CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WARNS CONSUMERS NOT TO FEED THEIR PETS PEDIGREE® COMPLETE NUTRITION SMALL CRUNCHY BITES BECAUSE IT MAY BE CONTAMINATED WITH SALMONELLA

DATE:  August 12, 2008

NUMBER: 08-43

CONTACT:  Suanne Buggy or Lea Brooks - (916) 440-7259

SACRAMENTO – Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), today warned consumers not to feed their pets certain bags of PEDIGREE® Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause serious illness in humans as well as in dogs and cats.  People who do not adequately wash their hands after handling the contaminated pet food may expose themselves to Salmonella.

This recalled product, manufactured by Mars Petcare US of Franklin, Tenn., was sold in Albertsons in Southern California in 20-pound bags with Lot Code No. 830BFCAT02 and Best By Date of 07/2009 and at Costco stores in Northern California in 52-pound bags with Lot Code Nos. 831BFCAT02 and 830DFCAT02  and Best By Date of 07/2009.  The lot code is located on the back of the bag.  There have been no reports of human illness associated with this product.

This product should be properly discarded in a secure container.  Consumers can return the product to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.  Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will exhibit decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.  Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and can potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

A list of safe pet food handling tips can be found at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Web site: www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/petfoodtips080307.html.

Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com.