The Hartz Mountain Corporation, located in Secaucus, N.J. is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of Wardley Betta Fish Food 1.2 oz. size due to concerns that one or more containers within the lot may have been potentially contaminated with Salmonella. Hartz is fully cooperating with the US Food and Drug Administration in this voluntary recall.
Salmonella is a bacterial organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in people, particularly young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Salmonella can affect animals eating the product and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to these products. Some healthy individuals infected with Salmonella may experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe or chronic illness.
The product was shipped nationwide from May 13, 2013 through June 4, 2013. In total, 8,112 1.2-oz. plastic containers of Wardley Betta Fish Food, UPC number 0-43324-01648, isolated to the lot code PP06331 (located on the bottom), which were packaged by Hartz at its Pleasant Plain, Ohio facility from a single production run, were shipped. Routine sample testing conducted by Hartz as part of its quality control procedures detected the presence of Salmonella in the lot specified. Hartz is aggressively investigating the source of the problem.
Although Hartz has not received any reports of illness to date in animals or humans as a result of coming into contact with this product, Hartz is taking immediate steps to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers. Fish owners who have purchased this product should check the lot code on their containers. If the code is not visible, or if the container has the following lot code PP06331 imprinted on it, they should immediately discontinue use of the product and discard in the trash.
Consumers can contact Hartz Consumer Affairs at 1-800-275-1414 (24 hours/day 7 days/week) with any questions they may have and to obtain reimbursement for purchased product.
