|
The most recent recall of food products was a recall of peanut based products
produced by the Peanut Corporation of America because of contamination with
Salmonella typhimurium. This strain of salmonella has been isolated in peanut
butter and peanut paste produced by PCA and used as ingredients in a multitude
of products that were subsequently distributed through many sources and
locations. On the bright side, no national brands of jars of peanut butter have
been affected by this recall. However, the tainted ingredients are commonly used
in commercially manufactured cookies, crackers, cereal, candy, ice cream, pet
treats, pet foods, and other products. So far, it appears that the pet products
involved in the recall are a few peanut-containing dog foods and dog treats.
Caution will be required on the part of consumers, including pet owners, to
avoid illness in their family or pets.
The symptoms of salmonella poisoning include stomach cramps, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Often the diarrhea will contain blood. Sick pets
will often have a decreased appetite and evidence of abdominal pain. Although
symptoms usually start soon after eating contaminated food, they can take up to
a month to develop. The illness is particularly severe and potentially fatal in
people or animals with a weakened immune system, including the very young or
very old, the pregnant, and those affected with cancer or other immune-mediated
diseases. These individuals may require hospitalization for intensive care.
Various strains of salmonella bacteria are found naturally in the intestines
of animals and some humans, as well as in the environment. Other common sources
of salmonella poisoning include raw eggs and raw meats, either fresh or frozen.
People and animals can contract salmonellosis by consuming tainted products or
by direct contact with contaminated products or surfaces. Thus, to minimize the
risk of salmonellosis, consumers and pet owners are cautioned to follow safe
food handling practices such as thorough disinfection of all food preparation
surfaces and utensils and washing your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water
after handling any potentially contaminated materials such as raw meats, eggs,
pet food, pet toys, or pet wastes.
The salmonella outbreak caused by the
tainted peanut products has sickened hundreds of people and has been associated
with at least seven deaths. Because of the large number of products affected,
this recall is one of the largest food recalls ever in the United States. To
help consumers identify recalled items, both the American FDA and the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency have initiated searchable databases that are updated
daily or as additional products are found. The links to these databases are:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/2009typhanie.shtml
If you have fed your pet one of these products, or if your pet is showing
symptoms that could indicate a problem with salmonellosis, contact our clinic
immediately for further advice and/or treatment.
Caution: These news items, written by Lifelearn Inc., are
licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying,
printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written
permission of Lifelearn Inc. Please note that the news information presented
here is NOT a substitute for a proper consultation and/or clinical examination
of your pet by our clinic veterinarian.
|
