"PETS & ANIMALS IN DISTRESS ACTION ALERT
Health Scare: Contaminated Pet Food Proves Fatal
January 10, 2006
We wanted to update you on the recent pet food contamination issue that is believed to have caused the deaths of at least 76 dogs so far, as reported by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched an investigation into the deaths of dozens of dogs who apparently consumed pet food contaminated with aflatoxin, a substance that can cause lethal liver disease in animals.
Diamond Pet Food has removed its dog and cat food from sale after a dangerous toxin was found in a product manufactured at the company\'s facility in Gaston, South Carolina. States serviced by the Gaston facility include Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky (eastern), Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virgina, Vermont and Virginia.
When the FDA announced its investigation on December 30, the agency was aware of only 23 dogs who had died from eating the contaminated food as well as another 18 dogs who had become ill. Sice then, news outlets have quoted FDA officials as saying that the number of dead dogs has more than tripled to 76 animals.
The following cat and dog food products are affected by the recall:
Diamond Low Fat Dog Food
Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food
Diamond Maintenance Dog Food
Diamond Performance Dog Food
Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food
Diamond Puppy Food
Diamond Maintenance Cat Food
Diamond Professional Cat Food
Country Value Puppy
Country Value Adult Dog
Country Value High Energy Dog
Country Value Adult Cat Food
Professional Chicken & Rice Senior Dog Food
Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food
Professional Adult Dog Food
Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food
Professional Puppy Food
Professional Reduced Fat Ct Food
Professional Adult Cat Food
On Monday, January 9, The New York Times quoted veterinarians at Cornell University Hospital for Animals, who are tracking dogs affected by the contaminated pet food, as saying they believe that 100 dogs have died nationwide from aflatoxin poisoning. The veterinarians fear the number could rise significantly, because dog owners, preoccupied by holiday activities, may not yet be aware of the threat.
The pet food, sold under the labels Diamond, Country Value and Professional, was produced by Diamond Pet Foods, a privately owned company based in Missouri. The company issued a recall on December 20 when aflatoxin was discovered in pet food made at its Gaston, South Carolina facility, and shipped to stores throughout the east and southeastern United States as well as to 29 countries.
The State newspaper, based in Columbia, South Carolina, reported on January 6 that tests showed that about 30 samples-from about 3,000 tested samples of Diamond brand pet food-contained aflatoxins that exceeded the maximum level allowed by the FDA for human and pet food. "The positive results were found for food made Oct. 1 through Oct. 16, which means they would bear \'best buy\' dates of April 1-16, 2007," the paper wrote.
Diamond recalled all dried pet food produced from September 1 through December 1 at the Gaston plant. The recall included both dog and cat food, but to date, dogs appear to be the only animals affected.
Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring substance produced by fungi that grow on grains, including corn. Humidity, high temperatures, or drought are some of the conditions that contribute to aflatoxin growth on crops. Aflatoxin is toxic and can cause severe liver damage in animals.
Pet guardians whose animal may have consumed a Diamond brand pet food product are urged to contact their veterinarian if their pet exhibits any of the following symptoms, which may indicate aflatoxin consumption:
Sluggishness;
Loss of appetite;
Jaundice (yellow whites of the eyes, gums, belly or areas where hair is very thin);
Severe, persistent vomiting combined with bloody diarrhea;
Discolored urine;
Fever.
To get more information about the cause of illness and symptoms to watch for, please see the FDA statement at
http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=57896054&u=530913The FDA said it is continuing to investigate the situation and is working closely with the state feed regulatory agencies in the affected states. Some of the products included in the recall were exported to at least 29 countries in the European Union. The FDA said those countries have been notified.
According to Diamond, any unused portions of recalled pet food should be returned to the retailer where it was purchased for a refund or replacement. According to press reports, Diamond has also offered to compensate pet guardians who can confirm that their pet died or became ill as a result of eating the contaminated food.
Diamond Pet Food is requesting that customers whose pets have become ill from eating contaminated food contact the company through its online help form.
Customers can receive more information about the recall by calling the Diamond Pet Foods Customer Information Center toll free at 1-866-214-6945. The Information center is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to midnight EST.
Please feel free to pass this message on to anyone who would benefit from it.
Thank you,
Pets & Animals in Distress"