Diamond Naturals dog food recalled, possible Salmonella contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice dog food, as it could be contaminated with Salmonella.

UPDATE FROM CDC: Diamond Pet Food Salmonella contamination connected to human infections

Individuals handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, the FDA warns, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

At this time, no reports of illnesses have been reported in regard to this recall, which has been issued as a precautionary measure.

The product, Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice, was distributed to customers located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia, who may have further distributed the product to other states, through pet food channels. The following products/bag sizes/production codes/“best before” codes have been recalled:

• Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice; 6lb; DLR0101D3XALW; Best Before 04 Jan 2013
• Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice; 20lb; DLR0101C31XAG; Best Before 03 Jan 2013
• Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice; 40lb; DLR0101C31XMF; Best Before 03 Jan 2013
• Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice; 40lb; DLR0101C31XAG; Best Before 03 Jan 2013
• Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice; 40lb; DLR0101D32XMS; Best Before 04 Jan 2013

Consumers who have purchased the Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice with the specific production and “Best Before” codes should discontinue feeding the product and discard it.

For further information or to obtain a product refund, consumers can call Diamond Pet Foods at 800-442-0402, or visit www.diamondpet.com.

Image: Wikimedia Commons