NUTRO recalls dry cat foods - May 21, 2009

[Therese]

FRANKLIN, Tenn., May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE CARE(R) Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Dry Foods with "Best If Used By Dates" between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.

Two mineral premixes were affected. One premix contained excessive levels of zinc and under-supplemented potassium. The second premix under-supplemented potassium. Both zinc and potassium are essential nutrients for cats and are added as nutritional supplements to NUTRO(R) dry cat food.

This issue was identified during an audit of our documentation from the supplier. An extensive review confirmed that only these two premixes were affected. This recall does not affect any NUTRO(R) dog food products, wet dog or cat food, or dog and cat treats.

Affected product was distributed to retail customers in all 50 states, as well as to customers in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Israel. We are working with all of our distributors and retail customers, in both the US and internationally, to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or distributed further.

Consumers who have purchased affected product should immediately discontinue feeding the product to their cats, and switch to another product with a balanced nutritional profile. While we have received no consumer complaints related to this issue, cat owners should monitor their cat for symptoms, including a reduction in appetite or refusal of food, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea. If your cat is experiencing health issues or is pregnant, please contact your veterinarian.

Consumers who have purchased product affected by this voluntary recall should return it to their retailer for a full refund or exchange for another NUTRO(R) dry cat food product. Cat owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-800-833-5330 between the hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST, or visit www.nutroproducts.com.

Recalled Pet Food

The varieties of NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE CARE(R) Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Dry Foods listed below with "Best If Used By Dates" between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010 are affected by this voluntary recall.

                    Nutro Products Recall List - Dry Cat Foods

    U.S. Product Name                     Bag Size           UPC

    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R) Kitten Food                   4 lbs       0 79105 20607 5
    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R)  Kitten Food                  8 lbs       0 79105 20608 2
    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R)  Kitten Food (Bonus Bag)      9.2 lbs     0 79105 20695 2
    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R)  Kitten Food                  20 lbs      0 79105 20609 9
    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R)  Kitten Food (Sample Bag)     1.5 oz            none
    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R)  Adult                        4 lbs       0 79105 20610 5
    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R)  Adult                        8 lbs       0 79105 20611 2
    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R)  Adult (Bonus Bag)            9.2 lbs     0 79105 20694 5
    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R) Adult                        20 lbs       0 79105 20612 9
    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R) Adult (Sample Bag)            1.5 oz            none
    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R)  Adult Oceanfish Flavor       4 lbs       0 79105 20622 8
    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R) Adult Oceanfish Flavor        8 lbs       0 79105 20623 5
    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R) Adult Oceanfish Flavor
     (Bonus Bag)                           9.2 lbs     0 79105 20698 3
    NUTRO(R) NATURAL CHOICE(R) COMPLETE
     CARE(R) Adult Oceanfish Flavor       20 lbs       0 79105 20624 2
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Adult Roasted
     Chicken Flavor                        3 lbs       0 79105 10228 5
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Adult Roasted
     Chicken Flavor                        6 lbs       0 79105 10229 2
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Adult Roasted
     Chicken Flavor                       16 lbs       0 79105 10230 8
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Adult Roasted
     Chicken Flavor (Sample Bag)           1.5 oz            none
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Indoor Adult
     Roasted Chicken Flavor                3 lbs       0 79105 10243 8
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Indoor Adult
     Roasted Chicken Flavor                6 lbs       0 79105 10244 5
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Indoor Adult
     Roasted Chicken Flavor               16 lbs       0 79105 10245 2
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Indoor Adult
     Roasted Chicken Flavor (Sample
     Bag)                                  1.5 oz            none
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Indoor Adult
     Salmon Flavor                         3 lbs       0 79105 10246 9
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Indoor Adult
     Salmon Flavor                         6 lbs       0 79105 10247 6
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Indoor Adult
     Salmon Flavor                        16 lbs       0 79105 10248 3
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Indoor Weight
     Control                               3 lbs       0 79105 10249 0
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Indoor Weight
     Control                               6 lbs       0 79105 10250 6
    NUTRO(R) MAX(R) Cat Indoor Weight
     Control                              16 lbs       0 79105 10251 3

Source: PRNewswire

You'll also find information on the NUTRO website

[Bonkers]

 According to this cbs5 news report, the recalled food has been sold to consumers since December 2008. In their video report they explain what can be the effects of feeding a cat a diet that is in excess of zinc and low in potassium. Besides possibly causing vomiting and diarhea "Cats who have been fed a diet low in potassium can develop nerve and muscle damage and can become so weak they may even have trouble holding their heads up." This sounds way toooo familiar. http://cbs5.com/local/pet.food.recall.2.1016460.html