Category Archives: Pet Food Testing

USA – Dog food recall: Nature’s Menu brand pulled due to Salmonella risk

Posted on August 29, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News today

Dog food recall: Nature’s Menu brand pulled due to Salmonella risk

by PRESS RELEASE
August 25, 2020
US News
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Sunshine Mills, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of Nature’s Menu® Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. 

Nature’s Menu® Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail

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 the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The recalled products were distributed in retail stores nationally and can be identified with the following UPC 7015514363 and UPC 7015514365.

The product comes in a 3-pound bag with the following lot codes:
TE1 20/April /2020, TE1 21/April/2020, TE1 22/April/2020, TE2 20/April /2020, TE2 21/April/2020,
TE2 22/April/2020, TE3 20/April/2020, TE3 21/April/2020, TE3 22/April/2020.
The product comes in a 13.5-pound bag with the following lot codes:
TB1 20/April /2020, TB1 21/April/2020, TB1 22/April/2020, TB2 20/April /2020, TB2 21/April/2020,
TB2 22/April/2020, TB3 20/April/2020, TB3 21/April/2020, TB3 22/April/2020.

There are no other Nature’s Menu® products or other lot codes of the Nature’s Menu® Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail affected by this precautionary recall.

No illnesses, injuries or complaints have been reported to date.

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Posted in Animal Feed, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, Pet Food Testing, Salmonella, Salmonella Dog Food

RASFF Alert – Animal Feed – Salmonella – Dog Chews

Posted on July 24, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Rissen (presence /25g) and Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium (presence /25g) in dog chews from Germany in Austria

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Posted in Animal Feed, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, Pet Food Testing, RASFF, Salmonella, Salmonella Dog Food, Uncategorized

UK – Benyfit Natural Pet Food recalls various brands of raw dog food products containing beef due to the possible presence of salmonella

Posted on July 14, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FSA

Benyfit Natural Pet Food Ltd has taken the precautionary step of recalling several types of frozen raw dog food products containing beef because the products might contain salmonella. These products have been sold by various independent pet food stores and online.

Product details

Benyfit Natural 80-10-10 Beef Meat Feast
Pack size 1kg
Batch code 046-076
Best before 16 March 2021
Batch code 046-083
Best before 23 March 2021
Batch code 046-093
Best before 2 April 2021
Batch code 046-100
Best before 9 April 2021
Benyfit Natural 80-10-10 Beef Meat Feast
Pack size 500g
Batch code 047-076
Best before 16 March 2021
Batch code 047-083
Best before 23 March 2021
Batch code 047-093
Best before 2 April 2021
Batch code 047-100
Best before 9 April 2021
Unique Raw Duck, Beef & Ox Recipe
Pack size 1kg
Batch code 710-077
Best before 17 March 2021
Batch code 710-099
Best before 8 April 2021
Benyfit Natural Beef & Tripe
Pack size 1kg
Batch code 013-077
Best before 17 March 2021
Batch code 013-085
Best before 25 March 2021
Batch code 013-093
Best before 2 April 2021
Batch code 013-100
Best before 9 April 2021
Benyfit Natural Beef & Tripe
Pack size 500g
Batch code 014-077
Best before 17 March 2021
Batch code 014-086
Best before 25 March 2021
Batch code 014-093
Best before 2 April 2021
Batch code 014-100
Best before 9 April 2021
Benyfit Natural Succulent Beef
Pack size 1kg
Batch code 010-083
Best before 23 March 2021
Batch code 010-087
Best before 27 March 2021
Batch code 010-090
Best before 30 March 2021
Batch code 010-100
Best before 9 April 2021
Benyfit Natural Succulent Beef
Pack size 500g
Batch code 011-083
Best before 23 March 2021
Batch code 011-090
Best before 30 March 2021
Batch code 011-100
Best before 9 April 2021
Embark on Raw Natural Working Dog Food Beef Complete
Pack size 454g
Batch code 203-078
Best before 18 March 2021
Batch code 203-090
Best before 30 March 2021
Batch code 203-097
Best before 6 April 2021
Neew Dog Premium Beef
Pack size 1kg
Batch code 405-079
Best before 19 March 2021
Batch code 405-090
Best before 30 March 2021
Batch code 405-099
Best before 8 April 2021
Neew Dog Premium Beef
Pack size 500g
Batch code 406-090
Best before 30 March 2021
Batch code 406-097
Best before 6 April 2021
Unique Raw Chicken, Beef & Ox Recipe
Pack size 1kg
Batch code 707-098
Best before 7 April 2021

Risk statement

The products listed above might be contaminated with salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause illness in humans and animals. The products 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

Benyfit Natural Pet Food Ltd is recalling the above products. Customers who bought the affected products online have been contacted. 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. Please see the attached notices.
Customer notices: Benyfit Natural Raw Pet Food(Opens in a new window)

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 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.

