What exactly is in pet food these days is not only a concern for pet owners but now the Center for Disease Control is investigating pet foods on the market.

The continuation of the investigation from last year's outbreak of tainted pet food finds a manufacturer in Pennsylvania into hot water. An investigation has led to more concerns and this time it is affecting humans who handle the dry dog food. This includes employees at the manufacturing plant, to pet stores, to dog owners and finally to the dogs who consume this food.

All the way through the food chain the spread of salmonella is continuing to the point of another bulletin issued on May 15, 2008 from the Center for Disease Control.

The concerns over salmonella cases centers around human beings who handled the dog food which leads health officials to believe this outbreak is ongoing from one year ago.

Dr. Stephen Ostroff of the Pennsylvania Health Department says its the
first time there has been an out break of disease in humans that associated with the simple handling dry pet food.

Last spring 62 people in 18 states were infected with salmonella and officials say that it was all because of handling dry dog food.

Pet experts, people who handle dog food, including pet owners are being advised not to touch the food or come into contact with this dry dog food. Some of this manufacturer's products are still on the shelves and in pet owner's homes. This includes treats made by the same company and handling treats could make you sick, let alone what it can do to your dog.

As for reading the warnings on their site, the manufacturer advises you to dump the dog food which can be poisonous into your trash can and return the bag to the store where you purchased it for a full refund. It would be more advisable to pet owners to return the whole bag with its contents to the store, and get a full refund. If you put these products in the trash it could kill other animals or affect sanitation workers who would come into contact with the product. I would not want it sitting in my garbage and the pet food manufacturer should be responsible for its disposal as well.

The fact that you cannot even handle dog food these days without contacting a disease or infection is a major concern and the industry is in peril of mistrust and profit margins becoming more important that your pet's health.

Precautions In Your Own Home:

1) If the food falls on the floor make sure you clean your floor,dispose of the food as
quickly as possible.
2) Don't feed your pet in the kitchen and do not handle treats with your hands.
3) Wash any surfaces of your kitchen that come into contact with this food.
4) Wash your hands and containers with hot water and soap for 20 seconds.
5) Get rid of any of these brands of dog food and return to the store.
6) Do not let any children handle or touch the dog food.


Salmonella Poisoning Symptoms:

Salmonella infection develops into diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, 12 to 72 hours after contact. The illness can be treated however it can also lead to the need to be hospitalized. The infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and to other parts of the body which may cause death. The elderly, children and people with impaired immune systems are more likely to be severely affected by this infection.

For more information contact the Center for Disease Control.

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