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Pet food scare: Public reassured
13/04/2007 21:03 - (SA)
Cape Town - Dog food manufacturer Royal Canin, which makes Vets Choice dog food, is awaiting results of extensive tests on their food following the recall of all their dog food from SA stores.
The product recall was announced on Thursday after Vets Choice's manufacturer Royal Canin was informed of 19 cases of dogs becoming ill after eating of the food.
Pending the results of tests and as a precautionary measure, sales of the product through vet surgeries was suspended and pet owners were asked to stop feeding their animals Vets Choice product and to consult their vets if they had any concerns about the health of their pets.
"The company is extremely concerned," said a Vets Choice spokesperson on Friday, saying the company was trying to assist and support dog owners.
The company had set up a call centre for owners with queries about the dog food and said people could call 011 801 5003/5004/5006/5007/5008 or email them at info@royal-canin.co.za for further information.
Hill's products 100% safe
As soon as the test results were back or there was any news, the company would issue a statement.
Meanwhile, another one of the country's premier pet food manufacturers hastened to assure pet owners that their products were 100% safe for cats and dogs to eat.
Hill's Pet Nutrition said on Thursday that it had recalled of their Prescription Diet m/d Feline product recently as a precaution after it was reported in the US media that cats had fallen ill after eating foods containing a contaminated wheat gluten.
As this wheat gluten could possibly be present in the Hill's product, the decision was made to recall Prescription Diet m/d Feline, purely as a preventative measure.
The company said all possibly affected bags of food were removed and were never made available for sale in South Africa.
According to Hill's, all its dog and cat food products were safe for pets.
Dr Guy Fyvie, spokesperson for Hill's reassured pet owners, "All Hill's dog and cat food products are safe and nutritious and can be fed with confidence."
In a statement released by Hill's, it was said that no cats had been reported to have fallen ill after eating Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food.
Hill's said their precautionary withdrawal had nothing to do with to the Vets Choice recall or with the ethylene glycol-contaminated food produced by Malmesbury-based Aquanutro and marketed by Woolworths.
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