Recall: Blue Ridge Beef, Raw Basics Issue Pet Food Recalls for Potential Contamination

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Two more raw pet food companies have recalled certain products after a contaminant was found in its product. One lot of a Blue Ridge Beef product has been recalled for its potential to be contaminated with salmonella and listeria while one lot of a Raw Basics Tucker’s product has been recalled for its potential to be contaminated with salmonella.

The following was posted on the FDA’s site on March 1. Pet Age reached out to Blue Rudge Beef for comment and has yet to hear back.

Blue Ridge Beef of Eatonton, Georgia, 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

What to do:

Consumers are encouraged to check the clips of product (pictured here) 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 [email protected].

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

The following was posted on the FDA’s site on March 6 and confirmed by Pet Age with Raw Basics.

Raw Basics, LLC. of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, is recalling 540 pounds of five-pound 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 one lot of 540 pounds (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 five-pound 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 five-pound 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.