(AP): A major manufacturer of dog and cat food sold under Wal-Mart, Safeway, and other store brands recalled 60 million containers of wet pet food March 16, 2007, after reports of kidney failure and deaths.

An unknown number of cats and dogs suffered kidney failure and about 10 died after eating the affected pet food, Menu Foods said in announcing the North American recall. Product testing has not revealed a link explaining the reported cases of illness and death, the company said.

“At this juncture, we’re not 100 percent sure what's happened,” said Paul Henderson, the company’s president and CEO.

The recall covers the company's “cuts and gravy'' style food, which consists of chunks of meat in gravy, sold in cans and small foil pouches between Dec. 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007.

Menu Foods did not immediately provide a full list of brand names and lot numbers covered by the recall, saying they would be posted on its Web site—www.menufoods.com/recall—early Saturday. Consumers with questions can call (800) 551-7392.

Menu Foods is majority owned by the Menu Foods Income Fund, based in Ontario, Canada—By ANDREW BRIDGES, Associated Press Writer.