US Pet Food Maker Recalls Dog Food Nationwide Amid Possible Salmonella Risk

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in White Oak, Md., on June 5, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

An American pet food marketer and manufacturer is voluntarily recalling some of its dog food over a potential salmonella contamination, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced.

Texas-based Mid America Pet Food is recalling three lots of its Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula, the FDA said in an Oct. 30 announcement.

The recalled products were produced at Mid America Pet Food’s Mount Pleasant production facility and were distributed to various retailers and distributors in the United States.

In its announcement, the FDA said the Mount Pleasant production facility “has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.”

“This voluntary recall was initiated after a third-party conducted random sampling and product associated with three lots tested positive for Salmonella,” the FDA said.

No human or pet illnesses have been reported to date.

The affected products in the recall are 5-pound, 15-pound, and 40-pound bags of the Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula with a best-by date of June 12, 2024.

The lot numbers affected are 1000016890, 1000016891, and 1000016892.

No other products are included in the recall, which the FDA noted is separate from another, unrelated Mid America Pet Food recall over salmonella concerns on Sept. 3. That recall involved the company’s Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Hi-Pro Plus which is also produced at its Mount Pleasant production facility.

The FDA urged retailers and distributors to immediately pull the recalled lots from their inventory and shelves and not to sell or donate the products.

What Is Salmonella?

“Do not feed the recalled products 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,” the agency said. “Always ensure that you wash and sanitize your hands after handling recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with recalled food.”

Salmonella are bacteria that live in the intestines of people and animals and can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, although in some cases it can cause severe disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Individuals can contract salmonella in a number of ways, such as by consuming contaminated food or drinking contaminated water, or touching animals that are infected.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning typically begin within six hours to six days after infection and can last four to seven days, although some people do not display symptoms until several weeks after infection.

In rare cases, salmonella can lead to serious health implications including arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.

“Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products,” the FDA notes.

Pets with salmonella infections may display signs of lethargy and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting, according to the FDA.

“Some pets will have only 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,” the agency said.

The Epoch Times has contacted Mid America Pet Food for further comment.