Natural (Raw) Pet Food Recalled Due to Listeria Positive Test

Columbia River Natural Pet Foods of Vancouver, WA is voluntarily recalling 933 packages of Cow Pie fresh frozen meats for dogs and cats, produced in August 2017, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.   The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the Washington State Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in one package.  Cow Pie is a fresh frozen meats product intended to feed raw to dogs and cats. Cow Pie was distributed in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington through retail stores and direct delivery. The product comes frozen in 2 lbs. purple and white plastic bags. 

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm627721.htm
Columbia River Natural Pet Foods Inc. Recalls Cow Pie Fresh Frozen Meats for Dogs and Cats Because of Possible Listeria monocytogenes Health Risk
For Immediate Release
December 5, 2018

Raw-Meat Pet Foods Recalled Due to Potential Pathogen Contamination

There were two recent recalls of raw-meat pet food.  One recall was for Salmonella and Listeria.  The other was for Listeria.  The most recent recall was initiated after a state laboratory tested and found the product positive for the pathogens.  The company stated that they had done their own testing and did not find anything.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm619888.htm
Steve’s Real Food Voluntarily Recalls One Lot of Turducken Recipe, One Lot of Quest Emu, and One Lot of Quest Beef Due to Possible Salmonella and L. Mono Contamination
For Immediate Release
September 7, 2018

Raw Tuna Poke Kits Recalled After Retailer Sells Them Refrigerated Rather than Frozen

Aldi company is recalling raw tuna poke after its stores sold the product thawed rather than frozen.  The package states Keep Frozen.  Not sure how the retailer marketers missed that.

This tuna poke product is packaged raw chunks of tuna that are mixed with an enclosed flavor packet.  Product is kept frozen until the consumer is going to eat the product, at which time they thaw, mix in the flavor packet, and then immediately consume (hopefully).

There are a number of concerns when handling a raw fish product that will be consumed raw.  Thawing and holding not only increases the chance of spoilage, but can be an issue if Listeria is present.  Small levels of Listeria can grow on the product once thawed.  Also, non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum is also a major concern, especially if the package is oxygen proof.  Lastly, histamine formation in the tuna can also be an issue (scombroid toxin).

This product is available from Amazon.  Crazy to think mailing this product which can be highly susceptible to issues once thawed.  This is a product I think I will just skip.  If I am going to eat raw tuna, it is going to be at a restaurant where control is more guaranteed.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm613673.htm
ALDI Voluntarily Recalls AnnaSea Wasabi Ahi Poke Hawaiian Poke Kits and Limu Ahi Poke Hawaiian Poke Kits Due to Storage at Incorrect Temperature in Area Store
For Immediate Release
July 14, 2018

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

Freeze Dried Raw Pet Food Recalled Due To Listeria Concerns

K9 Natural Ltd is voluntarily recalling four batches of the K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast 2.2lb and 11lb bags that was imported into the US market in June 2017 because that product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

The product is a freeze dried 'raw' food  produced in New Zealand.  The product was shipped in June of 2017, so this testing was probably not part of the importation process.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm604645.htm
K9 Natural Ltd Voluntarily Recalls K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast Raw Pet Food 2.2lb And 11lb Bags Because Of Possible Listeria Monocytogenes
For Immediate Release
April 13, 2018

FDA Issues Warning Letter To Raw Pet Food Company, Bacteriophage Use Not Accepted

FDA issued a warning letter to Arrow Reliance (Darwin's Natural Pet Products) in light of the Salmonella contamination found in the raw pet food that resulted in a dead kitten.  Two recalls (1, 2) were made after pathogens were found.  FDA had found the same strain of Salmonella in the kitten and in product.  FDA requested a response on corrective actions within 15 days.

The warning letter reveals how the facility was planning to rid product of Salmonella - through application of bacteriophage.  While bacteriophage has had some success in reducing pathogens in food applications, particularity liquids, it has not gained sufficient validation as an absolute control.  Issues with bacterial strain diversity can be a challenge if the cocktail of bacteriophage is not equally diverse (Ref).  This is a good example of why bacteriophage was not the silver bullet.

