Raw pet food brand issues recall over salmonella risk

WASHINGTON - A natural pet food company is voluntarily expanding a current recall to include some additional products due to possible Salmonella and Listeria contamination.

Columbia River Natural Pet Foods of Vancouver, WA says they are issuing a voluntarily recall for 261 packages of Cow Pie Lot # 72618 and 82 packages of Chicken & Vegetables Lot# 111518 fresh frozen meats for dogs and cats, produced in July 2018 and November 2018.

The company issued a voluntary recall of 933 packages of Cow Pie fresh frozen meats for dogs and cats, produced in August 2017, because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Cow Pie and Chicken & Vegetables are fresh frozen meat products intended to be fed raw to dogs and cats. The affected products were distributed in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington through retail stores and direct delivery.

The Cow Pie product comes in frozen 2 lbs. purple and white plastic bags with Lot# 72618 found on an orange sticker. The Chicken & Vegetables product comes in frozen 2 lbs. turquoise and white plastic bags with Lot # 111518 found on an orange sticker.

A recall was issued for Cow Pie products earlier in the month were that come frozen in 2 lbs. purple and white plastic bags, with Lot 81917 (processed on August 19, 2017) found on an orange sticker.

While no illnesses have been reported to date, the Food and Drug Administration says salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can be harmful when consumed by animals as well as for people who handled the contaminated pet products -- especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after touching the the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

FDA officials say pets with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. They also say 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.

For people infected with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, the FDA says they should monitor themselves for: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.

In rare cases, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes 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, according to the FDA.

Washington State Department of Agriculture found the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella in one package of Cow Pie and Salmonella in one package of Chicken & Vegetables.

Consumers who purchased the product should discontinue use of the product and return for a full refund or exchange by returning the product in its original packaging to place of purchase.

Anyone with questions may contact the company at 360-834-6854 Monday - Friday from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. P.S.T.