Go Raw, LLC, of Cottonwood Utah is recalling its 2lb. frozen
bags of “Quest Beef Cat Food” because they may be contaminated with Salmonella,
an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young
children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune
systems. Salmonella can affect animals. Salmonella can affect
animals eating the products and 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 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.
The affected products were nationally distributed through retail
stores and are identified with the following UPC 6-91730-17101-8, Lot N128.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this
problem.
This recall is being initiated after the firm was notified by
the Minnesota Department of Agriculture when sample was collected and tested
positive for Salmonella. The firm did conduct their own test which
resulted in a negative result. Salmonella is not evenly
distributed throughout a lot which is why it could have been found on a small
sample that the Minnesota Department of Agriculture took.
However, because of their commitment to overall safety and
quality, Go Raw, LLC is conducting a voluntary recall of this product.
Consumers should also follow the safe handling tips published on the packaging,
when disposing of the affected product.
Consumers who have purchased 2lb. bags of Quest Beef Cat Food
are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers
with questions should contact the company at 801-432-7478, Monday-Friday,
9:00am to 4pm MST.
September 26, 2019
— The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is cautioning pet owners not to feed their
pets any Performance Dog frozen raw pet food after a sample tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria
monocytogenes (L. mono).
What
Caused the Recall?
Two samples of different finished products
collected during an inspection of Bravo Packing, Inc., the manufacturer of
Performance Dog raw pet food, tested positive for Salmonella and/or Listeria
monocytogenes.
One of the products sampled had not yet
been distributed.
The product that entered the marketplace is
Performance Dog raw pet food, lot code 072219, sold to customers frozen in
two-pound pouches.
Lot codes are printed on the outside of the
boxes used to distribute the product, but the lot codes are not printed on the
individual sealed plastic pouches, also known as chubs.
Therefore, there are no unique
identification numbers on the individual chubs that would allow customers to
verify whether their product belongs to the affected lot.
The FDA is cautioning about all Performance
Dog frozen raw pet food produced on or after July 22, 2019 because the products
do not have lot codes printed on retail packaging.
If you have any Performance Dog product
that you purchased after July 22, 2019, throw it away.
Why
Is FDA Concerned?
FDA is issuing this alert because
Performance Dog raw pet food represents a serious threat to
human and animal health.
Because these products are sold and stored
frozen, FDA is concerned that people may still have them in their possession.
This is the second time Bravo Packing, Inc.
product has tested positive for pathogen contamination. In September 2018,
Bravo Packing, Inc. recalled all Performance Dog frozen raw pet food due to
Salmonella.
Also, during a 2016 inspection, the FDA collected samples
of Bravo Packing, Inc. horse meat chunk animal food that tested positive for
the drugs pentobarbital
and phenytoin.
Pet foods and treats contaminated with
Salmonella and Listeria mono are of particular public health importance because
they can affect both human and animal health.
Pets can get sick from these pathogens and
may also be carriers of the bacteria and pass it on to their human companions
without appearing to be ill.
People can get sick from handling
contaminated pet foods and treats or touching surfaces that have had contact
with the contaminated pet foods and treats.
Additionally, if a person gets Salmonella
or L. mono on their hands, they can spread the bacteria to other people,
objects, and surfaces.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
requires that all animal food, like human food, be safe to eat, produced under
sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled.
Without an effective control for pathogens,
such as cooking, animal food is more likely to contain pathogens such as
Salmonella and L. mono.
Refrigeration or freezing does not kill the
bacteria.
About
Salmonella
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause
illness and death in humans and animals, especially those who are very young,
very old, or have weak immune systems.
According to CDC, people infected with
Salmonella can develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps.
Most people recover without treatment, but
in some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be
hospitalized.
In some patients, the Salmonella infection
may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites
unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.
Consult your health care provider if you
have symptoms of Salmonella infection.
Salmonella
in Pets
Pets do not always display symptoms when
infected with Salmonella, but signs can include vomiting, diarrhea (which may
be bloody), fever, loss of appetite and/or decreased activity level.
If your pet has these symptoms, consult a
veterinarian promptly.
You should also be aware that infected pets
can shed the bacteria in their feces and saliva without showing signs of being
sick, further contaminating the household environment.
About
Listeria Monocytogenes
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that
can cause illness and death in humans and animals, especially those who are
pregnant, very young, very old, or have weak immune systems.
