Nature's Variety raw RECALL - Salmonella

[bdb5853]

Nature's Variety Issues Nationwide Voluntary Recall on Raw Frozen Chicken Diets with a 'Best If... -- LINCOLN, Neb., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ --

Nature's Variety Issues Nationwide Voluntary Recall on Raw Frozen Chicken Diets with a 'Best If Used By' Date of 11/10/10

LINCOLN, Neb., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ --

Nature's Variety has initiated a voluntary recall of their Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats with a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The only products affected are limited to chicken medallions, patties, and chubs with a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10. No other Nature's Variety products are affected.

The affected products are limited to the Nature's Variety Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet packaged in the following forms:

* 3 lb chicken medallions (UPC# 7 69949 60130 2) with a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10
* 6 lb chicken patties (UPC# 7 69949 60120 3) with a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10
* 2 lb chicken chubs (UPC# 7 69949 60121 0) with a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10


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 in limited distribution in Canada.

If you are a consumer and have purchased one of the affected products, please return the unopened product to your retailer for a full refund or replacement. If your package has been opened, please dispose of the raw food in a safe manner by securing it in a covered trash receptacle. Then, bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to your local retailer for a full refund or replacement.

Nature's Variety became aware of a potential problem after receiving a consumer complaint. Subsequent testing indicated that the lot code related to the consumer complaint tested negative for Salmonella. However, additional subsequent testing found the "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10 to be contaminated with Salmonella.

No pet or human illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this lot code.

Reed Howlett, Nature's Variety CEO, stated, "Because pet health and safety are our top priority, Nature's Variety takes every step necessary to ensure the quality and safety of our products. In addition to our industry best manufacturing practices, and in an abundance of caution, all Nature's Variety raw frozen products now will undergo a 'test and hold' period before being released for sale."

Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. Even though no illnesses have been reported, consumers should follow the Safe Handling Guidelines published on the Nature's Variety package when disposing of the affected product. People handling raw frozen pet foods may become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not followed the safe handling guidelines set forth by the company.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, or fever. Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, or urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with the affected product should contact their health care provider.

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. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed any of the affected products and is experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Consumers with additional questions can call our dedicated Customer Care line 24 hours a day,

7 days a week at 800-374-3142. Or, consumers can email Nature's Variety directly by visiting naturesvariety.com.

About Nature's Variety

Nature's Variety specializes in natural, holistic dog and cat food. The line of premium products was developed by families who have been practicing sustainable agriculture for more than 140 years, raising quality livestock and growing crops in America's heartland. Nature's Variety offers the purest forms of pet nutrition – including a wide variety of protein choices in every pet food form (raw frozen diets, dry kibble diets, canned diets, and treats). For more information about Nature's Variety, visit Nature's Variety.

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[Wylie's Mom]

Thank you for posting this!!

I'm a little leery of the CEO's statement "A consumer complaint..." - it's never been my experience that a pet food company (or any company, really?) takes much action after a single consumer complaint...? If I'm incorrect, then I'm glad they took action after 1 complaint....but I wonder if there is much more to this story...

If anyone contacts NV for more info, please let me know...

[bdb5853]

Recently, a dog on another forum I belong to became very sick while eating NV medallions. She sent the bag in and it tested positive for salmonella. Nature's Variety DID pay her vet bill. Whether or not this was related to that complaint, or entirely separate, I don't know.

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Thank you for posting this!!

I'm a little leery of the CEO's statement "A consumer complaint..." - it's never been my experience that a pet food company (or any company, really?) takes much action after a single consumer complaint...? If I'm incorrect, then I'm glad they took action after 1 complaint....but I wonder if there is much more to this story...

If anyone contacts NV for more info, please let me know...

You almost have to snicker with the comment one (1).

[Ellie May]

Interesting.

So there have been no reports of illness, but yet there was a complaint?
What did the customer complain about then?

Confused though.
Raw feeders believe that this won't hurt a healthy dog anyway, so since this is raw, why recall at all? Is NV putting their food through a process to guarantee no salmonella?

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

You almost have to snicker with the comment one (1).

Yup...my guess is that "several" consumers would have to complain of sick furries before they would take action (?). And if that's true...then this press release will alienate a whole lot of folks, I'd think...bc the "spin" would be too much to take...(for me anyway...)

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Yup...my guess is that "several" consumers would have to complain of sick furries before they would take action (?). And if that's true...then this press release will alienate a whole lot of folks, I'd think...bc the "spin" would be too much to take...(for me anyway...)

Me tooooooo....I AM SCREAMING THIS AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS....DOES ANYONE TELL THE TRUTH ANYMORE...GOVERNMENT, CAR COMPANIES, BANKS (I ESPECIALLY HATE THEM RIGHT NOW-BONUS $$) DOG FOOD COMPANIES...THE LIST JUST CONTINUES.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Interesting.

