Category Archives: Pet Food Recall

Research – How to deal with feed ingredients prone to Aflatoxin contamination

Pet Food Industry

Find out which animal feed ingredients are more prone to aflatoxin contamination, when the risk of contamination is higher and strategies to mitigate its effects on animals.

Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins produced by certain molds, primarily Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These toxic compounds can contaminate animal feed, posing significant health risks to livestock and poultry. In this article, we will discuss which animal feed ingredients are more prone to aflatoxin contamination, when the risk of contamination is higher and strategies to mitigate its effects on animals.

Pet Foods – Salmonella in pet food riskier for people than dogs, cats

Pet Food Industry

“Even though a pet may be the primary target for consumption of the food, that doesn’t mean that others can’t be exposed or even consume the food,” he said. “A healthy pet is likely not going to be as seriously affected from Salmonella in food as much as owners and owners’ children.”

USA – Takumi Frozen Ground Tuna Recalled For Histamine and E. coli

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Takumi Frozen Ground Tuna is being recalled because the product has high histamine levels, high total plate count, coliforms, and E. coli contamination. The serotype of the E. coli in the product is unknown. There is no mention of any illnesses reported to the company to date because this recall was posted on the FDA’s Enforcement Reports page, not the regular recall page. The recalling firm is Tokai Denpun USA Inc. of Redmond, Washington.

Research – How Do People Get Sick From Contaminated Pet Food?

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Pet food recalls for bacterial contamination are pretty common. And occasionally, there is an outbreak linked to those types of products. Many people wonder, how do people get sick from contaminated pet food?

On social media, there are often comments made about people feeding children dog food, or eating it themselves. That is not how these outbreaks happen.

Any type of pet food can be contaminated with pathogens. There have been recalls linked to raw frozen pet food, to canned pet food, and to dry kibble. Just like human food, pet food can be contaminated with pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

When pets eat contaminated food, several things can happen. The animal may not get sick at all. Or they may become carriers of the pathogen without showing any symptoms. Or the animal may get sick, with symptoms ranging from lethargy to a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.

USA – Victor Dog Food Salmonella Outbreak Sickens Infants

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The Victor Dog Food Salmonella Kiambu outbreak has sickened at least seven people, mostly infants, in seven states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Several brands and types of dog and pet food have been recalled in association with this outbreak. The recalling firm is Mid America Pet Food.

USA – Mid America Pet Food Expands Voluntary Recall to Include Additional Dog and Cat Food Products Due to Possible Salmonella Health Risk

FDA

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
FDA Publish Date:
Product Type:
Animal & Veterinary
Food & Beverages
Pet Food
Reason for Announcement:
Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Company Name:
Mid America Pet Food
Brand Name:
Multiple brand names
Product Description:
Dog and Cat Food

Company Announcement

Mid America Pet Food, Mount Pleasant, Texas, is expanding its October 30, 2023, voluntary recall to include additional pet food products, with Best By Dates before 10/31/24, made at its Mount Pleasant facility, due to the products’ potential to be contaminated with SalmonellaSalmonella 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.

USA – FDA and CDC Investigate Cases of Salmonella Linked to Pet Food Made by Mid America Pet Food; Multiple Brands Recalled

FDA

Fast Facts

  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state partners, is investigating seven human cases of Salmonella Kiambu infection potentially associated with pet food made by Mid America Pet Food.
  • Mid America Pet Food has voluntarily recalled all the pet food brands it manufactured with a best by date before 10/31/2024, which include Victor, Eagle Mountain, Wayne Feeds and two varieties of Member’s Mark pet foods. These products include both dog and cat foods and were sold nationwide in retail stores and online. See the full list of products below.
  • This recall expands previous recalls by the firm on September 3, 2023 and October 30, 2023.
  • CDC reports that, as of November 1, 2023, seven people infected with the strain of Salmonella have been reported from seven states (see map). Six of seven cases reported were in children one year of age or younger. Five of these cases reported exposure to dogs and three reported feeding Victor pet food to their pets. Illnesses started on dates ranging from January 14, 2023, to August 19, 2023 (see timeline). One person was hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
  • A retail sample of Victor brand Hi-Pro Plus dry dog food collected by the South Carolina State Department of Agriculture and analyzed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control matches the strain of Salmonella found in the seven ill people.
  • If consumers have any pet food on the list below, they are advised to throw it away in a secure container. Do not feed it to your pets or other animals. Do not donate the food.
  • Clean and disinfect all pet supplies and surfaces that the food or pet had contact with.
  • Salmonella can make both people and pets sick. People with symptoms of Salmonella infection should consult their health care providers. Consult a veterinarian if your pet has symptoms of Salmonella infection. See additional symptom information below.
  • The investigation is ongoing, and the FDA will update this advisory as appropriate.

RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed -Salmonella – Processed Animal Protein – Soybean Meal – Dog Chews

RASFF

Salmonella Spp in processed animal protein for petfood from Spain in Italy.

RASFF

Salmonella Agona in soybean meal from the Netherlands in France and Belgium

RASFF

Salmonella spp. in dog chews from Poland in Germany

USA – Mid America Pet Food Issues Voluntary Recall of Victor Beef Meal & Rice Dog Food Due to Possible Salmonella Health Risk

FDA

Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula, 5 pound bag, front label

Company Announcement

Mid America Pet Food, Mount Pleasant, Texas, is voluntarily recalling three lots of Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula produced at its Mount Pleasant, Texas production facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. This voluntary recall was initiated after a third-party conducted random sampling and product associated with three lots tested positive for SalmonellaSalmonella 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.

No human or pet illnesses have been reported to date.

Products were distributed to various distributors and retailers in the United States. The affected product includes:

Product Description Lot Number Bag Size Best By Date
Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula
1000016890 5 pound bag 6/12/2024
1000016891 15 pound bag 6/12/2024
1000016892 40 pound bag 6/12/2024

USA – Blue Ridge Beef Issues Voluntary Recall of Breeders Choice 2# Dog Food Due to Salmonella Health Risk

FDA

Image 1 – Front of package, Blue Ridge Beef Raw Pet Food Breeders Choice

TATESVILLE, NC – OCTOBER 27, 2023 – Blue Ridge Beef is recalling their Breeders Choice 2# log dog food Lot# 8/2/24 UPC 8 54298 00193 1 due to Salmonella contamination. On October 27, 2023, the firm was notified by the Food & Drug Administration that the dog food test positive for SalmonellaSalmonella 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.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The product was distributed between 8/9/2023 and 8/25/2023. This product was packaged in clear plastic and sold primarily in retail stores located in the following States: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Image of product below:

Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to contact Blue Ridge Beef directly at blueridgebeefnc@yahoo.com for a full refund or destroy the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access. Do not sell or donate the recalled products. Do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals. Wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups and storage containers. Always ensure you wash and sanitize your hands after handling recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with recalled food. Consumers with questions may contact Mr. Steven Lea at (704) 880-4500 Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm EST.

This is a voluntary recall being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.


Company Contact Information