FDA says frozen feeder rodents linked to Salmonella illnesses in humans

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers that Reptile Industry Inc.’s Arctic Mice brand frozen rodents purchased from PetSmart since January 11, 2014, might be contaminated with Salmonella.
This brand of feeder rodents is packaged by Reptile Industries Inc. of Naples Fla., and sold at PetSmart stores nationwide as food for reptiles and amphibians.

According to the FDA, as of this posting, Reptile Industries Inc. has declined to recall all of the suspect product at this time.

The Arctic Mice brand frozen rodents purchased from PetSmart have been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses in people. Feeder rodents, as well as the reptiles and amphibians they are fed to, can be sources of Salmonella infection for people. The FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local officials have been investigating the outbreak.

As of May 13, the CDC reports there have been 37 Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses in this outbreak since January 11. Cases have been reported in Alabama (1), Arizona (2), California (7), Illinois (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (2), Minnesota (1), Missouri (2), Montana (3), New Jersey (3), New Mexico (1), North Carolina (1), Ohio (4), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (3), South Dakota (1) and Texas (1). Five hospitalizations have been reported during this outbreak.

Consumers who have Reptile Industries Inc.’s Arctic Mice brand frozen rodents purchased from PetSmart since January 11 should dispose of the product by placing it in a sealed container in the trash so that no children, pets or other animals can reach it.

For more information, visit www.fda.gov.