FDA, state investigate Darwin’s pet food after illnesses, death

The Food and Drug Administration and the Washington State Department of Agriculture are investigating what FDA describes as a “pattern of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination in raw pet foods manufactured by Arrow Reliance Inc.”

FDA has received a total of six complaints of illness in animals who were fed the raw pet foods, including the death of one kitten. Salmonella recovered from the kitten was indistinguishable from the Salmonella found in a closed package of Darwin’s food from the same lot that was fed to the animal, according to the agency.

People who handle contaminated pet food and anything it touches, including counter tops, utensils and pet bowls, are at risk of contracting infections from pathogens such as Salmonella. Infected pets, which don’t always show symptoms, can transfer Salmonella infection to people.

In addition to the reports of sick pets, FDA reports it is aware of at least three animals that were reported to have been injured by bone shards in Darwin’s pet food.

Arrow Reliance Inc., doing business as Darwin’s Natural Pet Food, issued the latest in a series of recall notices on Saturday.

The company notified its customers of the recall by emails sent only to those customers who purchased the recalled products. No public recall notice was issued, company officials told the FDA, because they only sell products online through direct-to-customer sales.

Included in the Saturday recall were:

ZooLogics Chicken Meals for Dogs, 2-pound, with the lot number 41567, and manufacture date of Nov. 2, 2017; and
ZooLogics Duck Meals for Dogs, 2-pound, lot number 41957, and manufacture date of Nov 16, 2017.

Since October 2016, the company has recalled a total of nine batches of its Natural Selections and Zoologics brands of Meals for Dogs and Meals for Cats, including four batches of its Natural Selections brand of Meals for Dogs recalled on Dec. 4, 2017.

Shortly after the December 2017 recall, one of Darwin’s customers learned that her German Shepherd, Blitz, had become infected with Salmonella. Judy, who asked that her last name not be published, registered a formal complaint with FDA.

Follow-up testing of Blitz by FDA’s Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network confirmed that the dog was infected with Salmonella. In addition, lab analysis of closed packages of Darwin’s pet food obtained by FDA from Judy on Jan. 24 found Salmonella in the product.

“Darwin’s told me it was safe to feed Blitz the (ZooLogics) food because it wasn’t on the recall list they were dealing with back in November/December. Now, three to four months later, they tell me that the same food they assured is safe to eat now has Salmonella,” Judy told Food Safety News.

FDA has conducted two inspections of Darwin’s manufacturing facility since mid-2016. The first was completed on June 30, 2016, and the second on May 31, 2017, according to information received in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Both inspections were classified “No Action Indicated.”

Darwin’s first series of product recalls encompassed three lots of Meals for Dogs manufactured on July 20, July 21 and July 25 in 2016, less than one month following the June 2016 inspection. The company next recalled one batch of Meals for Cats, manufactured on June 1, 2017, one day after the completion of the 2017 FDA inspection.

Based on information received in response to the FOIA request, it does not appear that FDA conducted an inspection following the Meals for Cats recall.

FDA advice to consumers
Consumers should not feed their pets recalled lots of raw pet food manufactured by Arrow Reliance Inc. Consumers who purchased this raw pet food should throw it away. People who think they or their pets have become ill from exposure to contaminated raw pet food should talk to their health care providers or veterinarians.

Consumers who had the recalled Darwin’s products in their homes should clean their refrigerator 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.

Animals can shed the bacteria when they have bowel movements, so it’s particularly important to clean up animal feces in yards or parks where people or other animals may become exposed.

Pet owners who opt to feed their pets a raw diet should consult FDA’s “Tips to Prevent Foodborne Illness from Raw Pet Food.”

Salmonella infection symptoms in people can include diarrhea that lasts for more than three days, or is accompanied by high fever, blood in the stool, or so much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down and you pass very little urine.

People who think their pets have become ill after consuming contaminated raw pet food should contact their veterinarians. Veterinarians who wish to have dogs 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 this and other pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling their state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators.

This article first appeared on Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission.

Recalls and Alerts: February 6 – 8, 2018

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.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

Allergy Alert: Weis Markets recalls Weis Quality Dried Beef Party Rye dip due to undeclared egg and milk. Please refer to the recall notice for distribution information.

Food Safety Alert: New York Department of Agriculture warns the public not to consume unpasteurized raw milk from the David Phippen Farm, which does business as Breese Hollow Dairy, due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Meijer recalls select Meijer branded Greek and Low-fat yogurt due to the potential risk of small glass particles in the products. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected items, which were sold in Meijer stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

Food Safety Recall: Olymel S.E.C./ L.P. (Alberta, Canada) recalls approximately 4,618 pounds of raw intact pork products because the products were imported from Canada and not presented for import re-inspection upon entry into the United States. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were shipped to retail and restaurant locations in Oregon and Washington and exported to a Department of Defense Commissary in Japan.

