Animal Rights Group Claims Credit for Bravo Packing Pet Food Recall

Animal Outlook, an animal rights advocacy organization, claims to have been the catalyst for the recall of Ground Beef and Performance Dog raw pet foods announced on March 3, 2021 by Bravo Packing, Inc., Carney’s Point, New Jersey.

Animal Outlook is a national non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. The name of the organization was changed from “Compassion over Killing” to “Animal Outlook” in 2020.

The pet food recall, which encompassed all Ground Beef and Performance Dog frozen raw pet foods (sold in 2-pound and 5-pound plastic sleeves), was initiated after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in samples of Performance Dog and in a sample of Ground Beef.

Bravo Packing, Inc. is not affiliated with Bravo Pet Foods, a manufacturer of frozen and freeze-dried raw pet foods and pet treats based in Manchester, Connecticut.

According to a news release dated March 4, 2021, Animal Outlook notified the FDA in December 2020 that the organization had recovered Salmonella from a sample of Performance Dog Diet raw dog food. The sample had been obtained two months earlier from a California distributor of Bravo Packing’s products.

The FDA declined to comment on the Animal Outlook news release. However, a spokesperson for the agency pointed out that it is the FDA’s practice to reinspect facilities that have been the subject of previous enforcement actions, such as Warning Letters.

Bravo Packing has a history of contaminated pet food issues and regulatory infractions.

In September 2018, Bravo Packing recalled all Performance Dog products after the FDA found Salmonella in a sample of the product during the course of an inspection.

In July/August 2019, the FDA carried out another inspection of the manufacturing facility, during which the agency found Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in samples of two different products.

In September 2019, after the company did not respond to the agency’s repeated requests for documentation relating to distribution and recall of the contaminated products, the FDA issued a consumer advisory, cautioning pet owners not to feed Performance Dog raw food products to their pets.

In March 2020, in a follow-up to the July/August 2019 inspection, the FDA issued a formal Warning Letter to the president of Bravo Packing, Inc., citing multiple serious violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals regulations.

The current investigation is still active, and information on what new or repeat violations the FDA may have found is not yet available.

What Consumers Need to Know

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Pets exposed to contaminated food can be infected without showing symptoms.
People who think their pets have become ill after consuming contaminated pet food should first contact their veterinarians.
Veterinarians who wish to have pets tested for Salmonella may do so through the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) if the pet is from a household with a person infected with Salmonella.
The FDA also encourages consumers to report complaints about pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal. This information helps FDA further protect human and animal health.

Recalls and Alerts: March 1–3, 2021

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

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United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: CDC reports one death and 11 illnesses in Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses produced by El Abuelito Cheese Inc.

Allergy Alert: The Quaker Oats Company recalls Quaker Rice Crisps Sweet Barbecue Flavor (3.03 oz; Best before MAY29213M21; UPC 0 30000 31984 0) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert: Wilton Brands recalls all lots of six sprinkles products and one kit containing affected sprinkles due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Milky Way International Trading Corp. recalls approximately 297,715 pounds of ready-to-eat canned corned beef products that were imported and distributed in the United States without the benefit of FSIS import re-inspection. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Cozy Vale Creamery recalls retail raw milk and cream products (gallon, half- gallon, quart, and pint containers; Best by 3-1 through 3-9) due to shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Pet Food Safety Recall: Vitakraft Sun Seed Inc. recalls Vitakraft Vita Smart Hedgehog Food (25 oz; Lot #343422; Expiry date 11/06/22; UPC 0-51233-34792-9) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Pet Food Safety Recall: Bravo Packing, Inc. recalls all Ground Beef and Performance Dog frozen pet food due to possible Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall was initiated after samples of Performance Dog and a sample of Ground Beef, collected during an FDA inspection, tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: Les Gourmandises de Justin inc. recalls multiple cheeses due to the lack of label declaration that the cheeses were manufactured using unpasteurized (raw) milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Alert: The public is warned not to consume any baked goods or pastries purchased from Boulangerie Gandom, as these items may not be safe for human consumption.

Food Safety Recall: Supermarché Perrier et Martel inc. (Metro Plus) recalls three raw ground meat products due to E. coli contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Orkla Foods Danmark recalls Gårdlykke Grov Remoulade (225g; Batch No. L2332788; Best before 16.08.2021) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Bodebjerg ApS recalls Salling butterchicken (950g; Best before 28.04.2021) due to undeclared mustard.

