INC NEWS - Pet Food Recalled Due to Aflatoxin

[Ken Gasch]

Contact:
Mark Brinkman
573-229-4203

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- December 20, 2005 -- Diamond Pet Food has discovered aflatoxin in a product manufactured at our facility in Gaston, South Carolina. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus, on corn and other crops. 

Out of an abundance of caution, we have notified our distributors and recommended they hold the sale of all Diamond Pet Food products formulated with corn that were produced out of our Gaston facility (see complete list below). Please note that products manufactured at our facilities in Meta, Missouri and Lathrop, California are not affected. The Gaston facility date codes are unique from other Diamond facility codes in that either the eleventh or twelfth character in the date code will be a capital "G" (in reference to Gaston). The range of date codes being reviewed are "Best By 01-March-07" through Best By " 11-June-07". Diamond's quantitative analysis records substantiate that Diamond's corn shipments were definitively clear of aflatoxin after December 10. As such, "Best By 11-June-07" date codes or later are not affected by this notice.

States serviced by our Gaston facility include Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky (eastern), Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Vermont, and Virginia.

We are rapidly analyzing retained samples of all products produced in Gaston so we can isolate specific lot numbers impacted and provide this information to our distributors, retailers and customers as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, if your pet is showing any symptoms of illness, including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea, please consult your veterinarian immediately.

Product quality and customer satisfaction are important to us. We pledge to keep you updated as new developments occur.

Gaston Facility Products Removed From Sale

Diamond Low Fat Dog Food 
Diamond Hi-Energy Dog Food 
Diamond Maintenance Dog Food 
Diamond Performance Dog Food 
Diamond Premium Adult Dog Food 
Diamond Puppy Food 
Diamond Maintenance Cat Food 
Diamond Professional Cat Food 
Country Value Puppy
Country Value Adult Dog 
Country Value High Energy Dog 
Country Value Adult Cat Food 
Professional Chicken & Rice Senior Dog Food 
Professional Reduced Fat Chicken & Rice Dog Food 
Professional Adult Dog Food 
Professional Large-Breed Puppy Food 
Professional Puppy Food 
Professional Reduced Fat Cat Food 
Professional Adult Cat Food 

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