Contaminated pet food is being illegally sold across Gauteng, in particular in Germiston, Boksburg, Benoni and Alberton.
The products were stolen after being sent to a waste management facility in eastern Gauteng in late January and February, the company said.
“The stolen products may be contaminated with salmonella and could cause illness in pets and humans. Our overriding concern is for the health and wellbeing of shoppers and their pets,” said RCL Foods CEO Paul Cruickshank.
Symptoms of salmonella, in humans and animals, may include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, dehydration and fatigue.
“We are very concerned criminals are selling condemned pet food products which may be unsafe. We are tracing and removing affected stock from the informal market, have launched an investigation and will pursue criminal charges.”