A pet food company is recalling its raw pet food products after product testing indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
This is not the first case of a recall being issued on raw pet food products. Bravo recalled raw pet food in 2013, in that case, it was due to Salmonella (below).
It is hard to tell whether there are interventions in place, but clearly the company acknowledges there may be harmful bacteria present. So if people want to buy raw pet food, and they know there are pathogens present, why is the product being tested for pathogens. It is raw, and thus the potential for pathogens will be there.
On the other side, consumers don't always read the packaging, and if they did, would not necessarily follow instructions.
From the Bravo website:
Handling
Some raw food products may contain bacteria that could cause illness to you or the animals you are feeding if mishandled. (Note all Bravo! Raw Diet products are tested by an independent lab prior to leaving our plant for the presence of selected bacteria.)
For your protection, please follow these instructions for safest use.
Keep frozen until ready to use. Keep meat and poultry separate from other foods. Wash working surfaces, utensils (including cutting boards, preparation and feeding bowls), hands, and any other items that touch or contact raw meat or poultry with hot soapy water. Refrigerate leftovers immediately.
Thawing
Bravo! 2 lb. and 5 lb. and 10 lb. chubs.
2 lb. chub: Allow 24 hours to defrost a 2 lb chub in refrigerator and 3-4 hours to defrost a 2 lb chub on the countertop at room temperature.
5 lb. or 10 lb. chub: Allow 36 hours to defrost it in the refrigerator and 4-6 hours to defrost it on the counter at room temperature.
Please defrost any Bravo! chub or any packaged product on a plate or in a sealed container to avoid having any meat juices etc. come in contact with other food or contents of your refrigerator.
Thawing Tips:
If need be you can use the cold water fast thaw method on a chub:
Allow 45-60 minutes in a cold water bath for a 2 lb chub and up to 2 hours for a 5 lb. or 10 lb. chub.
Remember to place the thawing chub in a bowl or non-plastic covered container or on a plate. Do not leave the chub on the counter where the defrosting meat and juices might leak on to the counter.
We do not recommend using a microwave to defrost any size chub.
Full-size - 4oz. or 8 oz. Burger:
Generally a 4 oz. or 8 oz. burger will thaw and be ready to serve 6-8 hours after being placed in the refrigerator from the freezer.
Remember to place the thawing burgers on a plate or in a non-plastic covered container.
Do not remove the burger from the EZ Peel overwrap vacuum sealed package while it thaws.
Serve immediately after removing the overwrap.
Once thawed, product should be served within 1-2 days.
Carefully wash bowl or plate or any plate or storage device with hot, soapy water before reuse.
If you have thawed the burger, please do not leave it out at room temperature after it has thawed. You should be careful to serve it immediately or keep it in the refrigerator for safe storage.
If you need to do a fast thaw, do not use a microwave. Run cold tap water over the burger while it is still sealed in the package for about 5-10 minutes and serve it when it is thawed, but still chilled.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm397362.htm
Bravo® Issues Nationwide Recall of Pet Food for Dogs and Cats
Contact: Consumer: (866) 922-9222
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 14, 2014 - Manchester, CT – Bravo is recalling select lots and product(s) of Bravo Pet Food because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
However, healthy cats and dogs rarely become sick from Listeria. Animals ill with Listeria will display symptoms similar to the ones listed above for humans. People who have concerns about whether their pet has Listeria should contact their veterinarian.
The recalled product was distributed nationwide to distributors, retail stores, internet retailers and directly to consumers. The product can be identified by the batch ID code (best used by date) printed on the side of the plastic tube or on a label on the box.
The recalled products are as follows:
1) These products are being recalled because they may have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
PRODUCT: RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! BEEF BLEND FOR DOGS AND CATS (Made in New Zealand)
All 2lb., 5lb., and 10lb. tubes
Product Numbers: 52-102, 52-105, 52-110
Best Used By Date: 10/10/15 or earlier
PRODUCT: BRAVO! BALANCE PREMIUM TURKEY FORMULA (Manufactured by: Bravo! Manchester, CT)
3 lb. box with (12) 4oz. burgers
Product Number: 31-401
Best Used By Dates: 1/07/16 and 2/11/16
2) These products are being recalled out of an abundance of caution because while they did not test positive for pathogens, they were manufactured in the same manufacturing facility or on the same day as products that did test positive.
