3 Recalls Over Listeria, Salmonella Concerns

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TruPet, Northwest Naturals and Carnivore Meat Company have all issued voluntary recalls of certain products due to the potential of contaminants. TruPet, LLC is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of its Treat Me Crunchy Beef Delight treats and Carnivore Meat Company is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of its Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Nibblets Entrée for Dogs because of the potential to be contaminated with salmonella, while Northwest Naturals is recalling 5-pound frozen Chicken and Salmon pet food chubs for its potential to be contaminated with listeria.

The following was posted on the FDA’s website on February 23 and confirmed by Pet Age with a customer service representative:

Northwest Naturals of Portland, Oregon, is recalling 5-pound frozen Chicken and Salmon pet food chubs because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes 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.

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is pathogenic to humans. Healthy people exposed to Lm should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever.

Lm can affect animals eating the product.

Product was one isolated batch of 94 cases distributed to distributors in California, Washington, Texas, Michigan, Georgia and Rhode Island and sold through specialty pet retail stores. 

Product is packaged in 5-pound frozen chubs labeled Chicken and Salmon Dog Food with a UPC code of 0 87316 38440 6 and a product best buy date code of 15 082218

No pet or human illnesses have been reported to date. The product passed lab testing on 12-22-2016 and was sold over one year ago to distributors listed above, on or before 1-23-2017. Reports from distributors indicate there is no product at any distributors.

The company was notified on 2-21-2018 by FDA and the Michigan Dept of Agriculture. Michigan bought one chub at a Michigan specialty pet store and tested the sample which was negative for e coli and salmonella and positive for Listeria moncytogenes. The company tests all batches of products for all pathogens in a positive release program before releasing for shipping. The company tests over 600 batches of product per week. The company is a dual jurisdiction facility regulated by USDA-FSIS every day on every shift and FDA. The company does dual lab testing several times per month matching USDA- FSIS lab samples and comparing results.

Consumers are encouraged to check the lot code on any five-pound frozen Chicken and Salmon chubs. Any product with the noted lot code should return product to the specialty retailer where purchased for full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Northwest Naturals at 1-866-637-1872, Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST or go to www.nw-naturals.net.

The following is a press release Pet Age received from a public relations representative of Carnivore Meat Company:

Carnivore Meat Company of Green Bay, Wisconsin, 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. The recall includes only the product listed below.

The following affected “Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Nibblets Entrée for Dogs” product was distributed in the continental USA through independent retailers and via online retailers Chewys.com and Amazon.com through direct delivery:

Affected products can be identified by comparing the following lot numbers: “Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Nibblets Entrée for Dogs” with “Lot #13753.”

No products other than the specific product identified above are subject to this voluntary recall.

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.

The recall is 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. There have been no reports of illness.

Consumers who have purchased Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Nibblets Entrée for Dogs in a one-pound bag are urged to return effected product to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may call the company at 920-370-6542 for additional information.

There was also an announcement posted on the FDA’s website on February 24.

The following was posted on the FDA’s website on February 23. Pet Age’s call to the company has yet to be returned.

TruPet, LLC of Milford, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of Treat Me Crunchy Beef Delight, 2.5-ounce pet treats because the products have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. The recall includes only the product listed below.

The following affected “Treat Me Crunchy Beef Delight” products were distributed in the continental USA via online retailer Chewy.com and TruDog.com through direct delivery:

Affected product can be identified by comparing the following lot number: “Treat Me Crunchy Beef Delight” with “Lot # 20190514 13753.”

No products other than the specific product identified above are subject to this voluntary recall.

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.

The recall is 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.

Consumers who have purchased Treat Me Crunchy Beef Delight are urged to return effected product to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may call the company at 800-476-8808 for additional information.