Low Levels of Vitamin B Result in Recall of Purina Cat Food

Nestlé Purina Petcare has issued a voluntary recall of one lot of its Purina Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management canned cat food in response to a customer complaint received by the FDA. This specific brand of cat food is only available for purchase through veterinarians in the United States and Canada. Analytical testing of the product by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revealed low levels of thiamine (vitamin B1).

Cats eating this specific lot of the food for several weeks are at risk for developing thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is essential for cats. Early signs of thiamine deficiency in cats include decreased appetite, salvation, vomiting, and weight loss. Advanced symptoms may include signs of the neck bending towards the floor, wobbly walking, falling, circling, and seizures. However, if treated promptly by a veterinarian, thiamine deficiency is usually reversible.

Only cans with the following information are affected by the voluntary recall: Can Size: 5.5oz, “Best By” Date: June 2013, Production Code: 11721159, Can UPC code: 38100-13810. No other Purina pet food products are included in this recall.
“EMSL Analytical tests for numerous vitamins, including all forms of vitamin B,” states Shannon Kauffman, Food Chemistry Lab Manager. “Our vitamin analysis is compliant with FDA regulations, and RDI and DV percentages can be provided when applicable.”

For more information about EMSL’s food testing division, please contact EMSL at 800-220-3675, email info@EMSL.com, or visit www.EMSL.com or www.foodtestinglab.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a full service testing company providing quality lab services under the same private ownership since 1981. Including the corporate lab facility in Cinnaminson, NJ, EMSL Analytical operates over thirty laboratories nationwide in the US and Canada. We provide analytical services for environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), industrial hygiene, forensics and materials science, consumer products, food safety, PCR, pharmaceutical, asbestos, lead, and radiological samples. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies. Please see our website for a complete listing of accreditations.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior VP of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com