Seed recalled from Wild Birds Unlimited due to salmonella

[We Hope]

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/03/contaminated-bird-seed-being-recalled

Pilot Online.com (Virginia) March 10, 2009

Seed recalled from Wild Birds Unlimited due to salmonella

"Kentucky-based Burkmann Feed is voluntarily recalling 20-pound packages of Wild Birds Unlimited Wildlife Blend bird food after tests revealed the presence of salmonella bacteria, a news release from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said.

"The bird food was tested by North Carolina’s Food and Drug Protection Division.

"Only 20-pound packages of food with the manufacturing date code of "81132200 2916 08124" and sold exclusively at Wild Birds Unlimited stores are being recalled.

"Locally, there are Wild Birds Unlimited stores in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg.

"The North Carolina department initiated its investigation following reports of salmonellosis in dead wild birds found in various locations throughout the state, the news release said. The state agency is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to identify the source of the contamination."

No news stories I read said anything about peanuts or peanut products being in the mixture. I don't know whether Wild Birds Unlimited sells products nationwide through stores or via the internet.

[We Hope]

More information--this may be linked to the peanut/peanut butter recalls:

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4707750/

WRAL.com Raleigh March 10, 2009

Salmonella-based recall spreads to bird food

Raleigh, N.C. — "State inspectors determined Tuesday that samples of Wild Birds Unlimited bird food tested positive for salmonella, prompting the Kentucky-based manufacturer to issue a recall.

"The salmonella that has killed numerous birds is likely linked to a nationwide outbreak of the disease in humans, said Joe Reardon, food and drug protection director of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

"Burkmann Feeds immediately recalled 20-pound packages of Wild Birds Unlimited Wildlife Blend bird food with the manufacturing date code of 81132200 2916 08124. The food is sold exclusively at Wild Birds Unlimited Stores.

"The agriculture department has been investigating reports of dead wild birds across the state, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said.

"On Monday, Bill Kastern, a biologist and owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Aberdeen, said his shop had received numerous calls from Southern Pines residents concerned about dead birds their yards.

"Kastern said he suspected the birds were infected with avian salmonella, a strain not related to the national peanut recall.

"Tuesday’s recall contradicts that opinion.

“"We are pleased that the testing has enabled us to remove contaminated feed from the market,” Troxler said in a statement. “Food safety is a No. 1 priority for this department, for both humans and animals.”

"In January, the FDA ordered a nationwide recall of peanut products linked to a Georgia plant after a salmonella outbreak killed eight people and sickened hundreds more.

""We were made aware that (Burkmann Feeds) did, in fact, receive some peanuts that were associated with the recall out of Blakely, Ga. So, there's a real likelihood that this (bird food) product may contain some of those recalled peanuts," Reardon said.

"State inspectors are working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to identify the source of the contamination at Burkmann Feeds."


I am told that Wild Birds Unlimited has stores in a variety of states.

[eyelostit]

I wish these companies would get their acts together, anymore we have to be afraid to eat anything ourselves let alone the worry with our pets, and now the birds we feed.

We do have robins here now, so spring is on the way !!

[We Hope]

http://www.businesswire.com/news/google/20090311006373/en

Wild Birds Unlimited Cooperates in Voluntary Recall of Two Bird Seed Blends
CARMEL, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Burkmann Feeds, a southern regional supplier of bird food for Wild Birds Unlimited (WBU), has issued a voluntary recall on WBU Wildlife Blend because Salmonella was detected in one 20 pound bag. As a result, Burkmann Feeds is recalling all WBU Wildlife Blend. As a precaution, Burkmann Feeds is also recalling WBU Woodpecker Blend because it may have shared common ingredients with WBU Wildlife Blend. Wild Birds Unlimited franchise stores are cooperating with these recalls, removing these products immediately and notifying their customers.

Of the more than 275 Wild Birds Unlimited locations across North America, these recalls about 65 stores in the southern United States.

All other Wild Birds Unlimited bird food products manufactured by Burkmann Feeds that were tested by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services were found to be free of Salmonella and safe for use.

Initial tests have established no correlation between any bird deaths and the recalled food; a different strain of Salmonella was found in deceased birds in North Carolina than what was detected in the recalled food.

Customers who purchased WBU Wildlife Blend or WBU Woodpecker Blend are advised to contact their local Wild Birds Unlimited to determine if their product was manufactured by Burkmann Feeds and is part of this recall. Store contact information is available at www.wbu.com. Recalled products should be discarded. Consumers are also advised to avoid touching unsealed product and to wash their hands thoroughly after touching any unsealed product. A full replacement, credit or refund for these recalled Burkmann Feeds products will be made available at the store of purchase.

“Wild Birds Unlimited is committed to keeping everyone safe and informed about issues that may affect the hobby of bird feeding,” said Jim Carpenter, founder and president of Wild Birds Unlimited. “People’s safety and the health of wildlife are our primary concern.”

Since the peanut crisis began last year, Wild Birds Unlimited has been and will continue working with all of its bird food vendors to insure they are purchasing and manufacturing their products from safe and reliable sources.

Wild Birds Unlimited is the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores with more than 275 locations throughout the United States and Canada. Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together with bird feeding and nature products, expert advice and educational events. Visit our Web site, and shop online at www.wbu.com.

http://www.wbu.com/news/pressreleases/2009_0311_recall.pdf

Wild Birds Unlimited Press Release re: recall

[We Hope]

http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/4804391/

WRAL-TV Raleigh, NC March 24, 2009

Salmonella in bird food not linked to peanut recall

Raleigh, N.C. — "Tests conducted by state inspectors have determined that salmonella detected in bird food is unrelated to the bacteria that prompted a nationwide recall of peanut products.

"Two weeks ago, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services found salmonella in samples of Wild Birds Unlimited bird food. Inspectors tested the food after receiving reports from across the state of dead wild birds.

"Kentucky-based Burkmann Feeds recalled 20-pound packages of Wild Birds Unlimited Wildlife Blend bird food with the manufacturing date code of 81132200 2916 08124. The food is sold exclusively at Wild Birds Unlimited Stores.

"Wild Birds Unlimited Woodpecker blend sold in five-pound bags also tested positive for salmonella.

"State inspectors initially said the salmonella in the bird food was likely linked to the peanut recall because Burkmann Feeds received peanuts from a Georgia plant that was the focus of a nationwide salmonella outbreak that killed eight people and sickened hundreds more.

"Further testing isolated the strain of salmonella in the bird food, however, and found it was different from the strain involved in the peanut recall, state officials said. The strain in the bird food also was different from the salmonella that killed the wild birds statewide, officials said.

"Burkmann Feeds and state officials advised consumers to discard the contaminated bird food and avoid touching it with their hands. Anyone who handles the bird food should wash their hands thoroughly, they said.

"State inspectors are working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to identify the source of the contamination at Burkmann Feeds."