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Pet food company Nature’s Variety has issued a voluntary recall of their popular Instinct ® Raw Chicken Formula that pet owners often buy for their dogs. The products in question have a “Best By” expiration date of 04.27.16, and the company is worried that they may have been contaminated with Salmonella.
Nature’s Variety released a statement informing that “Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products”. They went on to specify that the danger increases when people forget to thoroughly wash their hands after opening the food products and feeding their dogs.
Having direct contact with any given surface that has been exposed to the potentially contaminated products also greatly increases the pet owner’s changes of getting sick.
If you’re worried you may be infected you should keep an eye out for the following symptoms: vomiting, nausea, fever, abdominal cramping, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea.
On rare occasions Salmonella can also cause more serious health problems such as arterial infections, arthritis, endocarditis, eye irritation, muscle pain and urinary tract symptoms. These latter symptoms are significantly more dangerous than the former and if someone exhibits them, they should contact a healthcare provider.
If a pet has been infected with Salmonella, their symptoms may include vomiting, having a decreased appetite, having a fever, having abdominal pain, having diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, and being lethargic. If your pet has eaten the Instinct ® Raw Chicken Formula and exhibits any of these symptoms, you should contact a veterinarian.
If a healthy pet has been infected with Salmonella, they can become carriers of the diseases and infect humans as well as other animals.
The potentially contaminated products have the following formulas on their packages: “Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites 4lb, UPC # 769949611431, Best By 04.27.2016”, “Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites for Dogs 7lb, UPC # 769949611448, Best By 04.27.2016” and “Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Patties for Dogs 6lbsd, UPC # 769949611486, Best By 04.27.2016”.
You should look for the “Best By” date below the seal, on the back of the package.
It’s important to note that pet owners have reported no illness so far, the recall was merely a precaution meant to protect clients and their pets from some potentially dangerous products. Nature’s Variety advices people to follow their Simple Handling Tips, which can easily be found on the company’s packages.
Nature’s Variety was informed about the potential contamination when a routine FDA surveillance tested seven (7) pounds of Instinct Raw Chicken Bites and found that it was positive for Salmonella.
The company advices pet owners who’ve purchased these potentially infected products to stop feeding them to their dogs, monitor the animals and contact a veterinarian if they notice any of the above mentioned symptoms.
What’s more, the company will give you your money back if you’ve purchased one of these products. All you have to do is either return them in their original packaging or bring the retailer some proof of purchase.
Reed Howlett, Nature’s Variety’s Chief Executive Officer, gave a statement saying that the company takes safety, quality and health very seriously, and strongly believes that these ideals come first under any and all circumstances. He also stressed that Nature’s Variety is committed to providing people with the best possible nutrition for their pets.
Image Source: instinctpetfood.com
