A case of Salmonella food poisoning in Minnesota has prompted the state to issue a consumer advisory for Woody’s Pet Food Deli Raw Free Range Turkey Pet food. The case is part of the multistate Salmonella Reading outbreak that is linked to raw turkey that has sickened at least 216 people. That outbreak is ongoing.
The Minnesota Department of Health is issuing a recall after sampling of that product tested positive for Salmonella bacteria. The4 recalled product is sold in 5 pound plastic containers labeled “Woody’s Pet Food Deli Raw Free Range Turkey.” The product was sold at Woody’s Pet food Deli locations in Woodbury, Minneapolis, and St. Paul. The lots that are recalled have use by dates of 01/10/20, 01/12/20, and 01/15/20.
Officials from the Minnesota Department of Health interviewed the ill person and found that the Woody’s pet food product was regularly fed to a pet in the household. The pet also tested positive for Salmonella, but not the outbreak strain.
Last year, the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture found two other patients who were sick with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading. Those cases were linked to raw ground turkey pet food from a different manufacturer.
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has represented clients sickened with Salmonella infections, said, “Even when you recover from this infection, there is still a risk you may develop a serious complication in the future.” Call 1-888-377-8900 or 612-338-0202 for help.
Food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker, who has represented many clients sickened with salmonellosis, said, “It’s just too difficult to prevent the spread of this pathogen when pets eat raw food. Consumers should think about avoiding these products.”
The CDC does not recommend feeding a raw meat diet to pets because it can make the animals and humans sick. People get sick when they handle contaminated raw pet food and then don’t thoroughly wash their hands. Since the pets can shed the bacteria in feces and saliva, it can get onto their coats. Simply petting a pet can make someone sick. And Salmonella can survive for weeks in the house, which can be a continuing source of infection.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include nausea, fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea that may be bloody. Pets can also be sick with similar symptoms. Some pets can be carriers of the pathogen and not show any symptoms at all. If you feed your pets a raw food diet and have been ill with these symptoms, see your doctor.
