Pet owners across the United States are being urged to check their freezers and refrigerators after a raw dog food product was recalled over fears of salmonella contamination. The Indiana-based company Albright's Raw Pet Food is recalling one of its most popular items, its chicken recipe for dogs, due to potential contamination with salmonella bacteria, which can cause vomiting and other symptoms in pets.
Recall Details
The recalled product has an expiration date of April 28, 2027. The pouches were distributed nationwide to consumers and to a small number of retailers in Massachusetts, California, South Carolina, North Carolina, Wisconsin and New York. Customers also purchased the product directly online through the brand's website.
Albright's is asking pet owners to throw away any contaminated batches and destroy them in a way that prevents children, pets and wildlife from accessing them. No pets or humans have fallen ill from these products yet, but testing is still pending.
Company Statement
Albright's reassured customers that they remain 'committed to producing safe, high-quality, biologically appropriate pet food.' The company added, 'We will continue to update our customers and partners as more information becomes available.'
The product is sold raw and contains no artificial ingredients. The packaging includes 'safe handling instructions' warning that the dog food may contain bacteria that could cause illness if not frozen and then thawed in a refrigerator. The warning also notes, 'If pet does not eat all presented food within 30 minutes, discard or refrigerate up to 24 hours.'
Health Risks
Pets infected with salmonella may experience lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, decreased appetite and abdominal pain. Some pets may show no symptoms but can still shed salmonella in their saliva, spreading the bacteria to other pets and humans.
For humans, salmonella can be fatal. The bacteria invade and destroy the cells lining the intestines, causing difficulty absorbing water and resulting in stomach cramps. In rare, life-threatening cases, salmonella can lead to infections in the brain, bones, joints, heart lining or urinary system. Severe complications such as meningitis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis or sepsis are most dangerous for young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Patients in such cases require intravenous antibiotics, fluids and close medical monitoring.
Broader Context
This recall is part of a series of salmonella-related recalls. John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. recently recalled snack mix products flavored with a possibly contaminated seasoning containing dry milk powder. The same ingredient has led to recalls of Ghirardelli chocolates and Utz's Zapp's and Dirty potato chips, as well as frozen pizzas from Walmart and Aldi.
