Darwin’s Natural Pet Products is recalling some of their Natural Selections pet foods for possible Salmonella and E. coli O128 contamination. Testing showed that some of the Chicken and Duck with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs may contain Salmonella, and the Turkey with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs sample may contain Salmonella and E. coli O128. No reports of illness in pets have been received to date.
The recalled products are all Darwin’s Natural brand: Natural Selections Chicken with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs, Net weight 2 pounds, Lot #43887, manufacture date 1/30/2018; Natural Selections Duck with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs, Net Net weight 2 pounds, Lot #44147, manufacture date 2/5/2018; ZooLogics Chicken Meals with Organic Vegetables for Dogs, Net weight 2 pounds, Lot #44037, manufacture date 2/7/2018; and ZooLogics Turkey with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs, Net weight 2 pounds, Lot #44127, manufacture date 2/4/2018. These products are sold to customers through a subscription service. All customers have been notified of the recall.
Salmonella can affect pets eating the products and there is risk to people as well. People can get sick from handling these products. Pets can also shed the bacteria in their feces. If it gets on their coats, and people pet the dogs, the bacteria can be transmitted. The E. coli O128 in the raw turkey pet food product “is among the most clinical relevant Shiga toxin producing E coli (STEC) variety in humans,” according to the recall notice. This bacteria can cause serious illness in people, but isn’t known to cause illness in pets. But pets can become carriers of the E. coli O128 bacteria and transmit the infection to people. .
The symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning in people include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea that may be bloody, abdominal cramps, and fever. The symptoms in pets are lethargy, with diarrhea that may be bloody, fever, and vomiting. Some pets may only have decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. If your pet is exhibiting these symptoms, see a vet. If anyone in your family is ill with any of these symptoms, they should see a doctor.
Symptoms of a STEC infection in people include diarrhea which usually bloody or watery, and severe abdominal craps and pains. Some people, especially children under the age of 5, can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) after an E. coli infection, which can cause kidney failure.
The product label does include instructions about food safety, including the cleaning of surfaces and utensils exposed to the raw food, and washing hands well after contact. If you have these products in your home, throw them away in sealed packages in the garbage, then contact Darwin’s Natural Pet Products for a replacement.
