This article was originally posted on the Life's Abundance blog. Please note: No Life’s Abundance products are included in this or any other recall.

In the world of pet care, hearing about product recalls can be unsettling, especially when they're not widely publicized. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in one such critical situation now, where the stakes are high - not just for our pets but also for the youngest members of our families.

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported seven human illnesses linked to a specific pet food recall by the FDA. Alarmingly, six of these cases involved children aged one year or younger.

This raises a significant red flag about the potential impact of pet food recalls on your entire household’s safety. In this blog, we'll tell you what you need to know, immediate actions you can take, and how Life's Abundance is proactively addressing these events to ensure your peace of mind.

Who’s Affected & What You Need to Know

This recall, an expansion of earlier ones initiated on September 3 and October 30, 2023, involves a range of pet foods. As of November 1, seven reported cases of illness linked to this issue have been reported in seven different states, predominantly affecting infants.

Mid America Pet Food issued the recall, and it includes several brands (list updated as of November 12, 2023):

• Victor Super Premium Dog Food: 17 varieties, 57 products
• Victor Super Premium Cat Food: 3 varieties, 8 products
• Wayne Feeds Gold Dog Food: 6 varieties
• Wayne Feeds Gold Cat Food: 2 varieties
• Eagle Mountain Pet Food for Dogs: 1 variety
• Member’s Mark Dog Food: 2 varieties

You can see the complete list of recalls here.

The contamination in question is Salmonella, found in these dog and cat food varieties. Salmonella is a bacteria causing infection in pets and people. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and lethargy in pets and abdominal cramps, fever, and diarrhea in humans.

3 Immediate Actions You Can Take

Here are three things you can do right now if you suspect you, your pets, or your family have come in contact with one pet foods above:

1. The FDA and CDC recommend disposing of the affected products immediately.
2. Clean and disinfect anything that comes into contact with the food.
3. For a comprehensive, up-to-date list of affected products, you should visit the FDA’s website.

At Life’s Abundance, we take a proactive stance. Our quick notification system and stringent controls ensure your family’s safety and the quality of our pet foods, from manufacturing to when it's delivered to your door. This incident, though unfortunate, underscores the importance of vigilance in pet food manufacturing and consumer awareness - and we’re on top of it!

A Misguided Notion

There's a new, emerging belief, even among some manufacturers, that pets can resist Salmonella more effectively than humans, implying a minimal risk in their food. This assumption has gained traction with the popularity of raw diets for pets, but it ignores important points.

While dogs are generally more resistant to Salmonella than humans, this doesn't mean they’re immune. It's important to state this clearly: Even if your pet doesn't show symptoms, they can still be a carrier of Salmonella and potentially spread the bacteria to humans and other animals in your household.

This recent incident highlights the reality that our pets are part of our families, and keeping them safe helps protect the rest of your family.

To Our Customers: Stay Alert and Informed

While these situations are concerning, they also remind us of the importance of staying up-to-date for the sake of our furry friends and families. At Life's Abundance, we're committed to helping you navigate these moments with ease and confidence. Remember, together, we can keep our beloved pets healthy, happy, and safe. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your family’s journey - we're here for you every step of the way!

Why Choose Life's Abundance dog and cat products?

Life's Abundance has had NO RECALLS EVER!

Life's Abundance has been in business since 1999.

Life's Abundance currently has 6 warehouses to make shipping to you as quick as possible and carries products for you and your pets.

Life's Abundance dry dog and cat foods are generally shipped within 6 weeks of being made. They don't sit in non climate controlled warehouses or semi trailers for months before hitting the store shelves.

References:
[1] "FDA and CDC Investigate Cases of Salmonella Linked to Pet Food Made by Mid America Pet Food; Multiple Brands Recalled." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. November 9, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-and-cdc-investigate-cases-salmonella-linked-pet-food-made-mid-america-pet-food-multiple-brands.

[2] "Mid America Pet Food Issues Voluntary Recall of Victor Beef Meal & Rice Dog Food Due to Possible Salmonella Health Risk." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. October 30, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mid-america-pet-food-issues-voluntary-recall-victor-beef-meal-rice-dog-food-due-possible-salmonella.

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