According to CDC, listeriosis in humans can
cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the person and the part of the body
affected.
Symptoms can include headache, stiff neck,
confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions in addition to fever and muscle
aches.
Pregnant women typically experience only
fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle aches.
However, infections during pregnancy can
lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening
infection of the newborn.
Pregnant women and their newborns, adults
age 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to
get sick with listeriosis.
Anyone with symptoms of listeriosis should
contact a health care provider.
Listeria
in Pets
L. mono infections are uncommon in pets,
but they are possible.
Symptoms may include mild to severe
diarrhea; anorexia; fever; nervous, muscular and respiratory signs; abortion;
depression; shock; and death.
Pets do not need to display symptoms to be
able to pass L. mono on to their human companions.
As with Salmonella, infected pets can shed
L. mono in their feces and saliva without showing signs of being sick, further
contaminating the household environment.
What
to Do?
If you have any of the affected product,
stop feeding it to your pets and throw it away in
a secure container where other animals, including wildlife, cannot access it.
Consumers who have had this product in
their homes should clean refrigerators/freezers where the product was stored
and clean and disinfect all bowls, utensils, food prep surfaces, pet bedding,
toys, floors, and any other surfaces that the food or pet may have had contact
with.
Because animals can shed the bacteria in
the feces when they have bowel movements, it’s particularly important to clean
up the animal’s feces in yards or parks where people or other animals may
become exposed, in addition to cleaning items in the home.
Consumers should thoroughly wash their
hands after handling the affected product or cleaning up potentially
contaminated items and surfaces.
U.S. citizens can report complaints about
FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer
complaint coordinator in your area.
September 24, 2019 — TDBBS of Richmond, VA, is recalling a limited distribution of 2 pig ear pet treat products sold via Amazon.com due to possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria.
What’s Recalled?
The affected products were shipped to customers between April 22, 2019, and August 13, 2019. Customers are advised to dispose of any USA Thick Pig Ear 8 Pack and USA Thick Pig Ear 20 Pack from the following shipments.
All UPCs, Best By Dates and Lot Codes are located on the package back. A sample image of one of the product labels is posted below. See above table for specific lot numbers and Best By dates.
Why the Recall?
This recall is the result of routine sampling conducted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The sample package tested positive for Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported. And according to the company, “the amount of affected product is minimal”.
About 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 surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all 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 or a pet that has eaten the 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.
Company Statement
TDBBS included the following text within the FDA recall announcement: “TDBBS treats and chews are produced to robust safety and quality standards, using the most advanced food safety protocols. Our team is committed to doing its part to caring for the pets who enjoy our products. We regret the concern and inconvenience this recall creates for our customers.
“Our company has ceased the production and distribution of this product as we, in cooperation with the FDA, continue to investigate the situation further. TDBBS’s product safety team is conducting its own stringent review to identify what measures can be established to prevent this situation from recurring.
“Our safety teams have been rigorously testing our products and raw materials, working with independent testing firms and conducting an internal investigation within our supply chain to determine how this situation occurred. Nevertheless, we believe it is appropriate out of an abundance of caution to conduct this voluntary recall in cooperation with our customer.”
What to Do?
If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Consumers may contact customer service at 877-483-5853, Monday to Friday 9 to 5 PM or email TDBBS at customerservice@tdbbsllc.com.
U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.
Or go to https://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.
Canadians can report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.
September 3, 2019 — Dog Goods USA is expanding its recent recall to include
all 30-packs of Berkley Jensen brand pig ear dog chews sold at BJ’s Wholesale
Club stores due to possible contamination
with Salmonella.
The previous recall is being expanded after
testing by Rhode Island Department of Health found Salmonella bacteria in
Berkley Jensen brand pig ear pet chews.
What’s Being
Recalled?
Dog Goods USA
LLC of Tobyhanna, PA, has been contacted by the FDA and is conducting a
voluntary recall of the following products: non-irradiated bulk and packaged
pig ears branded Chef Toby Pig Ears with the lot codes indicated below.
The affected products were distributed nationwide in
retail stores.
What Caused the
Recall?
According to
the company, Dog Goods USA purchased the affected treats from a single supplier
in Brazil from September 2018 through August 2019.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, together with the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and State partners, is investigating a link between pig ear
pet treats and human cases of salmonellosis.