Food Safety Recall (France): Intermarché recalls BOUTON D’OR brand Mayonnaise BIO à la moutarde de DIJON / Organic mayonnaise with Dijon mustard (235g; Best before 07/2021; Lots L20287 & L20288) due to potential foreign matter (pieces of glass) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Carrefour recalls Carrefour brand Riz basmati / Basmati rice (1 kg; Best before 21/11/2022) due to elevated levels of mycotoxin (Ochratoxin A).

Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Innnes ehf recalls Billy’s brand Pan Pizza Peperoni (170g; Best before 09.06.2021; Product of Sweden) due to foreign matter (piece of metal) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Ballinwillin House Farm, Mitchelstown recalls all Ballinwillin House Farm Venison, Wild Boar and Goat Minced Meat and Meat Preparations, because the items were produced in an establishment not approved for the production of minced meat or meat preparation. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): The Real Olive Company recalls The Real Olive Company Basil Pesto (Use by 04.03.2021) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): I Consitt recalls Triglia brand Filetti di acciughe del Mediterraneo / Mediterranean anchovy fillets (80g; Lot #L20328; Best before 23/05/2022) due to foreign matter (pieces of glass) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Switzerland): Migros recalls Anna’s Best Saladbowl Farmer (Lots L11 / 02/26/21 & L11 / 02/28/21; Use by 03/02/2021 & 03/04/2021, respectively) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): SFC recalls SFC Chicken Poppets and Take-Home Boneless Bucket due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected batch codes.

Pet Food Safety Recall (Iceland): Costco recalls Irish Rover brand Super foods for dogs: Chicken treats with sweet potato, carrot & pumpkin (Lot #J320311; Best before 05/04/22) due to foreign matter (pieces of metal) contamination.

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Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Allergy Alert (Israel): Restarto Import and Marketing Ltd recalls La Molizena brand Italian pasta durum wheat – penne (500g; Expiry date 03/02/2023) due to undeclared gluten.

Recalls and Alerts: February 25 – 28, 2021

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Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Go to TAINTED to download the first couple of chapters of my new book.

United States

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE: FDA has initiated an on-site inspection of the El Abuelito Cheese, Inc., cheese manufacturing facility implicated in an ongoing multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses. The agency warns consumers to avoid purchasing, serving or eating any El Abuelito-brand Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese) or Requeson (Ricotta) cheeses. The company has recalled El Abuelito, Rio Grande, and Rio Lindo brand queso frescos, as well as El Abuelito-brand Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese), and Requeson (Ricotta) cheeses that are manufactured or handled in the same facility as the Queso Fresco products linked to this outbreak.

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: CDC is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses linked to contact with small (less than 4-inch shell) pet turtles. Twenty-two illnesses have been reported from California (5), Connecticut (2), Florida (1), Maryland (1), New Jersey (2), North Carolina (2) and Pennsylvania (9). Eight people have been hospitalized and one person has died. The sale of small (less than 4-inch shell) pet turtles is banned by FDA; however, these animals can still be found at flea markets, roadside vendors, and some pet stores.

OUTBREAK ALERT (Illinois): An Arby’s restaurant in Springfield, Illinois, has been implicated in at least 40 foodborne illnesses in recent days. The specific cause of the illnesses has not yet been determined.

Allergy Alert: USDA alerts the public to the presence of undeclared milk in Whole Foods Market Beef Meatballs with Marinara (24-oz containers; Sell-by dates through 2/27/21). No recall has been issued as it is believed that none of the product is still available for purchase by consumers.

Food Safety Recall: El Abuelito expands previous recall to include all Queso Fresco products with sell by dates through 032821; all Quesillo (Oaxaca, string cheese) products with sell by dates through 041621; and all Requeson (Ricotta) products with sell by dates through 031421, due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The products are sold as El Abuelito Cheese brand, distributed in CT, NJ, PA, NY; Rio Grande Food Products brand, distributed in VA, NC, MD; Rio Lindo distributed in NC and MD and Viejito, El Paisano, El Sabrosito, La Cima, Quesos Finos, San Carlos, and Ideal Brands.

