Tag: raw pet food

FDA finds Salmonella in three lots of Darwin’s raw dog food; cautions pet owners

This story by Phyllis Entis first appeared in Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission

The U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) cautioned pet owners not to feed certain Darwin’s Natural Pet Products raw dog foods after finding Salmonella in the products.

FDA collected and analyzed unopened packages from the products in response to a consumer complaint.

The products were manufactured by Arrow Reliance, Inc. (Arrow), a company based in Tukwila, Washington and doing business as Darwin’s Natural Pet Products.

The products that are affected by FDA’s alert to pet owners are:

  • Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs: 5309(11)181019, manufactured on October 19, 2018
  • Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs: 5375(11)181106, manufactured on November 11, 2018
  • Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Turkey Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs: 5339(11)181026, manufactured on October 26, 2018

Arrow has taken steps to remove these products from the marketplace, but has not issued a public notification, according to the FDA. The agency is concerned that the company’s customer notifications may not be effective, and is working with Arrow on recalling the remaining products from these lots.

In a statement released on its website today, Darwin’s expressed its disappointment in FDA’s decision to issue a public warning. The company also asserted its belief that its products do not pose any danger to either humans or pets, and stated that it had received no medical reports of illnesses attributable to these meals.

Animals infected with Salmonella may suffer symptoms that include vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, loss of appetite and decreased level of activity. An infected animal may not exhibit any symptoms but may still shed the bacteria in its feces, passing the infection to human companions.

Salmonella can cause illness and death in humans and in animals. People infected with Salmonella may develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. The elderly, the very young, and individuals with weak immune systems are more prone to suffering severe symptoms, including secondary infections in other organs.

What consumers should do

  • If you have purchased one of the affected products, discard it in a secure container to prevent children, pets or wildlife from accessing it. * If you have had one of the affected products in your home, you should clean refrigerators/freezers where the product was stored and clean and disinfect all bowls, utensils, food prep surfaces, pet bedding, toys, floors, and any other surfaces that the food or pet may have had contact with. Clean up the pet’s feces in yards or parks where people or other animals may become exposed. Remember to thoroughly wash your hands after handling the recalled product or cleaning up potentially contaminated items and surfaces.
  • If you or a member of your household becomes ill, contact your health care provider.
  • If you think your pet has become ill after consuming contaminated pet food, contact your veterinarian. Veterinarians who wish to have pets tested for Salmonella may do so through the Vet-LIRN Network if the pet is from a household with a person infected with Salmonella.
  • The FDA encourages consumers to report complaints about pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling their state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators

Recalls and Alerts: February 13 – 16, 2019

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 ALERT UPDATE: CDC reports 279 confirmed illnesses, 107 hospitalizations and one death in a multidrug-resistant Salmonella Reading outbreak linked to raw turkey products from a variety of sources. Confirmed cases have been reported in 41 states. Four of the victims lived in households where raw turkey products were fed to pets.

Allergy Alert: Nature’s Path Foods recalls a specific production run of EnviroKidz Choco Chimps, Gorilla Munch and Jungle Munch cereals due to undeclared gluten (wheat and barley). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products and Best before dates.

Allergy Alert: Ottogi America, Inc. recalls JIN JJAMBBONG’
Spicy Seafood Noodle 4-pack (4.58oz x 4ea; Best before JUN.16.2019) and JIN RAMEN’ MILD TASTE, cup (2.29oz x 6 cup; Best before MAR.26.2019, JUL.25.2019, AUG.01.2019) due to undeclared egg.

Food Safety Recall: Soom Foods, LLC recalls Chocolate Sweet Tahini Halva squeeze packs (30mL packets; Code 67333D; Packaged November 27, 2017; Sold between January and September 2018) due to potential Salmonella Tennessee contamination. The recall was initiated after FDA reported finding the pathogen in a sample 

Food Safety Recall: Smoked Alaska Seafoods, Inc. recalls Smoked Silver Salmon (6.5-oz jars; Production code AL81111133) due to risk of Clostridium botulinum contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Sid Wainer and Son recalls Jansal Valley brand Dukkah (2.5 oz tins and 6 x 2.5oz cases; Best by 08/28/2020; Production lots L2033968 (cases) and L2034198 (tins)) due to foreign matter (glass pieces) contamination.

Herbal Supplement Safety Recall: Kingston Pharma, LLC recalls DG™ Baby Gripe Water herbal supplement with organic ginger and fennel extracts (4-oz amber bottles; All lots; UPC 8 5495400246 3) due to presence of undissolved ingredient (citrus flavonoid) which can cause difficulty in swallowing.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Puresource Inc. recalls Purely Bulk brand Brewer’s Yeast (250g; Product codes 3052916, 3072084, 3089997; UPC 0 65279 10054 7) due to undeclared peanut.

