Please Read. Dry dog food warning (CDC)

[Ellie May]

While I don't have many details, I just heard on the radio that the Centers for Disease Control is issuing a warning about dry dog food. They are saying it is making people ill due to salmonella. I heard something about 70 people. They are instructing you to wash your hands after handling your pets food, etc. but nobody is recalling it so far. While this may not be a big problem for healthy dogs, it is for those who have compromised immune systems.

I googled this story but the only thing I could find was for August or so 2007. The company that had the problem in August was Mars.
It was already going on then.
So, I don't think this is an old story since I heard it today (5/15/08), but it could be.

[yorkiesmiles]

hmm that's strange why would they be concerned about people, but not dogs?

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

hmm that's strange why would they be concerned about people, but not dogs?

The CDC only really cares about people.
It is strange that the FDA isn't getting involved.
The warning from last year is on the CDC website I think.

[Potter]

Good thing I don't feed ay commercial dry or wet food anymore. Can't deal with surprises all the time especially negative surprises.

[fasteddie]

I don't see any story either on the CDC site regarding this, at least in this month's press releases:

CDC Media Relations Home Page

There was a salmonella outbreak listed here, but no mention at all of dog food:

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in multiple states across the United States and with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Agona infections. An investigation that includes interviews of persons with Salmonella Agona infections and comparison of the DNA fingerprints suggests that cereal from Malt-O-Meal unsweetened Puffed Rice Cereals and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals is likely related to these illnesses.

As of May 13, 2008, state and city health departments from 15 states have identified 28 ill persons infected with same genetic fingerprint of Salmonella Agona. Ill persons with the outbreak strain have been identified from Colorado (1), Delaware (2), Illinois (1), Maine (4), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), North Dakota (1), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (5), New York (3), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (2), Rhode Island (1), and Vermont (1). Onset dates, which are known for 23 patients, ranged from January 1 to April 10, 2008. Patients’ ages ranged from 4 months to 95 years with a median age of 65 years. Eight hospitalizations and no deaths have been reported.

Investigation of Outbreak of Infections Caused by Salmonella Agona | Salmonella CDC

Here is the CDC page on Salmonella Infection (salmonellosis) and Animals:

Diseases: Salmonella | CDC Healthy Pets Healthy People

[Ellie May]

This is from the end of 2007:
Salmonella Schwarzengrund Outbreak Investigation | CDC Salmonella

I can't find info about whether this is still going on but the news station acted like it was their first time reporting it today...

So a couple foods were recalled but not so much the ones linked to the human illness.

[morningsting]

Thanks. I will definitely make sure I wash my hands after handling Bear's food.

[romeos mommy]

omg

[CSRE]

Any food names?

[Ellie May]

Investigations are ongoing to determine why human illness, especially among infants, is associated with dry pet food. Factors under investigation include handling and storage of dry pet food, hand-washing practices, exposure of children to dry pet food, and location in the home where pets are fed.
Salmonella Schwarzengrund Outbreak Investigation | CDC Salmonella

The whole subject of pet food being contaminated is still being studied and it doesn't look like too much has changed since this article. It's hard to say.

[CSRE]

this is so scary

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

hmm that's strange why would they be concerned about people, but not dogs?

Dogs aren't affected by salmonella like humans, for example, it ok to feed a dog raw chicken, but never a human. Their stomachs contain different bacteria then ours; notice how many dogs eat poop with no ill effects except bad breath. This would kill a human. I do have to say that nearly all dog products contain this warning and if you read the labels I'm sure you'll see it on many of the products you are using. Some products say human grade, but are no safer for your dog, but you probably wouldn't have to wash your hands after touching them.

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

The CDC only really cares about people.
It is strange that the FDA isn't getting involved.
The warning from last year is on the CDC website I think.

The pet food industry is not government regulated. They make too much money from this so they pass the buck over to American Feed Contgrol Officials. (AAFCO).

WHO REGULATES THE PET FOOD INDUSTRY

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

The pet food industry is not government regulated. They make too much money from this so they pass the buck over to American Feed Contgrol Officials. (AAFCO).

WHO REGULATES THE PET FOOD INDUSTRY

Hmm, I thought the FDA did have something to do with all the recalls in 2007.


As far as most animal products having the wash your hands warning, I no longer give any of that to Ellie unless it is medication. I would expect that for raw food which I don't feed. I don't think it is acceptable for kibble to have salmonella in it at all. There are always those few dogs with compromised immune systems who can't handle it. Food-bourne illness in kibble is just wrong.

[Yorkieluv]

I know a couple of dogs who have gotten E.Coli from kibble as well...Dogs with compromised immune systems can't handle these illnesses very well.