Food Recalls

Raw Cat Food with Salmonella Risk Recalled

by News Desk | May 31, 2011

A California company that makes raw foods for cats and dogs is recalling one of its products because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The voluntary recall by Primal Pet Foods of San Mateo is for Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula, 4 lb. chicken and salmon nuggets (UPC# 8 95135 00025 0) with a "best by" date code of 043112-17, located on the front of the package to the right of the product label.

The recalled product was distributed through retail stores sales in the United States. No other Primal Pet Foods products are affected. No pet or human illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this lot code.

Consumers who purchased the recalled product can contact Primal Pet Foods directly at 866-566-4652 Monday though Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT for assistance in getting you a full refund or replacement from the place of purchase.

Unopened packages should be returned to the local retailer. Opened packages should be disposed of in a covered trash receptacle, then bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to the local retailer.

Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. People handling raw frozen pet foods may become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not followed safe handling guidelines.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, or fever. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with the affected product should contact their health care provider.

Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, or vomiting. Some pets may experience only a decreased appetite, fever, or abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed any of the affected products and is experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The company has posted a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the recall on its website.

© Food Safety News

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Discuss (7)

Discuss

Richard
05/31/2011
12:00PM

but, like, wow man, it shouldn't matter; I mean, because, it's all natural. right? isn't that the common-man's mantra? you know, it's natural, man.

Dawn
05/31/2011
12:06PM

I think the company so far has handled the issue very well. They have a lot of information on there site. I only hope people do not become afraid of raw diets because of this. It happens all the time to human food and we continue to eat the products that it has happened with. Maybe some change brand names but still eat it. For example lettuce is a big one and I still see salads everywhere on menus and in the local markets.

Raye Reiff
05/31/2011
12:44PM

People should be afraid of raw meat diets - the potential risks to pets as well as those people who care for them far outweigh any documented benefits. Read the research.

Don
05/31/2011
12:55PM

I don't know many people who eat raw meat especially chicken for this very reason. And remember botulism and Castor beans are organic and all natural too. Natural and organic do not always equal safe.

crs
05/31/2011
1:18PM

Raw diets have known dangers and the benefits are merely anectdotal, reported by people who see what they are hoping to see. People should be afraid of raw diets. And, yes, afraid of lettuce too, at least afraid enough to wash it thoroughly and hope for the best.

Laurie
05/31/2011
3:15PM

Yes, lots of scientific studies on salmonella/e.coli contamination in rawdiets,

http://www.cdc.gov/NCIDOD/EID/vol10no12/04-0714.htm

Proven that the bacteria causing the illnesses, and yes deaths, in pets are isolated from the diets that the pets were eatting. Raw fed pets are now baned from Delta Society Pet Partners based on scientific studies linking these pets with transmission of raw pet food origin bacteria to very young, elderly, and immune compromised people. Where are the scientific studies proving that raw IS beneficial, other than heresay?? Most wild life eating raw diets live SHORTER lives then our pets fed cooked diets. Pets are now living 50-75% longer lives than they did 50 years ago due in part to our increased knowledge of their nutrition.
Until we have some good repeatable SCIENTIFIC studies that glorify the benefit of raw, I'll be feeding my pets the canned and kibbled that they now get, with the occasional snack of ...cooked people food! :-)

jordan
06/14/2011
8:49PM

I think if a cat owner does the research and decides that a raw food diet is best for their cat's health then that's their choice.However when I serve my cats protein I always cook it, the cooking process helps to elminate bacteria such as salmonella.

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