Recall measurement plant closing?

The Dog Channel reported on October 3rd:
“Mars Petcare US to stop production of food at a facility involved in Salmonella scares.
After a nationwide voluntary recall was issued by Mars Petcare US on Sept. 12 because of potential contamination with Salmonella Schwarzengrund in dog food products manufactured at its Everson, Penn., facility, the company has decided to permanently close the plant.
The company halted production at the Everson facility July 29, when it was alerted of a possible link between dry dog food produced at the plant and two isolated cases of people infected with Salmonella Schwarzengrund. There have been no reported cases of death or illness since the recall was issued.
The recall affects 31 states and includes brands such as Pedigree, Country Acres, Members Mark, Retriever, Red Flannel, Special Kitty, Doggy Bag, Natural, Ol’ Roy, Paws & Claws, Wegman’s, Pet Pride, and PMI Nutrition. The Everson plant was also closed for a cleaning in 2007 after Salmonella had been discovered in dog food products produced there.
The company urges consumers to look at the production lot codes under the UPC code to determine whether a product is affected. Concerned pet owners can also visit www.petcare.mars.com to find out if a product they purchased is affected.
Regarding measures Mars has taken following the voluntary dog food recall, spokeswoman Debra Fair said that even though no direct link between product produced at the Everson facility and human or pet illness has been detected, the company took the precautionary action of issuing a recall to protect pets and their owners.
“Since we have not yet identified the source of the Salmonella Schwarzengrund at the Everson facility, we do not plan to resume production out of a commitment to the safety of our pet owners and their pets, customers, and associates,” Fair said.”
My comment: I just have somehow the strange feeling that I don’t want to believe just one word they are saying. I think they should admit, the “salmonella” problem is not the main reason why they are closing the plant. At least I don’t think so. Yet, they have the benefit of a doubt. But I believe that there were other reasons why the closing was decided upon. Most probably it is economical, strictly profit oriented reasons. Don’t get me wrong, I do not see making profits as a problem. That’s what business people, including myself, are in business for, it’s our fuel. To blame it on a pet food problem is primitive. If you need that as an excuse to explain to the plant workers that in future they get their paychecks from the government, then I feel sorry for you. Have some courage and be straight forward. It would be a lot easier to believe you, but pet food recalls in the past, and especially your company is very familiar with them, have not caused such drastic changes. It’s bad enough that pet food mass manufacturers make marketing claims which totally mislead the pet owners. All I can say about your press release shown above is “How stupid do you want us to be? And what do you want us to believe next?”