Blue Ridge Beef of Eatonton, GA, is recalling lot#GA1102 of Kitten Grind raw pet food because of the potential of contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.
From the FDA press release:
The cause of the recall:
This recall was initiated after the FDA received a complaint of two kitten deaths, including one death which was confirmed to be caused by Salmonella septicemia. Subsequent testing by the FDA of Kitten Grind Lot#GA1102 revealed the presence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.
About Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes:
Salmonella and Listeria can cause severe and potentially fatal infection in both the animals consuming the pet food, and the humans that handle the pet food. There is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surface exposed to these products. Pets can be carriers of the bacteria and infect humans, even if the pets do not appear to be ill. Once Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes gets established in the pet’s gastrointestinal tract, the animal can shed the bacteria when it has a bowel movement, and the contamination will continue to spread.
Groups at high risk for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes include the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer), and pregnant women.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes should monitor themselves and their pets for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.
Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product or pets that have consumed this product should contact their healthcare provider. Pet owners should contact a veterinarian if their pet shows symptoms. Consumers should also follow the simple handling tips on the package.
The lot contains 20 cases or 300 chubs of product and would affect the following states:
Texas
Georgia
South Carolina
Tennessee
North Carolina
The affected product is sold in two pound chubs that are frozen and are distinguished by the manufacturing codes:
Kitten Grind
Lot# GA1102
Manufacturing date: 11/02/2017
The packaging of the product and the location of the lot number is pictured below with the location of the clips on each end of the chub.
What to do:
Consumers are encouraged to check the clips of product to ensure that they possess the affected lot#GA1102. Those who have purchased the above lot of Kitten Grind are urged to stop feeding them and return products to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them immediately. Those with questions can email the company at blueridgebeefga@yahoo.com.
This recall is being made with the knowledge of the US Food and Drug Administration.
Sharon Bilotta-Testa
March 3, 2018 at 9:45 am
It’s a damn if we do and damn if we don’t! We pet parents research intensively how feeding raw quality to our pets ,go out of our way to make sure that this is the BEST solution and 85 percent of it is perfect..BUT when it sickens and kills our beloved family member is it really worth it? Will slightly cooking raw destroy the bacteria or salmonella ? Who is to blame for this the source where the meat comes from. the equipment the packaging, the storage containers WHAT! THIS is UNACCEPTABLE!
Roy Williams
March 4, 2018 at 10:04 am
That’s so sad that had to happen,people looseing their pet,because lazy people don’t keep their facilities clean & sanitised….
Sandra R Marsinelli
March 5, 2018 at 2:26 am
I’d like these questions answers too!!! I feed this and have kittens!!!! What the heck!!
This never ends.. Should we cook it ?? Does this kill all these toxins??? Help!!!
Sharon Bilotta-Testa
March 5, 2018 at 6:31 pm
Yes I believe cooking this will kill the bacteria but definitely check the lot # and if its one of the tainted one you can get a full refund!
Carol Gullikson
March 20, 2018 at 5:46 pm
I’ve been feeding Blue Ridge rawTurkey to my three cats for several years but it makes me quite leary to continue with this company.