2007-04-27 15:04:22 -
META, Mo., April 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Because of the canned pet food recall initiated by American Nutrition Inc., Diamond Pet Foods has announced it is withdrawing a limited number of canned products manufactured by American Nutrition. This action is limited to three specific canned products: Diamond Lamb & Rice Formula for Dogs 13 oz. cans, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Kitten Formula 5.5 oz. cans, and Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Puppy Formula 13 oz. cans.
Diamond Pet Foods is taking this voluntary action after
learning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed rice protein concentrate used by American Nutrition contained melamine, a substance not approved for use in food.
No other Diamond brand or Chicken Soup brand canned or dry pet food formulas are affected by the American Nutrition recall.
Diamond Pet Foods has not received any indication of quality or safety issues, including pet illness, with the three withdrawn products. However, because American Nutrition informed the company that these three specific products may include rice protein concentrate, Diamond Pet Foods felt this action was necessary for the protection of its customers and their pets.
It should be noted that the products being withdrawn were not formulated or labeled to contain rice protein concentrate. While the FDA is investigating this, current information indicates this error is a result of a manufacturing deviation by American Nutrition.
"We are voluntarily withdrawing these three canned products as a precautionary measure to protect the safety of pets and the integrity of our products," says Mike Kampeter, president of Diamond Pet Foods. "While testing has not revealed any safety issues with these products, we felt it necessary to remove them from retailer shelves as soon as we were made aware of the American Nutrition product recall."
The specific products affected by the recall have "best by" dates as follows:
-- Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Kitten Formula 5.5 oz. cans:
Aug. 15, 2008 to April 15, 2009
-- Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Puppy Formula 13 oz. cans:
Aug. 21, 2008 to April 15, 2009
-- Diamond Lamb & Rice Formula for Dogs 13 oz. cans: Aug. 21, 2009 to
April 15, 2010
Customers with these products should stop feeding them immediately and return them to their retailer for a full refund.
"Our highest priority is the health and well-being of our customers' pets," Kampeter said. "We are committed to keeping our customers informed and working with the Food and Drug Administration to thoroughly investigate the situation."
For Diamond Pet Foods, American Nutrition Inc. manufactures only canned products. Diamond Pet Foods manufactures its Diamond brand and Chicken Soup brand dry pet foods in its three manufacturing plants in the United States.
Based in Meta, MO, family-owned Diamond Pet Foods was founded in 1970. Diamond is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of super-premium dog and cat food and the top choice of professional breeders, sporting and working dog owners and family pet owners.
Source: Diamond Pet Foods
