Dog Food Linked To Salmonella Outbreak Killed Dozens of Dogs In 2005

Diamond Pet Food, the maker of dog food linked to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 15 people in nine states and spawned 10 dog food recalls  since April 6, was linked to the deaths of dozens of dogs in 2005, according to records at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In December 2005, the company issued a recall of 19 varieties of cat and dog food made at its Gaston, S.C. facility after some of them were found to be contaminated with toxic mold. The recall, one of the largest pet food recalls in U.S. history, would later grow to include 31 brands totaling 700,000 packages shipped to 24 states and 30 countries, according to a report by the FDA.  But not before they killed dozens of dogs.

At least 76 dogs died after eating foods manufactured by Diamond, others who were sickened survived with damage to major organs and required specialized care for the rest of their shortened lives.

The FDA sent a warning letter to the company after FDA investigators found several violations during a December 2005 inspection.  One that was mentioned: “The inspection also revealed that the facility failed to implement appropriate controls to prevent the adulteration of the pet food, and that the plant personnel failed to follow established procedures.” 

Fast forward (over a 2007 recall,  a 2009 recall, and a 2010 recall ) to 2012, when the same plant is linked to 10 ongoing recalls that are causing illness in humans including an 8-week-old baby who was hospitalized for three days. Here are a couple of the comments from FDA inspectors who visited the plant in April 2012: “All reasonable precautions are not taken to ensure that production procedures do not contribute contamination from any source.” And: “An employee was observed touching in-line fat filter and oil with bare hands.”

Tainted pet food can sicken humans who touch it or come into contact with surfaces it has touched. The symptoms of Salmonella poisoning usually set in 12 to 72 hours after exposure and include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps that last four to seven days. Infants, small children, the elderly, pregnant women and others with compromised immune systems are most at risk.