Nature's Variety Raw Chicken Formula Recall

URGENT: Nature’s Variety Recalls Raw Chicken Formulas

Today, out of an abundance of caution, Nature’s Variety is announcing that they are voluntarily recalling all frozen, raw Chicken Formula and Organic Chicken Formula foods with a “Best If Used By” date on or before 02/5/11. 

Nature’s Variety has received new test results from an outside facility that indicate that Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with the “Best If Used By” date of 10/29/10 and Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with the “Best If Used By” date of 11/9/10 may be contaminated with Salmonella. Therefore, Nature’s Variety is voluntarily recalling products with these date codes from the marketplace. And, out of an abundance of caution, Nature’s Variety is expanding this voluntary recall to include all Chicken Formula and Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats with any “Best If Used By” date on or before 02/5/11. This action is an important and responsible step for a food manufacturer to take.

On February 11, 2010, Nature’s Variety began utilizing a new food safety process on all of their Raw Frozen Diets called High Pressure Pasteurization. By recalling all raw frozen chicken products with “Best If Used By”dates on or before 02/5/11, Nature’s Variety can be sure that only new raw frozen chicken products that have been processed through High Pressure Pasteurization go back into the marketplace.

No Raw Frozen Diets are involved in this expansion other than chicken, and no other Nature’s Variety products are involved. Nature’s Variety has told us that they also tested their frozen, raw beef, bison, venison and lamb formulas and that no salmonella was detected.

The products included in the expanded recall are:

If you have been feeding a cat or dog one of these affected foods, please stop. Please return the bag and the remaining food for a full refund, store credit, or an exchange. We’ll be happy to help you find a comparable food for your cat or dog to eat as a replacement or a place-holder.

From time to time, the best manufacturers may experience production errors or other quality control issues, and they inform people as soon as the discovery is made. We’ve pulled all affected Nature’s Variety foods from our shelves just as fast as we can. We’re committed to providing the healthiest possible foods for dogs and cats and to sharing accurate, truthful information.

Call Nature’s Variety: 800-374-3142. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are risks associated with any and every kind and source of food. Picking high quality foods from manufacturers with strong reputations for health and quality is the best course of action, but it won’t guarantee perfect safety. Here are two other ways to reduce the chances that your dog or cat is hurt by compromised foods:

• If your dog or cat’s food looks or smells different than it usually does, don’t feed it. Return the food in the container it came in. The production date and codes and the condition of the food and container can help identify what, if anything, is wrong.
• If a cat or dog refuses to eat a food they usually like, trust them. They may be detecting an unhealthy taste or smell. If a dog or cat refuses to eat anything and everything for more than a day, it is time to see a veterinarian.

What will happen if a dog or cat eats something contaminated with Salmonella?

Clinical disease from salmonella is uncommon in dogs and cats, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. The Merck Veterinary Manual also states that "many dogs and cats are asymptomatic carriers of salmonellae" and that when a dog or cat shows symptoms it is "associated with another infection or debilitating condition in adults, or exposure to large numbers of the bacteria in puppies and kittens." In other words, salmonella only affects dogs and cats who are exposed a lot of the bacteria and are also very young, already very ill or have another stressor present.

Diarrhea is the symptom seen on the rare occasions that it has affected a dog or cat.

What if my dog or cat seems sick?

If an animal shows symptoms that indicate possible exposure to salmonella, contact a veterinary professional or call an animal poison control center as soon as possible.

ASPCA Poison Control Center 1-888-426-4435
   
*    Availability: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
*    Cost: A $60 fee is incurred for some calls.


University of Illinois' National Animal Poison Control Center 1-900-680-0000 or 1-800-548-2423
   
*    Availability: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
*    Cost: Using the 900 number, the charge is $20.00 for the first five
minutes, then $2.95/minute thereafter. Using the 800 number, the charge is $30.00 total per case including as many follow-up calls as necessary and staff consultations with your usual veterinarian.
*    Other: Phones are answered by licensed veterinarians and board-certified veterinary toxicologists.

Select sources
   
*    Aiello, S. (Ed.) (1998) Merck Veterinary Manual. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co., Inc.
*    Olsen, C. W. (2000) Salmonella from Zoonotic Diseases Tutorial. Retrieved 20 Jan 2009 from the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison web sitewww.vetmed.wisc.edu/pbs/zoonoses/GIk9fel/Salmonella.html http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/pbs/zoonoses/GIk9fel/salmonella.html.
*    Hitti, M. (n.d.) Salmonella: Frequently Asked Questions from WebMD. Retrieved 20 Jan 2009 from
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning/news/20080611/salmonella-frequently-asked-questions.