A Recall of Finch, Canary, Parakeet, and Cockatiel Seed Mixes

United Pet Group Inc., Voluntarily Withdraws "Ultra Blend Gourmet Food for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Canaries and Finches," and "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Cockatiels" Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

Contact:
Consumer:
1-800-645-5145

Media:
Dave Prichard
608-278-6141
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 27, 2013 - United Pet Group, Inc., announces that it has voluntarily withdrawn a limited quantity of the products "Ultra Blend Gourmet Food for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Canaries and Finches," and "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Cockatiels." These products contain small quantities of dried parsley flakes supplied to United Pet Group by Specialty Commodities, Inc. On February 11, 2013, Specialty Commodities, Inc. initiated a voluntary product recall of parsley flakes distributed to United Pet Group and other pet food suppliers because the products may have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Specialty Commodities, Inc. distributed the products to United Pet Group on May 30, 2012, and August 29, 2012. Above listed products were distributed throughout the USA and Canada between Oct 2012 and Feb 2013.

Salmonella is an organism that 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. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

United Pet Group, Inc., is voluntarily withdrawing the following specific lot numbers of its "Ultra Blend Gourmet Food for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Parakeets," "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Canaries and Finches," and "ēCotrition Grains & Greens Nutritional Supplement for Cockatiels" because of the recall initiated by for parsley by Specialty Commodities, Inc. The specific lot numbers/production codes subject to this notice are as follows:

Ultra Blend Gourmet, Food for Parakeets (80oz bag)
UPC 26851 00904 Item # A904 / 056-0904-01 – USE BY dates: 07/20/15 and 10/20/15

ēCotrition Grains & Greens, Nutritional Supplement for Parakeets (8oz bag)
UPC 26851 00505 Item # A505 / 11-20700 – USE BY dates: 10/23/15 and 11/14/1

ēCotrition Grains & Greens, Nutritional Supplement for Canaries and Finches (8oz bag)
UPC 26851 00546 Item # C546 / 11-20712 – USE BY date: 10/16/15

ēCotrition Grains & Greens, Nutritional Supplement for Cockatiels (6.5oz bag)
UPC 26851 00512 Item # B512 / 11-20711 – USE BY date: 12/05/15

No other United Pet Group, Inc., products are affected by this voluntary withdrawal. Customers who have purchased any of the products noted above are urged to dispose of them or return them for a full refund. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there may be risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

There have been no known illnesses to date associated with the consumption of these products. If you have these products, please contact United Pet Group's Consumer Affairs team at 1-800-645- 5145, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30AM - 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time for a refund.

For press inquiries, please contact David Prichard at 608-278-6141, Monday through Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM Central Standard Time.