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Tue 10 Jan, 2006 09:11 am
Recall -- Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Diamond Pet Food Recalled Due to Aflatoxin
Contact:
Mark Brinkman
573-229-4203
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- December 20, 2005 -- Diamond Pet Food has discovered aflatoxin in a product manufactured at our facility in Gaston, South Carolina. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus, on corn and other crops.
Out of an abundance of caution, we have notified our distributors and recommended they hold the sale of all Diamond Pet Food products formulated with corn that were produced out of our Gaston facility (see complete list below). Please note that products manufactured at our facilities in Meta, Missouri and Lathrop, California are not affected. 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.
States serviced by our 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 Virginia, Vermont, and Virginia.
We are rapidly analyzing retained samples of all products produced in Gaston so we can isolate specific lot numbers impacted and provide this information to our distributors, retailers and customers as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, if your pet is showing any symptoms of illness, including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea, please consult your veterinarian immediately.
Product quality and customer satisfaction are important to us. We pledge to keep you updated as new developments occur.
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
Deadly pet food recall
Deadly pet food recall
By:De Anna Sheffield
St. Petersburg, Florida
In the last several weeks, around 100 dogs have died from eating tainted dog food.
The bags of food manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods were pulled off shelves across the country.
Dr. Mark Brown with Central Animal Hospital says he's never seen food poisoning at this extent in his 15 years of practice.
Dr. Mark Brown, Veterinarian: "Unfortunately we've heard of a case locally, there were acute seizures, there's not a definite diagnosis at this time, but it certainly concerns us. Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by mold found in nuts and grains, corn harvested in bins, it grows where there is moisture. One thing I recommend is that there is no reason to have food with corn in it. There's some higher quality foods that don't contain corn."
Richard Haggard, pet owner: "It's scary, a dog has no defense. They'll put whatever you put in front of them, they'll eat. They have to rely on you to make a decision, it's very scary."
For more information on the recall, call 1-866-214-6945 or log onto
www.diamondpet.com.
Veterinarians Bring Attention to Food Recall
Veterinarians Bring Attention to Food Recall
Erin Billups
For more information on the recall dates and tips visit Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine website.
Veterinary doctors from Cornell University's Animal Hospital are asking dog owners, once again to take a closer look at what they're feeding their dogs.
The Diamond Pet Food Company recalled several of its products after a rash of liver ailments veterinarians say was caused by a mold-spawned toxin in the food.
Throughout the holiday season dogs were admitted to the hospital, 70 percent of them did not survive the vicious attack on their livers.
Early symptoms to look for include tiredness, loss of appetite and vomiting.
"The most unfortunate thing about this toxin is there's no direct antidote, and there are some dogs who are getting sick some 3 and a half weeks after they've last consumed the food that was tainted. This is very concerning for us that we're going to continuing to see dogs for the next month and a half," said Sharon Center, professor on internal medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Pet owner Jane-Marie Law realized her dog Tavi was affected by the toxin and brought her to Cornell's Animal Hospital.
"We decided to try and save the dog's life. We really were at a point where we thought maybe we should euthanize her because she was really out of it. I mean she would just stand there," said Law.
Law's family spent a lot of time during the holidays in the animal hospital with her family to support the dog. She says she's grateful for the dedication and determination of the staff.
Center says even if your pet is not displaying signs, but has eaten the recalled food, you should still contact your vet and get blood tests done.
If you still have some of the contaminated food left, Center says to package it securely and label it "poison," and hold on to it because Diamond may want it for future testing.
If you decide to throw away the food make sure it is out of reach of other animals and children.
Center suggests disposing of wooden containers that may have held the food. If a plastic or metal container was used, make sure it is thoroughly disinfected with bleach.
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