Due to potential Salmonella contamination, Mars Petcare U.S. of Nashville, Tenn., is voluntarily recalling 100 of the 20-pound bags of Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites sold in Albertsons stores in Southern California and Las Vegas.
It is also voluntarily recalling a limited number of 52-pound bags of Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites sold in Costco stores in Northern California and Nevada. Costco has notified all its customers in these areas directly.
Last week, a component that should have been on hold because of positive testing results was inadvertently shipped to the company’s Tracy, Calif., facility and used in the production of a limited number of bags with best buy dates of 7/2009.
Although the finished product tested negative for Salmonella, and there have been no reports of illness or injury resulting from consumption or handling of the recalled product, the company said it is taking “abundance of caution” and issuing the voluntary recall.
Mars Petcare also said it is cooperating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Pet owners are advised to dispose of the product in a safe manner, such as a securely covered trash receptacle, and return the empty bag to the store where purchased for a full refund.
Recalled Pet Food Information
Product: Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites
Size: 20-pound bags
UPC Code: 23100 14719
Lot Code: 830BFCAT02
Best Buy Date: 7/2009
Best Buy Date Location: Back of bag
Affected Stores: Albertsons locations in Southern California and Las Vegas
Recalled Pet Food Information
Product: Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites
Size: 52-pound bags
UPC Code: 23100 05110
Lot Code: 831BFCAT02 and 830DFCAT02
Best Buy Date: 7/2009
Best Buy Date Location: Back of bag
Affected Stores: Costco stores in Northern California and Nevada
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. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and potentially infect other animals or humans.
Call a veterinarian if a pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms.
The FDA has a list of safe pet food handling tips. Click here >>
For more information on the recall, call 877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com.