Some people may think that safety issues associated with pet food are geared solely toward ensuring their animals’ health. The federal government recently shed light on the issue, informing a pet food company that the presence of salmonella in its products could harm more than the animals who consume it.
Pet food manufacturing company Answers Pet Food, owned and operated by Lystn LLC, received a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration indicating that its products tested positive for Salmonella. The tests involved the company’s Detailed Answers Chicken Formula dog food product.
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can be found in raw food products like beef, milk, poultry, eggs, and fresh produce. Individuals who consume Salmonella or otherwise come into contact with the bacteria can experience severe illnesses, including vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, fever, and even death. The elderly, children, and those with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to the bacteria, often requiring hospitalization to resolve the resulting symptoms.
In its letter, the FDA detailed its dual concerns with pet products that contain dangerous contaminants like Salmonella: ensuring that the humans who come into contact with the products remain safe and ensuring the safety of the purchasers’ pets. According to the FDA, it is more common for illnesses linked to contaminated pet products to infect humans than animals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have even published studies showing the link between Salmonella outbreaks in humans and contaminated pet products.
Although Answers Pet Food responded to the FDA’s letter, the FDA indicated that the company has failed to provide any information regarding the corrective actions that it plans to take regarding the contaminated pet products. If you or someone you love has been injured as the result of a contaminated food product, you may be entitled to compensation. Businesses that produce, manufacture, and sell food products have a duty to use reasonable care to ensure that the food is produced in a safe environment, free of unreasonable dangers like Salmonella. A company that stores food in an unsanitary manner, for example, has breached its duty to consumers and the public.
The company may also be liable for injuries arising from its contaminated food products under a strict product liability theory. Under this approach, the plaintiff need only show that the product served or sold by the company was unreasonably dangerous and that the dangerous nature of the product caused the plaintiff’s injury. Unlike in a negligence case, there is no need to demonstrate that the manufacturer or seller was at fault for the contamination.
At Moll Law Group, our dedicated team of food contamination and dangerous product lawyers have provided compassionate and skilled legal counsel to injury victims throughout the United States. Representing clients in states like Texas, New York, California, and Illinois, we provide a free consultation to help you learn about the legal rights and remedies that may be available to you and your family. We understand how daunting bringing a legal action against a large food company can seem, but we will stand by you at every step of the way and ensure that you assert your right to the compensation that you deserve. Call us at 312-462-1700 or contact us online to schedule your appointment.
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