Pet food recall

[Tom7227]

Please read the following to learn about what appears to be a large recall by Mars Petcare.

· FDA recall link, Mars Petcare US Issues Voluntary Recall of Everson, PA Plant Dry Pet Food Product due to Potential Salmonella Contamination (September 12)

· Mars Link, http://petcare.mars.com/

As you may know they are one of the world’s largest pet food manufacturers (owning brands such as Pedigree, Nutro, Royal Canin and others). They produce many of the foods (brands and private label products) stocked by dealers, competitive dealers stock and national accounts (grocery and Walmart). Many of items are affected which means consumers will be affected.

Briefly here is what I have learned from reading this information:

· Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of all products produced at its Everson facility beginning February 18, 2008 until July 29, 2008.

· No official link has been made to the cases of Salmonella, but according to the media statement, “…the strain of Salmonella Schwarzengrund involved in the illnesses has been detected in the company’s Everson facility.”

· The concern is the food could affect animals (eating) and/or people (handling).

· All code dates, with the exception of PEDIGREE®, are listed in a similar format as noted below:

o Consumers should look for “17” as the first two digits of the second line. Sample:

o Best By Feb 18 09

o 17 1445 1

· For PEDIGREE® the Everson code date format is as follows:

o Consumers should look for “PAE” on the bottom line – the sixth, seventh and eighth digits. Sample:

o PEDIGREE ® Small Crunchy Bites

o Best Before 02/2009

o 808G1PAE01 12:00

· Purina Mills Products

o PMI Nutrition Bites & Bones Dog Food 50#

o PMI Nutrition Canine Advantage 50#

o PMI Nutrition Feline Medley 20#

o PMI Nutrition Gravy Crunches Dog Food 40#

o Red Flannel Active Formula Dog Food 40#

o Red Flannel Adult Formula Dog Food 20#

o Red Flannel Adult Formula Dog Food 40#

o Red Flannel Canine Select Dog Food 20#

o Red Flannel Canine Select Dog Food 40#

o Red Flannel Cat 10#

o Red Flannel Cat 20#

o Red Flannel Hi Pro Formula Dog Food 50#

o Red Flannel Prime Dog Food 25#

o Red Flannel Prime Dog Food 50#

o Red Flannel Puppy 40#

o Country Acres Cat Food 40# 16603 02181

o Country Acres Ration Dog Food 40# 16603 02333

o Country Acres 18% Dog Food 40# 16603 02331

o Country Acres Hi Pro Dog Food 50# 16603 02021

· TSC Products

o Retriever Bites & Bones Dog Food 8# 79818 96757

o Retriever Bites & Bones Dog Food 20# 79818 96634

o Retriever Bites & Bones Dog Food 50# 49394 05666

o Retriever Gravy Blend Dog Food 50# 49394 05665

o Retriever Gravy Blend Dog Food 8# 79818 96756

o Retriever Hi Protein Dog Food 8# 79818 96755

o Retriever Hi Protein Dog Food 25# 49394 00002

o Retriever Hi Protein Dog Food 50# 49394 00003

o Retriever Mini Chunk Dog Food 8# 79818 96754

o Retriever Mini Chunk Dog Food 25# 49394 00006

o Retriever Mini Chunk Dog Food 50# 49395 00005

o Retriever Puppy Blend Dog Food 6# 49394 56221

o Retriever Puppy Blend Dog Food 8# 79818 96758

o Retriever Puppy Blend Dog Food 20# 49394 00004

o Retriever Puppy Blend Dog Food 40# 79818 96706

· Other products are affected but the above are those our dealers may be stocking. Please let them know we have products that are similar and a great alternative for interested customers.