The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning regarding certain lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products raw cat and dog food. FDA testing of samples revealed the presence of Salmonella in five lots and both Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono) in a sixth lot. These products, manufactured by Arrow Reliance, Inc., are sold frozen in 2-pound packages and include specific lots of Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats and Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Dogs. Pet owners are strongly advised to avoid feeding these particular batches of Darwin’s pet food to their animals.
Darwin’s Natural Selections pet foods are primarily distributed online through a subscription service. Despite the FDA’s recommendation for a recall of all six contaminated lots, Arrow Reliance, Inc. has not yet initiated a recall. This lack of action means these potentially dangerous products could still be in circulation. Therefore, the FDA urges consumers to diligently check any Darwin’s Natural Selection Antibiotic & Grain-Free products they may possess for the affected lot numbers listed below before feeding them to their pets.
If you find that you have any of the Darwin’s pet food lots identified as contaminated, it is crucial to dispose of them immediately in a secure container, preventing access by pets and wildlife. Do not donate this food under any circumstances. Furthermore, thorough cleaning and disinfection of all pet supplies and surfaces that may have come into contact with the food or your pet are essential.
Both Salmonella and L. mono pose a risk to both animal and human health. If you or a family member experience symptoms of Salmonella or L. mono infection, seek medical advice promptly. Similarly, if your pet shows signs of illness, a veterinary consultation is necessary. More details on symptoms are provided below.
Darwin’s Pet Food Products Under Scrutiny
The affected Darwin’s pet food lots are packaged in 2-pound white and clear plastic containers, divided into four units. Dog food varieties are marked with blue labels, while cat food uses blue and green labeling. The critical lot codes are located on the front of the lower left unit of each package. Here’s a detailed list of the Darwin’s pet food varieties and their corresponding lot codes to check:
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats
- Lot No: 10832 MFG. Date: Jul 25, 2024
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats
- Lot No: 10856 MFG. Date: Aug 04, 2024
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats
- Lot No: 10890 MFG. Date: Aug 13, 2024
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Dogs
- Lot No: 10828 MFG. Date: Jul 24, 2024
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Dogs
- Lot No: 10844 MFG. Date: Jul 30, 2024
- Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Dogs
- Lot No: 10887 MFG. Date: Aug 12, 2024
Image of Label for Darwin Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats – Lot 10832
Alt text: Darwin’s Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats Lot 10832 label showing product details and lot number, part of the pet food recall.
Image of Label for Darwin Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats – Lot-10856
Alt text: Close-up of Darwin’s Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats Lot 10856 label, highlighting the affected lot number for consumer awareness.
Image of Label for Darwin Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats – Lot-10890
Alt text: Darwin’s Pet Food recall image showing label of Darwin’s Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats Lot 10890, advising pet owners to check for this lot.
Image of Label for Darwin Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Dogs – Lot-10828
Alt text: Darwin’s Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Dogs Lot 10828 label, crucial for identifying recalled pet food products.
Image of Label for Darwin Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Dogs – Lot-10844
Alt text: Image of Darwin’s Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Dogs Lot 10844 label, part of the FDA alert on contaminated pet food.
Image of Label for Darwin Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Dogs – Lot-10887
Alt text: Darwin’s Pet Food safety warning: Label of Darwin’s Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Dogs Lot 10887, a recalled product due to bacterial contamination.
Immediate Actions for Pet Owners
If you possess any Darwin’s pet food listed above, the FDA’s advice is clear: stop feeding it to your pets immediately. Proper disposal is crucial – place the food in a securely sealed container and discard it where it cannot be accessed by animals, including wildlife. Remember, do not give this food away or donate it.
Locate the product lot codes on the front of the lower left section of the packaging. If you’ve discarded the packaging or the lot code is unreadable, it’s safest to throw the food away as a precaution.
For households that have had these Darwin’s pet food products, thorough sanitation is paramount. Clean and disinfect all pet-related items and surfaces. This includes storage containers, food bowls, utensils, food preparation areas, pet bedding, litter boxes, toys, and floors. Don’t forget areas like your refrigerator or freezer where the food may have been stored; the CDC provides guidance on cleaning your refrigerator. Also, promptly clean up pet feces in areas accessible to people or other animals. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling the suspect pet food or cleaning potentially contaminated items and surfaces.
Understanding Salmonella and Its Dangers
Salmonella is a bacterium known to cause illness and even death in both humans and animals, particularly those with compromised immune systems, the very young, and the elderly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that Salmonella infection in humans typically results in symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. While most individuals recover without medical intervention, severe cases may necessitate hospitalization due to dehydration. In such instances, if untreated, the Salmonella infection can spread from the intestines into the bloodstream and to other parts of the body. If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider.
While pets infected with Salmonella may not always show obvious signs, symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea (possibly bloody), fever, reduced appetite, and lethargy. If your pet exhibits these signs, immediate veterinary attention is recommended. It’s also critical to remember that infected pets can excrete Salmonella bacteria in their feces even when they appear healthy, posing a hidden risk.
Understanding Listeria Monocytogenes (L. mono) and Its Dangers
Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono) is another bacterium that can cause serious illness and death in humans and animals, especially impacting pregnant individuals, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immunity. The CDC explains that listeriosis in humans can manifest with diverse symptoms depending on the individual and the affected body area. These can range from headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, to more general symptoms like fever and muscle aches.
Pregnant women often experience only mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle pain. However, L. mono infection during pregnancy carries severe risks, including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or life-threatening infection in newborns.
Those at higher risk of severe listeriosis include pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 and over, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Anyone experiencing symptoms of listeriosis should seek medical attention.
L. mono infections in pets are less common but still possible. Symptoms in pets can vary from mild to severe diarrhea, anorexia, fever, neurological, muscular, and respiratory signs, pregnancy loss, depression, shock, and even death. Similar to Salmonella, pets can carry and shed L. mono in their feces and saliva without showing any symptoms, further contributing to environmental contamination.
FDA’s Concern Regarding Salmonella and Listeria in Pet Food
The FDA’s concern over Salmonella and L. mono contamination in Darwin’s pet food and other pet foods stems from the significant public health implications. These bacteria can harm both pets and humans. Pets can become ill from contaminated food and, even if asymptomatic, can act as carriers, spreading the bacteria to humans. The FDA has documented cases of human and animal illnesses linked to Salmonella-contaminated pet foods, as seen in past investigations and recalls (Salmonella-human cases, Salmonella-kitten, Salmonella-kitten, dog). While there’s no documented case of human L. mono infection from pet food specifically, the risk of transmission is present once these bacteria establish themselves in a pet’s system. Contamination can spread through fecal shedding, emphasizing the need for proper hygiene and cleanup both indoors and outdoors.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act mandates that pet food, like human food, must be safe, produced hygienically, free from harmful substances, and truthfully labeled. It is crucial to understand that refrigeration or freezing will not eliminate Salmonella or L. mono.
Reporting Pet Illnesses Related to Darwin’s Pet Food
If you believe your pet has become ill after consuming Darwin’s pet food, your first step should be to contact your veterinarian. Veterinarians wanting to test pets for Salmonella and L. mono, especially if the pet is in a household with a human infected with these bacteria, can utilize the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN Network).
Consumers are also encouraged to report any complaints regarding Darwin’s pet food products electronically via the Safety Reporting Portal. For assistance with submitting a report, the SmartHub – Safety Intake Portal offers electronic support.
For Further Information
This alert serves to inform pet owners about the potential risks associated with specific lots of Darwin’s pet food. Staying informed and taking necessary precautions are vital for safeguarding both your pet’s health and your family’s well-being.