Food Safety Recall: Guymon Extracts Inc. recalls Pork Soup with Rendered Pork Fat (from bone) fully cooked pork product (2.2 lb. – 10 polybag pillows packed in paper cartons; Lot code 010218-1; Product code 61306; Best before Dec. 22, 2019) due to a processing deviation that may have allowed potential spore-forming pathogen growth including Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perfringens. The recalled product was shipped to distribution centers and further distributed in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas and Washington.

Pet Food Safety Recall: Smokehouse Pet Products, Inc. recalls Smokehouse Beefy Munchies (4 oz pkg; Lot #449294; Best by 10/25/19; UPC 78565857957) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was sold in Washington, Michigan, North Carolina and Colorado through distributors selling to various retailers.

Pet Food Safety Recall: Raws for Paws recalls Ground Turkey Pet Food (1-lb and 5-lb chubs; Case codes 9900008, 9900009, 9900014, and 9900015) after testing by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) revealed the presence of Salmonella in some packages of Turkey Pet Food. The recalled product was distributed throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa directly to consumers and through online mail orders.

Canada

Food Safety Recall (Update): Sawler Gardens Ltd. recalls Sawler Turnip Sticks (340g; Product code 18 FE 11; UPC 6 21063 36600 3) and Compliments brand Baby Cut Turnip Sticks (340g; Product code 18 FE 11; UPC 0 68820 12504 4) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled products were distributed to retailers in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, and may have been sold nationwide.

Food Safety Recall: K.J. Foods Inc. recalls KJ brand Sweet & Sour Chicken with Rice (450g; All units sold up to and including February 7, 2018; UPC 6 28568 61004 4) and KJ brand Sesame Chicken with Rice (450g; All units sold up to and including February 7, 2018; UPC 6 28568 61002 0) due to incorrect cooking instructions. If followed, these instructions may not eliminate harmful bacteria that may be present in the products. The recalled items were supplied to retailers in Ontario.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Snack Food Poco Loco NV recalls various flavors of Tortilla Chips due to undeclared gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Colruyt, Bio-Planet and Collect&Go recall Boni Selection Bio Tortilla Rolls à la tomate (Best by 29/5/2018) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (Finland): Deliciest Oy recalls Frozen Vegan Dumplings with Broccoli (400g) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Food Safety Authority of Ireland reports the recall of various flavors and pack sizes of Trafo Tortilla Chips due to undeclared gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): Axfood recalls Dazzley Chocolate Lenses Milk Chocolate due to undeclared peanut, almond and hazelnut.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): Coop recalls Coop Änglamark tortillachips with mild chili flavor due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (Sweden): ICA recalls ICA I love eco Organic tortilla chips (125g; best before 2018-06-12) due to undeclared wheat and gluten.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Hamfelder Hof Bauernmeierei GmbH & Co. KG recalls Bezeichnung Cultured Butter from Bioland-Rahm (250g) because the butter may contain small pieces of rubber.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Döbelner Spezialitäten GmbH recalls Döbelner Bockwurst in natural casing (5 pieces; Best before 23.10.2019) due to possible presence of glass particles.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Geflügelhof Ertl KG recalls Quality class A Weight class M Chicken Eggs (Laying date 23.01.2018; Best before date 20.02.2018) due to the shells being contaminated with Campylobacter coli.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Johnston Mooney & O’Brien recalls various Bread Products due to possible presence of small metal pieces. Please refer to the recall notice for complete details on the affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Sweden): Hellströms Goda recalls Hellströms sausage (Batch #2018-01-30 1) due to Listeria contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Muscle Food recalls certain meat products supplied by DB Foods Ltd due to incorrect use-by dates. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Recalls and Alerts: January 28 – February 5, 2018

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.

United States

Allergy Alert: JFC International Inc. recalls Daisho Kimchi Hot Pot Soup Base (1.6 lb; Bar code 49 04621 04221 9; All lots) due to undeclared crustacean shellfish (shrimp, crab). The products were distributed between 10/01/16 and 01/31/18 to retail stores and other foodservice operators in the states of AK, AZ, CA, CT, DC, DE, HI, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MO, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WI.

Allergy Alert: Miller’s Creamery (New Philadelphia, OH) recalls Walnut Creek Foods’ Old Fashioned Carmel Popcorn (15-oz bags; All ‘best by’ dates) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert: Kanan Enterprises recalls Southern Grove Unsalted Almond (14 oz; Best By SEP 25 2018 KN; UPC 0 41498 24647 1) due to undeclared wheat and soy.

