Friday, June 28, 2013

Natura Pet Issues Voluntary Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods Due to a Possible Health Risk

June 18, 2013 - Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling specific lots of dry pet food because it has the potential to be contaminated withSalmonella.
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 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.
These products were packaged in a single production facility. During routine FDA testing, a single lot tested positive for the presence of Salmonella. There have been no reports of pet or human illness associated with this product. In an abundance of caution, Natura is voluntarily recalling all products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014.
The affected products are sold in bags through veterinary clinics, select pet specialty retailers, and online in the United States and Canada. No canned wet food is affected by this announcement.
The affected products are:

BRANDLOT CODE/UPC/SIZES;EXPIRATION
Innova Dry dog and cat food and biscuits/bars/treatsAll Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizesAll expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
EVO dry dog, cat and ferret food and biscuits/bars/treatsAll Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizesAll expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
California Natural dry dog and cat foods and biscuits/bars/treatsAll Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizesAll expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
Healthwise dry dog and cat foodsAll Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizesAll expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
Karma dry dog foodsAll Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizesAll expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
Mother Nature biscuits/bars/treatsAll Lot Codes, All UPC's, All package sizesAll expiration dates prior to 6-10-2014
Consumers who have purchased the specific dry pet foods listed should discard them.
For further information or a product replacement or refund call Natura toll-free at 800-224-6123. (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM CST).
About Natura Pet Products
Natura Pet Products is recognized as a trusted name behind natural and holistic pet foods and treats. Founded more than 20 years ago by John and Ann Rademakers and Peter Atkins, Natura is dedicated to providing the best natural nutrition. Natura is committed to making premium pet foods and treats based on nutritional science and high-quality ingredients, combined with trusted manufacturing processes, for complete pet health. Lines include: Innova®, California Natural®, EVO®, HealthWise®, Mother Nature® and Karma®. To learn more about Natura Pet Products visit www.NaturaPet.com.

Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts > Natura Pet Issues Voluntary Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods Due to a Possible Health Risk

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Recall Alert: Do you eat beef jerky?

Hickory Hollow Jerky, an Alabama company, is recalling approximately 1,800 pounds of flavored beef jerky products because of misbranding and an undeclared allergen.

The products contain Worcestershire sauce, and anchovy paste is a subcomponent.  Fish is a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.
The products subject to recall include:
  • 3-oz. Original Recipe "HICKORY HOLLOW BEEF JERKY" bearing the establishment number "EST. 34550" inside the USDA mark of inspection on the label. 
  • 3-oz. Sweet Heat BBQ "HICKORY HOLLOW BEEF JERKY" bearing the establishment number "EST. 34550" inside the USDA mark of inspection on the label. 
  • 3-oz. Hot Shot "HICKORY HOLLOW BEEF JERKY" bearing the establishment number "EST. 34550"inside the USDA mark of inspection on the label. 
The products were produced on various dates between Dec. 4, 2012 and June 4, 2013. They were sold nationwide, at retail stores and over the Internet.
The problem was discovered by an FSIS inspector who conducted a label review prompted by the April 30, 2013, which prompts FSIS inspectors to check labels for accuracy.

FSIS took the step of issuing the notice in an effort to protect vulnerable consumers after observing an increase in the number of products recalled from 2008 through 2012 due to the presence of undeclared allergens or other ingredients. FSIS personnel are responsible for verifying that establishments are actively labeling the eight most common food allergens.
FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.

Recall Alert: Do you eat beef jerky? - 14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Harris Teeter Lot Code and Best By Correction Townsend Farms Voluntarily Recalls Limited Lots of Frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend Products Due To Possible Health Risk

UPDATED RELEASE #2 Harris Teeter Lot Code and Best By Correction Townsend Farms Voluntarily Recalls Limited Lots of Frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend Products Due To Possible Health Risk


Contact:
Consumer:
(800) 875-5291
townsendfarms5148@stericycle.com
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 4, 2013 - Townsend Farms, Inc. of Fairview, Oregon, has announced that it is voluntarily recalling certain lots of its frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend, out of an abundance of caution, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Hepatitis A virus, based on an ongoing epidemiological and traceback investigation by the FDA and the CDC of an illness outbreak. No other Townsend Farms products, frozen or fresh, are covered by this voluntary recall or linked to the illness outbreak at this time. This release confirms the correct Lot codes for Harris Teeter Products.
The product was sold at Costco warehouse stores under the product name Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend, 3 lb. bag and UPC 0 78414 404448. The recalled codes are located on the back of the package with the words "BEST BY"; followed by the code T012415 sequentially through T053115, followed by a letter. All of these letter designations are included in this recall for the lot codes listed above. Photos of the package are attached.
The product was also sold at Harris Teeter stores from April 19 until May 7, 2013, under the product name Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Berry Blend, 10 oz. bag UPC 0 72036 70463 4. The correct "Lot" and "best by" codes are as follows: Lot Codes T041613E, T041613C and a "BEST BY" code of 101614. Photos of the packaging are attached.
Townsend Farms is implementing this voluntary recall after learning that one of the ingredients of the frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend, pomegranate seeds processed in Turkey, may be linked to an illness outbreak outside of the United States. Thirty-four cases of Hepatitis A are being investigated to date in the U.S.; all are recovering. At this time, Hepatitis A has not been found in the product, but Townsend Farms is taking this precautionary action in consultation with the FDA, as the investigation continues.
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. Illness generally occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool. Hepatitis A vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure to a contaminated food. In rare cases, particularly consumers who have a pre- existing severe illness or are immune compromised, Hepatitis A infection can progress to liver failure.
Persons who may have consumed affected product should consult with their health care professional or local health department to determine if a vaccination is appropriate, and consumers with symptoms of Hepatitis A should contact their health care professionals or the local health department immediately. Consumers with the product should not consume the product. The product should be disposed of immediately. Please keep proof of product purchase.
TOWNSEND FARMS INC. is committed to producing the highest quality products, and is a certified Safety Quality Food facility. Townsend Farms, Inc. follows industry Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and sanitation procedures to ensure that its food products are safely handled and processed.
For questions or more information, contact a Townsend Farms Customer Service Representative by phone or e-mail at 1-800-875-5291; townsendfarms5148@stericycle.com.
Customer service representatives will be available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PDT to respond to inquiries.
Thank you so much from The Townsend Farm Family.
Mike Townsend, President Townsend Farms, Inc.
Margaret Townsend, Vice President Townsend Farms, Inc.

Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts > UPDATED RELEASE #2 Harris Teeter Lot Code and Best By Correction Townsend Farms Voluntarily Recalls Limited Lots of Frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend Products Due To Possible Health Risk