Dog and Cat Food Recall Issued Due to Salmonella and Listeria Contamination
The products were distributed through retail outlets in nine states, among them New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
Blue Ridge Beef, based in North Carolina, is recalling several thousand pounds of pet food over concerns of bacterial contamination, as reported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“Pets infected with Salmonella or Listeria may exhibit signs such as lethargy, diarrhea (potentially bloody), fever, and vomiting,” according to the announcement.
“Some pets might only show a reduced appetite, fever, and abdominal discomfort. Even healthy pets can carry the pathogens and transmit them to other pets or humans. If your pet has eaten the recalled product(s) and exhibits any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.”
The Puppy Mix is identified by lot code # N25 1230, while the Kitten Mix has lot code # N26 0114. The affected products were distributed between January 3 and January 24 of this year.
These items were available at retail locations in nine states: Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.
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The bacterial contamination issue surfaced after a consumer reported an illness in an animal following the consumption of the product.
Samples were collected and analyzed by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets in March. This month, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture notified Blue Ridge that the samples tested positive for listeria and salmonella.
“Consumers who have bought these products are strongly encouraged to return them to the retailer or dispose of them in a manner that prevents access by children, pets, and wildlife. Selling or donating the recalled items is not recommended,” the announcement stated.
“Avoid feeding the recalled products to pets or other animals. Ensure to wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers. It is also important to wash and sanitize your hands after handling any recalled food or utensils that have come into contact with the recalled food.”
The Epoch Times has contacted Blue Ridge for further comment.
Blue Ridge has previously issued recalls due to bacterial contamination.
Risk of Infections
The April 11 recall issued by Blue Ridge highlighted the potential health hazards for humans who handle the contaminated pet food.
“Individuals in good health who become infected with Salmonella or Listeria should be alert for symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal cramps, and fever,” the announcement indicated.
“In rare cases, infections from Salmonella and Listeria could lead to more severe conditions such as arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Anyone experiencing these signs after contact with the affected products should reach out to their healthcare professionals.”
The CDC estimates that 1,600 people are infected with listeria each year in the U.S., resulting in approximately 260 fatalities.
“Poultry is a significant source of Salmonella infections. In fact, more than 1 in every 25 packages of chicken sold in grocery stores is found to be contaminated with Salmonella,” the agency reported.
This increase coincided with a 41 percent rise in recalls involving Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli.
“Almost 1,400 individuals fell ill from food consumed in 2024 that was later recalled—98 percent of these cases were linked to just 13 outbreaks, highlighting the serious consequences of manufacturers producing or distributing contaminated food. All but one of these 13 outbreaks involved Listeria, Salmonella, or E. coli,” it further noted.