About
Salmonella
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 and humans.
If your pet has
consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your
veterinarian.
For more
information and Salmonella and its symptoms and health risks, please refer to
the following link:
https://www.dfs.gov/animal-veterinary/news-events/fda-investigates-contaminated-pig-ear-pet-treats-connected-human-salmonella-infections.
Dog Goods
Company Statement
The following
statement has been provided by the company:
Dog Goods has
also launched an internal investigation to determine, when and where the
Products may have been contaminated.
To date, this
internal investigation has not indicated any vulnerability in the company’s
practices, including but not limited to the inspection, handling and storage of
the Products.
Nonetheless, Dog Goods will continue
to investigate the matter, collaborate fully with the FDA and the CDC, and
provide further information to its customers and the public as appropriate.
What to Do?
Consumers who
have purchased the products are urged to return them to the place of purchase
for a full refund.
Consumers with
questions may contact the company at 786-401-6533 from Monday to Friday, 9 AM
ET through 5 PM ET.
U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated
pet food products by calling the consumer
complaint coordinator in your area.
August 30, 2019 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning pet owners not to feed their
pets certain lots of Aunt Jeni’s Home Made frozen raw pet food.
That’s because 2 samples collected during an inspection
of the company’s product tested positive for Salmonella and/or Listeriamonocytogenes.
FDA is issuing this warning since these lots of Aunt
Jeni’s Home Made frozen raw pet food represent a serious
threat to both human and animal health.
Because the
products are sold and stored frozen, FDA is concerned that people may still
have them in their possession.
No
product images have been provided by the FDA or the company.
Which Products
Are Affected?
The affected
products include:
Aunt Jeni’s
Home Made Turkey Dinner Dog Food
Package size: 5 pounds (2.3kg)
Lot number: 175199 JUL2020
Aunt Jeni’s
Home Made Chicken Dinner Dog Food
Package size: 5 pounds (2.3kg)
Lot number: 1152013 JUL2020
Aunt Jeni’s Home Made pet foods are sold frozen both online and through various
retail locations. Lot codes are printed on the lower right corner of the front
of each bag.
About
Salmonella
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause illness and death in humans and animals, especially
those who are very young, very old, or have weak immune systems.
According to
CDC, people infected with Salmonella can develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal
cramps.
Most people
recover without treatment. However, in some people, the diarrhea may be so
severe that they need to be hospitalized.
In some
patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood
stream and then to other body sites unless the person is treated promptly with
antibiotics.
Consult your
health care provider if you have symptoms of Salmonella infection.
Pets do not
always display symptoms when infected with Salmonella.
However, signs
can include vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, loss of appetite
and/or decreased activity level.
If your pet has
these symptoms, consult a veterinarian promptly.
You should also
be aware that infected pets can shed the bacteria in their feces and saliva
without showing signs of being sick, further contaminating the household
environment.
About Listeria
Like Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes is another
bacterium that can cause illness
and death in humans
and animals, especially those who are pregnant, very young,
very old, or have weak immune systems.
According to
CDC, listeriosis in humans can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the
person and the part of the body affected.
Symptoms can
include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions in
addition to fever and muscle aches.
Pregnant women
typically experience only fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue
and muscle aches.
However,
infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature
delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
Pregnant women
and their newborns, adults age 65 and older, and people with weakened immune
systems are more likely to get sick with listeriosis.
Anyone with
symptoms of listeriosis should contact a health care provider.
Listeria
infections are uncommon in pets. However, they are still possible.
Symptoms may
include mild to severe diarrhea, anorexia, fever, nervous, muscular and
respiratory signs, abortion, depression, shock and death.
Pets do not
need to display symptoms to be able to pass Listeria on to their human
companions.
As with
Salmonella, infected pets can shed Listeria in their feces and saliva without
showing signs of being sick, further contaminating the household environment.
What to Do?
If you have any of the affected product, stop feeding it to your pets
and throw it away in a secure
container where other animals, including wildlife, cannot access it.
Consumers who
have had this product in their homes should clean refrigerators and freezers
where the product was stored.
Clean and
disinfect all bowls, utensils, food prep surfaces, pet bedding, toys, floors,
and any other surfaces that the food or pet may have had contact with.
Because animals
can shed the bacteria in the feces when they have bowel movements, it’s
important to clean up the animal’s feces in yards or parks where people or
other animals may become exposed.
