from newscore: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun a nationwide effort to test pet food for salmonella contamination amid evidence it is sickening pet owners. FDA investigators in October started taking samples of dry pet food, pet treats and diet supplements from distributors, wholesalers and retailers such as PetSmart, PetCo, Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club and Target. The FDA said in a memorandum released this week it is “particularly concerned about salmonella being transmitted to humans through pet foods, pet treats, and supplements for pets that are intended to be fed to animals in homes, where they are likely to be directly handled or ingested by humans.” The testing covers dog and cat food but also feed for rabbits, reptiles, birds, aquarium fish and rodents such as hamsters, mice and guinea pigs.