So there have been no reports of illness, but yet there was a complaint?
What did the customer complain about then?

Confused though.
Raw feeders believe that this won't hurt a healthy dog anyway, so since this is raw, why recall at all? Is NV putting their food through a process to guarantee no salmonella?

This is also why I don't get it...bc a certain amount of salmonella is (what is the right word?) "allowed" in kibble, raw, etc - but yes - this is what I also don't get. I.e., does NV have a threshold of salmonella and this lot crossed it? I can understand why a certain amount of a bug can cause issues. I mean, we have staph.aureus all over our skin right now, and it's fine, but if we break the skin and happen to have an overgrowth of s.aureus and the right conditions, it can be disastrous.

Like, in spices (for humans) I think it's 10% can be insects...so does that mean more than 10% could cause us problems or...what? (just an analogy)

[Breny]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Like, in spices (for humans) I think it's 10% can be insects...

Ewwwwwwww I never knew that!

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

This is also why I don't get it...bc a certain amount of salmonella is (what is the right word?) "allowed" in kibble, raw, etc - but yes - this is what I also don't get. I.e., does NV have a threshold of salmonella and this lot crossed it? I can understand why a certain amount of a bug can cause issues. I mean, we have staph.aureus all over our skin right now, and it's fine, but if we break the skin and happen to have an overgrowth of s.aureus and the right conditions, it can be disastrous.

Like, in spices (for humans) I think it's 10% can be insects...so does that mean more than 10% could cause us problems or...what? (just an analogy)

WHAT?!?!

But then confused again. Raw feeders believe dogs can handle this stuff because food moves through quickly and this is what wolves ate anyway. So, then do wolves count the % of salmonella they get? lol. My question then is, why do raw food companies care about the %?

Doesn't NV still manufacture canned food at Menu? Not a huge fan...

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Breny

Ewwwwwwww I never knew that!

You don't want to learn about food processing regulations because you won't ever want to eat again.

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

This is also why I don't get it...bc a certain amount of salmonella is (what is the right word?) "allowed" in kibble, raw, etc - but yes - this is what I also don't get. I.e., does NV have a threshold of salmonella and this lot crossed it? I can understand why a certain amount of a bug can cause issues. I mean, we have staph.aureus all over our skin right now, and it's fine, but if we break the skin and happen to have an overgrowth of s.aureus and the right conditions, it can be disastrous.

Like, in spices (for humans) I think it's 10% can be insects...so does that mean more than 10% could cause us problems or...what? (just an analogy)

All the more reason to drink vodka while you eat your dinner....

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Breny

Ewwwwwwww I never knew that!

Originally Posted by Ellie May

WHAT?!?!

But then confused again. Raw feeders believe dogs can handle this stuff because food moves through quickly and this is what wolves ate anyway. So, then do wolves count the % of salmonella they get? lol. My question then is, why do raw food companies care about the %?

Doesn't NV still manufacture canned food at Menu? Not a huge fan...

Yes, my dearests - 'tis true about the insects in spices . Think I first learned that in my Nutrition class in college or nursing school...one of the 2. Nice, eh?

On the wolves...I think bc they eat fresh, the salm. wouldn't have much of a chance to be overpopulated unless the kill was sick...ya know? That's my thought. As far as % for pet food companies, my guess would be they have a threshold for everything, whether it's salm. (in kibble/raw/whatev), or whatever else (just like "insects" in spices). But who knows, maybe wolves *can* count ! They are pretty cool and smart, in my amateur estimation .

[RachelandSadie]

oh there are far worse things in human foods. some meats and ceral products are allowed to have a certain amount (very low but still) of rat feces, human hair and skin, insects, and many other nasty things.....it sucks that they treat our dogs badly with the food made, but you can't really even trust the food we are eating unless you kill the meat yourself and grow the fruits and veggies on ur own...it's all just nasty to know about...

just today i heard on this dr's show that some of the food that used to be only good enough for pets (stupid comment i know) is now being used to feed our children as cafeteria food. that's just WRONG. if you should only feed to pets according to these people...then honestly it's not good enough for anyone or anything to eat IMO.

i checked our NV raw chicken and didn't have the date listed on the recall thank God, we've had enough trouble with bacteria and Sadie's stomach that i finally just switched from home made raw to the store bought because of contamination of the stuff sitting out too long after being unthawed (the ones i make were packed too large) and also the diet was a very good variety of meats, eggs, and veggies, more than i could give her on my own...and it's premeasured so her weight is finally maintained. i hope there is nothing truely wrong with this companies food...i love it so far....:S

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

All the more reason to drink vodka while you eat your dinner....

LOL, good one .

Also, Crystal? Now I am picturing wolves out in the forest counting salmonella w/ their paws {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, wait there is 7, 8, 9.....}....thanks, man....