Company posts expanded recall of pet food traced to outbreak of Salmonella in humans

Mid America Pet Food of Mount Pleasant, TX, is expanding its Oct. 30 recall to include additional pet food products with best-by dates before Oct 31, 2024, because of Salmonella contamination. The company’s products are linked to an outbreak of Salmonella infections in people.

As of Nov. 1 seven people reported Salmonella Kiambu infections. Six of the patients are infants, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The patients are spread across seven states: California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Florida, Alabama and Hawaii.

The pet food can cross contaminate surfaces, feeding bowls, utensils and anything else it touches.

“Epidemiologic and laboratory data show that a specific lot of Victor brand Hi-Pro Plus dry dog food is contaminated with Salmonella and has made people sick. The manufacturer, Mid America Pet Food, has recalled this and all other brands of pet food they make. See recalls for more details,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Recalled brands produced at the Mount Pleasant facility include: Victor Super Premium Dog Foods, Wayne Feeds Dog Food, Eagle Mountain Pet Food, and some Member’s Mark varieties with best-by dates before Oct. 31, 2024. Recalled products were sent to distributors and retailers throughout the United States. 

The best-by date is found on the middle top of the back of each bag. This expanded voluntary recall is being issued because some of the product lots tested positive for Salmonella through random and targeted sampling of finished product, including by the firm and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture 

The affected products include items on Dog and Cat Foods Lists found on the FDA website.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have may only exhibit decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals. Destroy the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access. Wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers. Always ensure that you wash and sanitize your hands after handling recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with recalled food.

Contact Mid America Pet Food Consumer Affairs at 888-428-7544 for additional information.

About Salmonella infections in humans
Food and feeds contaminated with Salmonella bacteria do not look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has been exposed to any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

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