AVMA News

Pet food recall linked to seven-state Salmonella outbreak

These six varieties of Victor Super Premium Dog Foods are just some out of 30 that are now part of the Mid America Pet Food recall
Thirty-five dog and cat foods are now part of the Mid America Pet Food voluntary recall, including 20 varieties of Victor Super Premium Dog Foods. (Courtesy of the Food and Drug Administration)

Public health officials are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Kiambu that has infected people in seven states and is potentially associated with one pet food manufacturer, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced November 9.

Mid America Pet Food has expanded its October 30 voluntary recall to include additional pet food products, with a best by date before October 31, 2024, made at its Mount Pleasant, Texas, facility, due to the products’ potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The pet food products involve Victor Super Premium Dog Foods, Wayne Feeds Dog Food, Eagle Mountain Pet Food, and two varieties of Member’s Mark pet foods. These products encompass both dog and cat foods and were sold nationwide in retail stores and online.

The recall expands previous recalls by the company on September 3 and October 30.

Salmonella Kiambu illnesses linked to the pet food started on dates ranging from January 14 to August 19. One person was hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.

As of November 1, seven people infected with the strain of Salmonella had been identified in California, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, and Hawaii, according to the CDC. Six cases were children 1 year old or younger. Five of these cases reported exposure to dogs and three reported feeding Victor pet food to their pets.

A retail sample of Victor brand Hi-Pro Plus dry dog food collected by the South Carolina State Department of Agriculture and analyzed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control matches the strain of Salmonella found in the seven human cases.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products, and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have may only exhibit decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.

The FDA advises consumers with any of the pet food on this list to throw it away in a secure container. Do not feed it to your pets or other animals. Do not donate the food. Clean and disinfect all pet supplies and surfaces that the food or pet had contact with.

The FDA, in collaboration with CDC and state partners, says it is still investigating these cases and will provide updates as appropriate.