Diamond is going to need more than luck to dig themselves out of this hole.

Diamond Pet Foods announced today, for the third time in less than a month, they are responsible for making pet food contaminated with Salmonella and issued a recall.

The company also announced in April that it was recalling batches of its Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula and Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice, two of the numerous other name brands of pet foods made by Diamond at that same plant.

All three products were made Diamond’s Gaston, S.C., plant, where production was suspended April 8 plant for an unspecified length of time. The plant is the same one that made mold-contaminated food that killed dozens of dogs nationwide in 2005.

A statement today from the company said the latest recall involves its Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food for contamination of Salmonella.

The product was distributed to customers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The latest recall covers the following production codes:

— Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 40 lb. DPP0401B22XJW 6-Apr-2013

— Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 40 lb. DPP0401A21XAW 6-Apr-2013

— Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 40 lb. DPP0101C31XME 11-Jan-2013

— Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 40 lb. DPP0401B21XDJ 7-Apr-2013

— Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 20 lb. DPP0401B22XJW 6-Apr-2013

— Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 20 lb. DPP0101C31XME 11-Jan-2013

— Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 20 lb. DPP0101C31XRB 11-Jan-2013

— Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 8 lb. DPP0401B2XALW 7-Apr-2013

— Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food 6 oz. samples DPP0401

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products.

Individuals handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who are more likely to be affected by Salmonella include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS and people receiving treatment for cancer.

People infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.

Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Pet owners, who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods at 800-442-0402, 8 am – 6 pm EST, Monday through Friday, or visit www.diamondpetrecall.com.

For more information regarding the April 26 Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula recall, please visit www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com/information.

Related articles:

RECALL: Diamond Pet Food expands recall; Chicken Soup for Pet Lovers Soul (poisonedpets.com)
RECALL Diamond Pet Foods Recalls Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice Dog Food (poisonedpets.com)
New FDA video: Safe handling of contaminated pet food in the home. (poisonedpets.com)