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Posted in Animal Feed, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, fsa, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, Pet Food Testing, raw pet food, Salmonella, Salmonella Dog Food, Uncategorized

RASFF Alert – Animal Feed – Salmonella – Processed Animal Proteins

Posted on July 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – Salmonella (in 1 out of 5 samples /25g) in processed animal proteins for petfood from Spain in Italy

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Posted in Animal Feed, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, Pet Food Testing, RASFF, Salmonella, Uncategorized

Research – Risk of Foodborne Illness from Pet Food: Assessing Pet Owners’ Knowledge, Behavior, and Risk Perception

Posted on July 3, 2020 by | Leave a comment

JFP

Pet food has been identified as a source of pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella and Escherichia coli. A recent outbreak linked to Salmonella -contaminated pet treats infected over 150 people in the United States. The mechanism by which contaminated pet food leads to human illness has not been explicated. Pet owners’ food safety knowledge and their pet food handling practices have not been reported. This study evaluated pet owners’ food safety knowledge and pet-food handling practices through an online consumer survey. The survey consists of 62 questions and assesses (1) owners’ food safety knowledge and pet-food handling practices; (2) owners’ interaction with pets; (3) owners’ risk perception related to their own health, their children’s health, and their pets’ health. The survey was pilot-tested among 59 pet owners before distribution to a national consumer panel, managed by Qualtrics XM. All participants (n=1,040) were dog and/or cat owners in the United States. Almost all pet owners interacted with their pets (93%) and most cuddled, allowed their pets to lick them, and slept with their pets. Less than one-third of pet owners washed their hands with soap after interacting with their pets. Over half (58%) the owners reported washing their hands after feeding their pets. Most pet owners fed their pets dry pet food and dry pet treats. Some fed their pets raw meat or raw animal product (RAP) diets because they believed these diets to be beneficial to their pet’s overall health. Many owners (78%) were unaware of pet food recalls or outbreaks associated with foodborne pathogens. Less than 25% considered dry pet foods and treats as a potential source of foodborne pathogens. The findings of this study indicated the need for consumer education about pet food handling. The data collected can assist in developing more accurate risk assessment models and consumer education related to pet food handling.

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Posted in E.coli, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pathogen, pathogenic, Pet Food, Pet Food Testing, raw pet food, Research, Salmonella, Uncategorized

USA – Raw pet food blamed for human E. coli outbreak

Posted on June 16, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Public health officials continue to investigate an E. coli outbreak linked to raw pet food sold under the Carnivora brand.

Of four sick people identified so far, all had the same strain of E. coli O157 infection and all had been exposed to the raw pet food for dogs who had been fed it, according to an outbreak notice posted by Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Riveriene Farm Ltd. operating as Carnivora Pet Foods of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, recalled six varieties of the Carnivora brand raw food. All were manufactured in Canada and widely distributed, possibly nationwide, according to a recall notice posted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

“The individuals became sick between early March and mid-May 2020. Two individuals have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Individuals who became ill are between 3 and 43 years of age,” the outbreak notice states.

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Posted in E.coli, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Pet Food, Pet Food Testing, raw pet food, Uncategorized

Canada – Carnivora frozen pet food patties recalled over E. coli concerns

Posted on June 13, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CTV News

CDC E.coli

Image CDC

 

TORONTO — Health Canada has recalled Carnivora Fresh Frozen Patties for Dogs and Cats due to a possible E. coli contamination that could be spread after handling the pet food.

The recall affects six varieties of the Carnivora brand raw pet food sold between January 13, 2020 to June, 2020. Approximately 1,803 units of the affected product were in Canada.

Health Canada says the recalled pet food may be contaminated with E. coli and consumer are at risk of cross contamination and illness after handling the pet food.

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Posted in Animal Feed, E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, Pet Food Testing, raw pet food, Uncategorized

USA – FDA to hold imports of pig ear pet treats -Salmonella

Posted on June 8, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Pet Food Processing

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an import alert for some pet treats, saying it will detain, “without physical examination,” pig ear dog chews or other pig ear pet treats that are suspected of containing Salmonella.

“The purpose of this is so that the Agency will have confidence that future shipments/entries will be in compliance with the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act),” the agency stated.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, Pet Food Testing, raw pet food, Salmonella, Salmonella Dog Food, Uncategorized

Research -ECCMID studies probe resistant pathogens in pets, pet food, and people

Posted on April 21, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CIDRAP

Two studies by Portuguese scientists presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) highlight concerns about the potential for transmission of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria between companion animals and humans.

In one study, researchers from the University of Porto found high levels of MDR enterococci in raw-frozen dog food sold in the European Union. In another study, a household survey and molecular screening by researchers from the University of Lisbon found the colistin-resistance gene MCR-1 in two healthy humans and one dog with a skin infection.

But in a third study, researchers in Germany reported that pet ownership does not appear to be a significant risk factor for colonization with MDR organisms (MDROs).

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Posted in Antibiotic Resistance, antimicrobial resistance, Antimicrobials, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology Research, Pet Food Testing, raw pet food, Research, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed -Enterobacteriaceae – Dog Chews

Posted on April 11, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – high count of Enterobacteriaceae (1, 7.7, 18, 84, 25 CFU/g) in dog chews from China in Spain

 

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Posted in Animal Feed, Enterobacteriaceae, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, Pet Food Testing, RASFF, Uncategorized