Federal health officials have reported another salmonella outbreak in which 14 people have been sickened, not through any normal food, but by handling tainted dog food.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the outbreak in nine states. No deaths have been reported but five people have been hospitalized. The tainted dog food was made at Diamond Pet Food's plant in Gaston, S.C.
Although the company said no pets were sickened by the food, health officials said people can still be infected with salmonella by handling the infected dog food, then not washing their hands before handling or eating their own food.
The food made at the South Carolina plant has been recalled and the plan was shut down April 7. Diamond Pet Foods has been in trouble for its pet food in the past. In 2005, it paid a $3.5 million settlement after a toxic mold in its pet food killed dozens of dogs.