Food Safety Recall: J&J Distributing recalls multiple products due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: J&J Distributing recalls approximately 33 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry salads and wrap products due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Amra Services Ltd. (DBA GluteNull) recalls GluteNull brand Goji Berries & Chocolate Cookies (320g; Lot code EXP06/10/2021; UPC 6 28451 52913 2) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert: Federated Co-operatives Ltd. recalls Co-op Gold Pure brand Almond Butter – Crunchy Roasted (500g; LOT# 200276; Best Before 30 MAY 2021; UPC 0 57316 16814 6) due to undeclared cashews.

Allergy Alert: AJ International Trading recalls Goldroast brand Instant Nutritious Cereal – Original Flavour (600g; All lots; UPC 6 920118 519567) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall: Birra & Basta Taverne italienne inc. recalls three products packed in glass jars because they were manufactured and/or packed under conditions that may render them unsafe to consume. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Europe

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (EU and UK): An outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections in nine European countries has been linked to consumption of non-ready-to-eat frozen, breaded poultry products, according to a report from the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC). Between May 2018 and December 2020, 193 cases have been reported by Denmark (2), Finland (4), France (33), Germany (6), Ireland (12), the Netherlands (3), Poland (5), Sweden (6), and the UK (122). Twenty percent of the outbreak victims have been hospitalized, and one death has been reported by France. In addition to the European cases, one Canadian with a history of travel to Europe also was infected with the outbreak strain.

OUTBREAK ALERT (SWEDEN): The Swedish Public Health Agency is investigating an outbreak of twelve cases of Salmonella Enteritidis, eight of them children. The cases are scattered across ten regions of the country. The source of the infections has not yet been identified.

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (SWEDEN): The Swedish Public Health Agency is investigating an unusual spike in the number of Yersinia infections reported since the second week of January 2021.

Allergy Alert (Germany): Genuport Trade GmbH recalls Bio Schokolade „Little Love Dark Vanilla“, vegan / Organic vegan chocolate (65g; Lot #200706DV; Best before 06.07.2021) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Lovechock B.V. recalls Little Love brand chocoladetablet Dark Vanilla / Dark Vanilla chocolate bar (65g; Best before 06-07-2021) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): Paulig recalls Risenta Buckwheat flour (850g; Best before 2022-06-08 and 2022-06-22) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (UK): S.M. Pickles of Glastonbury recalls multiple pickled products and vinegar mix due to undeclared mustard. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Aldi recalls Délifin brand Saucisson fin en tranches / Thin-sliced sausage (150g; Multiple lot codes) due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected lot codes.

Food Safety Recall (France): E. Leclerc recalls Les Croisés brand Comté rapé / Grated raw milk cheese (130g; Best before 16/04/21) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Palatum Feinkost KG recalls Florina mit Weichkäse / Florina with soft cheese (1 kg; Lot #10416040; Best before 16.04.2021) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): EDEKA Südwest Fleisch GmbH recalls Hofglück Hackfleisch gemischt (400 g; Lot #21049; Best by 25.02.2021) and EDEKA Bio Hackfleisch gemischt (400 g; Lot #21049; Best by 26.02.2021) due to foreign matter (blue plastic pieces) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Bally Bia Restaurant recalls all batches of its ready meals and desserts, as they were made in an unapproved establishment.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): SFC recalls The Original SFC Chicken Poppets (190g; Best before 28.02.2022) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Italy): Consoli Chiara recalls AZIENDA AGRICOLA E AGRITURISMO S. ANTONIO – GRONE STRACCHINO Colli di S. Fermo – Formaggio a latte crudo / raw milk cheese (variable weights; Lot 04/02/2021) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Lidl GB recalls Birchwood Beef and Pork Mince (23% Fat) (750g; Use by 01 March 2021) due to foreign matter (pieces of plastic) contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Lauria Specialty Sweets recalls nine biscuit products (All Best Before dates up to and including 22/09/2021) due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Australia): Rousche Group Pty Ltd recalls Shelby’s Healthy Hedonism Chocolate Chip Cookies and Shelby’s Double Choc Hazelnut Cookies (120g; All best before dates up to and including 09/02/2022) due to undeclared milk.