Dog Food Recalled in Multiple States Due to Salmonella Contamination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in White Oak, Md., on June 5, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

North Carolina-based Blue Ridge Beef is recalling thousands of pounds of dog food, citing the presence of salmonella bacteria.

The recall applies to 5,700 pounds of the company’s “Natural Mix” product for dogs, the company said in a Jan. 31 announcement published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The item, sold in 2 lb. packages with universal product code 854298001054, is made from ground beef, green tripe, beef heart, and beef liver. The lot number, stamped on the clips at the ends of the chubs or bags, is N25/12/31.

The products were distributed between Jan. 3 and Jan. 24 and were sold primarily in retail stores across eight states: Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee, and Rhode Island.

Authorities collected samples of the product earlier last month and test results confirmed the presence of Salmonella. On Jan. 27, the FDA notified Blue Ridge about the contamination, leading to the recall.

“Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain,” the company said. “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.”

Blue Ridge urged customers who have already bought the recalled item to either return it to the place of purchase or destroy the products in a way that pets, children, or wildlife cannot access it.

The company warned against selling or donating the food items and recommended consumers wash and sanitize all related bowls, storage containers, and cups. After handling the recalled product or utensils that came into contact with the item, people must wash and sanitize their hands, it said.

Consumers with queries can get in touch with Blue Ridge at 704-873-2072.

Blue Ridge has pulled its pet foods from the market multiple times in recent months. On Jan. 3, the FDA announced that the company was recalling 1,350 pounds of “Kitten Mix” items from six states, warning about salmonella presence.

Earlier in December, the company withdrew its “Puppy Mix” products from seven states, citing similar issues.

The Jan. 31 recall announcement warned that the pet foods pose a contamination risk to human beings.

“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,” it said. “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.”

Salmonella is estimated to cause roughly 1.35 million infections in the United States annually, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Salmonella is a “leading cause” of foodborne illness, hospitalization, and deaths in the country.

Some people face a higher risk of infection, including children younger than 5 years old, adults aged 65 and above, and individuals with a weakened immune system. It usually takes around six hours to six days after infection for symptoms to appear, which typically lasts for four to seven days.

Last month, the advocacy group Consumer Reports filed a comment with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding the agency’s proposed regulations concerning salmonella contamination.

According to the proposal, chicken or turkey products containing salmonella at or above 10 colony-forming units per millimeter or gram would be declared as adulterated. The advocacy criticized the standards as “too lax.”

“Salmonella infections from poultry have increased steadily over the past decade,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports. “The USDA’s current performance standards to reduce Salmonella infections from poultry have failed to drive down illnesses. We strongly support the USDA’s efforts to enact an enforceable standard to keep poultry contaminated with Salmonella off the market and urge the agency to adopt a stricter rule that will more effectively protect consumers.”