Allergy Alert: Whip City Jerky, LLC recalls approximately 1,391 pounds of beef jerky products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details of affected products, which were shipped to retail stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut and sold via internet/catalog sales.

Food Safety Recall: Panera Bread recalls cream cheese products (all 2 oz and 8 oz products sold in its US bakery-cafés) after samples of one variety of 2 oz. cream cheese from a single production day showed a positive result for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Pharmaceutical Product Safety Recall: Kareway Products, Inc recalls Gericare Eye Wash, Sterile Eye Irrigation Solution (4 fl. oz.; Lot #86041601; Expiration date 09/2019) due to potential microbial contamination which compromises sterility.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Boucherie Jacques Beaulieu inc. (Quebec, QC) recalls Spaghetti Sauce with Meat (900g and 430g; All lots sold up to and including 30 January 2018) due to undeclared mustard seeds, soy and wheat.

Allergy Alert: JFC International (Canada) Inc. recalls Daisho brand Seasoned Soup Base for Pot Kimuchi Nabe Soup (750g; All batch codes; UPC 4 904621 04221) due to undeclared shrimp and crab. The recalled product was distributed to retailers in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.

Allergy Alert: Valenca Importers & Exporters Ltd. recalls various brands of breaded shrimp due to undeclared egg. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were distributed to consumers in Ontario and Quebec.

Allergy Alert: Canada Volumes Import/Export Inc. recalls Powdered Almond & Yam Drink with Walnut (360g; Product codes 2018/AU/01 A and 2019/MR/15 JQ; UPC 4 716809 010824) due to undeclared gluten, milk and wheat. The recalled product was distributed to retailers in British Columbia and Manitoba.

Food Safety Recall (Update): Imperial Caviar & Seafood recalls various Imperial Caviar & Seafood brand and VIP Caviar Club brand Whitefish and Salmon Roe due to potential for growth of Clostridium botulinum. Please refer to the recall notice for an updated list of affected products and their distribution.

Food Safety Recall: Berchicci Importing Ltd. recalls Campitello Sheep’s Milk Semi-Soft Ripened Cheese (Variable weight; Lots 271118, 221118 and 201118) due to E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Boucherie et charcuterie Kascher J & R inc. (Côte Saint Luc, QC) recalls J&R Kosher Meat & Delicatessen Roast Veal (All product with Best Before dates up to and including 5 March 2018) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Agropur Cooperative recalls Farmers, Natrel and Northumberland brand milk and cream products due to the presence of sanitizer. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were supplied to restaurants, hotels and institutions in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

Food Safety Recall: Sawler Gardens Ltd. recalls Sawler brand Turnip Sticks (340g; Batch code 18 FE 18; UPC 6 21063 36600 3) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled product was distributed to retailers in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.

Food Safety Recall (Update): Thai Indochine Trading Inc. recalls Coconut Tree brand Shredded Young Coconut (227g; Batch code 2019 – 07 – 01; UPC 7 79139 06522 7) due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled product was distributed to retailers in Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.

Food Safety Recall: Les 3 Piliers inc. (Montreal, QC) recalls three partially-cooked velouté sauces because the containers are missing an instruction to refrigerate the products. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details.

Food Safety Recall: Le Lunch Box (Montreal, QC) recalls La Sauce du Boss Bolognaise sauce (1L; All lots sold up to and including 31 January 2018) because the containers are missing an instruction to refrigerate the product.

Food Safety Recall (Update): Rajdhani Sweets & Restaurant recalls Bhugga (All units sold from January 4, 2018 to January 24, 2018) due to potential Salmonella contamination. This recall update includes additional product information.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Belgium): Delhaize recalls Tortilla chips chili bio and Tortilla chips nature bio due to undeclared gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for additional details on the affected products.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Juels Bryg i Søllested recalls various beers due to undeclared gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert (Denmark): Royal Unibrew A/S recalls Doritos Roulette (170g; Lot #EB6251356; Best by 01-07-2018) due to undeclared milk and wheat.

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Food Safety Authority of Ireland announces recall of Amaizin Organic Natural Corn Chips (150g; Best before 27.07.2018; Batch 37331) due to undeclared gluten.

