In a precautionary move, three prominent dog food brands have pulled their products from retail shelves across the United States due to concerns of potential salmonella contamination.
Mid America Pet Food voluntarily initiated a recall of their Victor Super Premium Dog Food Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula dry food. The recall followed the discovery of salmonella in three randomly tested lots at their Mount Pleasant, Texas, production facility, as disclosed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last Monday. The affected products are available in 5-pound, 15-pound, and 40-pound bags, sold in stores nationwide, bearing a best-by date of June 12, 2024, and lot numbers 1000016890, 1000016891, or 1000016892.
Blue Ridge Beef issued a separate recall for their Breeders Choice raw pet food after a portion of their supply tested positive for salmonella. This recall encompasses products with the UPC code 8 54298 00193 1, primarily distributed in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
TFP Nutrition of Nacogdoches also recalled its 50-pound bags of Retriever All Life Stages Mini Chunk Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food due to potential salmonella contamination. The affected bags bear production codes 3277 TFP or 3278 TFP and a best-by date of “10 2024.” This variety was mainly sold in California, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.
The FDA advises retailers and distributors to immediately remove the recalled bags from their inventory and shelves, cautioning against selling or donating them. Pet owners who have purchased these products are urged to dispose of them to prevent any consumption by children, pets, or wildlife.
While the risk of salmonella infection in dogs is low, these pets can carry the bacteria and potentially transmit it to their owners. Salmonella-infected animals may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever, or vomiting. If a pet displays these signs after consuming the recalled products, owners are advised to consult a veterinarian.
Salmonella can also affect humans, causing symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. To reduce the risk of infection, individuals who have handled the contaminated products should thoroughly wash their hands and disinfect any surfaces that may have come into contact with the items.
Although no cases of salmonella illnesses in humans or pets related to these products have been reported thus far, it’s crucial to exercise caution and adhere to the FDA’s guidance. According to the CDC, approximately 1.3 million people in the United States are infected with salmonella each year, leading to 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths.
