Pet Food Recall: Natura Pulls More Dry Brands Due To Salmonella Risk

A pet food recall is expanding as Natura Pet Products is pulling more of its dry pet foods because of a possible salmonella risk.

The pet food recall actually started back in March as Natura voluntarily recalled its dog, cat, and ferret foods over concerns that they might be contaminated with salmonella bacteria. Now that has been increased to include all of the company’s dry pet foods and treats.

The pet food recall does not include canned wet food or biscuits, company officials said. The brands of animal food were sold through veterinary clinics and specialty pet food stores in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and Costa Rica. They were also sold online.

The presence of salmonella in the additional dry pet food and a cat treat was confirmed by testing from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Department of Agriculture. As a measure of caution Natura expanded the pet food recall to all brands of dry food.

The salmonella risk isn’t confined to the animals that might eat the food. People who handle the pet food are at risk of contracting the bacteria if they don’t wash hands thoroughly afterward. Even healthy pets can become carriers of the bacteria, health officials note.

People with animals that may have ingested the food should be on the lookout for signs of infection, which include unusual lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting (the symptoms are the same for humans). Other signs can be more subtle, including decreased appetite or abdominal pain.

There have been no reported cases of infection yet, Natura reported.

The pet food company recommended that people who suspect infection should contact a veterinarian.

The pet food recall affects all Natura dry pet foods and treats with expiration dates before and including March 24, 2014. People who have the affected pet foods are advices to throw them away.