Blue Ridge Beef is voluntarily recalling two (2) of its frozen products due to their potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes. Salmonella and Listeria can affect animals eating the product. 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.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.
The affected products are sold in 2 lb chubs and can be identified with the following manufacturing codes:
| Lot #mfd ga8516 |
| Beef for dogs |
| UPC code 8542980011009 |
| Lot #mfd ga81216 |
| Kitten grind |
| UPC code 854298001016 |
The affected products were distributed to retail stores in the following states:
- NC
- SC
- GA
- FL
- AZ
- TX
About Salmonella and Listeria
Salmonella and Listeria can affect animals eating the product and 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.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes should monitor themselves 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 should contact their healthcare provider. Consumers should also follow the simple handling tips on the package.
What caused the Recall
This recall was initiated after the FDA received two complaints associated with these products, including one complaint of two kitten illnesses and one complaint of a puppy death. Subsequent testing by the FDA of a 2 lb chub of beef for dogs and kitten grind collected at a veterinary office revealed the presence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. There is no direct evidence linking these unfortunate instances to contaminated product.
This recall is being made with the knowledge of the US Food and Drug Administration.
What to do
Consumers who have purchased the above lots of beef for dogs or 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.
Batzion
December 10, 2016 at 9:56 am
Thanks, Susan. I wonder if Blue Ridge is processed in China and then shipped back here.
Sick of Commercial Pet Food
December 10, 2016 at 12:18 pm
A puppy DIED …. perfect reason to avoid THIS manufacturer in perpetuity.
Even if the illness “probably” wasn’t related …. since the FDA found the contamination …. proof enough …. they’re NOT testing their batches adequately.
By the way, you can survive salmonella, but Listeria can be deadly for people.
Just gives raw food more of a bad name. So sorry for those owners!
Lori
December 11, 2016 at 8:10 am
Hey guys, Blue Ridge Beef is really Blue Ridge whatever. The amount of horse meat in that beef would shock you.
Reader
December 12, 2016 at 5:05 pm
I went off the deep end (erroneously) in my above comment. And I apologize for that. What made me research further actually, was your claim about horsemeat. I talked to the company owner. And asked if he’d be willing to back up his comments to me in writing. And he said without hesitation. I am not defending a product that isn’t batch tested. Which they are rectifying. But he said the protein is human grade quality. Not having anything to do with a rendering plant. And definitely free of horsemeat (which happens to have it’s own set of drawbacks, anyway).
I was concerned enough to ask questions directly for two reasons. One, my dog eats (another) commercially made raw product. And I wondered if this could be a common practice. And two, because unfounded remarks (found on the internet) just give websites like this a bad name. It can scare people away from trying an alternative diet. The kind that Vets are already using every excuse in the book to discredit.
cheryl flanagan
December 11, 2016 at 9:31 am
Has it been tested for horsemeat? Horses get drugs such as bute and dewormers that can cause severe problems making horses inedible. How can it be tested?
Kate
December 11, 2016 at 1:04 pm
What about the 5 lb chubs? Are they different lots?
Cin
December 14, 2016 at 3:39 pm
Around 4 months ago I also contacted the owner of Blue Ridge Reef because my cats were all refusing to eat the kitten grind in the 2 lb chubs, and when they did eat it they would only pick at it and often vomited it back up. They have all been raised on raw from this company for almost 4 years and I trully believe in raw feeding. The owner immediately refunded me for the 6 cases and said he was going to have them tested and that was the last I heard of it. I did not inform my vet or FDA because he assured me the meat would be tested, and no real harm was done to my animals. A cat breeder friend of mine also received a refund for bad meat. Thinking we should of had it tested. We live in Michigan.
Maria Miller- Den Heijer
December 15, 2016 at 5:40 pm
OMG now it all comes together. My one cat has been throwing up daily after eating Kitten Grind.
My other two have bad diarrhea for days.
They never had problems eating Kitten Grind before.
I have 6 rolls left from the box of 12 with that UPC CODE .
Do I get a refund for all 12 or just 6 rolls?
I hope the total box, that would be fair. And I wanted to call my vet today to bring all 3 cats in.
I’m wondering if that vet bill would be covered as well.
Becky
December 16, 2016 at 7:46 pm
I doubt the vet bill will be covered. It is usually not covered. You would have to sue the company.
Showboy Camelot
January 16, 2017 at 1:32 pm
OK I’m a Show Persian Cat Breeder in MA and FL, came to FL went and bought my usual $450.. of raw and my cats will only eat the grind and not the mix. I believe they know something isn’t right.. WTHECK!! So over all this. I use to make my own along with RAWZ dry and may have to start again…So not right… Thanks for this page and letting me vent!!! Ideas anyone????
Sandra