[Followup on previously posted Diamond Pet Food problem.]
 
PETS & ANIMALS IN DISTRESS ACTION ALERT
Health Scare: Contaminated Pet Food Proves Fatal
 
January 10, 2006
 
We wanted to update you on the recent pet food contamination issue that
is believed to have caused the deaths of at least 76 dogs so far, as
reported by the US Food and Drug Administration.  The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has launched an investigation into the deaths of
dozens of dogs who apparently consumed pet food contaminated with
aflatoxin, a substance that can cause lethal liver disease in animals.
 
Diamond Pet Food has removed its dog and cat food from sale after a
dangerous toxin was found in a product manufactured at the company's
facility in Gaston, South Carolina.  States serviced by the 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 Virgina, Vermont and
Virginia.
 
When the FDA announced its investigation on December 30, the agency was
aware of only 23 dogs who had died from eating the contaminated food as
well as another 18 dogs who had become ill.  Since then, news outlets
have quoted FDA officials as saying that the number of dead dogs has
more than tripled to 76 animals.
 
The following cat and dog food products are affected by the recall:
 
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
 
On Monday, January 9, The New York Times quoted veterinarians at Cornell
University Hospital for Animals, who are tracking dogs affected by the
contaminated pet food, as saying they believe that 100 dogs have died
nationwide from aflatoxin poisoning.  The veterinarians fear the number
could rise significantly, because dog owners, preoccupied by holiday
activities, may not yet be aware of the threat.
 
The pet food, sold under the labels Diamond, Country Value and
Professional, was produced by Diamond Pet Foods, a privately owned
company based in Missouri.  The company issued a recall on December 20
when aflatoxin was discovered in pet food made at its Gaston, South
Carolina facility, and shipped to stores throughout the east and
southeastern United States as well as to 29 countries.
 
The State newspaper, based in Columbia, South Carolina, reported on
January 6 that tests showed that about 30 samples-from about 3,000 tested
samples of Diamond brand pet food-contained aflatoxins that exceeded the
maximum level allowed by the FDA for human and pet food.  "The positive
results were found for food made Oct.  1 through Oct.  16, which means
they would bear 'best buy' dates of April 1-16, 2007," the paper wrote.
 
Diamond recalled all dried pet food produced from September 1 through
December 10 at the Gaston plant.  The recall included both dog and cat
food, but to date, dogs appear to be the only animals affected.
 
Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring substance produced by fungi that grow
on grains, including corn.  Humidity, high temperatures, or drought are
some of the conditions that contribute to aflatoxin growth on crops.
Aflatoxin is toxic and can cause severe liver damage in animals.
 
Pet guardians whose animal may have consumed a Diamond brand pet food
product are urged to contact their veterinarian if their pet exhibits any
of the following symptoms, which may indicate aflatoxin consumption:
 
Sluggishness;
Loss of appetite;
Jaundice (yellow whites of the eyes, gums, belly or areas where hair
is very thin);
Severe, persistent vomiting combined with bloody diarrhea;
Discolored urine;
Fever.
 
To get more information about the cause of illness and symptoms to watch
for, please see the FDA statement at
http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker
&cmd=track&j=57920883&u=530913
 
The FDA said it is continuing to investigate the situation and is working
closely with the state feed regulatory agencies in the affected states.
Some of the products included in the recall were exported to at least 29
countries in the European Union.  The FDA said those countries have been
notified.
 
According to Diamond, any unused portions of recalled pet food should
be returned to the retailer where it was purchased for a refund or
replacement.  According to press reports, Diamond has also offered to
compensate pet guardians who can confirm that their pet died or became
ill as a result of eating the contaminated food.
 
Diamond Pet Food is requesting that customers whose pets have become
ill from eating contaminated food contact the company through its online
help form.
 
Customers can receive more information about the recall by calling the
Diamond Pet Foods Customer Information Center toll free at
1-866-214-6945.  The Information center is open seven days a week
from 8 a.m. to midnight EST.
 
Please feel free to pass this message on to anyone who would benefit
from it.
 
Thank you,
Pets & Animals in Distress
 
1511 east Commercial Blvd
PMB #129
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334
United States
 
[Moderator's note: Here's a link to Cornell's info about this:
<http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Jan06/dogs.dying.ssl.html>    BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 5119]