http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/UCM200248
Nature’s Variety Issues Nationwide Voluntary Recall On Raw Frozen Chicken Diets With A “Best If Used By” Date Of 11/10/10
Company Contact:
Jeff Dezen/JDPR
864-233-3376
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 11, 2010 – Nature’s Variety has initiated a voluntary recall of their Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The only products affected are limited to chicken medallions, patties, and chubs with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10. No other Nature’s Variety products are affected.
The affected products are limited to the Nature’s Variety Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet packaged in the following forms:
* 3 lb chicken medallions (UPC# 7 69949 60130 2) with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10
* 6 lb chicken patties (UPC# 7 69949 60120 3) with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10
* 2 lb chicken chubs (UPC# 7 69949 60121 0) with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10
The “Best If Used By” date is located on the back of the package above the safe handling instructions. The affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the United States, and in limited distribution in Canada.
Though I would follow the FDA’s recall instructions, I am just as puzzled by this recall as the writer on the veterinary public health blog below.
http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2010/02/articles/animals/dogs/raw-food-recall-salmonella/
I assume some level of pathogens are present in all raw food. I fed my dog another brand of commercial raw food for years with no problems, but I did use common sense and also got advice from a veterinarian if I was concerned about interactions between raw food and health conditions.
I wonder if the original complaint was made by a consumer that uses and appreciates raw foods? I’d hate to see this food choice eliminated for consumers by zealots or some other special interest. My dog benefited from having this choice, and was lucky to be eating commercial raw food during the poisoned cooked food recall of 2007.