NATIONWIDE RECALL - Dog Food

We have an important dog food recall going on right now. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the recall was issued after they conducted a routine sample test and determined that the products contained Salmonella bacteria.

What’s Being Recalled?

Nature’s Variety has announced a NATIONWIDE recall of select lots of its Instinct Raw Chicken Formula for Dogs.

The affected products appear to share the same “Best By” date and are limited to the Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Frozen Diets packaged in the following forms:

Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites for Dogs
UPC# 769949611431
4 pound package
Best By date 04/27/16

Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites for Dogs
UPC# 769949611448
7 pound package
Best By date 04/27/16

Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Patties for Dogs
UPC# 769949611486
6 pound package
Best By date 04/27/16

The “Best By” date is located on the back of the package below the seal. The affected product was distributed through retail stores in the United States and limited distribution in Canada.

What Caused the Recall?

Nature’s Variety  became aware of a potential issue after receiving notification from the FDA that a routine surveillance sample of seven pound Instinct Raw Chicken Bites for dogs tested positive for Salmonella.

Recent Announcement from the FDA: They have launched a campaign to collect and test RAW pet foods for Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria. To read the official announcement...click here

About Salmonella

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet 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 
• fever

Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including: 

• arterial infections
• endocarditis
• arthritis
• muscle pain
• eye irritation
• 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 
• have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea
• fever
• 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 the symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

What to Do?

Consumers feeding the affected product should discontinue use and monitor their pet’s health, and contact their veterinarian if they have concerns.

Consumers who have purchased one of the above products can obtain a full refund or exchange by either returning the product in its original packaging or bringing a proof of purchase back to their retailer.

Consumers with additional questions can call the company’s Consumer Relations team at 888-519-7387 from 8 am to 7 pm CT, 7 days a week during the recall.

Or, consumers can email Nature’s Variety directly viacservice@naturesvariety.com

U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

Canadians can report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.