Allergy Alert (UK): Avondale Foods Ltd recalls Country Kitchen Coleslaw and Potato Salad Twin-Pack (180g; Use by 15 February 2018) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (UK): Amaizin recalls some batches of Gluten Free Amaizin Organic Corn products due to possible presence of undeclared gluten. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): 2VD SPRL recalls Brousse Vergez brand FIGUES SECHES LAYERS (500g; Best by 31/10/2018; Lot #090020881-11-362) due to elevated levels of aflatoxin.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Colruyt recalls filet de porc à l’ardennaise (±500g & 600g; Lots 182012, 182013, 182014, 182015; Best by 10/2/18 & 16/2/2018) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): SushiDaily recalls Sushigari (ginger) (140g; Lot #18081; Best by 02/06/2018) due to possible contamination with glass particles.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Naturmælk recalls ØGO, Løgismose and Naturmælk brands of various whipped cream products after an unspecified contaminant was detected in the whipped cream. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Bon Appetit Group A/S recalls Pasta with chicken kebab, sun dried tomatoes and parsley paste (400g; Best by 10.2.2018 and 14.2.2018) because the chicken may not have been thoroughly cooked.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Total Produce Nordic A/S recalls Nashi pears (sold in bulk between 20/1/2018 – 31/1/2018 due to elevated pesticide levels.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Flensted Snitgrønt A/S recalls several varieties of fresh cut green salads due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): Natur’Avenir recalls Natur’Avenir Buckwheat Flour (5kg and 1kg; Lot #171214; Best by 14/12/2018) due to possible Datura contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Albert Schiller KG recalls Schiller Fresh Liverwurst Sausage (150g; Sold from 29.01.2018 to 02.02.2018) due to possible foreign body contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Delizio GmbH recalls REWE Bio Cappelletti spinach ricotta (250g; Best before 08.02.18) because remnants of soft, transparent packaging film may be present in some packages.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): Wünsche Handelsgesellschaft International mbH & Co.KG recalls Kings Crown hand-peeled white asparagus sections with heads (314ml; Lot L01081201705153700 / 01090; Best by 30.06.2020) because of possible glass splinters.

Food Safety Recall (Germany): iglo Deutschland recalls iglo Cream Spinach (800g; Lot L7257AJ005 / Uhrzeit 23:00-3:00) because the product may be contaminated with small, black plastic pieces.

Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Colruyt Group Fine Food Meat recalls Filet de porc à l’ardennaise (±500-600g; Best by 10/02/2018 and 16/02/2018) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Sushi Daily recalls Sushi Daily Sushigari ginger (140g jar; Best by 02/06/2018; Batch code 18081) because the product may contain small pieces of glass.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Meir Bagel Factory recalls Small Sweet Chili Pretzel (300g; Batch #33217 & 33317; Best by 28/08/2018 and 29/08/2018) due to possible contamination with small metal pieces.

Food Safety Recall (Israel): Aleph Kisses Ltd. recalls various frozen desserts after Listeria monocytogenes was found in a sample. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Alert (Israel): Maof in the Galilee warns the public not to consume eggs stamped with the forged code El 16 after Salmonella enteritidis was found in a sample of eggs from this batch.

Food Safety Recall (Singapore): Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority orders recall of Coffee Tree MyCafe brand 4-in-1 Penang Durian White Coffee (40g x 15 sachets; Expiry 16 05 2019; Product of Malaysia) following reports of consumers in Malaysia being hospitalised after drinking the product.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Fresh Delights recalls Fresh Delights Pumpkin and Feta Pizza (All Best Before dates up to and including 24 January 2018) due to undeclared cashew and almond.

Allergy Alert (Australia): Raffles Healthy Foods recalls Wholemeal Spelt Chia Loaf (580g; Best before 4/2/18) due to undeclared gluten. The recalled product was available at Coles Supermarkets in Victoria.

Allergy Alert (Australia): Sweetin Pty Ltd recalls Cocofrio Dairy and Gluten Free Frozen Dessert Strawberry Choc Chip (500 ml; Best before 04.09.19 and 23.10.19) due to undeclared pecans, hazelnuts, cashews and pistachios. The recalled product was sold at Foodlands (SA), Foodworks (VIC), Farmer Jacks (WA), IGA and independent grocery stores in NSW, QLD, VIC, TAS, SA & WA.

Allergy Alert (Australia): Jasper and Myrtle Chocolates recalls Jasper + Myrtle bean to bar handmade chocolate Spice Rum Dark Chocolate (70g; All Best Before dates) due to undeclared milk.

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Importers recall Ganyuan brand Crab Roe Flavor Sunflower Seeds (75g and 138 g; All batches) due to undeclared peanuts.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): FFOWCS Williams Ltd recalls Orchard Gold brand Divine Duo Mixed Berries (500g; Batch #1711131; Best by 30/11/2019) because the product may contain foreign matter (metal).