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RECALL: Potential Listeria Contamination in Rabbit and Bird Food
American Veterinarian Editorial Staff
Due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination, Vitakraft Sun Seed has recalled 16 lots of its macaw and rabbit food products.
Vitakraft Sun Seed Inc., a pet food and treat manufacturer based in Weston, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling certain rabbit and macaw food products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
Certain lots of Sunseed Parrot Fruit & Vegetable diet and Sunseed SunSations Rabbit food have been recalled after a supplier of dried apples notified Vitakraft that the ingredient had the potential to be contaminated.
The recall has been initiated despite the fact that there are no reports of either direct contamination of the apple or any illnesses related to the products.
“The health and happiness of our customers and their animal companions is always our top priority,” said Brent Weinmann, president and CEO of Vitakraft Sun Seed. “Although there has been no evidence of contamination of our products, we are initiating this voluntary recall as a precautionary measure.”
L. monocytogenes can cause serious and even fatal infections in children, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems. Infection can cause symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea while also having the potential to cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Birds or rabbits that consume food containing L. monoytogenes carry a risk for infecting humans in the household. Birds or rabbits that may not appear sick after consuming contaminated foods can still become carriers of the organism and transfer it to their environment.
The following products are being recalled voluntarily:ITEMDESCRIPTIONLOTBest buy date
87535100597
SS PARROT FRT/VEG. 25#
104082
5/22/2019
87535360564
SS Sunsations Rabbit Food 3.5lb 6/C
104246
6/5/2019
70882077713
MJR PARROT FOOD 4LB 6/CA
103980
5/17/2019
70882077713
MJR PARROT FOOD 4LB 6/CA
103981
5/18/2019
73725732119
ALT Small Animal Apple Slices 1oz 24/CA
103435
4/28/2019
73725732119
ALT Small Animal Apple Slices 1oz 24/CA
103118
4/13/2019
73725749989
NG GUINEA PIG ENTRÉE 4lb 6/C
103440
5/1/2019
73725749989
NG GUINEA PIG ENTRÉE 4lb 6/C
104434
6/8/2019
73725749989
NG GUINEA PIG ENTRÉE 4lb 6/C
103439
5/1/2019
73725750019
NG RABBIT ENTRÉE 4lb 6/C
104436
6/8/2019
73725750019
NG RABBIT ENTRÉE 4lb 6/C
103442
4/27/2019
73725750019
NG RABBIT ENTRÉE 4lb 6/C
103444
4/27/2019
73725750019
NG RABBIT ENTRÉE 4lb 6/C
103443
4/27/2019
82514158955
DFS Premium Blend Macaw 5lb 5/C
104094
3/16/2020
82514158955
DFS Premium Blend Macaw 5lb 5/C
103741
2/19/2020
82514158955
DFS Premium Blend Macaw 5lb 5/C
103876
2/24/2020
Recalled products were sold in Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Vitakraft has asked retailers and distributors to pull the recalled products from their shelves. Consumers who have already purchased any of the recalled products should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
For more information, Vitakraft urges consumers to contact customer service at 1-800-221-6175.