. Yeah, we're lucky to have a Pet Supply store that sells Wellness

Right here in town. And the Vet approves highly. :)

[MzNov]

17. If you are looking for more flavors

Petco carries the best variety that I've found. I don't love Petco, but I will go there to buy Wellness. :-)

[bicentennial_baby]

21. They have a pretty good variety of the Wet food, and we feed him

the dry Indoor Health. He was on Kitten Health until his first birthday. He loves the stuff! :D

[MzNov]

23. I've never heard of Indoor Health

is that a Wellness kind?

[bicentennial_baby]

25. Yes, it's the indoor kitty flavor

For apartment dwelling babies like PB. :hi:

[MzNov]

26. oh OK, thanks!

:hi:

[TNDemo]

30. I love that picture.

Did you take it?

[MzNov]

34. no, stole it from a lolcheeseburger pic :-)

here's the original




:rofl:

[Mimosa]

44. That makes me happy!

I'm glad Fancy Feast is never on those lists. My feline masters had instructed me long ago they don't want any foods besides canned Fancy Feast. The kinds with GRAVY!

[MzNov]

19. I discovered the really good cat food by questioning Science Diet

which is recommend by vets and is sold only by vets. It does help animals, but it's just like doctors and drug companies. Vets get lobbied by the Hills people and we're all told it's the only type of pet food that will cure their ailments. The friend who I mentioned completely substituted her prescription food from the vet with the Wellness and Natural Balance, and voila, healthier animals. Luckily her vet is listening to her rave about the switch and welcomes the info.

[Lorien]

41. Science Diet is utter garbage. They even list grains among the first

three ingredients. My beloved kitty Peewee was put on Science Diet by his vet and his health declined hugely in just a matter of months. Eventually he has cardiomyopathy and kidney disease; I couldn't treat one without making the other worse. It was horrible. I really believe that the garbage in Science Diet had a terrible effect on his kidneys (cardiomyopathy was probably genetic). Many more progressive vets who do their own research now believe that feed grade diets are the main culprits in the huge rise in cancer, kidney failure and diabetes in pets. I don't doubt it. While I think that properly prepared raw diets are best (I know many cats who lived well into their 20s on a raw diet), the human grade diets are a good substitute. It is amazing to watch the changes in your pet after making the switch! And yes, I agree with your friend; substituting real USDA foods for prescription diets often leads to far better health than the prescription diets offer. After all; they are closer to what nature intended, and nature is always right!

[SammyWinstonJack]

12. Mine love Natural Balance. I haven't tried Newman's Own yet.

I might do that, but once my dogs get use to a certain brand, it's hard to switch them.

[MzNov]

16. I found one flavor that they all like, so I'm sticking with that one

I know what you mean. The little critters are more finicky than hooomans. :-)

[SammyWinstonJack]

22. Mine like the sweet potato/fish formula. Allergy free and my female yorkie suffers from

food allergies, so this works for her. Oddly enough they don't like the same formula in the wet form. Won't eat it. Well my pom will, but she will eat anything. :silly:

[MzNov]

24. Cute doggie!

Wellness has a dry food that contains cranberries of all things! I was shocked to see my cats loved it! Go figure...

[Lorien]

47. But there's a reason for that. They need variety, just like we do

something will be a "favorite" for a few months, then they hate it. In the wild they might feast on mice one season, birds another, and rabbits at a different time of year. I find four or five brands that my cats like and rotate them regularly. So far the system has worked pretty well!

http://www.naturesvariety.com/rotation

[atommom]

54. Our dog had recurrent bowel problems until we switched him to grain free

Natural Balance. He loves the taste, too.

[lonestarnot]

15. I'm beginning to wonder if this is not intentional!

Thank you!

[GreenPartyVoter]

28. Industrial sabotage by a competitor?

[lonestarnot]

40. Just back from volunteering on the data input wagon! Yes, competitors.

Why does this keep happening! Damn it!

[GreenPartyVoter]

27. I only get Friskies cans and and kibble, and Purina kibble. So far they have been

okay through these food recalls.

[MzNov]

29. Have you ever seen this about Mars Co. ?

warning, very upsetting

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0731748320071208

[WA98296]

33. Thanks for the head's up, I started cooking for my FIVE dogs a year ago.

[WhackedOutBassist]

36. Members Mark and Old Roy

are sold through Sames Club and Walmart
FYI

[jmowreader]

39. As is Special Kitty

Welcome to DU; around here Sam's Club and Wal-Mart are anathema, so most of us won't have the problem of feeding those lines to our pets.

[shaniqua6392]

45. I feed my dogs and cats a raw diet.

I will not poison them with that crappy food. They use grains that are from China and that is usually the cause of these pet food recalls. Dogs and cats do not even need grains at all anyway. They just use the grains as cheap fillers. When is the last time we saw dogs grazing out in a field? Never. If you feed a kibble dog or cat food, make sure it is a "no grain" formula. I keep a bag of Wellness Core on hand for those days when I forget to take their food out of the freezer. The raw diet is really easy to do and I have two large German Shepherds and a Cairn Terrier and two cats!! I feed raw hamburger in the morning and then the evening meal is a variety of frozen products from Oma's Pride. It is all ground up with the bone that they need and ready to serve. Check it out if anyone is interested:
http://www.omaspride.com/

[Lorien]

48. Oma's is great! My serval hybrid loved it

I wish that my other cats would eat raw regularly. I can get them to eat freeze dried raw (Prairie nature's variety), but that's about it. A person feeding their pet a raw diet can add a good ten years to their pet's lifespan!

[shaniqua6392]

49. Oh my God what a beautiful cat!!!

You are right about the health issues. We started feeding raw because our one Shepherd was not absorbing the nutrients from kibble. She kept getting cysts and had surgery to remove a large one. Within two weeks of beginning the raw diet, the cysts dried up and have never come back and she has gained 15 pounds and has remained at a great weight. Our cats are now 15 and 10 years old and are really healthy and frisky!

[Lorien]

52. I used to do pet rescue and adoptions from out of a natural pet food/ supply

store. I would often have kittens up for adoption and would try to talk admirers into taking them home. But so often I'd hear "Oh, I would, but my 24 year old cat wouldn't like it". SO many customers had cats-and even dogs- who were 20 years old or older. I asked them their secrets and they always said "raw food" (they sold it at the store). So I certainly know what a difference it makes!

[K Gardner]

50. I started feeding my bullies a totally raw meat diet 2 mos ago.. the improvement in their coat,

teeth and disposition is incredible !

Just take a look before you feed your dog "kibble" again:

www.rawmeatybones.com

[SmokingJacket]

53. This is confusing!

I have a bag of Wegmans cat food right here -- what do they mean by the "second line" of the UPC code?

There's only one line on the UPC.

However, there's a 17 in the code beneath the Best Buy date -- is that what they mean??