Pet Food Recalled Due to Salmonella Concerns

Cinnaminson, NJ, September 9, 2013

Last month, a major pet food manufacturer announced a voluntary recall of various cat and dog foods due to concerns over the possible presence of Salmonella. The recalled products were from specific lots of dry pet foods manufactured during a 10 day period at one of the company’s facilities.

Salmonella can make not only animals sick that consume pet foods containing the bacteria, but also present a risk to humans who have come into contact with the contaminated product. Salmonellosis is the name of the infection caused by Salmonella. Most people who become infected develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days and most people recover without treatment. However, in some individuals, the diarrhea may be so severe that the person needs to be hospitalized.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Every year, approximately 42,000 cases of salmonellosis are reported in the United States. Because many milder cases are not diagnosed or reported, the actual number of infections may be twenty-nine or more times greater.”

“People, and especially children, should carefully wash their hands after touching any suspect pet foods that may contain the bacteria,” reported Joy Dell’Aringa, M.S., RM (NRM), CFSP, National Food Director at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis and the rate of diagnosed infections in children who are less than five years old is higher than the rates in all other persons. In addition to young children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals are the most likely to have severe infections. To prevent people from coming into contact with Salmonella, EMSL provides testing services for it and other food pathogens that are available to the general public, food manufacturers, retailers and health agencies.”

EMSL has sponsored a video about Salmonella that can be seen at:

http://youtu.be/1v59mjWwJZ8

To learn more about testing for Salmonella and other food testing services, please visit www.FoodTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of food, environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com