There have been “no reports” in Costa Rica of the contaminated pet food that recently killed at least 13 cats and one dog in the United States, according to Wal-Mart Costa Rica corporate affairs manager Aquileo Sánchez.

“We do not have reports of the product in the region, at least not in our points of sale,” Sánchez told The Tico Times in an e-mail.

After receiving consumer complaints, the manufacturer Menu Foods Inc. recalled all “cuts and gravy” dog and cat food produced at its facility in Emporia, Kansas, between Dec. 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007, the statement said.

Dogs and cats who consumed the food under question could show signs of kidney failure “such as loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting,” the statement said, urging owners whose pets have these symptoms to consult veterinarians.

Wal-Mart, Kroger, Safeway and PetSmart are among retailers the pet food manufacturer Menu Foods Inc. produces and packages pet food for, according to a statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The food under question was recalled in the United States before it had a chance to be shipped here, Sánchez said. Additionally, Wal-Mart Costa Rica runs a risk-control checkpoint to double-check all products imported into the country, so there is no risk for pets here, he said.

Menu Foods has set up a hotline anyone to provide information about the recall (1-866-895-2708), and a complete list of pet food brands being recalled is available at www.menufoods.com