Sunshine Mills Inc. is recalling certain dog food products because of possible Salmonella contamination, which can be dangerous to pets and people who handle the food.

The potential for contamination was noted after the firm was notified by its distributor, Fleet Wholesale Supply Co., which was informed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture when a sample of 5 pounds of Sprout Sporting Dog Food product tested positive for Salmonella during routine testing.

There is a risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they don’t thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products. Utensils and surfaces that come into contact with pet food should also be washed to avoid cross contamination.

The products identified below were distributed online and in retail stores.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed a recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The best buy date and lot code can be found on the back of each package.

Recalled Products:

As of the posting of this recall, no illnesses, injuries or complaints had been reported.

Retailers who received the recalled lots have been contacted and asked to pull these lots from their inventory and shelves. And consumers who have purchased the recalled products should not use the product and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

About Salmonella infections in humans
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has come in contact with any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

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