Stella & Chewy’s announced the recall of a staggering 20 different cat and dog food formulas following the stop-sale order issued by the Maryland Department of Agriculture that a brand of their dog food tested positive for Lysteria monocytogenes.

Late last night, Stella & Chewy’s issued a press release, explaining that although the 20 pet foods have not tested positive for Lysteria, they were recalling them anyway “out of an abundance of caution.”

The press release follows:

Saturday, July 4th, 2015 at 9:30 pm

Dear Valued Customers:

On Thursday, Stella & Chewy’s was notified by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) that it issued a stop sale order on a single lot of Chewy’s Chicken Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties for Dogs, 15 oz. bags (Lot # 111-15) because MDA detected Listeria monocytogenes in the product. There were no reported pet or human illnesses associated with this recall. Since learning this news, we have been working quickly to review the situation to find answers to the important questions on our customers’ minds. As a precautionary measure, we are voluntarily recalling all products from Lot # 111-15 which are listed below.

Furthermore, while they have not tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, in an abundance of caution, we are also voluntarily recalling a number of products that may have been exposed to the affected lot (please see the second chart below). The health and safety of our customers and their pets is always of the utmost importance to us. We are accountable for every dinner and treat we make and recognize that we have an important obligation to provide customers with the quality products they deserve and have come to expect from us over the years. Please see below for additional details about our recall actions and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Jen Guzman

Chief Executive Officer

As a precautionary measure, Stella & Chewy’s is voluntarily recalling all products from lot #111-15 including:

Product Description/Size/UPC/Lot #/Use By Date

• Freeze-Dried Chewy’s Chicken Dinner for Dogs /15oz/UPC: 186011000045/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/23/2016
• Freeze-Dried Chewy’s Chicken Dinner for Dogs /15oz/UPC: 186011000045/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/26/2016
• Freeze-Dried Chick, Chick, Chicken Dinner for Cats/12oz/UPC: 186011000434/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/29/2016
• Freeze-Dried Chick, Chick, Chicken Dinner for Cats/12oz/UPC: 186011000434/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 5/3/2016
• Carnivore Crunch – Turkey Recipe/3.25oz/UPC: 186011001103/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 5/3/2016 and 5/4/2016
• Frozen Duck Duck Goose Dinner Morsels for Dogs/4lb/UPC: 186011001394/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/21/2016
• Frozen Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Morsels for Dogs/4lb/UPC: 186011001387/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/21/2016
• Frozen Surf ‘N Turf Dinner Patties for Dogs/6lb/UPC: 186011000533/Lot: 111-15  and Use By Date: 4/21/2016
• Frozen Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Patties for Dogs/6lb/UPC: 186011000120/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/21/2016
• Frozen Chewy’s Chicken Dinner Patties for Dogs/3lb/UPC: 186011000038/Lot: 111-15 and Use By Date: 4/21/2016

Stella & Chewy’s is also recalling certain brands that, while not tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, they are doing it anyway “in an abundance of caution. ” The following products which may have come into contact with the affected lot (#111-15) and are being recalled as well:

Product Description/Size/UPC/Lot #/Use By Date

• Freeze-Dried Chick, Chick, Chicken Dinner for Cats/12oz/UPC: 186011000434/Lot: 104-15 and Use By Date: 4/23/2016
• Freeze-Dried Chick, Chick, Chicken Dinner for Cats/12oz/UPC: 186011000434/Lot: 109-15 and Use By Date: 4/29/2016
• Freeze-Dried Tantalizing Turkey Meal Mixers/18oz/UPC: 186011000229/Lot: 105-15 and Use By Date: 5/3/2016
• Freeze-Dried Tantalizing Turkey Meal Mixers/18oz/UPC: 186011000229/Lot: 113-15 and Use By Date: 5/3/2016
• Freeze-Dried Tantalizing Turkey Meal Mixers/9oz/UPC: 186011000205/Lot: 105-15 and Use By Date: 5/3/2016
• Carnivore Crunch – Chicken Recipe/3.25oz/UPC: 186011001080/Lot: 110-15 and Use By Date: 5/3/2016
• Freeze-Dried Chewy’s Chicken Dinners for Dogs/15oz/UPC: 186011000045/Lot: 114-15 and Use By Date: 4/26/2016
• Freeze-Dried Tummy Ticklin’ Turkey Dinner for Cats/12oz/UPC: 186011000663/Lot: 114-15 and Use By Date: 5/4/2016
• Freeze-Dried Tummy Ticklin’ Turkey Dinner for Cats/12oz/UPC: 186011000663/Lot: 115-15 and Use By Date: 5/4/2016
• Freeze-Dried Salmon & Chicken Dinner for Cats/12 oz/UPC: 186011000403/Lot: 107-15 and Use By Date: 4/23/2016

Included in the press release are a number of answers to questions consumers may have about the recall and  Stella & Chewy’s why they have ordered this enormous recall:

Why were the products recalled?

Listeria monocytogenes was discovered in a package of product during surveillance testing by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. As an extra precautionary measure, we chose to expand the recall list to include products that may have been exposed to the affected lot.

What is Listeria and what are the symptoms?

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Animals that become ill with Listeria could display symptoms similar to the ones listed above for humans.

What do I do if I believe my pet has been exposed Listeria?

People who have concerns about whether their pet has been exposed to Listeria should contact their veterinarian.

Where are the products sold?

The products included on the recall list above were sold throughout the U.S. to wholesale distributors and retail stores for resale to consumers. The recalled products were not made available in Canada. The best way to determine if you have a product included in the recall is to compare the product description and bag size located on the front of the bag, and the UPC #, the lot code, and use by date located on the back of the bag, with the two charts provided above. People who have purchased these products are advised to dispose of the food or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

What is Stella & Chewy’s doing to correct the situation?

As a precautionary measure, we have issued a voluntary recall of the entire affected lot as well as additional product that could have been exposed to the affected lot, and we are working collaboratively with the FDA to further investigate and address the situation. Furthermore, we have engaged an outside third-party expert to conduct a root cause analysis and ensure appropriate corrective actions are taken.

Does Stella & Chewy’s test for Listeria?

Yes, we conduct environmental testing for Listeria which is the recommended method. [Clarification: the pet food in lot #111-15 was not tested for Lysteria. You can see which tests were conducted on lot #111-15 by downloading a copy of the test results for lot number #111-15 here. -Mollie]

Does High Pressure Processing (HPP) eliminate the risk of Listeria?

Yes, scientific studies show that HPP inactivates Listeria, however, this product had further processing after the HPP process and may have been affected elsewhere in the manufacturing environment.

Who do I contact if I have further questions or concerns?

For any inquiries, you may contact us at info@stellaandchewys.com or 888-477-8977.

I am not going to go into the serious nature of Lysteria monocytogenes, as it is a complex and lengthy topic best covered by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). However, I will say that, although healthy people and pets rarely become ill from listeria infection, the disease can be fatal to unborn babies and newborns. Listeria infection can be very serious for pregnant women and people (and pets) with impaired immune systems.

Pregnant women are 20 times more likely to get listeriosis than the average healthy adult and babies can be born with Listeria if the mother handles or eats contaminated food during pregnancy. The death rate among newborns with Listeria is 25 to 50 percent.

I recommend, however, for a complete view of Lysteria, that consumers visit the CDC and the other excellent resources I have listed below.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Listeria (Listeriosis): http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/
• National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Listeria Infections: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/listeriainfections.html
• Mayo Clinic, Listeria infection: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/listeria-infection/basics/definition/con-20031039