Pet food maker issues recall over salmonella risk

Midwestern Pet Foods issued a voluntary recall this week of several brands of dog and cat food over salmonella concerns. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed the recall in a statement last week that the 10 brands potentially impacted are CanineX, Earthborn Holistic, Venture, Unrefined, Sportmix Wholesomes, Pro Pac, Pro Pac Ultimates, Sportstrail, Sportmix and Meridian.

The recall is for products manufactured at the pet food maker’s Monmouth, Ill., facility. Pet owners can check the FDA announcement to see if their product has an expiration date or lot code cited in the recall.

The products were distributed nationwide and to customers online. No human or pet illnesses have been reported in connection with the potentially affected cat and dog food.

Midwestern Pet Foods said in a Monday statement that it is continuing “a thorough review of our facilities and practices in an effort to better serve our customers and pet parents who put their trust in us.”

The FDA warned that pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic or have diarrhea, a fever or decreased appetite. Humans who have come into contact with the infected food also risk developing infections, with symptoms that could include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and other symptoms.  

The FDA last year announced a recall of nine lots of food from Midwestern Pet Foods after testing showed that they contained high levels of aflatoxin, which can cause illness and death in pets. Officials said they were aware of dozens of deaths in dogs that ate the food.