Safeway Announces Voluntary Participation in Menu Foods Recall of Canned and Foil Pouch `Wet' Cat and Dog Food

PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to notice received today from Menu Foods, Inc., a major manufacturer of national and private label pet food, Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY), is voluntarily recalling certain of its Priority pet food products and certain Iams and Eukanuba pet food products manufactured by Menu. This voluntary recall is part of a larger recall involving other retailers and distributors in the United States and Canada.

Menu has received reports of several cats and dogs becoming sick and developing signs of kidney failure. The signs of kidney failure include loss of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. Safeway said, “We know how important pets are to our customers and we are undertaking this full recall to ensure their safety.” Specifically, Safeway is recalling all of its Priority “cuts and gravy” wet cat and dog food in 22 oz., 13.2 oz. and 5.5 oz. cans and 5.3 oz. and 3 oz. foil pouches in the chicken, beef, tuna, liver, country stew, lamb and rice flavors. Affected Iams and Eukanuba “wet” cat and dog food include 3 oz., 5.5 oz. and 13.2 oz. canned and 3.0 oz. and 5.3 oz. foil pouches.

While Safeway is unaware of any specific complaints associated with this recall and its private label line of Priority pet food, the company is urging its customers to stop using the affected products immediately and to consult with a veterinarian if any symptoms are present in their pets.

Customers can return any items they currently have to their local Safeway, Vons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Dominick’s, Carr’s or Genuardi's store for a full refund. This recall does not affect any of Safeway’s “dry” Priority pet foods or Iams and Eukanuba “dry” products.

Customers who have questions or want more information can go to Menu www.menufoods.com/recall for more information.

Safeway is a Fortune 50 company and one the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,761 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $40.2 billion in 2006. The company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.