The FDA is warning consumers about eight lots of Raaw Energy Dog Food which may be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. Samples tested positive for one or more of the following: Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli O157. A consumer complaint submitted to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CDTA) about a dog illness prompted the testing. Eight unopened product samples were collected by the CTDA and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. All of the samples tested positive for pathogenic bacteria. The FDA has recommended a recall, but the firm has not issued an adequate recall of the affected products. These pathogens can cause serious illness and death to animals and people. People can get sick by handling the pet food, then touching … [Read more...]
FDA Says Do Not Feed Two Lots of Darwin’s BioLogics Dog Food
The FDA is telling the public do not feed two lots of Darwin's Natural BioLogics dog food for possible Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The notice did not state whether or not any human or pet illnesses have been reported in connection with this problem, although a consumer complaint triggered testing. The recalling firm is Arrow Reliance. The advisory was triggered when the FDA conducted the testing when following up on a consumer complaint. The government recommended that Arrow Reliance recall these products. But instead the firm allegedly sent a letter to customers telling them about the Listeria contamination but did not mention the Salmonella contamination. And the firm has not provided sufficient documentation to the FDA to show they have removed affected … [Read more...]
Cornell Researchers Find Deadly Bacteria in Raw Cat Food Brands
A study by Cornell researchers, published in the journal Nature, finds that there is deadly bacteria in raw cat food brands. The brands were not named. The researchers say that this is an issue because, "American consumers lack adequate education on the proper handling of foods, especially those intended to be served raw." The BARF diet (bone and raw food diet) is an attempt to return animal diets to ancestral roots. But these foods are contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and parasites, especially when compared to conventionally processed foods. While online groups say that this diet has benefits for pets, there is increased risk of illness for the animals and their owners. The study found Salmonella, Cronobacter, Clostridium perfringens, and E. coli bacteria in raw or partially … [Read more...]
Wild Coast Raw Chicken Pet Food Recalled For Bird Flu
Wild Coast Raw chicken pet food is being recalled for possible bird flu contamination. Cats have been diagnosed with the same strain of H5N1 after eating this product. Sampling by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Oregon State Department of Agriculture found the virus in the product. The recalling firm is West Coast LLC doing business as West Coast Raw of Olympia, Washington. The recalled product was sold in Washington state and Oregon. The recalled item is 16 ounce and 24 ounce containers of frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food. It is frozen in a small round white plastic container with a green label. The state of Oregon issued a recall about 17 days ago, but more information is available about the product now. The lot numbers that are … [Read more...]
FDA: Do Not Feed Some Lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Food
The FDA is warning consumers to not feed some lots of Darwin's Natural Pet Food to their pets because of possible Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The FDA issued a similar warning about Darwin's Naturals for possible Salmonella contamination last August, and in October 2023, August 2022, and March 2019. This food is raw pet food. FDA samples of five Darwin's Natural Pet Products raw cat and dog food made by Arrow Reliance tested positive for Salmonella contamination. And a sixth FDA sample tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. This food is sold online through a subscription service. These products are sold in frozen 2 pound packages. They are lots of Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats and … [Read more...]
Blue Ridge Beef Raw Kitten and Puppy Food Recalled For Listeria
Blue Ridge Beef Raw Kitten and Puppy Food is being recalled because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella bacteria. No illnesses, either human or animal, have been reported to the company to date in connection with this issue. The recalling firm is Blue Ridge Beef of Statesville, North Carolina. These raw pet foods were sold between November 11, 2023 through December 20, 2023 at the retail level in these states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Pets can be sickened with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes infections. The pets may be lethargic, with bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some animals will only have decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. And others may not have any … [Read more...]
Raw Pet Food Salmonella Outbreak in Canada Sickens 40
A raw pet food Salmonella outbreak in Canada has sickened at least 40 people. Public Health Canada describes the pathogen as "extensively drug-resistant," which means it is much more difficult to treat illnesses caused by this bacteria. The outbreak is also linked to contact with cattle. Cattle and other ruminant animals can harbor pathogens in their guts. The bacteria is excreted in their feces, and can contaminate their coats and anything in their environment. When theses animals are slaughtered, the bacteria contaminates the meat. And when the meat is ground, the bacteria are mixed through it. Many of the patients are children five years old or younger. Younger children are at risk for more serious complications from any food poisoning infection. Some of the patients … [Read more...]
Raw Feeding in Dogs Associated With Cattle-like E. Coli in Feces
Raw feeding in dogs is associated with excretion of "cattle-like" antibiotic resistant E. coli in their feces, which poses a "significant zoonotic threat," according to a study conducted at the University of Bristol and published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. The study, which was conducted on six hundred dogs in England, found that carriage of these pathogens in rural dogs was phylogenetically associated with interaction with local cattle and epidemiologically associated with feeding raw meat. A zoonotic disease is one that can make the leap from animals to humans. People are more likely to be colonized by antibacterial resistant E. coli if they interact with certain animals, including domestic pet dogs. Third generation cephalosporin-resistant E. coli (3GR-E. coli) … [Read more...]
Raw Pet Food Is a Public Health Issue Because of E. coli Contamination
A study published in Microorganisms has found that feeding pets raw pet food comes with a risk of pathogenic bacteria, including Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which can cause serious illness in humans and is a public health issue. The study evaluated commercially available raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) in Switzerland. These foods are made of uncooked raw muscle meats, organ meats, and the meaty bones of livestock or wild animals. They are mostly from the by-products of animals that are slaughtered for human consumption. The study looked at the occurrence of STEC isolated from commercially available raw pet food in Switzerland. In a recent study in the U.S., Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria were identified in 4% of commercially available RMBDs. Studies demonstrating … [Read more...]
Ground Beef and Performance Dog Raw Pet Food Recalled For Pathogens
Bravo Packing of Carneys Point, New Jersey is recalling all Ground Beef and Performance Dog, which is a frozen raw pet food, because it may be contaminated with the pathogens Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Both pathogens can cause serious illness in animals eating the products and in humans who handle contaminated pet products. No human or animal illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with this issue. Samples of Performance Dog and a sample of Ground Beef pet food were collected during an FDA inspection and tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Performance Dog usually works with a distributor who is located in Brooklyn, New York, that fills orders to brick-and-mortar retail stores or to consumers directly nationwide. … [Read more...]
