Nestle Purina PetCare Company (NPPC) is recalling a limited number

of 3.5- and 7-pound bags of its Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ Dry Cat

Food because some of the bags have been found to be contaminated with

Salmonella.

purinacatfoodrecall-inside.jpgThe

recalled cat food was from a single production run and shipped in

December 2010 to customers, including Walmart and Kroger,  in 12 states

— California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota,

Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin — who may have

further distributed the product to other states.

Nestle Purina PetCare Co. said it became aware of the contamination as a result of samples  collected in several retail stores.

The recalled bags are:

— Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+; 3.5 lb.; best-by date of May 2012; production code 03341084; bag UPC code 17800 01885

— Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+; 3.5 lb.; best-by date of May 2012; production code  03351084; bag UPC code 17800 01885

— Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+; 7 lb.; best-by date of MAY 2012; production code  03341084; bag UPC code 17800 01887

— Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+; 7 lb.; best-by date of May 2012; production code  03351084′ bag UPC code 17800 01887

The best-by date and production code are found on the back or bottom of the bag.

Nestle

Purina advises consumers who have purchased Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity

7+ Dry Cat Food products with these specific best-by date and

production codes to discontinue feeding the product and discard it.

Salmonella

can not only affect animals eating the product, but also  humans who

handle the contaminated product.  People handling contaminated dry pet

food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not

thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed

to this product. 

Healthy people infected with

Salmonella may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal

cramping and fever.  Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious

ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle

pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms.

Pets

with Salmonella infections may exhibit decreased appetite, fever and

abdominal pain.  If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have

diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting.  Infected but otherwise

healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.  If

your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms,

please contact your veterinarian.

For further information or to obtain a product refund, call NPPC toll-free at 1-800-982-6559 or visit www.purina.com.