Mid American Pet Food Recalls 644 Cases of Victor Super Premium Dog Food
The recall, announced by Mid American Pet Food of Mount Pleasant, Texas, includes 644 cases of 5 lb Bags of Victor Super Premium Dog Food with a lot code of 1000016385 and a Best By Date of April 30 of 2024. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the dog food is potentially contaminated with salmonella, a potentially deadly bacteria that causes illness in humans and in pets. While there are more than 20000 strains of salmonella (serotypes), the FDA has not yet identified which serotype is of concern in this recall.
Yes, Pets and Humans can Become Ill
Pets can become sick, along with their caretakers, from many stains of salmonella. In pets, lethargy, vomiting, decreased appetite are usually the signs. Dogs cannot communicate with the same efficacy as humans, so they need to be monitored. Sick dogs will usually recover without treatment, but antibiotics (following a positive stool culture) can be used. Their handlers are also at risk. Many caretakers have a close relationship with their dog, often including extensive physical contact, which is understandable but dangerous. Salmonella passes through the fecal-oral route, so after a pet becomes infected, their feces becomes contaminated with the bacteria. Cleaning up after a pet on a long walk, grooming a pet, or touching a pet after it has groomed itself, can lead to the bacteria being introduced to the caretaker. There is also the possibility of a common kitchen dish, or using hands to scoop contaminated pet food, as routes for cross-contamination.
In humans, salmonella can cause gastrointestinal pain, gas, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, and other, long-term, illness. In about 5% of all cases, humans develop post0infectious irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.
A stool culture for any caretaker who experiences these symptoms is highly recommended.
FDA and Mid American Pet Food Say No Other Food at Risk
According to Mid American Pet Food, no other pet food product is at risk of contamination. One national food poisoning lawyer, Ron Simon, adds this warning: “Often a recall starts with one product, and then gets expended as the risk of cross contamination, additional testing, or illnesses are identified. Using proper hand-washing and being careful while feeding and handling your pet, is advised.”
