Maker: Arrow Reliance
Cause: Potential Salmonella and Listeria contamination
Announcement: FDA announcement dated September 20, 2024 (link here)
What Darwin’s Pet Food Products were Affected on September 20, 2024:
The affected Darwin’s pet food comes in 2-pound white and clear plastic packages, each containing four separate units. The dog food features blue labeling, while the cat food has blue and green labeling. You can find the lot codes printed on the front of the lower-left unit of each package. The affected varieties and corresponding lot codes are as follows:
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats; Lot No: 10832 MFG. Date: Jul 25, 2024
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats; Lot No: 10856 MFG. Date: Aug 04, 2024
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats; Lot No: 10890 MFG. Date: Aug 13, 2024
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Dogs; Lot No: 10828 MFG. Date: Jul 24, 2024
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Dogs; Lot No: 10844 MFG. Date: Jul 30, 2024
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Dogs; Lot No: 10887 MFG. Date: Aug 12, 2024
Darwins Pet Food Alert: FDA Warns of Salmonella and Listeria Contamination
The FDA has issued a warning to pet owners regarding certain lots of Darwin’s Natural Selections pet food due to contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Despite this alert, the manufacturer, Arrow Reliance Inc., has not issued a recall for the affected products. Pet owners are advised to stop feeding the contaminated food, dispose of it securely, and thoroughly clean any surfaces or items that may have come into contact with it. Both pets and humans are at risk of infection from exposure to contaminated food.
What should you do?
If you have these lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, or if you cannot confirm the lot code of the products you have, throw them away. Do not feed them to your pets. The FDA recommended that the manufacturer voluntarily recall these products and notify the public, but the company has not yet done so. Consult a healthcare provider if you show symptoms of Salmonella infection, and a veterinarian if your pet shows symptoms.
Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes
Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes are both bacteria that can cause serious infections in humans and animals, including pets. Here’s an overview of their implications and the recommended actions if an infection is suspected or confirmed:
Salmonella
- Implications for Humans:
- Causes salmonellosis, which typically includes symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
- Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after infection and last 4 to 7 days.
- While most people recover without treatment, severe cases may require hospitalization, especially in the very young, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
- Implications for Pets (especially dogs and cats):
- Can lead to similar symptoms as in humans, including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, and more.
- Some pets can be carriers without showing symptoms, potentially spreading the bacteria to humans and other animals.
- Actions if Tested Positive:
- For Humans: Seek medical attention. Treatment may include rehydration and, in severe cases, antibiotics.
- For Pets: Consult a veterinarian. Treatment might involve fluid therapy, medications to control symptoms, and sometimes antibiotics.
Listeria monocytogenes
- Implications for Humans:
- Causes listeriosis, which can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
- Symptoms range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe complications like meningitis and septicemia.
- In pregnant women, it can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
- Implications for Pets:
- Less common in pets compared to humans, but they can still be affected and show symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, fever, and neurological signs.
- As with Salmonella, some pets might carry the bacteria without showing symptoms.
- Actions if Tested Positive:
- For Humans: Immediate medical treatment is crucial. Antibiotics are typically used to treat listeriosis.
- For Pets: Veterinary care is essential. The treatment may include antibiotics and supportive care.
General Preventative Measures
- Practice good hygiene, especially hand washing with soap and water before and after handling pets, their food, or cleaning up their waste.
- Store and prepare food properly to avoid cross-contamination.
- Keep pet feeding areas clean and do not feed pets raw or undercooked meats.
- Regular veterinary check-ups for pets to ensure they are not carriers of these bacteria.
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