Allergy Alert: Westpoint Distributors Ltd. recalls Debittered Brewer’s Yeast (various brands, package sizes and UPC; All products sold from February 27, 2018 to February 14, 2019, inclusive) due to undeclared peanut. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Bulk Barn Foods Limited recalls Brewer’s Yeast Debittered (sold in bulk; Item code 000941; All products sold up to and including February 14, 2019) due to undeclared peanut.

Allergy Alert: New Life Mills Town & Country recalls Brewer’s Yeast (1 lb.; All units sold from February 22, 2018 up to and including February 15, 2019) due to undeclared peanut.

Allergy Alert: Old Fashion Foods recalls Brewers Yeast Debittered (250g & 500g; All units sold up to and including February 11, 2019) due to undeclared peanut.

Allergy Alert: Greenline Distributors recalls various brands of Debittered Brewer’s Yeast due to undeclared peanut. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Bulk Barrel recalls Debittered Brewer’s Yeast (sold in bulk; Item code 699; All products sold up to and including February 12, 2019) due to undeclared peanut.

Allergy Alert: Trade Technocrats Ltd. recalls Brewer’s Debittered Yeast (114g and 454g; All codes sold between June 6, 2018 and February 15, 2019, inclusive) due to undeclared peanut.

Allergy Alert: Mainstay Natural Foods recalls Brewer’s Yeast (Approximately 1 lb or 2 lb; All units sold from August 2018, up to and including February 15, 2019) due to undeclared peanut.

Allergy Alert: Industry recalls Ottogi brand Ramensari (550g (550 g (110 g x 5); Product code 2019.04.24; UPC (outer pkg) 8 801045 522982; UPC (inner pkg) 8 801045 522012) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert: Nature’s Path Foods Inc. recalls various EnviroKidz brand cereals due to undeclared wheat and gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. recalls Kirkland Signature brand Pepperoni Pizza (1.03kg; All units up to and including February 8, 2019; UPC 40059) due to undeclared egg, soy, mustard and wheat. The recalled product was sold at Costco, 4315 Strandherd Dr, Ottawa, Ontario.

Food Safety Recall: Vivi and Tom Baby Food recalls various Vivi and Tom Baby Food brand baby and toddler foods because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products. The recalled products were distributed in Ontario.

Europe

OUTBREAK ALERT UPDATE (Denmark): Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Statens Serum Institut and DTU Food Institute have completed their investigation into an August through November 2018 outbreak of E. coli O26:H11 that caused 38 illnesses, including 31 children under the age of five years. Although a definitive source of the outbreak was not identified, epidemiological investigation pointed to beef skewers as the probable source.

Allergy Alert (Iceland): Þykkvabæjar ehf recalls Þykkvabæjar Hrásalat / Raw salad (400g; Best before 14.02.2019-07.03.2019) due to undeclared mustard.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Lidl recalls Mister Choc Choco & Caramel Bars (270g 6-pack; All Batch Codes Best Before: January 2020) due to undeclared peanuts.

Allergy Alert (UK): Speedibake recalls Takeaway 10 Garlic Slices (250g; Batch code SB9039B; Best before 08 February 2020) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK – England specific): Mr Dips recalls Cyprus Jasmine Tzatziki (430g; All batch codes and use-by dates) due to undeclared milk and Cyprus Jasmine Taramasalata (170g; All batch codes and use-by dates) due to undeclared soya, barley (gluten), oats (gluten), rye (gluten) and wheat (gluten).

