FDA issues warning over Salmonella contaminated pet food

Image courtesy of FDA

The FDA is cautioning pet owners that have purchased Darwin’s Natural Pet Products raw cat and dog food to not feed the food to their pets if they are under a certain lot number. The food, made by Arrow Reliance Inc, tested positive for Salmonella after the FDA tested samples. The following lots have received positive results¹:

• Lot 9774: Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs, manufactured on Jun 13, 2023.
• Lot 9795: Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats, manufactured on Jun 28, 2023.
• Lot 9830: Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats, manufactured on Jul 19, 2023.

According to the FDA, the products come in white and clear packaging with blue labels on the dog food and green and blue on the cat food. The packages contain 4 separate united and pet parents or veterinary professionals can check the lot code on the front of the lower left unit of the package.¹ The FDA has issued this warning since the product is stored and sold frozen, there is a risk of pet parents having them in their possession without knowing the risks and feeding the product to their pets.

If pet parents have a contaminated lot or cannot confirm the lot code, the FDA is urging parents to not feed it to their pets and throw them away in a secure container where other animals and wildlife cannot access it. If pet parents have the contaminated lots,¹ they should also clean and disinfect where the product was stored as well as all bowls, utensils, food prep surfaces, toys, bedding, litter boxes, and any other surface that the food may have been in contact with.

If pets have ingested an infected lot, pet parents should be on the lookout for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea (that could be bloody), fever, decreased activity levels, and loss of appetite.² However, pets may not show symptoms if they are infected and can then spread the bacteria in their feces. If pets are displaying these symptoms, they should consult with their veterinarian as soon as possible. If a pet presenting with symptoms, veterinarians can have pets tested through the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network.

Consumers are encouraged to report complaints electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal or they can call their states FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. At this time, the FDA recommended Arrow Reliance Inc. voluntarily recall the products and notify the public, but company has yet to do so.¹

Reference

1. FDA Advisory: Do Not Feed Certain Lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products for Dogs & Cats Due to Salmonella. News release. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration. August 16, 2023. Accessed August 17, 2023 https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-advisory-do-not-feed-certain-lots-darwins-natural-pet-products-dogs-cats-due-salmonella?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
2. Get the facts about salmonella. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Published August 16, 2023. Accessed August 17, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/get-facts-about-salmonella