Category Archives: Pet Food Testing

UK – Raw Pet Food company recalls five products following Salmonella contamination

Vet Times

A pet food manufacturer has recalled several of its product lines containing duck after they were discovered to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has announced that raw pet food company Natural Instinct has recalled five of its products.

Full refund

Advice published by the FSA says: “If you have bought any of the affected products do not use them.

“Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund. When handling and serving raw pet food it is always advised to clean utensils and feeding bowls thoroughly after use.

“Consumers should wash hands thoroughly after handling raw pet food, bowls, utensils or after contact with the faeces of animals.

“Raw pet food should be stored separately from any food, especially ready to eat foods. Care should be taken when defrosting to avoid cross-contamination of foods and surfaces.”

Affected products

The affected products are:

  • Working Dog Duck – 1kg and 2 × 500g
  • Pure Duck – 1kg and 2 × 500g
  • Working Dog Puppy – 1kg and 2 × 500g
  • Duck Carcass – Pack of 2
  • Duck Necks – Pack of 6

Iceland – Salmonella in pork ears for pets

MAST

The company Petmark ehf has, in consultation with the Food Administration, recalled pig semen for pets after salmonella was detected in a sample. These are unpacked pork ears that were sold by choice in the stores Gæludýr.is and Bendir for the past four weeks (1.5.2021-6.6.2021). 

Product information:

  • Product name: Pork ear
  • Importer: Petmark ehf, Völuteig 6, 270 Mosfellsbær.
  • Country of manufacture: Germany
  • Manufacturer: Be-So GmbH
  • Lot number / best for dates: 13.5.2022. NOTE no packaging. The recall applies to pig semen purchased at Gæludýr.is and Bendi last year. 4 weeks
  • Storage conditions: Ambient
  • Distribution: Points and stores Gæludýr.is

Ears

Those who have purchased the product are asked to return it to the point of sale or discard it.

Related material

USA – Backyard Poultry sickens 471, hospitalizing 103 and killing 1

Food Poison Journal

Salmonella Campylobacter

A few weeks ago, she  the Salmonella outbreak had only 100 confirmed victims, someone sent me Tucker’s Friday segment “asking” about the CDC warning of the risks of poultry and Salmonella.

The Fox News host invited Tiara Soleim, a “poultry enthusiast” and former contestant on “The Bachelor,” onto his show Friday night to discuss her love for cuddling chickens and her distaste for the CDC.

Like I said, Tucker, shut the cluck up!

As of June 17, 2021, a total of 474 people infected with one of the outbreak strains have been reported from 46 states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 15, 2020, to June 4, 2021 (see timeline).

UK – Happy Hounds Wales Ltd recalls frozen raw dog food products due to the presence of Salmonella

FSA

Happy Hounds Wales Ltd is recalling certain types of frozen raw dog food because of the presence of salmonella in the products.

Product details

Frozen Beef Mince 993
Pack size 1kg
Batch code 993
Best before 31/05/2022
Frozen Lamb & Beef 992/993
Pack size 1kg
Batch code 992/993
Best before 31/05/2022
Frozen Turkey and Beef 991/993
Pack size 1kg
Batch code 991/993
Best before 01/06/2022
Frozen Diced Heart
Pack size 1.5kg
Batch code 993
Best before 01/06/2022

Risk statement

The presence of Salmonella in the products listed above. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause illness in humans and animals. The product could therefore carry a potential risk, because of the presence of salmonella, either through direct handling of the pet food, or indirectly, for example from pet feeding bowls, utensils or contact with the faeces of animals.

In humans, symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. Infected animals may not necessarily display signs of illness, but symptoms can include diarrhoea.

Action taken by the company

Happy Hounds is recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

Our advice to consumers

(pet owners): If you have bought any of the above products do not use them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.

When handling and serving raw pet food it is always advised to clean utensils and feeding bowls thoroughly after use. Consumers should wash their hands thoroughly after handling raw pet food, bowls, utensils or after contact with the faeces of animals. Raw pet food should be stored separately from any food (especially ready to eat foods). Care should be taken when defrosting to avoid cross-contamination of foods and surfaces.

USA – After U.S. recall, firm initiates nationwide Canadian recall of cat food because of Salmonella concerns

Food Safety News

Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. is recalling certain cat food products in Canada because of possible Salmonella contamination, which can be dangerous to pets and people who handle the food.

The company reported that 378 units of the affected product were sold in Canada from February to April 2021.

As of June 2, the company had not received any reports of illness, complaints or injuries in Canada.

The products are the same that were recalled in the United States in May.

In the U.S. the issue was found by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture during a routine state surveillance sample.

USA- Recalled: A Single Lot of Freshpet Select Small Dog – Salmonella

Petful

Maker: Freshpet, Inc.
Cause: Potential for salmonella
Announcement: FDA alert dated June 13, 2021 (archived here)
What was recalled: Freshpet Select Small Dog Bite Size Beef & Egg Recipe Dog Food, 1 lb., UPC # 627975012939, with sell by date of Oct. 30, 2021 and Lot Code 1421FBP0101

Only the dog food listed above — with the exact UPC, sell by date and lot code — is part of this recall, and no other Freshpet products are affected.

