Dog Food Surprise: Salmonella Strikes Infants!

FDA Warns Pet Food Linked to Salmonella Infections in Infants

Babies Getting Salmonella from Pet Food, FDA Warns

Hold onto your seats, folks, because we’ve got a canine-concocted catastrophe on our hands! It seems that a recent salmonella outbreak in seven states is no laughing matter – especially for infants who can’t even say “salmonella.” The culprit? Dog food! Yes, you heard that correctly. Little humans are falling victim to the bacteria by unknowingly handling pet food.

The FDA, on high alert for our safety, just issued a recall for Victor Hi-Pro Plus dry dog food, one of the brands responsible for this madness. But this isn’t just about one brand! Oh no, it turns out the troublemaker is a whole gang of dry dog and cat food brands made by Mid America Pet Food – their products are involved in the recall too. So, if you’ve got any Victor, Eagle Mountain, Wayne Feeds, or even Member’s Mark pet foods lying around, better check those expiration dates before chow time!

Believe it or not, six out of the seven unlucky victims were little ones, aged one year or younger. These poor souls either came into contact with dogs who had consumed the tainted chow or ended up handling contaminated dog food bowls. And get this: three of those cases can even be traced back to Victor pet food! Hold the phone, Rover!

But how exactly are these pint-sized victims getting exposed? Well, folks, it seems they’ve been getting a little too friendly with the doggy droppings. Yep, you heard me right – poop! According to the CDC, our furry friends’ saliva and excretions can carry the salmonella bacteria. So, if the pups have been munching on that infected food, you can bet those germs end up anywhere they drool or leave their mark. And let me tell you, these bacteria aren’t getting the best guest reviews.

To avoid this mess, pet owners are encouraged to seal up the contaminated food in a trash bag before tossing it out – let’s not give wildlife a taste of the nasty stuff, now. And don’t forget to scrub every surface that’s brushed cheeks with the tainted chow – better safe than sorry!

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Just a friendly reminder, folks: if you find yourself waging war with symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting, it’s time to call in reinforcements. That means you should reach out to your doctor for some professional advice. And don’t worry, they won’t judge you for your dog food buffet experience.

Now, let’s zoom out for a second. Did you know that salmonella bacteria are notorious for infecting around 1.35 million Americans each year? And no, it’s not just from adventurous eaters licking raw chicken. It seems our little bacteria buddies love hitching a ride on contaminated food and water too. The symptoms are your usual suspects: diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Sounds like a fantastic party, right? But wait, there’s more. Over 26,000 unlucky individuals end up in the hospital due to these unwelcome guests. Yikes!

Now, before we wrap this up, let’s not forget the most vulnerable members of our society – infants. Their immune systems are still cooking up a feast of defenses, making them more susceptible to severe salmonella infections. So parents, keep an extra eye out for your little bundles of joy!

Alright, dear readers, it’s time to bid adieu. But before we do, let’s not forget to remind ourselves to tread carefully when handling dog food. And in case you’re interested in becoming an expert on this whole ordeal, check out the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website for a full list of the recalled products. Stay safe and stay away from Fido’s feast!

Source: – U.S. Food and Drug Administration, news release, Nov. 9, 2023 – U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health alert, Nov. 9, 2023

Image Source: Parenting Guide: Healthy Eating for Kids