FDA Announces a Cat Food Recall

The Food and Drug Administration announced Monday that Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling limited production codes of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat Formula dry cat food, Premium Edge Senior Cat Hairball Management Formula dry cat food, Premium Edge Kitten Formula dry cat food, Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula dry cat food and 4health All Life Stages Cat Formula dry cat food. According to a press release from the FDA, although there have been no complaints regarding thiamine levels or any other health related issues, tests conducted by the company indicated the products might have a low level of thiamine (Vitamin B1). In addition, Diamond Pet Foods has tested all other Diamond brands for thiamine deficiency and as a result, no other products of cat food have been involved in this voluntary recall.

"At Diamond Pet Foods, we have a process where we continuously test our products, and this process allowed us to find the undesired levels of thiamine in some of our cat formulas. Our food safety protocols are designed to provide safe food on a daily basis," Michele Evans, Ph.D., Diamond Pet Foods Executive Director of Food Safety and Quality Assurance said in the press release. "In the event an error occurs, we have the data to quickly alert pet owners, giving them the confidence they demand of a pet food manufacturer."

Only product with the following Best By dates and Production Codes are included in the voluntary recall. Further distribution of these affected production codes has occurred through online sales. It is best to check the production code to determine if the product has been recalled or not.

The following products were the only ones sold in Georgia.

Diamond Naturals Kitten Formula

6 oz. samples and 6 lb. bags

MKT0901

30-Sept-2013

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina

4health All Life Stages Cat Formula

5 lb. and

18 lb. bags

NGF0802

14-Aug-2013,

18-Aug-2013

Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact the Pet Food Information Center at 1­888­965­6131, Sunday through Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST. Consumers also may visit Website - http://www.petfoodinformationcenter.com for additional information.

Cats fed product with the previously listed Production Codes and Best By dates exclusively for several weeks may be at risk for developing a thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is essential for cats in maintaining normal nervous system function. Symptoms of thiamine deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, neurological signs can develop, which may include ventriflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, wobbly walking, falling, circling and seizures. Pet owners should contact their veterinarians immediately if a cat is displaying any of these signs. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency typically is reversible.