Mid America Pet Food agreed to pay US$5.5 million to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging its pet food products were contaminated with Salmonella.
The settlement benefits consumers who purchased covered products and pet owners whose animals became ill or died after consuming the food. Affected brands include Victor Super Premium Dog and Cat Food, Wayne Feeds Dog and Cat Food, Eagle Mountain Pet Food and Member's Mark pet foods.
Under the settlement terms, class members can receive up to $100,000 for documented injury claims, $50 per pet illness, $100 per pet death and refunds on pet food purchases. Mid America Pet Food has not admitted wrongdoing.
Lawsuit alleges Mid America Pet Food caused dog death, child illness
According to previous Petfood Industry reporting, the lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas by two dog owners following recalls by Mid America Pet Food due to potential Salmonella contamination. Plaintiffs Courtney Andersen and Lisa Burmeister both reported their dogs became severely ill after consuming Mid America products, with both animals ultimately euthanized.
The lawsuit alleged Mid America marketed and advertised the pet foods as fit for animals and providing targeted nutrition, but that these claims were false and misleading because the products were contaminated with Salmonella.
In late 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigated seven human cases of Salmonella Kiambu infection potentially associated with pet food made by Mid America Pet Food. Six of the seven cases involved children one year of age or younger. Five cases reported exposure to dogs and three reported feeding Victor pet food to their pets. One person was hospitalized.
Mid America Pet Food voluntarily recalled all pet food brands it manufactured with a best by date before October 31, 2024, including Victor, Eagle Mountain, Wayne Feeds and two varieties of Member's Mark pet foods. The recalls, which expanded previous recalls issued in September and October 2023, affected 35 dog and cat food products sold nationwide in retail stores and online. The FDA completed its recall investigation in 2024.
For more information, visit the Mid America Pet Food class action lawsuit page.
