The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that at least 76 dogs nationwide have died as a result of eating contaminated Diamond Pet Foods.
According to the company, the pet food was distributed to stores in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia and West Virginia.
The tainted chow was sold under the brand names Diamond, Country Value and Professional, and bears the date codes of March 1, 2007, through June 11, 2007.
Diamond has promised to reimburse pet owners for vet bills and other costs associated with the aflatoxin poisoning.
"It's going to take some time to take care of all these customers, and we're going to do it," said the company's chief operating officer, Mark Brinkmann.
The company has recalled 19 varieties of dog and cat food because tests showed high levels of aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic chemical that comes from a fungus found on corn and other grains that causes severe liver damage in animals.
The company recalled products manufactured at its Gaston, SC, plant from September to November 2005. Based on tests, Diamond has narrowed down the exposure to food produced on Oct. 11.
The FDA and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture have launched investigations.
