Information on Pet Food Recalls
Internet Websites and Resources on Cat and Dog Food Recalls
Sep 12, 2008
On September 12, 2008, Mars Petcare U.S. issued a nationwide voluntary pet food recall for Pedigree dry dog food, along with over a dozen other brands and 40 dog food varieties due to possible salmonella contamination.
This pet food recall is the second recall issued by Mars Petcare due to Salmonella, the first recall issued in August 2008.
This pet food recall affecting Pedigree and more than a dozen brands and 40 pet food varieties is the latest in a string of pet food recalls issued in the United States since March 15, 2007, when the FDA discovered that imported foods and food ingredients had toxic properties that sickened and killed dogs and cats. Since then, many pet owners have become understandably wary of commercial pet food products.
"Knowledge is your best tool when it comes to ensuring your pet's safety," explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, who added, "It never hurts to check your pet food manufacturer's website for updates on any possible food recalls, especially because some of the smaller recalls aren't all that well publicized."
In addition to checking for recalls on a pet food manufacturer's website, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (ASPCA) provides regular updates concerning pet food recalls, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers information on recalls, in addition to other resources like proper handling techniques for contaminated pet food.
The ASPCA Pet Food Recall Resource Center
The ASPCA's website provides useful information on individual pet food recalls, in addition to recalls involving pet vitamins and other similar products. The site also features a FAQ section to address pet owners' most pressing questions on cat and dog food recalls.
Pet owners can obtain several important details when investigating whether their pet's food has been involved in a recall. Firstly, the pet owners will require information on the pet food brand and manufacturer. Pet owners will also need to know the precise variety of food (wet food, dry food, food flavor or style of food.)
The FDA's Pet Food Recall Information Website
The Food and Drug Administration plays an active role in overseeing food safety for humans and pets alike. The FDA's website provides information on the history of pet food recalls, in addition to an overview of the measures taken by Food and Drug Administration officials to stop the distribution and consumption of tainted pet food.
The FDA's Pet Food Recall site also features news updates and detailed lists of what pet food brands and varieties have been recalled, in addition to links to the official Recall Notices that have been issued by the pet food manufacturers.
In addition, visitors to the FDA's site can access information on how to report a pet food-related complaint. Also provided is an overview of recommended handling guidelines for pet owners who find that they are in possession of recalled pet food.
For pet owners who are seeking information about what measures the FDA is taking to control situations involving tainted or contaminated pet food, the website features transcripts of Food and Drug Administration conferences on the recall situation.
Related Reading
Suite101.com's Pet Care section also features an array of resources for pet owners on the Pet Food Recall Page, along with information on the symptoms of salmonella in cats and dogs, information serving a natural dog and cat food or cooking homemade meals for dogs.
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