The FDA just released an updated Premium Edge Pet Food Recall.
The FDA released news this AM of additional information on the Premium Edge Cat Food recall; it is posted below. Interesting information in the release is the date stated that Diamond Pet Foods originally announced the recall. The date in this updated release is September 23, 2009; however after speaking to a Diamond Representative, TruthaboutPetFood.com announced the recall on 10/2/09. https://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/458/1/Premium-Edge-Cat-Food-Voluntary-Withdrawal/Page1.html TruthaboutPetFood.com announcement of this recall was the first announcement; the company representative I spoke with at Diamond was honest yet unsettled when confirming the recall to me on 10/2/09.
Diamond’s new statement that ‘they’ announced the release on September 23, 2009 ten days prior to the announcement here is confusing. Perhaps they made the announcement to the FDA and the FDA did not publish their release or perhaps the high level management representative of Diamond Pet Foods was not aware the recall was already announced to the FDA – I don’t know. I don’t really care who made the announcement – just so pet owners are warned in a timely manner.
I certainly hope that Diamond Pet Foods considers initiating a Recall Alert system to their customers – similar to or exactly like our Pet Food Recall First Alert. This updated announcement from Diamond is over two months after the original recall (their version of the recall date) – it concerns me how many cats might have eaten this food unknowingly.
Diamond Pet Foods Announces Recall of Premium Edge Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball Cat Food
Company Contact:
800-977-8797
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 27, 2009 – On September 23, Diamond Pet Foods issued a voluntary recall for Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball cat because they have the potential to produce Thiamine Deficiency. Today’s announcement provides additional information from the company’s posted announcement of September 23 when the initial recall information was provided.
Thiamine is essential for cats. Symptoms of deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. At the first stage the cat may show decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting, and weight loss. Later, neurologic signs can develop, which may include ventriflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, wobbly walking, circling, falling, and seizures. These ultimately may result in the death of the animal if left untreated. If your cat has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
The affected products were distributed in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida.
The affected date codes were RAF0501A22X 18lb. (BB28NOV10), RAF0501A2X 6 lb. (BB28NOV10), RAF0802B12X 18lb (BB30FEB11), RAH0501A22X 18 lb. (BB28NOV10), RAH0501A2X 6lb. (BB28NOV10, BB30NOV10, BB08DEC10)
To date, 21 cases of thiamine deficiency in cats have been reported and confirmed by Diamond. The reports have been confined to the New York and Pennsylvania areas and none have been received since October 19.
Diamond has tested the product and found the cat foods were deficient in thiamine. Samples taken by the FDA indicated that there were additional lots with insufficient levels of thiamine. No other complaints have been reported on any other product manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods.
Consumers who have purchased the affected lots are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-977-8797, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm192404.htm
