August 13, 2008

Mars Petcare US has announced a voluntary recall of 100 of the 20-pound bags of PEDIGREE Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites. (Photo Courtesy of Pedigree)

FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- Mars Petcare US has announced a voluntary recall of 100 of the 20-pound bags of PEDIGREE Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites sold in Southern California and Las Vegas to a limited number of Albertsons locations due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Last week, a component that should have been on hold due to positive testing results was inadvertently shipped to the company’s Tracy, Calif., facility and used in the production of 100 bags of PEDIGREE Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites with best buy dates of 07/2009.

PEDIGREE Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites is a multi-component dry pet food.

“Our primary concern is the safety and welfare of our pet owners and their pets,” the Mars Petcare company said in a statement released on its Web site. “We have already notified Albertsons and are working with them to retrieve any bags still in their stores or distribution centers.”

Currently, there have been no complaints or reports of injury resulting from consumption or handling of the recalled product.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Also, animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and potentially infect other animals or humans.

The company is asking consumers, who might have purchased the possibly tainted food, to return the product to Albertsons for a full refund.

Mars Petcare US is cooperating fully with the Food and Drug Administration on this matter.

This is the third recall since August 2007 for the Mars Petcare’s family. The first involved Salmonella contaminated 50-pound bags of Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula dry dog food which was sold in two Pennsylvania stores.

The second case also involved Salmonella contamination, where five-pound bags of Krasdale Gravy dry dog food sold to stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania were recalled.

Owners with questions about this most recent recall, can call Mars Petcare at 1-877-568-4463, or visit Petcare.Mars.com.

Recalled Pet Food Product: PEDIGREE Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites; Size: 20-pound bags; UPC Code: 23100 14719; Lot Code: 830BFCAT02; Best Buy Date: 07/2009; Best Buy Date Location: Back of bag.

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