Iceland – Salmonella in pork ears for pets

MAST

The company Petmark ehf has, in consultation with the Food Administration, recalled pig semen for pets after salmonella was detected in a sample. These are unpacked pork ears that were sold by choice in the stores Gæludýr.is and Bendir for the past four weeks (1.5.2021-6.6.2021). 

Product information:

  • Product name: Pork ear
  • Importer: Petmark ehf, Völuteig 6, 270 Mosfellsbær.
  • Country of manufacture: Germany
  • Manufacturer: Be-So GmbH
  • Lot number / best for dates: 13.5.2022. NOTE no packaging. The recall applies to pig semen purchased at Gæludýr.is and Bendi last year. 4 weeks
  • Storage conditions: Ambient
  • Distribution: Points and stores Gæludýr.is

Ears

Those who have purchased the product are asked to return it to the point of sale or discard it.

Related material

USA – Sunshine Mills, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Certain Dog Food Products Because of Possible Salmonella Contamination

FDA

Sunshine Mills, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of certain dog food products because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No illnesses, injuries or complaints have been reported to date. The potential for contamination was noted after the firm was notified by the distributor, Fleet Wholesale Supply Company, who was informed by Minnesota Department of Agriculture when a sample of 5 lbs. Sprout Sporting Dog Food product was collected and tested positive for Salmonella during routine surveillance.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from 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 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 a recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The best buy date and lot code can be found on the back of each package. The products identified below were distributed online and in retail stores:

Product Size BB Date Code & Lot UPC Code States
Sportsman’s Pride Professional
Formula 30/20 Dog Food
40 lb. Best if used By 7 Oct 2021 7015510184 MS, FL, TN, LA, VA, NC, TX
Lot: TI1 07/Oct/2020
Sprout Sporting Dog Food 5 lb. Best if used By 6 Oct 2021 7015505101 MN, WI, IA, SD, ND
Lot: TE1 06/Oct/2020
40 lb. Best if used By 6 Oct 2021 7015505100
Lot: TI3 06/Oct/2020
Intimidator Chicken & Rice Formula
Dog Food 30/20
16 lb. Best if used By 6 Oct 2021 7015541002 TX, MS, FL, AL
Lot: TA1 06/Oct/2020
40 lb. Best if used By 6 Oct 2021 5216631214
Lot: TA1 06/Oct/2020
FRM Gold Select High Performance
Dog Food
50 lb. Best if used By 6 Oct 2021 1549905873 GA, FL
Lot: TA1 06/Oct/2020

There are no other Sportsman’s Pride®, Sprout, Intimidator®, or FRM® Gold Select products or other lot codes of these products affected by this recall.

Retailers who received the recalled lots have been contacted and asked to pull these lots from their inventory and shelves 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.


Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Sunshine Mills, Inc.
 800-705-2111
 customer.service@sunshinemills.com
 

Product Photos

Research – A cluster of Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 highlights raw pet food as an emerging potential source of infection in humans

Cambridge Org

In August 2017, a cluster of four persons infected with genetically related strains of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 was identified. These strains possessed the Shiga toxin (stx) subtype stx2a, a toxin type known to be associated with severe clinical outcome. One person died after developing haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Interviews with cases revealed that three of the cases had been exposed to dogs fed on a raw meat-based diet (RMBD), specifically tripe. In two cases, the tripe had been purchased from the same supplier. Sampling and microbiological screening of raw pet food was undertaken and indicated the presence of STEC in the products. STEC was isolated from one sample of raw tripe but was different from the strain causing illness in humans. Nevertheless, the detection of STEC in the tripe provided evidence that raw pet food was a potential source of human STEC infection during this outbreak. This adds to the evidence of raw pet food as a risk factor for zoonotic transmission of gastrointestinal pathogens, which is widely accepted for SalmonellaListeria and Campylobacter spp. Feeding RMBD to companion animals has recently increased in popularity due to the belief that they provide health benefits to animals. Although still rare, an increase in STEC cases reporting exposure to RMBDs was detected in 2017. There has also been an increased frequency of raw pet food incidents in 2017, suggesting an increasing trend in potential risk to humans from raw pet food. Recommendations to reduce the risk of infection included improved awareness of risk and promotion of good hygiene practices among the public when handling raw pet food.

USA – Cat Food – Recalled: Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Chicken Formula – Salmonella

Petful

A single “best by” date of this dry cat food is being recalled by Natural Balance because of the potential for salmonella contamination.

Maker: Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc.
Cause: Potential for salmonella
Announcement: FDA alert dated May 20, 2021 (archived here)
What was recalled: The following specific lot/sizes of dry cat food:

  • Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Green Pea & Chicken Formula Dry Cat Food, 5 lb. bags, UPC #2363300233, Lot #1008080 06:42N811202:20, best by March 10, 2022
  • Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Green Pea & Chicken Formula Dry Cat Food, 10 lb. bags, UPC #2363300235, Lot #1008080 06:42N811202:20, best by March 10, 2022

Only the specific dry cat food listed above is part of this limited recall. No other Natural Balance products are affected.