FDA Warns Consumers Not To Use Wild Kitty Cat Food Due To Salmonella Contamination

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 15 Feb 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to purchase, or use, Wild Kitty Cat Food due to the presence of Salmonella, a pathogen. During routine monitoring activities, FDA collected and analyzed a sample of frozen raw Wild Kitty Cat Food and detected Salmonella in the product. Cats and other pets consuming this food may become infected with Salmonella. People can also become infected with Salmonella if they handle or ingest this cat food, touch pets that consumed the food, or touch any surfaces that came into contact with the food or pets.

The specific products covered by this warning are Wild Kitty Raw All Natural, Frozen Cat Food - Chicken with Clam Recipe, Net Wt. 3.5 oz (100g) and 1 lb in plastic containers. Some of these containers may be uncoded.

Salmonella can cause serious illnesses in small children, frail or elderly people, and people and pets with weakened immune systems. Other people and pets may suffer short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Long term complications can include arthritis.

The Wild Kitty Cat Food is sold nationwide to retail stores and through distributors and internet sales, nationwide. The manufacturer declined to recall this product despite several requests by FDA that it do so.

Consumers who have purchased this product should not feed it to their pets, but should instead dispose of it in a safe manner (e.g., in a securely covered trash receptacle). Anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection after having handled the product should seek medical attention, and report use of the product and illness to FDA's Office of Emergency Operations. In addition, people who have concerns that they may have Salmonella should contact their medical doctors and the local health departments. People who have concerns whether their pet has Salmonella should contact their veterinarian.

People may risk bacterial infection not only by handling their cat, but by contact with the pet food, food bowl, cat box and surfaces exposed to these items, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap. Since young children, elderly people, and people and animals with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk from exposure, they should avoid handling all the items listed above and surfaces exposed to these items. FDA may provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

To report any injuries or problems with The Wild Kitty Cat Food, please contact the FDA's Office of Emergency Operations at (301) 443-1240.

http://www.fda.gov

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