Natura Pet Products announced yesterday that it has expanded a voluntary recall of select dry pet food due to ongoing — and increasing — risk of salmonella to both animals and people.

The company first announced a recall of some of its dry dog, cat, and ferret food on March 29 after the Departments of Agriculture of both Michigan and Georgia tested and confirmed the presence of Salmonella bacteria in the food.

Now, it is expanding that recall to include all dry products with an expiration date of March 24, 2014 or earlier sold under the following labels:

  • Innova
  • EVO
  • California Natural
  • HealthWise
  • Karma

In addition to dry food, some "treats" were affected and included in the recall. To clarify, Natura listed these treats as problematic:

  • Innova Cat Treats
  • EVO Wild Cravings Turkey & Chicken Formula Cat Treats
  • EVO Wild Cravings Herring & Salmon Formula Cat Treats
  • EVO Wild Cravings Weight Management Cat Treats
  • EVO Wild Cravings Herring Formula Dog Treats
  • EVO Wild Cravings Red Meat Formula Dog Treats
  • EVO Wild Cravings Turkey & Chicken Formula Dog Treats
  • EVO Wild Cravings Weight Management Dog Treats

According to the company, no wet food has been affected.

The tainted pet food was produced in the Natura manufacturing plant in Fremont, Nebraska; the company stated that it is focusing on "quality enhancements" to the plant in the wake of the recall.

Salmonella posioning is one of the country's most common foodborne illnesses. Infection by the bacteria is usually caused by eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, or eggs, according to the Mayo Clinic. In most healhy people, salmonella poisoning isn't serious. It can cause uncomfortable symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and headache for about four to seven days. However, in certain people — such as infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone with a compromised immune system — it can lead to deadly complications.

In addition, salmonella bacteria can be passed from pet to human, so it is essential to watch the health of your cat or dog. Symptoms in animals are similar to those in humans: vomiting and diarrhea are probably the most visible symptoms to watch out for. Because the bacteria is typically passed from pet to human vua the faecal-oral route, it's key to wash your hands thoroughly when cleaning up after your pet.

To prevent spread of disease, make sure to throw away all affected food products. The company is offering a replacement to any customer who purchased any product included in the recall, and offers instructions on how to get a replacement in the press release.