Top Quality Dog Food Recalls Batch of ‘Beef HVM’ Due to Possible Salmonella Risk

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reporting that Top Quality Dog Food of Hyattsville, Maryland, is recalling “Beef HVM” one-pound packages due to the potential of Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes. The report was verified by a representative of Top Quality Dog Food.

Salmonella, Listeria, can affect animals eating the product and there is risk to humans handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

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.

Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, vulnerable or elderly people, and others with compromised immune systems. Healthy people may suffer short-term symptoms such as fever, headaches, stiffness, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria monocytogenes infections pose a serious threat to pregnant woman, as it can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths. Listeria monocytogenes 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. Healthy people should monitor themselves and their pets for symptoms.

The recalled “Beef HVM” was distributed in DC, MD, VA, DE, PA, MA, CT, and SC and product was distributed through mail order and direct delivery from 7/27/21 to 8/2/21. The “Beef HVM” comes in a one-pound package marked with lot #071521 on the bottom right corner of the label.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the “Beef HVM” one-pound packages in question. The contamination was noted after a state surveillance sample revealed the presence of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, in some one-pound. packages of Beef HVM. The remaining “Beef HVM” batch in our possession has been quarantined and we have discontinued the distribution of this batch while FDA and our company continue their investigation as to the source of the contamination.