Stella & Chewy's Recall of Poultry Freeze-Dried Patties

This week, it was reported  that a great pet food company Stella & Chewys has issued a voluntary recall of some of their foods as a safety precaution.  Unfortunately, these things can happen to even the best companies. The list contains mostly poultry versions, which due to the high occurrence of allergies in dogs, we do not generally recommend. We still think using Stella and Chewy’s rabbit and/or venison verisons are a great healthy option for pets. For the safety of you and your pet, always use safe handling procedures. Wash your hands well before and after handling the food, and disinfect the preparation area and dishes/ utensils. 

Here is their press release with the lots being recalled:

Stella & Chewy’s is voluntarily recalling some of its products due to concerns of a possible presence of Listeria Monocytogenes. The recall was prompted by a positive test confirming Listeria monocytogenes in Chewy’s Chicken Freeze-Dried Dinner Patties for Dogs, 15 ounce, Lot #111–15, during routine surveillance testing by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. There have been no reported pet or human illnesses associated with this recall.

Listeria is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Retailers and consumers can find the full product recall list at http://www.stellaandchewys.com/stella-chewys-recall-notice/. Consumers should look at the lot numbers and UPC codes printed on the bag to determine if it’s subject to the recall. People who have purchased these products are instructed to dispose of the food or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

FDA Issues Warning to Nestle Purina Pet Food Plant

A letter of warning was issued to the Nestle Purina Lehigh County Plant on  January 2, 2015 for "significant violations" and was recently posted to the FDA website.  The inspection was conducted from September 15, 2014 to October 1, 2014 and says that the food was "prepared, packed  or held under insanitary conditions" and could make your pet sick. 

Some of the products involved were Alpo Chop House Originals Roasted Chicken, Filet Mignon, Rotisserie Chicken in Gravy, Prime Cuts with Beef, Friskies Indoor Chicken, mixed grill, senior Beef and Rice Entree, Salmon Dinner,  Mighty Dog Chicken Egg & Bacon Country Platter,Chicken & Smoked Bacon Combo, Lamb and Rice, Gravy Sensations with Turkey and Giblets in Gravy.

Here are the list of violations listed on the FDA website:

• Failure to produce low-acid canned food in keeping with an FDA-approved process.

• Failure to identify and record deviations from the FDA-approved process for producing low-acid canned food.

• Failure to chlorinate or otherwise sanitize cooling water for cooling canals and recirculated water supplies.

• Failure to establish a system to prevent unprocessed cans from mixing with processed cans in the event of an equipment malfunction.

• Failure to install thermometers in a location where they can be accurately and easily read.

• Failure to have all processing and production records signed or initialed by a qualified plant management representative.

Please feed your pet a high quality grain-free, raw frozen food.  Click here to learn more about the best foods to feed your cat or dog.