A Texas pet food manufacturer is significantly expanding its recall to include dozens of different types of dry dog and cat food that may be contaminated with salmonella. At least seven people – six of them small children – fell ill.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating the outbreak, authorities said Thursday.
Mid America Pet Food is now recalling all brands of pet food manufactured by the company, including 35 different products with expiration dates before October 31, 2024, that were manufactured at its Mount Pleasant, Texas, facility, the company said in a news release.
The recalled brands include Victor Super Premium Dog Foods, Wayne Feeds Dog Food, Eagle Mountain Pet Food and some Member’s Mark varieties, which are distributed to retailers nationwide.
Recalled pet food manufactured by Mid America Pet Food, Mount Pleasant, Texas. Food and Drug Administration
The move is a continuation of two previous recalls: the first came in early September and affected one batch of Victor brand Hi-Pro Plus dog food and the second 10 days ago affected three batches of Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula .
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The first recalls came after random samples found salmonella, which can sicken both pets and people who come into contact with it.
The latest recall found that seven people had reported salmonella infections as of Nov. 1, 2023, Mid America Pet Food said in a notice released by the FDA. (A list of recalled products can be found here.)
Recalled pet food. US Food and Drug Administration
When two or more people become ill with the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink, it is considered an outbreak, according to the CDC.
Seven illnesses, including one hospitalization, linked to a specific batch of Victor brand Hi-Pro Plus dry dogs have been reported in seven states: Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Minnesota and Oklahoma, the CDC said. According to the agency, people began falling ill in mid-January and the illnesses continued into August. The actual number of people sickened in the outbreak is likely much higher than reported.
“People likely became ill by touching this dog food, touching things such as dog bowls that contained this dog food, or touching the feces or saliva of dogs given this dog food,” the CDC explained, noting that most people became ill were small children.
Recalled pet food. Food and Drug Administration
According to CDC data, salmonella bacteria cause an estimated 1.3 million infections in Americans each year, resulting in an average of more than 26,000 hospitalizations and 420 deaths.
Pets infected with Salmonella may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some may lose their appetite and have stomach pain. According to the FDA, people may experience similar symptoms and, in some cases, experience more severe symptoms.
People should destroy recalled pet food where children, pets and wildlife cannot reach it, and clean pet food bowls and storage containers, the agency advised.
Pet food recalled due to possible salmonella contamination. Food and Drug Administration
Customers may contact Mid America Pet Food for more information at [email protected] or at (888) 428-7544 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.
The recall is among more than half a dozen pet foods this year found to contain salmonella or potentially harmful elevated levels of vitamins.