Blue Ridge Beef Announces Recall of Pet Food Due to Contamination Risk
Note: This article was original posted on December 22, 2023 and updated on January 3, 2023 to include additional states that may have received the recalled products.
Blue Ridge Beef, based in Statesville, NC, has issued a recall of its pet food products due to potential contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.
The recall includes all lot numbers and use-by dates ranging from N24 1114 to N24 1224 for the following products:
- 2 lb log of Kitten Grind with UPC 8 54298 00101 6
- 2 lb log of Kitten Mix with UPC 8 54298 00143 6
- 2 lb log of Puppy Mix with UPC 8 54298 00169 6
These products were distributed in various states, including CT, FL, IA, IL, MA, MD, MI, NC, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, VA, and WI, from November 14, 2023, to December 20, 2023, and are packaged in clear plastic.
The recall was initiated after the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services informed the firm that samples from one lot of each product tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Although no illnesses have been reported to date, the company is recalling all lots within the specified dates as a precautionary measure.
Consumers can identify the recalled products by checking the lot numbers and use-by dates located on the silver tabs at the end of the tubes.
Salmonella and Listeria pose risks to both animals consuming the products and humans who handle them. Symptoms of infection in humans can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, and more severe ailments such as arterial infections and endocarditis. Pets may exhibit symptoms like lethargy, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, decreased appetite, and abdominal pain. If such symptoms are observed, it is advised to seek immediate medical or veterinary assistance.
Customers who have purchased the recalled products are urged to contact Blue Ridge Beef for a full refund. The company advises that the food should be destroyed in a manner that prevents access by children, pets, and wildlife.
For further inquiries or more information about the recall, consumers may contact Mr. Steven Lea at (704) 880-4500, available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST. This recall is being conducted in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration to ensure the safety of both pets and their owners.