Allergy Alert (UK – England specific): Bean & Pod Ltd recalls Dark Chocolate Honeycomb Dairy Free (150g; Batch code 2810180002; Best before 28 June 2019) due to undeclared milk.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Kaasimport Jan Dupont recalls Oliviana brand Ensalada vert (175 gram plastic container; Lot #1319037; Best before 17/04/19) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): Société SEPOA Delgove recalls SEPOA Delgove brand Kippers fumé au bois de hêtre / Beechwood-smoked kippers (Lot #2009; Best before 04/02/19) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): WEIAND GmbH recalls Kania brand Glass ceramic mills due to foreign matter (glass splinters) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Mar-Ko Fleischwaren GmbH & Co. KG recalls Salamini classic (4 x 25g; Best before 06.10.2019) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Franz Wiltmann GmbH & Co. KG recalls Schinken-Rotwurst (100g; Best before 08.03.2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Delicateur recalls Milbona Gouda young grated cheese (250g; Best before 21.04.2019; Lots 834799538051020190121 and 834799538051021190121) due to foreign matter (plastic) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Corleggy Cheese recalls Cavanbert Raw Cow’s Milk Cheese (All pack sizes; All best before dates up to 14/02/19) and Drumlin Raw Cow’s Milk Cheese (All pack sizes; All best before dates up to 13/03/19) due to Mycobacterium bovis contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Toons Bridge Dairy recalls several batches of its mozzarella, halloumi, ricotta and buratta soft cheeses due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Jumbo recalls Jumbo Kaasspread Groene Pesto / Jumbo Green Pesto cheese spread (Best before 18-04-2019 through 22-04-2019) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Hoogvliet recalls various Hoogvliet steak and steak strip products due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Lidl Sweden recalls Guldgrytan brand Nötfärs 6% (500g; Best before  2019-02-12) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK – Northern Ireland specific): Corleggy Cheese recalls Cavanbert Raw Cow’s Milk Cheese (All pack sizes; All best before dates up to 14/02/19) and Drumlin Raw Cow’s Milk Cheese (All pack sizes; All best before dates up to 13/03/19) due to Mycobacterium bovis contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

OUTBREAK ALERT (AUSTRALIA): South Australia Health (SA Health) is investigating 11 cases of Salmonella illnesses linked to three Angkor Bakery locations. The victims reported having eaten Vietnamese rolls from the three bakeries. Nine of the eleven confirmed victims were hospitalized.

 

Raw pet food company Hare Today alleges FDA mishandling of samples; FDA responds

This story by Phyllis Entis first appeared in Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission

For the second time in less than a month, a raw pet food company has accused a government agency of mishandling product samples and has refused to recall a contaminated product.

On Jan. 23, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautioned pet owners not to feed one lot of Hare Today Gone Tomorrow Ground Chicken/Bones/Organs pet food to their pets after the agency found Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in samples of the product.

FDA acted in response to a consumer complaint about a kitten that became sick with Salmonella after eating the company’s product.

According to the FDA alert, the specific batch of product consumed by the kitten was no longer available for testing. FDA collected samples from a different bunch of the same product.

The strain of Salmonella found in the batch of product analyzed by FDA was different from the strain recovered from the sick kitten.

When advised by FDA of the test results, Hare Today’s management refused to initiate a recall of the contaminated product.

In a Facebook post, the company supported its decision by claiming that there were no government seals on the samples when they were received by the lab, that FDA could not provide Hare Today with information on the temperature of the sample at the time of testing and, therefore, that the products “…were compromised and any results are null and void.”

The company also alleged that FDA is unfairly targeting raw pet food manufacturers.

According to an FDA spokesperson, sampling was carried out under the requirements set out in the agency’s Investigations Operations Manual. The inspector obtained ten random unopened packages from a single batch of frozen product (processing date 12.04.2018). Each box was placed into a separate container, which was taped shut.

The ten individual packages, plus two controls, were placed in a cooler for shipment to the laboratory. The boxes were sent frozen at the time of sampling and received frozen in the FDA lab.

FDA always prefers to test the specific lot associated with a case, the agency spokesperson told Food Safety News. However, the consumer did not have any opened or unopened product left from the suspect batch.

Due to the length of time that elapsed between the feeding of the kitten and the submission of the complaint and associated records to FDA, none of the implicated material was available from the manufacturer either.

The feces sample from the sick kitten was collected in May 2018, according to the sample record archived in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database.

Hare Today sells all of its products through direct orders placed with the company via its website and does not use third-party distributors or retailers.

The Hare Today allegations echo similar statements made by Lystn, dba Answers Pet Food earlier this month.

After the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) recovered Salmonella from a sample of A+ Answers Pet Food, the company accused the state of mishandling the sample.

A spokesperson for the NDA refuted the company’s allegations, stating that all “chain of custody” procedures had been followed, that the sample was shipped in dry ice and arrived frozen in the lab, and that all procedures had been followed to prevent cross-contamination.

The presence of Salmonella in a pet food represents a hazard to both people and pets, regardless of whether the food is raw, dry, or cooked.

People infected with Salmonella may suffer from diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems are susceptible to more severe symptoms, including dehydration, and may require hospitalization.

Infected pets may exhibit symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever and loss of appetite or decreased activity. Pets that are infected can shed Salmonella in their feces even without showing any evidence of being sick.

FDA recommends that 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 Vet-LIRN Network if the pet is from a household with a person infected with Salmonella. Veterinarians who wish to have pets tested for other pathogens when there is an associated human case may also contact Vet-LIRN.

The FDA encourages consumers to report complaints about this and other pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling their state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators.