The FDA is advising consumers not to feed pets certain lots of Raws For Paws Ground Turkey Food for Pets because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella, the presence of which has the potential to cause salmonellosis in humans and animals following a Minnesota Department of Health reports that two children in a single household became sick from Salmonella Reading (S. Reading). One child’s illness resulted in septicemia (blood infection) and osteomyelitis, a painful and serious bone infection.

Testing performed by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture demonstrated that the same strain of Salmonella found in the ill children was also found in four samples of Raws for Paws Ground Turkey Food for Pets that was used to feed the family dog.

This outbreak is of particular public health importance because of the potential hazard to both human and animal health. Pets can get sick from Salmonella, but may also be carriers of the bacteria and can infect humans. Pets do not have to be apparently ill to be able to pass Salmonella onto their human companions.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Minnesota Department of Health, is investigating two Salmonella illnesses in Minnesota that are linked to all lots of Raws for Paws Ground Turkey Food for Pets manufactured on October 12, 2017.

Raws for Paws of Minneapolis, MN is recalling approximately 4,000 pounds of its 5 lb. and 1 lb. chubs of Ground Turkey Pet Food because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recalled Ground Turkey Pet Food was distributed throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa directly to consumers and through online mail orders.

The recalled product is packaged into 1-pound and 5-pound sealed plastic tubes, also known as chubs. The chubs are packaged into regular Turkey Pet Food cases and Pet Food Combo Pack cases, which contain a variety of pet food products. The products in question have case codes of 9900008, 9900009, 9900014, and 9900015. The manufacture date of Turkey Pet Food cases is 10/12/2017, and the manufacture dates of Combo Pack cases are between 10/12/2017 and 2/2/2018.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the product, and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

If you purchased this product since October 12, 2017, and cannot determine whether it is affected by the recall, the FDA recommends that you exercise caution and throw the product away.

Christofersen Meats Company, Inc. initiated the recall of the product lots by notifying customers directly. The product is sold online through direct-to-consumer sales via www.rawsforpaws.com. On February 8, 2018, Christofersen Meats Company, Inc. also issued a press release announcing the recall.

Production of the product has been suspended while MDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem.

Consumers who have purchased Turkey Pet Food should discontinue the use of the product and contact Raws for Paws to determine if their product is subject to this recall and more information about disposal or return instructions. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 612-465-0372.

Consumers should report any problems with the pet food to the FDA via a Consumer Complaint Coordinator or on the FDA’s pet food safety reporting portal.

SOURCE: FDA Recalls Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts

FDA public advisory: FDA Investigates Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Raws for Paws Ground Turkey Food for Pets