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FSPCA - Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Two, Check That, Three More Raw Pet Food Recalls, Will This Become a Weekly Thing?

Updated 3/7/18 - Three more 'raw' pet food recalls were announced by FDA.  This is becoming a series of recalls related to raw pet foods.

One was kitten food, produced by Blue Ridge Beef of Eatonton, GA, that contained both Salmonella and Listeria.  "This recall was initiated after the FDA received a complaint of two kitten deaths, including one death which was confirmed to be caused by Salmonella septicemia. Subsequent testing by the FDA of Kitten Grind Lot#GA1102 revealed the presence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes."  This product was a fresh refrigerated chub pack.  On the company website is stated: "Protecting against bacteria, all of our facilities Utilize stainless steel equipment that is cleaned and sterilized between each product run and at the end of each day".   But no validated kill step.

Steve’s Real Food , a Salt Lake City, Utah establishment, is recalling one lot of 5lb Raw Frozen Dog Food Turkey Canine Recipe due to Salmonella.  "This recall is being initiated after the firm was notified by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture that a retail sample was collected and tested positive for Salmonella."

"Raw Basics, LLC. of Pleasant Prairie, WI is recalling 540lb of 5lb Pork-Bison Boxes because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella....... This recall is being issued after our firm was notified by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture of the positive Salmonella finding."

This is becoming a series of recalls for raw pet food.  This past week, there were recalls for frozen chubs and two for freeze dried pet food.  Others this year: 1 and 2.   One would guess that FDA or the state laboratories could sample and test any of the raw products and find a positive for Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, or even E. coli.  It is also likely that any of the 'raw' pet foods has the risk of infection for the pet or its owner.  It just seems crazy that regulatory effort has to be expended because people demand raw pet food.  But once people become ill from foodborne illness due to raw pet food, whether that be through direct contact with the food, direct contact with the sick pet, or direct contact with the sick pet's  fecal matter or vomit, it likely becomes a public concern.

Will this become a weekly thing to see raw pet food recalls?  Easily if sampling is done.
For those who make raw pet foods, it is time to lace it up and prepare the recall procedures.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm599261.htm
Blue Ridge Beef Recalls Kitten Grind Raw Pet Food Lot#GA1102 Because of Possible Contamination
For Immediate Release
March 1, 2018


Contact
Consumers  blueridgebeefga@yahoo.com

Announcement
View Product Photos

Blue Ridge Beef of Eatonton, GA, is recalling lot#GA1102 of Kitten Grind raw pet food because of the potential of contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

 The cause of the recall:

This recall was initiated after the FDA received a complaint of two kitten deaths, including one death which was confirmed to be caused by Salmonella septicemia. Subsequent testing by the FDA of Kitten Grind Lot#GA1102 revealed the presence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

About Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes:

Salmonella and Listeria can cause severe and potentially fatal infection in both the animals consuming the pet food, and the humans that handle the pet food.  There is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surface exposed to these products. Pets can be carriers of the bacteria and infect humans, even if the pets do not appear to be ill. Once Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes gets established in the pet’s gastrointestinal tract, the animal can shed the bacteria when it has a bowel movement, and the contamination will continue to spread.

Groups at high risk for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes include the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer), and pregnant women.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes should monitor themselves and their pets for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.

Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product or pets that have consumed this product should contact their healthcare provider. Pet owners should contact a veterinarian if their pet shows symptoms. Consumers should also follow the simple handling tips on the package.

The lot contains 20 cases or 300 chubs of product and would affect the following states:

Texas
 Georgia
 South Carolina
 Tennessee
 North Carolina

The affected product is sold in two pound chubs that are frozen and are distinguished by the manufacturing codes:

Kitten Grind
 Lot# GA1102
 Manufacturing date: 11/02/2017

The packaging of the product and the location of the lot number is pictured below with the location of the clips on each end of the chub.

 What to do:

Consumers are encouraged to check the clips of product to ensure that they possess the affected lot#GA1102. Those who have purchased the above lot of Kitten Grind are urged to stop feeding them and return products to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them immediately. Those with questions can email the company at blueridgebeefga@yahoo.com.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the US Food and Drug Administration.


https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm599288.htm
Steve’s Real Food Voluntarily Recalls Raw Frozen Dog Food Turkey Canine Recipe Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
For Immediate Release
March 2, 2018

Contact
Consumers  Steve’s Real Food   888-526-1900
Announcement
View Product Photos

March 2, 2018 –Steve’s Real Food of Salt Lake City, Utah is voluntarily recalling one lot of 5lb Raw Frozen Dog Food Turkey Canine Recipe due to their potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products.

Symptoms of infection in people include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.

Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The potentially affected lot of 5lb. frozen turkey nuggets were distributed to retail pet food stores in states of CA, CO, CT, IA, KS, FL, MD, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NJ, NV, NY, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA,
and WA. Fifty two cases of this product was distributed between 6/27/17 – 7/15/17.

The affected product was sold frozen in 5lb bags. Those bags affected by this recall are identified with the following UPC codes and the “Best by” date located on the bag.

This recall is being initiated after the firm was notified by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture that a retail sample was collected and tested positive for Salmonella.

No pet or consumer illnesses from this product have been reported to date. However, because of their commitment to overall safety and quality, Steve’s Real Food is conducting a voluntary recall of this product. Consumers should also follow the safe handling tips published on the Steve’s Real Food packaging, when disposing of the affected product.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Consumers are encouraged to check the lot code of any 5lb frozen turkey nuggets. Any product with the noted lot code should be returned to the specialty retailer where product was purchased for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Steve’s Real Food at 888-526-1900, Monday – Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm MTN.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm599724.htm
Raw Basics, LLC. Recalls Tucker’s 5lb Pork-Bison Box Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
For Immediate Release
March 6, 2018

Contact
Consumers  1-800-219-3650

Announcement

View Product Photos

Raw Basics, LLC. of Pleasant Prairie, WI is recalling 540lb of 5lb Pork-Bison Boxes because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

This recall is being issued after our firm was notified by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture of the positive Salmonella finding. Product affected was isolated to 1 lot of 540 lbs (108 boxes) and distributed to distributors in Minnesota, Georgia, Kansas, and Pennsylvania. These products were sold at pet specialty retail stores. No illnesses have been reported to date.

Product is packaged in 5lb Frozen Boxes labeled Tucker’s Pork-Bison-Formula.

Raw Basics tests all batches of products for all pathogens in a hold and release program before releasing for shipping.

Consumers who have purchased Tucker’s 5lb Pork-Bison Boxes are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-219-3650.


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