Diamond Pet Foods recalls products for Salmonella contamination

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio - A health alert has been issued, following an expanded recall by Diamond Pet Foods.

On April 10, Diamond Pet Food issued a recall for a limited number of dry dog food bags. Now that recall has been expanded to include certain lots of its Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food.

The company said one bag tested positive for Salmonella, and the recall is being conducted as a precautionary measure. No dog illnesses have been reported.

The product was distributed to customers in Ohio, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.

The plant is the same one that made mold-contaminated food that killed dozens of dogs nationwide in 2005.

Salmonella can cause a person to vomit, have diarrhea, induce a fever and make you feel nauseous.

"People typically contract a salmonella infection by ingesting food or water that has been contaminated," said Dr. Beverly Byrum, ODA Laboratory Director. "In this case, however, an infection can occur by putting objects or fingers that have touched a contaminated product, such as pet food, into the mouth or by touching a pet or in extreme cases, a person, that is infected."

Pets that have consumed food contaminated with salmonella could also become ill. Signs of an infection in a pet include decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may also become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and may vomit. If your pet is showing any of those signs, call your veterinarian.

"It is important to note that healthy pets can also be carriers of Salmonella, even if they are not exhibiting signs of illness, and they can still infect other animals or humans," said Dr. Byrum.

On the Web: Diamond Pet Food http://www.diamondpet.com/