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm603589.htm
Arrow Reliance Inc 4/2/18

US Food and Drug
Seattle District Office
22215 26th Avenue SE, Suite 210
Bothell, Washington 98021

April 2 2018

Another Recall of Raw Beef Due to Contaminated Marinade Seasoning Mix

A second raw beef recall was issued because potentially contaminated Au Jus seasoning. SMI Holdings, Inc., doing business as Stampede Meat, Inc., a Bridgeview, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 484,800 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The raw beef products incorporated a non-meat ingredient, Au Jus Seasoning, which tested positive for the presence of Salmonella. Standard Meats, a TX established also recalled injected raw beef.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-023-2018-release
SMI Holdings, Inc Recalls Beef Products Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
Class I Recall 

023-2018
Health Risk: High 

Mar 16, 2018

Canada - Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Raw Breaded Chicken

The Canadian Public Health Agency announced that there have been 30 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis infection and this is being linked to raw breaded chicken breasts.  At this point, the brand name of the product has not been released.

CISION
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/public-health-notice---outbreak-of-salmonella-infections-linked-to-poultry-including-frozen-raw-breaded-chicken-products-677002393.html
Public Health Notice - Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to poultry, including frozen raw breaded chicken products   
News provided by Public Health Agency of Canada
Mar 15, 2018, 16:55 ET

Raw Meat Recalled After Injected Spice Marinade Determined to Contain Salmonella

Standard Meat Company, a Saginaw, Texas establishment, is recalling up to 53,154 pounds of raw beef products that may be contaminated with Salmonella,  "The raw beef products incorporated a non-meat ingredient, Au Jus Seasoning, that was found positive for the presence of Salmonella.  The problem was discovered when Standard Meat Company was notified by their supplier, who shipped the seasoning, of a voluntary seasoning recall based on Salmonella contamination. Standard Meat Company uses this seasoning product to formulate marinade that is injected into the top sirloin steaks."

So raw beef is being recalled because the spice used had Salmonella?  Seems odd since beef may naturally have Salmonella, but a recall can be justified.  1) The spice is injected into the sirloin steaks which would put Salmonella, if present in the spice, into the interior of the meat, and as we know, people tend to think they can cook these sirloin steaks on the rare side.  2)  The meat is sold frozen, and this increases the likelihood that a person will under cook it, especially when they insufficiently thaw the meat or don't thaw it at all.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-022-2018-release
Standard Meat Company Recalls Beef Products Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination 
Class I Recall 
022-2018 
Health Risk: High 
Mar 15, 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

Raw, Freeze-Dried Pet Food Recalled for Salmonella

Two recalls for raw, freeze-dried pet food were posted on FDA's Recall website.

• Carnivore Meat Company of Green Bay, WI, is voluntarily recalling a limited amount, 73 cases, of “Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Nibblets Entrée for Dogs” pet food because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
• TruPet, LLC of Milford, OH, is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of Treat Me Crunchy Beef Delight, 2.5oz Pet treats because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recall includes only the product listed below.

The recalls were both "being issued in an abundance of caution following the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s collection of a retail sample from a single batch which tested positive. No illnesses have been reported to date."

Without a validated kill step, Salmonella will survive the freeze drying process just nicely.  One could imagine that the freeze dried product would appear similar to dry product, so the potential for the pet owner handling it directly is probably high, and along with that, that chance of becoming infected.  And the pooch can also become infected....increasing the chances of poopage in places where you don't want it to be.

Besides, Champy doesn't want raw pet treats...he doesn't even know what that is.  He is fine with products that have a validated process.....aged cheddar cheese, beef jerky, summer sausage, grilled pork chops, etc.  Ask him...Champy, you want a snack [with a validated process]?  Absolutely.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm598255.htm
Carnivore Meat Company Issues Voluntary Recall of “Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Nibblets Entrée for Dogs” Pet Food
For Immediate Release
February 24, 2018

FDA Issues Alert for Raw Pet Food Brands About Potential Pathogens

FDA issued an alert for raw pet food products under the Darwin’s Natural and ZooLogics brand labels.  "The FDA is alerting pet owners to a history of four recalls of and multiple complaints associated with Darwin’s Natural and ZooLogics pet foods, manufactured by Arrow Reliance Inc., dba Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, over the period from October 17, 2016 to February 10, 2018. In each instance, the company recalled these products after being alerted to positive findings of Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes in samples of their raw pet food products."

