Consumers Urged to Discard Recalled Products due to Potential Salmonella and Listeria Contamination
ANNAPOLIS (September 20, 2007) - The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) today urged pet owners to discard certain frozen Bravo! brand products for dogs and cats. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled by its manufacturer, Bravo!, in cooperation with federal food safety and health agencies.
The MDA's State Chemist is supporting the recall by issuing a stop sale order to retailers that carry the pet food, checking store shelves, removing the pet food products from sale if they are found, and urging anyone with the pet food in question to discard it. The FDA said the recalled pet food might be contaminated with Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, both of which can cause serious infections in animals and humans.
Pet owners should return unopened frozen tubes of food to the store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers who have any of these products opened should immediately throw them away in a safe manner and return the washed plastic batch ID tag to the store where purchased for a full refund.
To dispose of opened tubes of the recalled product, place in a sealable bag, wrap two plastic bags around it and tape it tightly. Dispose in household trash out of reach of humans and pets. Wash hands with soap and running water for at least two minutes. Additional instructions for safe pet food handling tips can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/foodbornetips.htm .
Retailers that have any of these products have been asked to assure that they are removed from use and do not accidentally get reintroduced for sale, service or donation.
Recalled Bravo! frozen dog and cat food varieties include:
-- Bravo Original Formula Chicken Blend frozen raw food with product numbers 21-102, 21-105, or 21-110 in 2-, 5- and 10-pound tubes and the batch identification code 236.
-- Bravo Original Formula Turkey Blend frozen raw food with product numbers 31-102, 31-105, 31-110 in 2-, 5- and 10-pound tubes and the batch identification code 236.
-- Bravo Basic Formula Finely Ground Chicken frozen raw food with product number 21-212 and the batch identification code 226.
The FDA said other Batch IDs for the same products aren't involved in the recall.
Both Salmonella and Listeria are organisms which can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and if there is cross contamination, in people, especially small children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people with Salmonella infection may only suffer short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Long-term complications can include arthritis and other more serious ailments. Healthy people with Listeria infection may only suffer 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.
According to the FDA, people may risk Salmonella infection not only by handling these pet foods, but also by contact with pets or other surfaces exposed to these foods, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap. Anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella or Listeria infection after having handled the recalled product should seek medical attention.
Healthy cats and dogs rarely become sick from Salmonella. Animals ill with Salmonella will display symptoms similar to the ones listed above for humans. People who have concerns about whether their pet has Salmonella or not should contact their veterinarian.
Additional information about the recall can be found at www.fda.gov and http://www.bravorawdiet.com/recallinfo.html. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact company's Consumer Hotline at (866) 922-9222. Pet food retailers and consumers with questions can also contact MDA's State Chemist Section at (410) 841-2721.