Maker: NomNomNow Inc. Cause: Potential for listeria Announcement: Company letter to customers, dated July 8, 2021 What was recalled: Chicken Cuisine cat food—only with the following lot numbers: 18700, 18714, 18728, 18742, 18756 and 18770 (the lot number has the initials “CC” before it)
Nom Nom has announced its first-ever cat food recall, and it comes after one of its suppliers, Tyson Foods Inc., recalled millions of pounds of chicken because of possible listeria contamination.
The affected Nom Nom cat food, called Chicken Cuisine, was produced between March 8 and May 17 of this year. All customers have been notified, and only the lot numbers listed above are part of the recall. No other Nom Nom product is affected.
Top Quality Dog Food of Hyattsville, MD is recalling “Beef HVM” 1-pound packages due to the potential of Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes. 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.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for 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. 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 1-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” 1-pound packages in question.
The contamination was noted after a state surveillance sample revealed the presence of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, in some 1-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.
We have already contacted those who have received this lot number based on our records. We encourage all customers who received this product to dispose of any unused product immediately.
If you find the “Beef HVM” 1-pound package that shows the lot number: 071521 in your possession, we urge you to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
An update on the investigation into the recalled cat food following a rise in cases of feline pancytopenia and responses to common consumer queries.
The Food Standards Agency has been working closely with Fold Hill Foods over the course of the investigation into the recalled cat food. The company has co-operated fully.
The results of extensive testing identified higher levels of mycotoxins in some samples of the recalled cat food. This includes specific compounds known as T2 and HT2. These products are no longer on sale.
Mycotoxins are found in some types of feed and food and do not, in themselves, indicate they are the cause of feline pancytopenia. No causative link between pancytopenia and the recalled cat food products has been established.
As a result of these findings, Fold Hill Foods is working with its local authority to take steps to resume production.
Next steps in the investigation
A multi-agency approach will continue to try and identify the causes of the pancytopenia. As new information emerges, we will review our approach on managing any identified risks in animal feed and inform industry so that they can take any action required as a result of our findings.
We understand how upsetting the past two months have been for cat owners and know how important it is that the cause of the recent feline pancytopenia cases is established.
Our tests and analysis to date have not found a causative link to the pancytopenia cases, but our investigation is ongoing and we will provide an update once we have more information.
Was the pancytopenia outbreak not caused by cat food?
To date testing has not been able to definitively determine a cause, we have not ruled out cat food or any other possible causes either.
Is it safe for anyone who still has the recalled cat food to feed it to their cats?
Cat owners should not feed any recalled cat food to their cats and should continue to follow the advice in our recall notice.
What other possible causes are being investigated?
We continue to work with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to identify the possible cause of the pancytopenia. At this stage we are not ruling out any possible cause.
Why is the company being allowed to restart production if it is not known for sure that its cat food is safe?
A causative link between the feline pancytopenia and the recalled cat food has not been established
A causative link between the feline pancytopenia and the company’s other cat food products has not been established, either.
Some social media posts have shown the results of mycotoxin tests, suggesting food is unsafe for cats. Why has action not been taken?
We are aware of some social media posts, in which test results have been misinterpreted as showing a danger to cats.
The mere presence of mycotoxins in cat food does not necessarily pose a risk to cats. Mycotoxins are naturally occurring substances produced by certain types of moulds (fungi) which can grow on a variety of different crops and feedstuffs.
If mycotoxins are widely found in animal feed, should people be concerned about other brands of cat food?
No. There is no evidence linking any other products to feline pancytopenia.
At least 330 cats in the United Kingdom have died from a rare illness that could be linked to toxins in cat foods that have been recently recalled.
The condition, called feline pancytopenia, is when the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets decreases rapidly and results in serious illness, according to the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London.
The RVC first raised the alarm about the spike in severe feline pancytopenia cases in late May. To date, the cause of the deaths is yet to be officially identified.
The FSA said in a July 16 update that the presence of mycotoxins was identified “in a small number of samples of recalled cat food tested to date.
Sunshine Mills, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of certain products due to potentially elevated levels of Aflatoxin above the acceptable limit. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring by-product from the growth of Aspergillus flavus and can be harmful to pets if consumed in significant quantities. No illnesses have been reported in association with these products to date, and no other Sunshine Mills, Inc. pet food products are affected by this announcement.
Products affected by this announcement:
Product Name
Size
Lot Codes
UPC Code
TRIUMPH® WILD SPIRIT CRAFT
DOG FOOD DEBONED CHICKEN &
BROWN RICE RECIPE
3.5 lbs.
Best if used By 11 Feb 2022
Lot: TD2 11/Feb/2021
073657 008736
TRIUMPH® WILD SPIRIT CRAFT
DOG FOOD DEBONED CHICKEN &
BROWN RICE RECIPE
30 lbs.
Best if used By 11 Feb 2022
Lot: TA2 11/Feb/2021
073657 008750
EVOLVE® CLASSIC SUPER
PREMIUM FOOD FOR DOGS
DEBONED CHICKEN & BROWN
RICE RECIPE
15 lbs.
Best if used By 11 Feb 2022
Lot: TA1 11/Feb/2021
073657 380320
Best if used By 11 Feb 2022
Lot: TA2 11/Feb/2021
WILD HARVEST® PREMIUM DOG
FOOD CHICKEN & BROWN RICE
RECIPE
14 lbs.
Best if used By 11 Feb 2022
Lot: TA2 11/Feb/2021
711535 509523
NURTURE FARMS® NATURAL
DOG FOOD DEBONED CHICKEN &
BROWN RICE RECIPE
15 lbs.
Best if used By 11 Feb 2022
Lot: TA2 11/Feb/2021
070155 113597
EVOLVE® CLASSIC SUPER
PREMIUM FOOD FOR DOGS
DEBONED CHICKEN & BROWN
RICE RECIPE
30 lbs.
Best if used By 11 Feb 2022
Lot: TA2 11/Feb/2021
073657 380313
HEART TO TAIL PURE BEING®
NATURAL DOG FOOD DEBONED
CHICKEN & BROWN RICE RECIPE
5 lbs.
Best if used By 11 Feb 2022
Lot: TD2 11/Feb/2021
4099100129441
ELM PET FOODS NATURALS
CHICKEN & RICE RECIPE DOG
FOOD
40 lbs.
Best if used By 11 Feb 2022
Lot: TA1 11/Feb/2021
070155 225221
The affected products were distributed in retail stores nationally. Retailers who received the recalled lots have been contacted and asked to pull these lots from their inventory and shelves. There are no other Triumph®, Evolve®, Wild Harvest®, Nurture Farms®, Pure Being®, or Elm products or other lot codes of these products affected by this recall.
While no adverse health effects related to these products have been reported, Sunshine Mills, Inc. has chosen to issue a voluntary recall of the above-referenced products as a precautionary measure in furtherance of its commitment to the safety and quality of its products. Pets that have consumed any of the above recalled products and exhibit symptoms of illness including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea should be seen by a veterinarian.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should discontinue use of the product and may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers may contact Sunshine Mills, Inc. customer service at (800) 705-2111 from 7AM to 4PM Central Time, Monday through Friday, or by email at customer.service@sunshinemills.com for additional information.
This is a voluntary recall being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
FoodWorld 