Over the last several years, recalls and warnings for food safety have continued to increase – including for pet food, as more and more pet owners demand accountability for how these items are processed. Most recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about Performance Dog frozen pet food, after discovering that batches after July 22nd contain dangerous strains of salmonella and listeria.
The Effects of Salmonella and Listeria on Pets
Just as many people implicitly trust that packaged food products for humans will remain safe, most pet owners expect pet food to be free of contaminants and truthfully labelled. Although the FDA does regulate pet food, however, there are still plenty of recalls issued for dangerous pet food products. Because packaged pet food is not always held to the same rigorous standards as human food, bacteria like salmonella and listeria often slip through the regulatory process, harming pets in the process. Pet food is also frequently uncooked, and because cooking is one of the best ways to eliminate salmonella and listeria, these products are far more likely to carry pathogens in the first place. As with humans, salmonella and listeria can cause the following symptoms in pets:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headaches and muscle aches
- Convulsions
- Abdominal cramps
- Fever
If your pet is displaying any of these symptoms after ingesting Performance Dog pet food, it’s recommended that you take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible. You should also discard any remaining food products in a secure container, to ensure that your animals and wildlife can’t access the food. Finally, you should also make sure any bowls, utensils, or storage areas that housed this product are properly cleaned and sanitized.
Is this Outbreak Dangerous for Humans Too?
Aside from the food poisoning risk for pets, the Performance Dog pet food outbreak can be dangerous for humans as well. This is because dogs can shed the salmonella and listeria strains into their feces – or spread them through mouth-to-skin contact. For this reason, it’s important to assess yourself and your family members for food poisoning symptoms and exercise extra caution around pet products. Make sure to wash your hands regularly and keep sanitizing products close.
Holding Pet Food Manufacturers Accountable
Whether the products we use cause food poisoning injuries or life-threatening diseases like cancer, these outcomes are absolutely unacceptable in a modern society. Regulatory agencies like the FDA exist to ensure our safety, but when companies are negligent during the manufacturing process, it’s still possible for people – and pets – to get hurt in the crossfire. At Williams DeClark Tuschman Co., L.P.A., our product liability attorneys can help you navigate the process of filing a claim, no matter if it’s on behalf of your pet or your human loved ones. With over 100 years of combined experience and an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, we’ve got the skill and experience to pursue maximum compensation on your case. Affected by the Performance Dog outbreak? Call (419) 719-5195 to schedule a free consultation.