Consumers
should thoroughly wash their hands after handling the affected product or
cleaning up potentially contaminated items and surfaces.
U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated
pet food products by calling the consumer
complaint coordinator in your area.
August 27, 2019 — Brutus & Barnaby LLC of
Clearwater, Florida, is recalling all size variations of its Pig
Ears for Dogs because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.
What Products
Are Recalled?
Bags of Brutus & Barnaby Pig Ears were distributed
throughout all statesvia
Amazon.com, Chewy.com, Brutusandbarnaby.com and the brick and mortar Natures
Food Patch in Clearwater, Florida.
The product
label is identified by the company’s trademarked logo and reads “Pig Ears 100%
Natural Treats for Dogs”.
The affected
products were available in 4 sizes:
Brutus &
Barnaby Pig Ears (8 Count)
Brutus &
Barnaby Pig Ears (12 Count)
Brutus &
Barnaby Pig Ears (25 Count)
Brutus &
Barnaby Pig Ears (100 Count)
Brutus &
Barnaby has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and
the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.
About
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.
What to Do?
Consumers who
have purchased Brutus & Barnaby pig ears are urged to destroy any remaining
product not yet consumed and to contact the place of purchase for a full
refund.
Consumers with
questions may contact the company at 800-489-0970 Monday through Friday, 9 am
to 5 PM ET.
U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated
pet food products by calling the consumer
complaint coordinator in your area.
August 16, 2019 — Dog Goods USA LLC of
Tobyhanna, PA, is recalling its Chef Toby Pig Ears
Treats due to possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria and
its associated health risks.
What
Caused the Recall?
Dog Goods bought the affected products from
a single supplier in Brazil from September 2018 through August 2019 and
distributed them nationwide in retail stores.
The FDA sampled pig
ears manufactured by its supplier in Brazil and one sample tested positive for
Salmonella.
As previously reported on this website, the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), together with the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) and State partners, is investigating a suspected
link between pig ear pet treats and human cases of salmonellosis.
What’s
Being Recalled?
Dog Goods USA LLC is conducting a voluntary
recall of the following bulk and packaged pig ears branded Chef Toby Pig Ears.
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 and humans.
If your pet has consumed the recalled
product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Dog
Goods has also launched an internal investigation to determine if, when and
where the Products may have been contaminated.
To
date, this internal investigation has not indicated any vulnerability in the
company’s practices, including but not limited to the inspection, handling and
storage of the Products.
No
illnesses have been linked to the products to date.
Nonetheless, Dog
Goods will continue to investigate the matter, collaborate fully with the FDA
and the CDC, and provide further information to its customers and the public as
appropriate.
What
to Do?
Consumers who have purchased the products
are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Consumers with questions may contact the
company at 786-401-6533 (ext 8000) from 9 am ET through 5 pm ET.
U.S. citizens can
report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer
complaint coordinator in your area.
Texas Tripe Recalls Pet Food Due to Salmonella and Listeria
August 14, 2019 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning dog owners not to feed certain lots of Texas Tripe raw pet food after samples tested positive for Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes.
The FDA is issuing this alert
because these lots of Texas Tripe Inc. raw pet food represent a serious threat to human and animal health.
What’s Being Recalled?
The recalled products are sold frozen in 20-pound and 40-pound cases. products are sold and stored frozen, FDA is concerned that people may still have them in their possession.
Each case contains multiple plastic pouches.
Lot codes to help identify recalled
product are printed on the outside of the cases. But the lot codes are not
printed on the individual sealed plastic pouches, also known as chubs.
So,
if the case has been discarded, there are no
unique identification numbers on the individual chubs that allow customers to
determine that they possess the recalled products.
These products are manufactured by Texas
Tripe Inc. and were sold direct to consumers online and by phone.
The
chart below lists the recalled products and lot numbers provided by the firm to
FDA on 8/6/2019. These include 35 lots for each
of the following 23 product varieties.
The FDA-sampled products below tested positive for Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes (as of 8/13/19) but have not been recalled:
Where Were the Products Sold?
According to the company, recalled
products have been sold directly to consumers in the following states:
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
What Caused the Recall?
The Office of the Texas State Chemist
(OTSC) collected 23 finished product samples at Texas Tripe Inc. Of the 23
samples, 16 tested positive for Listeria and/or Salmonella.
