April 16, 2018 — Carnivore Meat Company of Green Bay, WI, is voluntarily recalling two of its Vital Essentials freeze-dried dog foods because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.What’s Recalled?Affected products can be identified by comparing the following images and lot numbers: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Toppers 6 ounce (170 g) package size Best by date: 06/04/2019 or 06/20/2019 Lot #: 13815 Product UPC: 033211006059
- Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Chub Entrée for Dogs
- 5 pound (2.27 kg) package size
- Best by date: 12/27/18
- Lot #: 13816
- Product UPC: 033211008817
What Caused the Recall?
The issue was discovered when a single package of product produced on the same day was collected and tested by FDA for the presence of Salmonella.
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 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.
What to Do?
As of this writing, we are unable to locate any public information regarding this event anywhere on the Vital Essentials website.
All information included within this article has been derived from a third party communication received on April 16, 2016, by The Dog Food Advisor.
The company encourages consumers to discard the affected products included above safely in a covered trash receptacle.
Contact your retailer for a replacement or refund.
No other Vital Essentials products are subject to this voluntary recall.
If you have questions, please contact the company at 920-370-6542.
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.
Source: Vital Essentials Dog Food Recall | April 2018