Raw Diet Food Recall - Page 1

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm203612.htm

Nature's Variety Expands Nationwide Voluntary Recall to Include All Raw Frozen Chicken Diets with Any "Best If Used By" Date On or Before 2/5/11

Contact:
Jeff Dezen/JDPR
864/233/3766 ext. 11
jeffd@jdpr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Lincoln, NE, March 8, 2010 – Nature's Variety has expanded its voluntary recall of Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats to include the "Best If Used By" dates of 10/29/10 and 11/9/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to these products.
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. 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 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. If your pet has consumed any of the affected products and is experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
The recall includes the following products with a "Best If Used By" date of 10/29/10 or 11/9/10:
•
o UPC#7 69949 60131 9 – Chicken Formula 0.75 lb trial sized medallions
o UPC#7 69949 60130 2 – Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
o UPC#7 69949 60120 3 – Chicken Formula 6 lb patties
o UPC#7 69949 60121 0 – Chicken Formula 2 lb single chubs
In an abundance of caution, Nature's Variety has also chosen to expand 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 2/5/11. Nature's Variety has elected to clear the market of raw frozen chicken diets as it implements a state-of-the-art new food safety process called High Pressure Pasteurization for use on all Nature's Variety Raw Frozen Diets.
The products included in the expanded recall are any Chicken Formula or Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with a "Best If Used By" date on or before 2/5/11, including:
•
o UPC#7 69949 60131 9 – Chicken Formula 0.75 lb trial sized medallions
o UPC#7 69949 60130 2 – Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
o UPC#7 69949 60120 3 – Chicken Formula 6 lb patties
o UPC#7 69949 60121 0 – Chicken Formula 2 lb single chubs
o UPC#7 69949 50121 3 – Chicken Formula 12 lb case of chubs
o UPC#7 69949 60137 1 – Organic Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
o UPC#7 69949 60127 2 – Organic Chicken Formula 6 lb patties
The "Best If Used By" date is located on the back of the package above the safe handling instructions. The affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the United States and Canada.
No other Raw Frozen Diets are involved in this expansion other than chicken, and no other Nature's Variety products are involved.
Nature's Variety now uses High Pressure Pasteurization on their Raw Frozen Diets as a unique process to kill pathogenic bacteria through high-pressure, water-based technology. Having incorporated this state-of-the-art technology on a portion of their raw p