Smallbatch Pets Voluntarily Recalls Frozen Chicken Blend for Dogs and Cats Due to Possible Salmonella Health Risk

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A recall alert was posted on the FDA’s website on May 5 and confirmed by Pet Age with a representative from Smallbatch Pets:

Smallbatch Pets Inc. of Portland, Oregon is voluntarily recalling two lots of frozen 2-pound chicken blend for dogs and cats, brand name Smallbatch, due to 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.

Symptoms of infection in people include 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.

No pet or consumer illnesses from this product have been reported to date. However, because of their commitment to safety and quality, Smallbatch Pets is conducting a voluntary recall of this product. Consumers should also follow the Simple Handling Tips published on the Smallbatch Pets package, when disposing of the affected product.

“Firstly, raw poultry and all raw meat in general has bacteria,” explained Michael Vogel, co-owner of Smallbatch Pets, in an email. “Smallbatch Pets purchases the highest grade USDA inspected human grade poultry on the market. We do not use ‘pet food grade’ or ‘inedible’ meats. In fact, we do not  use mechanically separated poultry, which is high in fat and high in bacteria… Dogs and cats don’t get ill from these types of pathogens unless their immune system is severely compromised and we advise customers of this slight risk and how to mitigate it by simply cooking our food. And all you have to do to keep things safe is practice the safe handling procedures that are located on the back of our bags and on our website and on any raw product.

“Therefore, if raw pet food companies were simply allowed to use a common sense NRTE (Not Ready To Eat) label or disclaimer like this on our bags, ‘This product contains raw meat, therefore may contain bacteria. To kill all bacteria please cook to 165 degrees,’ this allows consumers to choose if and how they want to feed it,” Vogel stated. “This would eliminate future recalls in the raw pet food sector from happening.”

The potentially affected lots of 2-pound chicken blend were distributed to retail pet food stores in California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington through pet food retailers/distributors. Two hundred and eighty two cases of this product were sold between the dates of 2/1/17 – 5/5/17.

The affected products are sold frozen in 2-pound bags. The products affected by this recall are identified with the following manufacturing codes and the “Best By” date is located on the back of the package.

Recalled product details:

• Lot: D032
  UPC: 705105970974
  Best By Date: 2/1/2018
• Lot: E058
  UPC: 705105970974
  Best By Date: 2/27/2018

This recall was initiated after routine testing by the Food and Drug Administration of a 2-pound bag of chicken blend that was collected at a distributor, revealed the presence of Salmonella.

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

Consumers who have purchased the above lots of Chicken Blend are urged to stop feeding them to their dogs or cats and return product to place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them immediately.

Consumers with questions about the recall can call 888-507 2712 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST on Monday – Friday or email [email protected].