In recent weeks, multiple dog treats were recalled due to potential Salmonellacontamination, including bags of Gaines Family Farmstead Chicken Chips and Hollywood Feed Caroline Made Chicken Chips. While both Gaines Pet Treats, LLC and Carolina Prime Pet, Inc.—which voluntarily issued the respective recalls—hadn't received any reports of illness, the latest pet food recall has sickened puppies.
RELATED: 2 Brands of Dog Treats Recalled Over Serious Health Risks.
According to a Dec. 2 recall notice published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Blue Ridge Beef is recalling 9,600 pounds of its two-pound bags of Puppy Mix due to Salmonellacontamination.
A customer alerted the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to the issue after a litter of puppies became sick, the recall notice states. The lots of Blue Ridge Beef raw dog food tested positive for Salmonella as of Nov. 27.
U.S. FDA
The recall includes two lot numbers (08/06/N25 and 08/16/N25) and all products have a universal product code (UPC) of 854298001696. The puppy food was packaged in clear plastic and distributed between Aug. 6 and Aug. 23 to retail stores in seven states: Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.
The FDA urges customers to return the food to their place of purchase or destroy it "in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access." The recalled food should not be donated or fed to pets or any other animals.
Salmonellacan affect both animals that eat contaminated food as well as humans who handle it. It is particularly dangerous if people do not thoroughly wash their hands after having contact with the food or if surfaces are exposed to the food.
"Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever," the FDA advises.
The agency continues, "Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers."
Pets with Salmonellatypically have symptoms like lethargy, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, and vomiting. They may also have a decreased appetite, fever, or abdominal pain.
The FDA warns that sick but "otherwise healthy pets" can also be carriers and infect other animals and humans.
If your puppy ate recalled food and displays symptoms, the FDA asks that you contact your veterinarian.
You should also wash and sanitize your pet's food bowls, cups, and storage containers. It is vital to wash and sanitize your hands and any utensils that come in contact with the contaminated food as well.
If you have questions about the recall, you can contact Blue Ridge Beef directly using the contact information listed in the FDA notice.
