Dry Pet Food and Salmonella in Humans

[Jahness]

Dry Pet Food and Salmonella in Humans




Are you having what he’s having?
(Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times)

Eight new cases of human salmonella infections linked with dry pet food have been reported this year, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Last year, the C.D.C. reported on a Salmonella outbreak in 2006 and 2007 that was traced back to dry dog food. The C.D.C. has identified a total of 79 cases in 21 states, according to the latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The illness was tracked back to an Everson, Penn., pet food plant operated by Mars Petcare US, Inc. The company closed the plant in July.

Despite a widespread recall of foods last year, eight more cases were identified between January and October of this year. On Sept. 12, the company announced a nationwide voluntary recall of all dry dog and cat food products produced during a five-month period at the plant. Most of the cases were identified in young children who may have handled or put dry pet food in their mouths. Symptoms included bloody diarrhea, but none of the cases has resulted in death.

The recent illnesses involved three new cases in Pennsylvania, two each in Georgia and New York, and a single case in Texas. Ages of patients ranged from 4 months to 39 years, and none of the contaminated food in those households appeared to cause any illness in the pets.

Since 2006, at least 13 recall announcements involving 135 pet food products have been issued because of Salmonella contamination. However, none of those cases appeared to result in human illness. The current outbreak involving the Mars plant is the first documented case to trace human Salmonella infections back to a contaminated pet food plant.

The September 2008 recall involved approximately 23,109 tons of dry pet food, representing 105 brands. However, dry pet food has a one-year shelf life, and contaminated product might still be in the homes of purchasers and could produce illness, the C.D.C. warns.

The agency says consumers should use precautions when handling all dry pet food, treats and supplements. Canned pet food is unlikely to be contaminated with pathogens because the manufacturing process should kill bacteria. They advise washing hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap immediately after handling dry pet foods, pet treats and pet supplements, and especially before preparing and eating food for people. Infants and children should be kept away from pet feeding areas.

To learn more about which pet food products were recalled, go to the Mars Petcare US Web site and look at the chart on the bottom of the page. If you don’t find the answers you need on the Web page, call 1-877-568-4463.

Additional information on the transmission of Salmonella from pets to humans is available at Diseases: Salmonella | CDC Healthy Pets Healthy People.