Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is warning consumers to avoid feeding or handling Bravo! Raw Food Diet Chicken Blend for Dogs and Cats because it may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. The alert was issued after the MDA laboratory found Salmonella bacteria in routine sample tests.
What is being recalled
Bravo! Raw Food Diet Chicken Blend for Dogs and Cats 2-pound tubes with product code 21-102, batch ID code 6 14 12, which is located on the white tag on the end of the package. The recall only affects 2-pound size tube products made on June 14, 2012. No other products, sizes, or production dates are involved.
The contamination was detected in a single sample of the product by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. However, according to Bravo!, a third-party laboratory did not find any contamination during testing before the product was shipped to retailers.
Due to the time involved in tracing illnesses back to products, however, it is not possible to say whether any customers have been affected.
The product was distributed nationwide to distributors, retail stores, internet retailers and directly to consumers.
What is wrong with Salmonella?
Salmonella can affect animals eating the product, and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated products. People handling contaminated raw pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product.
Salmonellosis in pets
Pets with Salmonella infections may exhibit decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed this product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Salmonellosis in humans
Human symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps and fever. Symptoms usually begin within 12 to 72 hours after exposure, but can begin up to a week after exposure. Salmonella infections usually resolve in 5-7 days, but approximately 20 percent of cases require hospitalization. In rare cases, Salmonella infection can lead to death, particularly in the elderly or those with weakened immune systems. Anyone who has become ill after handling this product should see their health care provider.
What should you do
There are no reports of human or animal illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Consumers are asked to discard any of these products they may have. Consumers are asked to discard any of these products they may have. For questions, contact the company at 1-866-922-9222.
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