PRODUCT: RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! LAMB BLEND FOR DOGS AND CATS (Made in New Zealand)
All 2lb., 5lb., and 10lb. tubes
Product Numbers: 42-102, 42-105, 42-110
Best Used By Date: 10/10/15 or earlier
PRODUCT: RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! LAMB BASIC FOR DOGS AND CATS (Made in New Zealand)
2lb. tubes
Product Number: 42-202
Best Used By Date: 10/10/15 or earlier
PRODUCT: RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! BEEF & BEEF HEART FOR DOGS AND CATS (Made in New Zealand)
5lb. tubes
Product Number: 53-130
Best Used By Date: 10/10/15 or earlier
PRODUCT: RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! 100% PURE & NATURAL PREMIUM GRASS-FED BUFFALO FOR DOGS AND CATS (Manufactured by: Bravo! Manchester, CT)
NET WT 2LBS (32 OZ) .91KG (Tubes)
Product Number: 72-222
Best Used By Date: 1/7/16
PRODUCT: BRAVO! TURKEY BALANCE FORMULA (Manufactured by: Bravo! Manchester, CT)
NET WT 2 LBS (32 OZ) .09KG, Chub (tube)
Product Number: 31-402
Best Used By Dates: 1/7/16 and 2/11/16
NET WT 5 LBS (80 OZ) 2.3KG, Chub (tube)
Product Number: 31-405
Best Used By Dates: 1/7/16 and 2/11/16
PRODUCT: RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! LAMB BLEND FOR DOGS AND CATS (Manufactured by: Bravo! Manchester, CT)
5 LBS (80 OZ) 2.3KG, Chub (tube)
Product Number: 42-105
Best Used By Date: 2/11/16
This voluntary recall has been issued because the FDA has reported an independent lab detected the bacteria in a sample during a recent review. The company has received a limited number of reports of dogs experiencing nausea and diarrhea that may be associated with these specific products. The company has received no reports of human illness as a result of these products.
Bravo discontinued all manufacturing in New Zealand on October 10, 2013. Bravo will immediately start working with distributors and retailers to properly dispose of any affected product left on freezer shelves. The company will also be announcing the recall to pet owners to ensure they dispose of any affected product that has been purchased.
Bravo is issuing this action out of an abundance of caution and sincerely regrets any inconvenience to pet owners as a result of this announcement.
The recalled product should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners who have the affected product at home should dispose of this product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle). They can return to the store where purchased and submit the Product Recall Claim Form available on the Bravo website www.bravopetfoods.com for a full refund or store credit. More information on the Bravo recall can also be found at
www.bravopetfoods.com, or call toll free (866) 922-9222.
*Image of product labels for recalled items is attached.
FDA News Release - 2013
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ArchiveRecalls/2013/ucm343716.htm
Bravo! Recalls 2 lb Tubes of Chicken Blend-Raw Frozen Food Diet for Dogs and Cats (One Lot Code) Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
Contact:Consumer: David Bogner 866-922-9222
E-mail:
info@bravorawdiet.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 13, 2013 - Bravo! is voluntarily recalling its 2 lb tubes of Bravo! Raw Food Diet Chicken Blend for Dogs and Cats, product code: 21-102, batch ID code 6 14 12, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
The recall involves 2 lb. Bravo! Chicken Blend frozen raw diet tubes (chubs) made on June 14, 2012 only; no other products or sizes are involved. The recalled product should not be sold or fed to pets. This batch tested negative by a third party independent laboratory prior to release for distribution to consumers, however routine testing by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture of product collected from a single retail location tested positive for presence of salmonella. While the testing discrepancy is unclear, in an abundance of caution Bravo is issuing this recall.
The company has received no reports of illness in either people or animals associated with this product.
The recalled product is distributed nationwide to distributors, retail stores, internet retailers and directly to consumers, and can be identified by the batch ID code 6 14 12 located on the white hang tag attached to the bottom of the plastic film tube.
Pet owners should return unopened frozen tubes of food to the store where purchased for a full refund. Pet owners should dispose of opened tubes of product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle) and return the washed plastic batch ID tag to the store where purchased for a full refund.
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.
In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. A list of safe pet food handling tips can be found at:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048182.htm.
For more information on the Bravo recall, please visit
www.bravorawdiet.com, or call toll free (866) 922-9222 Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST).
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) that had not been reported to DOHMH. To explore the potential of using Yelp to identify unreported outbreaks, DOHMH worked with Columbia University and Yelp on a pilot project to prospectively identify restaurant reviews on Yelp that referred to foodborne illness. During July 1, 2012–March 31, 2013, approximately 294,000 Yelp restaurant reviews were analyzed by a software program developed for the project. The program identified 893 reviews that required further evaluation by a foodborne disease epidemiologist. Of the 893 reviews, 499 (56%) described an event consistent with foodborne illness (e.g., patrons reported diarrhea or vomiting after their meal), and 468 of those described an illness within 4 weeks of the review or did not provide a period. Only 3% of the illnesses referred to in the 468 reviews had also been reported directly to DOHMH via telephone and online systems during the same period. Closer examination determined that 129 of the 468 reviews required further investigation, resulting in telephone interviews with 27 reviewers. From those 27 interviews, three previously unreported restaurant-related outbreaks linked to 16 illnesses met DOHMH outbreak investigation criteria; environmental investigation of the three restaurants identified multiple food-handling violations. The results suggest that online restaurant reviews might help to identify unreported outbreaks of foodborne illness and restaurants with deficiencies in food handling. However, investigating reports of illness in this manner might require considerable time and resources.
