WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to cat owners concerning Wild Kitty Cat Food.

Consumers are being told they should not buy or use 3.5-ounce and 1-pound containers of the brand's "Raw All Natural, Frozen Cat Food -- Chicken with Clam Recipe."

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The FDA says cats and other pets who eat the food could become infected with salmonella, which was found in a raw sample. It says people are at risk of infection if they handle the cat food, touch pets that ate the food or come into contact with any surface the food has touched. The agency is not aware of any reports of illnesses.

The Wild Kitty Cat Food is sold nationwide to retail stores and through distributors and Internet sales, nationwide. The manufacturer declined to recall this product despite several requests by FDA that it do so, the FDA said.

Consumers who have purchased this product should not feed it to their pets, but should instead dispose of it in a safe manner (e.g., in a securely covered trash receptacle). Anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection after having handled the product should seek medical attention, and report use of the product and illness to FDA's Office of Emergency Operations. In addition, people who have concerns that they may have Salmonella should contact their medical doctors and the local health departments. People who have concerns whether their pet has Salmonella should contact their veterinarian.

People may risk bacterial infection not only by handling their cat, but by contact with the pet food, food bowl, cat box and surfaces exposed to these items, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap. Since young children, elderly people, and people and animals with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk from exposure, they should avoid handling all the items listed above and surfaces exposed to these items. FDA may provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

To report any injuries or problems with The Wild Kitty Cat Food, please contact the FDA's Office of Emergency Operations at (301) 443-1240.

If you require the use of a Relay Service, please call the Federal Relay Services (1-800-877-8339). This is a toll free relay service to call Federal agencies from TTY devices. You may also find useful information through the FDA's Web site.