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12-22-05

WVDA WARNS OF PET FOOD CONTAMINATION

West Virginia pet owners may want to check what they're feeding their pets after a South Carolina manufacturer announced that some of its products may be contaminated with a serious toxin.

Diamond Pet Food in Gaston, S.C., announced today that some of its products may contain aflatoxin, a dangerous but naturally occurring byproduct of fungus that can grow on corn and other crops. The company said it has notified dealers in affected states, including West Virginia, and has advised them to hold sales of suspect products. However, some products may already be in homes and should not be given to pets.

West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass said that pet owners and veterinarians should watch for sluggishness or lethargy, combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea. "Any animals exhibiting these symptoms should receive prompt veterinary attention," he said.

Products that may be contaminated include "Best By 01-March-07" through "Best By 11-June-07." Diamond's analysis shows that corn shipments received after December 10, 2005, did not contain aflatoxin and that "Best By 11-June-07" and later dates codes are safe, according to the company.

Only Diamond products manufactured in Gaston, S.C., pose any risk. Those products include a capital "G" in the eleventh or twelfth character of the date code. Products manufactured at the Diamond facilities in Meta, Mo., and Lathrop, Calif., are not affected, according to the company.

Types of products that may be contaminated include:

Diamond Puppy Food, Diamond Original Dog Food, Diamond Low Fat Dog Food, Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food, Diamond Maintenance Dog Food, Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food, Diamond Performance Dog Food, Diamond Maintenance Cat Food, Diamond Professional Cat Food, Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food, Professional Chicken & Rice Adult Dog Food, Professional Puppy Food, Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food, Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food, Professional Adult Cat Food, Country Value Puppy, Country Value Adult Dog, Country Value High Energy Dog, and Country Value Adult Cat Food.

Suspect products may be returned to the place of purchase for a refund.

Other affected states include Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky (eastern), Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.

For more information and continuing updates on specific lot testing, visit the company's website at www.diamondpet.com.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.

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