Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. of Pacoima, Calif., issued a voluntary recall today of Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food due to the potential risk of Salmonella contamination.
 
The recall includes 5-pound and 28-pound bags with a “Best By” date of June 17, 2011.

Recalled products were distributed only in pet specialty stores in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

No illnesses have been reported to date, according to Natural Balance Pet Foods.

The recall is in response to an isolated instance in which a product sample had a positive result for Salmonella in a random sample test conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product was originally manufactured on Dec. 17, 2009, and is the only Natural Balance product being recalled, according to the company.

The product information is as follows:

5-POUND BAG
Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food
Bag UPC Code: 7-23633-99000-4
Bale UPC Code:7-23633-99003-5
Best By Date: June 17, 2011

28-POUND BAG
Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food
Bag UPC Code: 7-23633-99002-8                               
Best By Date: June 17, 2011                             

In a letter dated today posted on the company website, Joey Herrick, president of Natural Balance Pet Foods, wrote, “Upon hearing from the FDA, I immediately went to our director of customer service, a licensed registered veterinary technician, to check call logs for any complaints with this product. Our customer service department closely tracks and monitors complaints for any potential issues; and I heard no reports in our weekly meetings, so I was not surprised when I found we did not have a single complaint about this product.”

Herrick goes on to say that retention samples were then sent to an independent third party laboratory. Those test results, which are also posted on the company website, came back negative, he said. Herrick said that he reported the test results and call logs to the FDA, but because of the agency’s positive result, they still recommended a recall.

Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. A separate letter and instructions will be forwarded to all relevant Natural Balance customers, according to the company.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain, according to the company.

Natural Balance Pet Foods is asking pet owners to contact their veterinarian if their pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms.

Salmonella can also affect humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product, according to the company.

Symptoms in humans may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Although rare, it may also cause more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms, according to the company. Natural Balance Pet Foods urges consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product to call their health care provider.

Any questions can be directed to Natural Balance Pet Foods Customer Service at 800-829-4493 or by visiting www.naturalbalanceinc.com. <HOME>