February 16, 2007
Advice from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center On Recent FDA Recalls of Cat Food and Peanut Butter

NEW YORK—This week, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued two recalls pertaining to products contaminated with the bacteria Salmonella. The first involves a recall on Peter Pan and Great Value brands of peanut butter with the manufacturer code "2111" on the jar lid. The second pertains to Wild Kitty Raw All Natural, Frozen Cat Food- Chicken with Clam Recipe. Contaminated packages include both the 3.5 ounce and 1 lb. sizes. Thus far, there have been no reports of illness pertaining to either product in pets.

As many pets—especially dogs—enjoy an occasional peanut butter treat, the ASPCA cautions pet parents against feeding recalled peanut butter to pets. Affected jars should be thrown out, and extra caution should be taken to ensure that pets do not access trash receptacles containing the discarded peanut butter. Similar steps should be followed for the contaminated cat food.

"Most healthy adult dogs and cats are less susceptible to Salmonella infection than humans", says Dr. Eric Dunayer, Senior Toxicologist for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. "However, it is still possible for problems to occur, so we recommend discarding any product involved in this recall." For more information about the recalls, please visit: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01563.html and http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01562.html .

The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center is the premier animal poison control center in North America. An allied agency of the University of Illinois, it is the only facility of its kind staffed by 25 veterinarians (nine of whom are board-certified toxicologists) and 14 certified veterinary technicians. Located in Urbana, Ill., the specially-trained staff provides assistance to pet owners and specific analysis and treatment recommendations to veterinarians pertaining to toxic chemicals and dangerous plants, products or substances, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information on potentially dangerous substances in the home or to reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, please call 1-888-426-4435 or visit www.aspca.org/apcc .

About the ASPCA®

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first humane organization established in the Western Hemisphere and today has one million supporters. The ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides national leadership in anti-cruelty, animal behavior, humane education, government affairs and public policy, shelter support, and animal poison control. The NYC headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital and adoption facility. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series "Animal Precinct" on Animal Planet. Visit www.aspca.org for more information.

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PHChristy
Director of Community Services
PetHobbyist.com