| Certain
batches of USA manufactured Diamond Pet Foods dog and cat food
may be contaminated with a toxic fungus and, as a result, have
been recalled.
The toxic fungus, aflatoxin, comes from a fungus found on corn
and other crops and can cause liver damage in pets.
The numbers of deaths in the United States resulting from consumption
of the toxic pet food have not been confirmed. Estimates of cases
vary widely and the number of deaths that have a firm link to
the recalled food are unconfirmed at around the 10 deaths.
The affected batches originate from the Diamond Pet Food facility
in Gaston, South Carolina. States that would receive pet food
from the Gaston plant 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
Virginia, Vermont and Virginia.
FDA also has discovered that some of the recalled product was
exported to at least 29 countries, including countries within
the European Union.
Customers who have purchased the recalled Diamond Pet Food manufactured
in the South Carolina plant should immediately stop using it and
return any remaining product to their retailer.
The pet food labels recalled include Diamond, Country Value and
Professional.
Symptoms
Symptoms arise over a number of days or even weeks. Early signs
include lethargy, loss of appetite and vomiting. Later symptoms
include orange-coloured urine and yellowing of the eyes and gums
(jaundice). Severely affected dogs produce a blood-tinged vomit
and bloody or blackened stools.
Action
Consumers who have purchased the recalled pet food should immediately
stop using it and return any remaining product to their retailer.
Consult your vet immediately if you have reason to suspect your
animal is ill as a result of aflatoxin.
Affected Batches
The details of the FDA recall can be found here.
The batches being recalled can be identified as follows:
The Gaston facility date codes are unique
from other Diamond facility codes in that either the eleventh
or twelfth character in the date code will be a capital "G"
(in reference to Gaston). The range of date codes being reviewed
are "Best By 01-March-07" through Best By " 11-June-07".
Diamond's quantitative analysis records substantiate that Diamond's
corn shipments were definitively clear of aflatoxin after December
10. As such, "Best By 11-June-07" date codes or later
are not affected by this notice - Info
taken from FDA website.
Gaston Facility Products Removed
From Sale
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 Cat Food
Professional Adult Cat Food
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