recall of snake food from The FDA

[Red Deer]

Biggers & Callaham, Llc Dba Mice Direct Recalls Frozen Reptile Feed Because Of Possible Health Risk
Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:44:00 -0500


Biggers & Callaham LLC., D/B/A Mice Direct of Cleveland Georgia is recalling frozen reptile feed (mice, rats, chicks), because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products

[Icicle]

Oh wow.

That's going to be costly!!

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[keithalw]

My only question is will this hurt my reptiles if they did take some of these possible mice supposedly have it.

I done fed off all my stock from MD last week actually but I was told that salmonella would not hurt my reptile and now I am just curious...

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[HERPHAPPY]

Originally Posted by keithalw

My only question is will this hurt my reptiles if they did take some of these possible mice supposedly have it.
I done fed off all my stock from MD last week actually but I was told that salmonella would not hurt my reptile and now I am just curious...

I think it can? but often they just carry it and reinfect you!
Best avoided IMO!
You should call them & see if your supply was likely affected, & if so, be very thorough about hand washing after handling your snakes and their food.

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	In My Opinon IMO = In My Opinion and IMHO = In My Honest Opinion

[HERPHAPPY]

You would think they would not want them back? Not cost effective if they are having to dispose of them? They should just send replacements...(ouch! very costly!)

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[Red Deer]

I am sure most of you professionals and long time owners of snakes ( esp. Boas) know about the relationship between reptiles and salmonella. The question asked is: " can my boa become ill from the contaminated food?"
Here is the link to the center for disease control. It IS hard to get past their 6th grade patronization in the article; but after readfing it and the links provided, I conclude that snakes can "carry" without becoming ill themselves. HOWEVER , I would not trust that conclusion, and your snake become an "exception" ( becomes fatally ill).
The reason the FDA posted this recall ( I subscribe to the FDA recalls) is the danger to human handlers not the reptiles.
CDC Features - Reptiles, Amphibians, and Salmonella
Since the CDC IS the controlling agency, "we" have to pay attention to what they "think" about the disease potential of our snakes.
here is the recall in it's entirety:
"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- July 26, 2010 - Biggers & Callaham LLC., D/B/A Mice Direct of Cleveland Georgia is recalling frozen reptile feed (mice, rats, chicks), because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling contaminated pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody 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. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

The frozen reptile feed was distributed in all states, except Hawaii, through pet stores and by mail order and direct delivery.

Frozen reptile feed was shipped in plastic bags with the following product codes M-SP100, M-P100, M-PF100, M-F100, M-H100, M-W50, M-A50, M-JA25, R-P100, R-F50, R-PUP50, R-W50, R-S50, R-M20, R-L10,R-J5, R-C5, R-M3 followed by E9, F9, G9, H9, I9, J9, K9, L9 or A10, B10, C10, D10, E10, F10, G10 and whole frozen chicks in 25 count bags.

Human illnesses that may be related to the frozen reptile feed have been reported in 17 states. The recalled product should not be fed to animals, even after heating in a microwave oven, since the heating may not be adequate to kill Salmonella. The recall is based upon sampling by the FDA of frozen mice. The company continues their investigation.

Products shipped after 07/24/2010, will be irradiated in a similar manner as raw food for human consumption in order to address the Salmonella issue associated with these products.

Consumers who purchased reptile feed from Mice Direct are urged to contact Mice Direct by telephone at 888-747-0736 from 9:00a.m-5:00p.m EST Monday-Friday or by e-mail at sales@micedirect.com for instructions concerning this recall and for credits towards replacement of unused product." ( unquote)

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[keithalw]

Well the bad part is for me is I just fed everything last week and finished off my stuff and bags were thrown away so I am not sure if it was that or not...

I was actually placing an order for mice yesterday but now am wondering if I should wait or not

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[EricIvins]

Oh my god.......You mean un-cooked Chicken might have Salmonella?

DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH...............

And people, your animals will be just fine, as I'm quite sure this isn't the first time Feeders have had the "possibility" of being tainted with Salmonella.......

Sounds like someone was being made an example of, than anything else.............

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[morti]

Originally Posted by HERPHAPPY

You would think they would not want them back?

They have to prove to the FDA that the contaminated samples were destroyed.

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[Stargazer]

I'd hate to be the one with the job of destroying old rats.

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[RioBravoReptiles]

It's yet another attack on the reptile industry and hobby as a whole.. not a public health issue. That's how I see it anyway. The number of people getting seriously ill from bacterium in all sorts of (human) food items, plus from other types of pets and animal contact in a single year dwarfs proven pet-reptile related cases hundreds to one..
.
Still it's a reminder to us all to be careful how we do things and to support top-quality rodent suppliers..
.
Have fun, be safe.

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