Georgia firm recalls frozen reptile feed that may have Salmonella

By David Markiewicz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

MiceDirect, ofCleveland, Ga., has built a business selling frozen mice and rats online and shipping them to reptile owners whose exotic pets like them for dinner.

This week, however, MiceDirect said it was voluntarily recalling some of its rodent feed because it could be contaminated with Salmonella, posing a health risk to humans handling the products.

Salmonella can cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting and fever, and sometimes more serious health problems such as arterial infections and arthritis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a statement.

The FDA said people can become infected "especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to these products."

The Centers for Disease Control said more than 30 people in 17 states in the U.S. have been infected with Salmonella attributable to MiceDirect products.

MiceDirect said on its website that customers who have unused feed bought between May 2009 and July 23, 2010 should contact the company. It said it began irradiating products July 24 in a manner similar to what's used for raw food for human consumption.

MiceDirect owners did not return a reporter's phone call Friday afternoon.

On its website, the company calls itself "real rodent pros." It says its rodents are frozen after a "quick, painless euthanization with carbon dioxide" and then packed into plastic freezer bags for sale and shipment.

Customers who bought the reptile feed that is under recall are advised by the FDA to contact MiceDirect directly at 888-747-0736, or by e-mail at sales@micedirect.com.