There have been a number of complaints of illness and deaths associated with the product.     "As part of an ongoing investigation into complaints associated with products manufactured by Arrow Reliance/Darwin’s Natural of Tukwila, WA, the FDA has confirmed that new samples of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products raw pet foods have tested positive for Salmonella."   In addition to illness, there have also been injuries associated with bone shards.

As FDA states on this Alert, "Raw pet food is more likely than other types of pet food to contain Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Pet owners who choose to feed raw pet food should be aware of the risks associated with these products."  But it further states, "The FDA has a zero-tolerance policy for Salmonella or other pathogenic bacteria in all pet food, meaning the agency will take action, as appropriate, against any pet food found to be contaminated with the harmful bacteria."

So why aren't these processors using High Pressure Processing to eliminate pathogens?  Why do we recall it knowing that pathogens can be present?  Why do people buy this knowing that the harm to the dog can far outweigh any benefit?  Really, if people want to feed raw meat to dogs, buy whole cuts of meat, surface sanitize and cut it yourself.  While this will not eliminate the risk completely, it is less risky than buying commercially made product.

FDA Alert
https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm596594.htm
FDA Investigates Pattern of Contamination in Certain Raw Pet Foods Made by Arrow Reliance Inc., Including Darwin’s Natural Pet Products and ZooLogics Pet Food
For Immediate Release
February 13, 2018

What is the Likelihood That Salmonella is On Your Chicken...or Beef...or Pork

USDA FSIS released their yearly sampling results that indicate the prevalence, or percent positive samples, for raw meat products.  As FSIS points out, "These calculations may vary significantly from the actual prevalence of the population, but FSIS cannot make a more precise calculation with the data currently available."  It is important to note that this does not evaluate the amount present, only if any are present.

Beef - In ground meat, Salmonella was present in just over 2% of the samples while pathogenic E. coli was present in 0.05% of samples.  While the prevalence of E. coli is low, there is still a risk of it being present, and considering the seriousness of the illness (and the fact that Salmonella could be present as well) it still remains important to cook meat to the proper temperature.

Pork - While there is extremely low to no risk for pathogenic E. coli, there is a higher risk of Salmonella being present in pork compared to beef.  For cuts, the prevalence of Salmonella is over 7%, but in comminuted pork meat (ground, stuff used in sausages), the prevalence is 22 percent.  Cook those brats to the right temperature.

Chicken - as the chicken moves from whole to parts to ground, the prevalence increases for both Salmonella and Campylobacter.   For whole chickens, there is a prevalence of 5.8% for Salmonella and 1.9% for Campylobacter.  In mechanically separated meat, the prevalence is almost 76% for Salmonella and 23% for Campylobacter.

Turkey - the stated prevalence is lower than that for chicken with whole birds at 0.56% for Salmonella and 0.16% for Campylobacter.  Much of difference between whole turkey and chicken may be due in part to how they are sampled, with a sponge being used for turkeys and a whole bird rinse used for chickens.

In the end, the risk is there, so it remains important to properly cook raw meat and poultry products.  And of course, to use a thermometer to verify.

Raw Can Be Risky When it Comes to Nuts and Sprouts - Salmonella Related Recalls

Within the last week, there have been recalls of raw nuts and raw sprouts and raw sprout products due to the potential for Salmonella after those products were tested and found to be Salmonella positive.  Surprising....not really.  Makes you feel like that infant in the e-trade commercial feigning a sense of shock at a very predictable outcome.

Raw sprouts and raw nuts are a risk for pathogenic organisms like Salmonella.  There are no significant pathogen reduction steps.  And although some may suggest testing as a control, it is hit or miss when there are low levels of contamination - so testing as verification but not as control.

Alfalfa Sprouts - http://www.thepacker.com/news/sprouts-ks-ok-linked-salmonella-illnesses

Raw Macadamia Nuts - http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm487338.htm

Spouted Chia and Flaxseed - http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm487043.htm

Raw pistachios http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm486489.htm
                        http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm487019.htm

The Packer
http://www.thepacker.com/news/sprouts-ks-ok-linked-salmonella-illnesses
UPDATED: Sprouts in KS, OK linked to salmonella illnesses
By Doug Carder February 22, 2016 | 1:11 pm EST