As the debate rages on about whether a raw diet* is good or not for our pets, below is an interesting study about the potential risk of humans getting sick or infected from handling their pet’s raw food. The study included over 16K pet households in 81 countries. The research is published in the BMJ journal Veterinary Record.
(*Raw food includes any meat, internal organs, bones and cartilage fed uncooked to pets.)
(Did you know that more than 60% of pet owners in the Netherlands feed raw?)
The USDA (US Food and Drug Administration) issues a recall alert on August 14th regarding 35 frozen lots of Texas Tripe Raw Pet Food (manufactured by Texas Tripe Inc).
The recall was issued after samples tested positive for Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes. Testing was done by the Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC). Of the 23 samples tested, 16 were positive.
The recalled products were sold frozen in 20- and 40-pound cases containing multiple plastic pouches in 23 product varieties. NOTE: There are no unique identifications numbers on the individual chubs (plastic pouches) to identify them as the recalled products. Lot codes are only printed on the outside of the cases.
Here is the list of all the recalled products and lot numbers:
(Courtesy: The Dog Advisor)
The States Included in the Recall
The recalled products were sold directly to consumers (online and over the phone) in the following states:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
ALSO … A Special Note
The products below were also tested and showed positive for Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes but have NOT been recalled.
Texas Tripe Chicken Blend: Lot 19196-6
Texas Tripe Pork Blend: Lot 19190-09
Texas Tripe Beef Blend: Lot 19191-05
Pet treats and food contaminated with Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes pose a public health concern because they can affect both the health of animals and humans. Refrigeration or even freezing does not kill the bacteria.
What You Should Know About Salmonella
Salmonella poses a risk to animals ingesting the affected product (including dogs and cats) and humans. Pets infected with salmonella may display symptoms including:
Fever;
Lethargy and shock;
Diarrhea (which may last up to 3-4 weeks or longer);
Vomiting;
Weight Loss;
Dehydration; and
Mucus and/or blood in the stool.
People infected with salmonella can also have:
Diarrhea;
Fever; and
Abdominal cramps.
For some people, their diarrhea may be severe enough to require hospitalization.
What You Should Know About Listeria Monocytogenes
Listeria monocytogenes poses a risk to both animals ingesting the affected product and humans (if they do not thoroughly wash their hands after coming into contact with a contaminated product). Pets infected with listeria may display symptoms including:
Mild to severe diarrhea;
Anorexia;
Fever;
Nervous, muscular and respiratory system issues;
Abortion;
Depression; and
Shock and even death.
Infected animals can also serve as sources of infection to other household animals and humans.
What to do Next
Consumers should immediately stop feeding any of the recalled products and discard them in a secure container where stray animals or wildlife cannot access them.
Consumers should also:
Clean their refrigerator/freezers where the product was stored.
Thoroughly wash their hands after handling any recalled products.
Yesterday, on March 26th, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to dog owners to avoid feeding 3 separate lots of Darwin’s Natural Raw Dog Food.
(NOTE: All 3 lots were manufactured in October/November of 2018.)
After a consumer complaint, the FDA collected and tested samples from 3 lots and all tested positive for salmonella.
These frozen dog food products are manufactured by Arrow Reliance Inc., doing business as Darwin’s Natural Pet Products. Products are sold online direct to consumers.
UPDATE: The company just issued a public response to the FDA’s warning; it can be read here.
The Recall: The Affected Products/Lots:
Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs
Package: 5309(11)181019
Manufacture Date: October 19, 2018
Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs
Package: 5375(11)181106
Manufacture Date: November 11, 2018
Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Turkey Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs
Package: 5339(11)181026
Manufacture Date: October 26, 2018
What You Should Know About Salmonella
Salmonella poses a risk to animals ingesting the affected product (including dogs and cats) and can also be transmitted to humans. Pets infected with salmonella may display symptoms including:
Fever;
Lethargy and shock;
Diarrhea (which may last up to 3-4 weeks or longer);
Vomiting;
Weight Loss;
Dehydration; and
Mucus and/or blood in stool.
People infected with salmonella can also have:
Diarrhea;
Fever; and
Abdominal cramps.
For some people, their diarrhea may be severe enough to require hospitalization.
What to do Next
Consumers should contact their veterinarian if their dogs have consumed any of these recalled products and are exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above. Also, contact your own doctor if you are feeling any symptoms of salmonella.
The affected product should be thrown away immediately.
Consumers should thoroughly wash their hands after handling any affected products or cleaning any potentially contaminated surfaces including freezers/refrigerators where the product was stored, bowls, utensils, bedding, toys and floors.
Below are the latest recalls since our last blog post.
K9 Natural Ltd
On April 13th, K9 Natural Ltd of New Zealand voluntarily recalled four batches of its K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast (the 2.2 and 11lb bags) that were imported to the United States in June 2017. The recall was issued due to potential Listeria monocytogenes.
The recall involves:
K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast (2.2 lb bags):
Shipped to distributors/pet speciality retail stores in WA, CA, TX and CO with the batch #170517 and an expiration date of 17NOV2018.
K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast (11 lb bags):
Shipped to distributors/pet speciality retail stores in WA, CA, TX, CO and PA with the following batch numbers:
#150517 (expiration date of 15NOV2018)
#160517 (expiration date of 16NOV2018)
#170517 (expiration date of 17NOV2018)
There have been no reports of illness.
Customers with questions may contact the company via phone at 1 888 345 4680, M-F 8am-5pm PST & EST and S-S 14 &15 April 2018 8am-5pm PST & EST or email info@k9natural.com.
For the third time, another recall was issued on two Vital Essentials products: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Toppers and Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Chub Entree for Dogs due to potential Salmonella contamination.
Salmonella can infect both dogs, cats and humans.
The recalled products can be identified with the following information:
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Toppers: Lot #13815, Best by 06/04/19
Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Chub Entrée: 5 lb., Lot #13816, Best by 12/27/18
Customers may notify their retailer for a replacement or refund or contact the company at 920-370-6542.
OC Raw Dog of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, issued a voluntary recall of approximately 1,560 lbs of their Chicken, Fish & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulation due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The affected products were manufactured on October 11, 2017 with a Lot number of 3652 and a Use By Date of October 11, 2018.
The recalled Lot #3652 was shipped and sold to Independent Speciality Retailers in the following states: CA, CO, FL, MD, MN, PA and VT.
NOTE: Another recall was also issued by OC Raw Dog for its Freeze-dried Sardines because the product exceeded FDA size restrictions (of 5 inches). (The FDA has determined that salt-cured, dried or fermented un-eviscerated fish larger than 5 inches have been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning between 1981 and 1987 and then again in 1991.)
We try our best to keep our readers informed with the latest recall information (here on our blog and on our Twitter/Facebook pages); unfortunately that’s not always possible. To stay informed with the latest recalls, subscribe to one (we recommend all) of the recall alerts below.
individual chubs (plastic pouches) to identify them as the recalled products. Lot codes are only printed on the outside of the cases.
On April 13th, K9 Natural Ltd of New Zealand voluntarily recalled four batches of its K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast (the 2.2 and 11lb bags) that were imported to the United States in June 2017. The recall was issued due to potential 
For the third time, another recall was issued on two Vital Essentials products: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Toppers and Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Chub Entree for Dogs due to potential 
We try our best to keep our readers informed with the latest recall information (here on our blog and on our Twitter/Facebook pages); unfortunately that’s not always possible. To stay informed with the latest recalls, subscribe to one (we recommend all) of the recall alerts below.