The FDA followed up these findings with an
inspection and collected and analyzed samples of unopened finished product,
after the firm performed corrective actions, from additional lots of some of
the same products tested by OTSC.
FDA testing showed some of the samples
contained Salmonella and/or L. mono.
FDA and OSTC shared their test results
with Texas Tripe Inc. The firm initiated a recall on July 3, 2019 by directly
notifying some of its customers via email.
Why FDA Is Concerned
Pet foods and treats contaminated with
Salmonella and L. mono are of particular public health importance because they
can affect both human and animal health.
Pets can get sick from these pathogens and
may also be carriers of the bacteria and pass it on to their human companions without
appearing to be ill.
People can get sick from handling
contaminated pet foods and treats or touching surfaces that have had contact
with the contaminated pet foods and treats.
Additionally, if a person gets Salmonella
or L. mono on their hands, they can spread the bacteria to other people,
objects, and surfaces.
The FDA is aware of recent cases in which
humans and/or animals have gotten sick from exposure to Salmonella-contaminated
pet foods (Salmonella-human cases, Salmonella-kitten, Salmonella-kitten and
dog).
Although FDA is not aware of a documented
case of a person acquiring L. mono infection from a pet food, once Salmonella
or L. mono get established in the pet’s gastrointestinal tract, the animal can
shed the bacteria in the feces when it has a bowel movement, and the
contamination may continue to spread.
Because animals can shed the bacteria in
the feces when they have bowel movements, it’s particularly important to clean
up the animal’s feces in yards or parks where people or other animals may
become exposed, in addition to cleaning items in the home.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
requires that all animal food, like human food, be safe to eat, produced under
sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled.
Without an effective control for
pathogens, such as cooking, animal food is more likely to contain pathogens
such as Salmonella and L. mono.
Refrigeration or freezing does not kill
the bacteria.
About Salmonella
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause illness
and death in humans and animals, especially those who are very young, very old,
or have weak immune systems.
According to the CDC, people infected with
Salmonella can develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps.
Most people recover without treatment, but
in some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be
hospitalized.
In some patients, the Salmonella infection
may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites
unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.
Consult your health care provider if you
have symptoms of Salmonella infection.
Pets do not always display symptoms when
infected with Salmonella, but signs can include vomiting, diarrhea (which may
be bloody), fever, loss of appetite and/or decreased activity level.
If your pet has these symptoms, consult a
veterinarian promptly.
You should also be aware that infected
pets can shed the bacteria in their feces and saliva without showing signs of
being sick, further contaminating the household environment.
About Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono) is a
bacterium that can cause illness and death in humans and animals, especially
those who are pregnant, very young, very old, or have weak immune systems.
According to CDC, listeriosis in humans can
cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the person and the part of the body
affected.
Symptoms can include headache, stiff neck,
confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions in addition to fever and muscle
aches.
Pregnant women typically experience only
fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle aches.
However, infections during pregnancy can
lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening
infection of the newborn.
Pregnant women and their newborns, adults
age 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to
get sick with listeriosis.
Anyone with symptoms of listeriosis should
contact a health care provider.
L. mono infections are uncommon in pets, but
they are possible.
Symptoms may include mild to severe
diarrhea, anorexia, fever, nervousness, muscular and respiratory signs,
abortion, depression, shock and death.
Pets do not need to display symptoms to be
able to pass L. mono on to their human companions.
Once L. mono gets established in the pet’s
gastrointestinal tract, the animal can shed the bacteria in the feces when it
has a bowel movement…
And the contamination may continue to
spread, further contaminating the household environment.
What to Do?
If
you have any recalled product, stop feeding it
to your pets and throw it away in
a secure container where other animals, including wildlife, cannot access it.
Consumers who have had this product in
their homes should clean refrigerators/freezers where the product was stored
and clean and disinfect all bowls, utensils, food prep surfaces, pet bedding,
toys, floors, and any other surfaces that the food or pet may have had contact
with.
Clean up the pet’s feces in yards or parks
where people or other animals may become exposed.
Consumers should thoroughly wash their
hands after handling the recalled product or cleaning up potentially
contaminated items and surfaces.
If you believe you have symptoms of
Salmonella and L. mono, consult your health care provider.
People who think their pets have become
ill after consuming contaminated pet food should first contact their
veterinarians.
