Reptile Feed Thought to be Source of Salmonella Outbreak
July 28th, 2010 ksager
Biggers & Callaham LLC., D/B/A Mice Direct of Cleveland Georgia is recalling frozen reptile feed (mice, rats, chicks) because it could be tainted with Salmonella that can affect animals and people.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), those handling such pet food can become infected with the pathogen, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after touching exposed surfaces.
Human illnesses that might be related to the frozen reptile feed have been reported in 17 states.
The recall notice affirms that the frozen reptile feed was distributed in all states, except Hawaii, through pet stores, by mail order and direct delivery.
It was shipped in plastic bags with the following product codes M-SP100, M-P100, M-PF100, M-F100, M-H100, M-W50, M-A50, M-JA25, R-P100, R-F50, R-PUP50, R-W50, R-S50, R-M20, R-L10,R-J5, R-C5, R-M3 followed by E9, F9, G9, H9, I9, J9, K9, L9 or A10, B10, C10, D10, E10, F10, G10 and whole frozen chicks in 25 count bags.
The recall is based on sampling of frozen mice by the FDA. The affected products should not be fed to animals, even after heating in a microwave oven because it might not be sufficient to kill Salmonella.
Consumers who purchased reptile feed from Mice Direct can contact the company by telephone at 888-747-0736 from 9:00a.m-5:00p.m EST Monday-Friday or by e-mail at sales@micedirect.com for instructions concerning this action and for credits towards replacement of unused product.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella causes more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.
The FDA said that items shipped after 07/24/2010, will be irradiated in a similar manner as raw food for human consumption in order to address the Salmonella situation associated with these products.
