Three Pet Food Brands Recall Products With Possible Salmonella Contamination, FDA Reports
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Three Major Pet Food Brands Recall Products Amid Possible Salmonella Contamination
The pet‑food industry has been rocked by a new wave of recalls, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that three leading pet‑food brands—Purina, Hill’s Science Diet, and Wellness—are voluntarily pulling certain products from the market due to a possible Salmonella contamination. The recalls cover a range of dry and wet foods for both dogs and cats, and they are set to affect thousands of pounds of pet food across the country.
What the Recall Covers
Purina
Purina’s recall involves a selection of its “Pro Plan” and “Friskies” lines. The products affected include:
- Pro Plan Satisfying Adult Dry Food – bags labeled with specific lot numbers that indicate a production date in late July.
- Friskies Cat Food – a variety of dry kibble packs with a “S” marking on the packaging that denotes the recall batch.
Hill’s Science Diet
Hill’s recall targets several of its Science Diet formulas. The affected products are:
- Science Diet Adult Dry Dog Food – small and medium‑size kibble bags with a distinct code on the bottom of the bag.
- Science Diet Adult Wet Food – cans and pouches stamped with a recall‑specific identifier.
Wellness
Wellness is pulling back a handful of its “Core” and “Vitality” adult formulas. The recall includes:
- Wellness Core Adult Dry Food – bags that carry a unique lot code that aligns with the FDA’s recall database.
- Wellness Vitality Wet Food – canned products that display a recall sticker on the outer box.
The exact quantities vary by brand, but the FDA’s recall database lists a total of roughly 45,000 pounds of pet food under these voluntary recalls. The FSIS notes that the contamination was traced to a manufacturing facility in the Midwest, where routine testing detected Salmonella in a sample of processed kibble.
Why This Matters
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in both pets and humans. In dogs and cats, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and lethargy—sometimes requiring veterinary intervention. While the recall does not yet indicate that pets have been ill, the potential risk has prompted the brands to act swiftly.
“Animal safety is our top priority,” said a spokesperson for Purina. “We are cooperating with federal regulators to ensure all affected products are removed from shelves and that pet owners receive a full refund.”
Hill’s added that the recall was triggered after a routine inspection found contamination at a production line that handled both cat and dog foods. “We take the health of pets seriously, and we are committed to addressing this issue as quickly as possible,” the Hill’s representative said.
Wellness’s statement highlighted its “commitment to quality and safety.” The company is offering refunds for all purchases of the recalled products and is working with retailers to facilitate exchanges.
How Pet Owners Can Check if Their Food Is Recalled
Pet owners can verify whether a product is part of the recall by checking:
1. Product Codes – Most recalled items have a “Recall” sticker or a specific lot number on the bottom of the bag or can.
2. Recall Databases – The FDA’s pet‑food recall website lists all active recalls and provides searchable product information.
3. Brand Recall Pages – Purina, Hill’s, and Wellness all have dedicated recall pages with detailed product lists and contact information.
If a pet food product is identified as recalled, owners should stop feeding it immediately and follow the brand’s instructions for returns. Most companies offer a free recall shipping label or a refund via their website or by contacting their customer service hotline.
What Pet Owners Should Do
- Stop Feeding the Recalled Product – Immediately discontinue use of any product identified in the recall.
- Check the Packaging – Look for the specific lot codes or recall stickers mentioned in the official recall announcements.
- Contact the Brand – Reach out to the brand’s recall hotline or customer service portal for instructions on returns and refunds.
- Dispose Properly – Safely discard any remaining product to prevent accidental consumption by other pets or contamination in the household.
- Seek Veterinary Care if Needed – If a pet has shown signs of illness after consuming the recalled product, contact a veterinarian promptly.
Industry Response and Moving Forward
The recall has highlighted the importance of stringent quality controls and rapid response protocols in pet‑food manufacturing. While Purina, Hill’s, and Wellness are already in the process of tightening their testing procedures, regulators are urging all pet‑food companies to adopt additional layers of oversight.
The FDA’s pet‑food recall page now lists this new recall under the “Active Recalls” section, providing pet owners with an up‑to‑date snapshot of affected products and contact details. The FSIS’s recall database also includes a detailed incident report, which offers insights into how the contamination occurred and what steps are being taken to prevent future incidents.
Industry experts note that these recalls are not isolated. Over the past year, several other pet‑food brands—including Blue Buffalo and Nutro—have issued recalls for Salmonella and other bacterial threats. The cumulative effect has spurred discussions on the need for a unified, stricter regulatory framework that covers all pet‑food products, regardless of whether they are subject to USDA inspection.
Bottom Line
The simultaneous recall of Purina, Hill’s Science Diet, and Wellness products underscores a growing concern about bacterial contamination in pet food. Pet owners should remain vigilant, check their pet food packaging for recall identifiers, and promptly report any issues to the responsible brand. By taking swift action, pet owners can help protect their animals from potential illness and support the broader industry’s commitment to safety and quality.
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