Pet Food Recall Issued For Victor, Wayne’s Feed, Other Brands After Infant Salmonella Illnesses

Federal health officials have announced a pet food recall impacting multiple brands of cat and dog food, which may be contaminated with salmonella, posing a risk of infection to both pets and individuals handling the products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the Mid America Pet Food brand recall on November 9, after receiving at lest seven reports of individuals becoming ill with salmonella infections across seven states, resulting in at least one hospitalization.

Officials are warning that pet owners may be at risk of contracting salmonella infections by touching the contaminated pet food, feeding bowls, or coming in contact with their cat or dogs saliva.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most of the salmonella infections reported have involved infants, who may be more susceptible to severe illness from food borne poisoning.

Pet owners are encouraged to check the pet food immediately, because the infection could spread to humans if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after handling the food.

Pet Food Salmonella Recall

The recall includes certain lots of pet food brands that were manufactured by Mid America Pet Food, including Victor Super Premium Dog Foods, Wayne Feeds Dog Food, Eagle Mountain Pet Food, and some Member’s Mark products. A complete list of affected pet food products (PDF) is provided in the recall notice.

The recalled cat and dog foods were distributed across the U.S. and sold by multiple retailers with a “Best by” dates before October 31, 2024. The FDA is urging retailers and distributors to pull the infected brands from their inventory immediately, and destroy the products.

If a pet has consumed salmonella infected food, the animal may show symptoms such as decreased appetite, immobilization, diarrhea that may be bloody, vomiting and even fever. Pet owners noticing such symptoms should contact a veterinarian quickly because the animal can become a carrier and infect other animals and humans, the FDA warns.

Salmonella poses a risk of serious illness, especially for young children, elderly and those with a compromised immune system.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning can cause symptoms that include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, which typically resolve in a few days or weeks for healthy individuals. However, if the bacteria enters the blood stream, possibly from young children putting their hands in their mouth after petting the animal, it can cause more severe side effects such as infected aneurysms, endocarditis, and arthritis.

Officials are instructing customers to immediately stop using the recalled products and to destroy the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access. Individuals should wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers, and always ensure that you wash and sanitize your hands after handling the recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with it.

Consumers with questions can contact Mid America Pet Food Consumer Affairs at 1-888-428-7544.