Raw Meat Cat Food Recalled Due to Pathogens

Radagast Pet Food, Inc. of Portland, OR is recalling raw cat food after internal testing found pathogens present on the product. 

• Three lots of Rad Cat Raw Diet Free-Range Chicken Recipe because testing results indicate they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. 
• One lot of Rad Cat Raw Diet Pasture-Raised Venison Recipe because testing results indicate it has the potential to be contaminated with Shiga Toxin producing E. coli O121. 
• The Company discovered these lots were potentially contaminated during enhanced quality testing it conducted as a follow-up to its March 2018 recall.

As for the chicken, it appears the company is using HPP treated chicken as an ingredient.  While the HPP will reduce the level of pathogens associated with the raw chicken - Salmonella and Campylobacter,  the product is still subject to contamination after the bags are opened, mixed, and then packed.  The concern of course will be Listeria monocytogenes contamination as an environmental contaminate.

Venison meat is a risk for  STEC E. coli. Trim can be a concern and may be surface treated by the venison processor.  Even if so, not a guarantee to eliminate venison.

As with any raw pet food, there is the risk of pathogen contamination.  It would be best to consider using a HPP process on the finished product as a pathogen reduction step.  Instead, the company is relying on ingredient control as well as environmental control.  Monitoring is good for verification, but may not catch low level contamination.

Some components of the quality systems from the company website.
Raw Cat Raw Diet Safety and Quality
http://www.radfood.com/education/safety_and_quality



"Chicken: contains free-range chicken and is sourced from the US.  We use thigh and leg meat – never mechanically separated poultry, that is typically labelled as ‘chicken’.  That is why we list the actual parts we use in our products.  We also use whole hearts and livers to provide natural taurine, as well as other vitamins, minerals and amino acids"

"Venison: is from New Zealand and, like our lamb, is never fed grain.  The deer are raised without antibiotics or hormones and raised on pasture their entire lives.  We use the trim that is from culinary cuts.  As venison is so lean, the trim is the same quality as the other cuts."

"The first step in our QA/QC process is to receive certificates of guarantee for ingredients and to verify the quality of the meats and poultry as part of our supplier verification program.

• Our ingredients and finished products are still inspected by hand. Even though we incorporate some larger equipment, our experienced employees (some who have been with us for many years) still do much of the processing manually.  As our production is not fully automated, our employees visually inspect and monitor the temperature and quality of  the ingredients and products through every stage of the production process.
• HACCP Analysis and Critical Control Point program. This programs includes 19 prerequisite programs that include a full traceability program, supply verification program and quality assurance and quality control programs
• Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMP’s) – these outline principles and guidance for all stages of manufacturing, testing and quality assurance
• Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOP’s) – these are documented steps that are used to ensure adequate cleaning and sanitizing of all food contact, non-food contact surfaces, equipment and the entire processing and warehousing environment
• Ozone technology – We use ozonated water during our processing and as part of our sanitation process, on all food contact and non-food contact surfaces. Ozone is a 100% natural anti-microbial, that essentially uses water and oxygen to make a very effective, non-toxic, natural disinfectant that eliminates bacteria and mold from the environment.  This is used in conjunction with a secondary, quaternary sanitizer, throughout our processing area.
• Environmental testing – As part of our QA/QC plan, we regularly test our environment (food contact and non-contact surfaces) for pathogens and for ‘cleanliness’. This includes testing all of our equipment for Salmonella, E.coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes."

• "Rad Cat will be implementing the use of High Pressure Processing (HPP) on its poultry ingredients beginning in 2016."
• "HPP is a very simple process that uses water pressure, at pressures up to 87,000 psi, to destroy bacteria, such as salmonella, listeria and E. coli. It is often referred to as “cold pasteurization” and destroys pathogens without the application of heat.  Pressure is applied throughout the poultry, where it essentially “cracks” the protective outer covering of some bacteria, leaving them to “succumb” to their environment."

"Test and Hold and Lot Segregation:

• All of our products are sampled and tested before they are released for sale.  No products are released until we have clear (“negative”) lab results for each lot. 
• We use a third-party lab to test for pathogens.  When the results are confirmed negative, we then take the lot off of “hold” for release to our distribution partners.  This method is call 'positive release'."

Radagast Pet Food, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Three Lots of Rad Cat Raw Diet Free-Range Chicken Recipe and One Lot of Pasture-Raised Venison Recipe Because of Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
July 6, 2018

Contact
Consumers  Radagast Pet Food, Inc.   503-736-4649

Announcement
View Product Photos

Radagast Pet Food, Inc. of Portland, OR is recalling three lots of Rad Cat Raw Diet Free-Range Chicken Recipe because testing results indicate they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The Company is also recalling one lot of Rad Cat Raw Diet Pasture-Raised Venison Recipe because testing results indicate it has the potential to be contaminated with Shiga Toxin producing E. coli O121.  This recall is being conducted out of an abundance of caution.  Due to Radagast Pet Food’s commitment to food safety and quality, The Company is conducting this voluntary recall.

This recall includes only the lots listed below.

Listeria monocytogenes is pathogenic to humans. Healthy people exposed to Listeria monocytogenes should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever.  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. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Listeria monocytogenes can affect animals eating the product. Animals exposed to Listeria monocytogenes can display short-term symptoms such as: vomiting, diarrhea, fever, muscular or respiratory signs and anorexia.  If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Shiga Toxin releasing E. coli O121 (STEC) is a pathogenic bacterium that can cause illness in humans. People handling or consuming raw pet foods contaminated with this pathogenic bacterium can lead to E. coli infections. E. coli O121 can cause symptoms which include stomach cramps, mild fever and vomiting, and diarrhea, often with bloody stools. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Although E. coli O121 is not known to cause illness in cats, the FDA has a zero-tolerance rule for pathogens in pet food, as humans that handle the food may become infected. Infected cats can become carriers of E. coli O121 and transfer the E. coli O121 to the home environment.

No pet or human illnesses have been reported.

The three lots of Rad Cat Raw Diet Free-Range Chicken Recipe were shipped to distributors in the US in May and June 2018:

Affected products are determined by Lot Code identification only.

Free-Range Chicken Recipe:
Lot Code 63057, Best By Date: 10/9/2019
Lot Code 63069, Best By Date: 10/23/2019*
Lot Code 63076, Best By Date: 10/31/2019*
(8oz UPC 8 51536 00103 6, 16oz UPC 8 51536 00104 3, 24oz UPC 8 51536 00105 0)

*These two lots were shipped to one distributor in Vancouver, BC, Canada in addition to US distributors in May and June, 2018:

The single lot of Rad Cat Raw Diet Pasture-Raised Venison Recipe, was shipped to distributors in the US only in May and June:

Pasture-Raised Venison Recipe:
Lot Code 63063, Best By Date: 10/15/2019
(8oz UPC 8 51536 00121 0, 16oz UPC 8 51536 00122 7, 24oz UPC 8 51536 00123 4 and 1oz Samples)

The Company discovered these lots were potentially contaminated during enhanced quality testing it conducted as a follow-up to its March 2018 recall.

Consumers are encouraged to check the Lot Codes on their Free-Range Chicken Recipe and Pasture-Raised Venison Recipe containers.  The Lot Codes can be found printed on the bottom of the plastic containers.  Any products with these Lot Codes should be returned to the specialty retailer where purchased for a full refund.

Consumers with questions should contact Radagast Pet Food, Inc. at 503-736-4649 Monday-Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm Pacific Time or contact us through our website at www.RadFood.com.