Veterinarians who wish to have pets tested
for Salmonella may do so through the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and
Response Network (Vet-LIRN Network) if the pet is from a household with a
person infected with Salmonella.
U.S.
citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling
the consumer
complaint coordinator in your area.
July 31, 2019 — In the wake of 2 recent and related
recalls, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers to avoid
buying or feeding all pig ear pet treats… and for
retailers to stop selling these products.
What Caused the
FDA Alert?
Together with the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), the FDA is investigating a suspected link between pig ear pet
treats and human cases of salmonellosis.
As of July 31, 2019, the CDC reports that there are now 127 cases of human infection
tied to exposure to pig ear pet treats with Salmonella.
Twenty-six people have been hospitalized. There are no reported
deaths.
The FDA has
traced back some of the pig ear treats associated with cases of illness to
sources in Argentina and Brazil.
Human Salmonella Outbreak
Now Includes 33 States
The growing human Salmonella
outbreak related to contaminated pig ears treats now
includes the following states:
Alabama,
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North
Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas,
Utah, Washington, Wisconsin.
CDC Salmonella Outbreak Map
Updated July 31, 2019
People infected
with the outbreak strains of Salmonella related to contaminated pig ears treats
by state of residence:
Related Recalls
Since July 3, 2019, The Dog Food Advisor has published 2 recall noticesrelated to this FDA
alert:
July 17, 2019 — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) has announced its investigation into an outbreak of Salmonella
infections due to contaminated pig ears
dog treats is expanding to 27 states.
Related Recall
In a related
story posted July 3, 2019, by The Dog Food Advisor, Pet
Supplies Plus recalled bulk pig ears stocked in open bins because they might
be contaminated
with Salmonella.
Link to Dog Treats Confirmed
The CDC has uncovered scientific evidence
to indicate that contact with pig ear dog treats is the likely source of the
outbreak.
DNA
“fingerprinting” conducted by the CDC has linked the bacteria found on pig ears
dog treats with the following 3 genetic strains:
Salmonella infantis
Salmonella newport
Salmonella london
About the Outbreak
As of July 16, 2019, a total of 93 people
infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 27
states.
Twenty ill people have been hospitalized.
No deaths have been reported.
Illnesses might not yet be reported due to
the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is
reported. This takes an average of 2 to 4 weeks.
What States?
Affected states
include Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii,
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
A common supplier
of pig ear dog treats has not been identified. Pet owners can take steps to
keep their families healthy while feeding pets.
This
investigation is ongoing and CDC will provide updates when more information is
available.
About Salmonella
Most people
infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 12 to 72
hours after being exposed to the bacteria.
The illness
usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
In some people,
the illness may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.
Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then
to other places in the body.
Children
younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened
immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.
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.
What to Do?
Consumers
should not feed suspected pig ears to their dog. Throw them away in a secure
container so that your pets and other animals can’t eat them.
Even if some of
the recalled pig ears were fed to dogs and no one got sick, do not continue to
feed them to pets.
Wash
containers, shelves, and areas that held the recalled pig ear dog treats with
hot, soapy water.
U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated
pet food products by calling the consumer
complaint coordinator in your area.
Vitamin D, when consumed at very high
levels, can lead to serious health issues in dogs
including kidney dysfunction.
What’s Recalled?
The following products and lot
numbers are affected by the recall.
Items marked with * are new product SKUs that were added to the list on March 20, 2019. The item marked with ** is one additional lot code of recalled product updated on May 15, 2019.
Hill’s® Prescription Diet® i/d® Digestive Care Chicken & Veg-etable Stew Canned Dog Food, 12.5 oz
While vitamin D is an essential nutrient for dogs,
ingestion of elevated levels can lead to potential health issues depending
on the level of vitamin D and the length of exposure.
Dogs may
exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst,
increased urination, excessive drooling, and weight loss.
Pet parents
with dogs who have consumed any of the products listed and are exhibiting any of
these signs should contact their veterinarian.
In most cases,
complete recovery is expected after discontinuation of feeding.
For More Complete Information
On March 21, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration published an
announcement containing
more complete information about this recall.
What to Do?
If your SKU,
Date and Lot codes are found in the list above, you have an affected product.
You should stop
feeding it and should return to the place of purchase for a full refund.
If you have
questions, you may contact Hill’s Consumer Affairs at 800-445-5777.
U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated
pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.
