More than 1,000 pounds of Blue Ridge Beef Kitten Mix cat food has been recalled across six states due to salmonella contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated the recall of 1,350 pounds of the 2-pound log Kitten Mix lot.
Initial testing, following a complaint of animal illness, revealed the presence of salmonella bacteria in a sample collected by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources. The contaminated food was sold at retail stores between July 18 and 26, 2024, in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. Packages with Lot number N25-0716 and UPC 8542980013436 are affected.
Salmonella can cause a range of symptoms in pets, including diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. While some pets may remain otherwise healthy, they can still spread the infection to other animals or humans. The FDA urges consumers to return or destroy any affected product.
This recent recall is part of a larger trend of food recalls in 2024. Other recent recalls include Northwest Naturals' pet food due to bird flu contamination and Braga Fresh's broccoli florets due to potential Listeria contamination. Additionally, Gardners Candies issued a recall for their Cappuccino Meltaway Bars due to undeclared tree nuts, posing a significant risk for allergic reactions.
These events highlight the critical importance of food safety measures in both human and pet food products. Thorough testing and prompt responses by authorities are crucial to prevent the potential spread of illness.
