Update: Added producer’s comment.
FDA warns pet owners not to feed their pets certain batches Darwin’s Natural pet product raw cat food.
FDA recommended that Arrow Reliance Inc. voluntarily recall these products and notify the public, but the company has not done so.
Handling contaminated pet products poses risks to humans, especially if they do not wash their hands thoroughly after touching the products or touching any surfaces with these products.
These foods were associated with disease cases in three kittens in a family.
Products are manufactured by Arrow Reliance Inc. as Darwin’s Natural Pet Products and sold directly to consumers online.
Because these products are sold and stored frozen, the FDA is concerned that people may still have them and feed them to their pets.
Products that need to be reminded:
- Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain Free Chicken Recipe for Cats, Lot 9116, produced on May 2, 2022.
- Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain Free Turkey Recipe for Cats, Lot 9121, Produced on May 4, 2022.
- Products are sold in white clear plastic packaging with blue and green labels. Each pack weighs two pounds and consists of four separate units. The lot number is located in the front lower left unit of the package.
FDA collected and analyzed unopened product samples Three kittens in a household who ate food and developed diarrhea After receiving the report after the two batches. A stool sample from one of the kittens tested positive for Salmonella. The fourth kitten did not eat food and did not get sick.
Whole genome sequencing of Salmonella in two products revealed Salmonella in turkey product Typhimurium while chicken products contain Salmonella Typhimurium and Kentucky.
Darwin’s Natural Pet Products issued a memo on Aug. 4 saying they did not believe the FDA’s warning was necessary. “We believe the FDA’s request is completely unnecessary; there are no pet health risks that need to be addressed. We also believe that the FDA’s request is based on flawed regulatory decisions and have taken steps to make our position clear to the agency.” The full memo is available Check it out here.
Consumers who own either of the two Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections cat foods above should stop feeding it to their pets and dispose of it in a safe place to other animals (including wildlife) inaccessible containers.
Consumers who have used this product at home should clean the refrigerator/freezer in which this product is stored and clean all bowls, utensils, food preparation surfaces, pet bedding, litter boxes, toys Clean and sanitize floors and food or any other surfaces that pets may have come in contact with.
Clean up pet waste in areas where people or other animals may be exposed. Consumers should wash their hands thoroughly after handling any pet food or cleaning up potentially contaminated items and surfaces.
About Salmonella Infections in Pets
Pets do not always show symptoms when infected with Salmonella, but symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea (possibly bloody), fever, loss of appetite and/or decreased activity levels. Owners should consult a veterinarian promptly if pets exhibit these symptoms. Consumers should also be aware that infected pets can shed bacteria in their feces without showing signs of illness.
Pet food contaminated with Salmonella According to the FDA, has a special of public health importance as they affect human and animal health. Pets can become infected with Salmonella or can be carriers of the bacteria and transmit it to their human companions , without getting sick. FDA is aware of instances in which humans and/or animals have become ill from exposure to Salmonella-contaminated pet food
This is especially important because animals shed bacteria when they defecate. In addition to cleaning items in the home, Also clean up animal waste that people or other animals may have exposed in the yard or park.
About Human Salmonella Infection
Human or animal food contaminated with Salmonella often looks, smells or tastes spoiled. Anyone can get sick from salmonella infection. According to the CDC, infants, children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for serious illness because their immune systems are weak.
Recalled product and symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. People who are sick should tell their doctor of possible exposure to salmonella because special tests are required to diagnose salmonellosis. Symptoms of Salmonella infection can be similar to other diseases, often leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours of eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults will usually be sick for four to seven days. However, in some cases, the diarrhea can be so severe that the patient requires hospitalization.
The elderly, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop diarrhea. Severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infection to others.
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