Mars Petcare has recalled certain pet foods produced in a plant in Everson, Pennsylvania and sold in several US states. This is being done because two lots of pet food were found to be contaminated with Salmonella Schwarzengrund. This is the same Salmonella strain that was identified during a pet-food associated outbreak of salmonellosis in people in 2006-2007. Production of pet food at this facility was stopped in July because of a potential link between pet food produced there and infections in two people.  More information about this recall is available from the FDA.

While commercial pet foods undergo rigourous quality control and are much less likely to contain potentially harmful bacteria such as Salmonella than, for example, raw meat diets, it is important to remember that situations such as this can happen. So it’s still a good idea to wash your hands after handling pet food, of any kind.