The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging dog owners in five states to monitor their pets for salmonella infection after Blue Ridge Beef voluntarily recalled its Breeders Choice 2-pound raw dog food.
The FDA issued the warning October 27 after a sample of the dog food tested positive for salmonella. The affected product being recalled was distributed between August 9 and 25. It was packaged in clear plastic and contains the product code UPC 8 54298 00193 1. The food was sold primarily in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the contamination, according to the FDA. Newsweek reached out to Blue Ridge Beef by email for comment.
Salmonella infection can result in illness or death and is frequently associated with food poisoning. It can be caused by eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry and eggs or egg products or by drinking unpasteurized milk, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The FDA warned those who have been exposed to salmonella to monitor themselves for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.
"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," the FDA's statement said.
Like humans, animals can develop a salmonella infection. The FDA said symptoms in pets infected with salmonella include lethargy, diarrhea, fever and vomiting.
"Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian," the statement said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that animals may carry the bacteria even if they do not appear sick. The bacteria can survive in the animal's digestive tract and then reappear in their feces and contaminate fur or parts of the area where the pet lives. The bacteria can then spread to humans.
The FDA's announcement urged consumers who purchased the dog food to contact Blue Ridge Beef for a full refund. It also urged them to "destroy the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access."
"Do not sell or donate the recalled products. Do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals," the statement said.
Pet owners who have served the food to their pets should monitor pets for symptoms and wash and sanitize all pet food bowls, cups and storage containers.
The recall came only two days after TFP Nutrition, another pet food company, issued a voluntary recall of its Retriever All Life Stages Mini Chunk Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food last week for salmonella contamination.
Mid America Pet Food recalled its Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Hi-Pro Plus, after a single sample tested positive for salmonella in September.
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