Nature’s Menu Dog Food Recall Issued Over Salmonella Risk

A major manufacturer of pet products in the U.S. has issued a recall for one of its dog food formulas over concerns about possible contamination.

Sunshine Mills Inc. is recalling its Nature’s Menu Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail because there is a risk the food might contain salmonella, an alert issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Aug. 24 said. Salmonella poisoning can cause serious illness in dogs and can make humans who handle the food sick, as well.

A sample from a 3-pound bag of the Nature’s Menu dog food tested by the Georgia Department of Agriculture was found to contain salmonella.

Sunshine Mills then tested multiple samples of the same lot, but all of its results were negative, the company said.

A salmonella outbreak “may not be evenly distributed throughout a lot, which is why it could have been found on one sample and not on multiple other samples of the same lot,” the FDA said.

Sunshine Mills issued the recall anyway.

The FDA said no illnesses or complaints had been reported to the agency at the time it announced the dog food recall.

Bags Affected by Dog Food Recall

The bags affected by the dog food recall were produced in April and distributed to stores across the country.

The bags came in 3-pound and 13.5-pound sizes and are stamped with one of two UPC codes, which can be used by consumers to identify them – UPC 7015514363 and UPC 7015514365.

According to the FDA notice, the 3-pound bags have the following lot codes printed on them:

• TE1 20/April /2020
• TE1 21/April/2020
• TE1 22/April/2020
• TE2 20 / April / 2020
• TE2 21 / April / 2020
• TE2 22 / April / 2020
• TE3 20/April/2020
• TE3 21/April/2020
• TE3 22/April/2020

According to the FDA, the 13.5-pound bags being recalled have the following lot codes:

• TB1 21 / April / 2020
• TB1 22 / April / 2020
• TB2 20/April /2020
• TB2 21/April/2020
• TB2 22/April/2020
• TB3 20/April/2020
• TB3 21/April/2020
• TB3 22/April/2020

Lot numbers are typically found on the bottom or side of the bag, a few inches from the top, the FDA said.

Stores that received the bags involved in the dog food recall have been contacted and instructed to remove them from their shelves.

Customers who bought the 3- or 13.5-pound bags of Nature’s Menu chicken and quail dog food from the recalled lots should stop using them immediately and return any remaining food to the store it was purchased from for a full refund, the FDA notice said.

Symptoms of Salmonella Poisoning in Dogs and Humans

Dogs who become infected with salmonella can experience an array of symptoms, according to PetMD.com. They often become noticeably lethargic and might stop eating. They might also have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, an abnormally fast heartbeat or swollen lymph nodes. The contamination might also cause a dog to become dehydrated, develop skin problems or have a miscarriage.

Customers whose pet or pets have consumed food from the recalled bags of Nature’s Menu and exhibit any of the symptoms of salmonella infection should contact a veterinarian, the FDA recall alert advises.

Some infected dogs might not have any symptoms, but they can be carriers of the salmonella and infect other dogs or humans through contact with their stool.

“Strict attention to hygiene is essential for preventing further spread of disease,” PetMD.com says.

Dog owners and caregivers who handle any of the products included in the Nature’s Menu dog food recall could also be at risk from the salmonella outbreak.

By handling food contaminated with the salmonella bacteria, a person can inadvertently ingest it and become sick, the FDA warns — either by not washing their hands thoroughly or by not wiping down surfaces or utensils that come in contact with the kibble.

The most common symptoms of salmonella poisoning in humans include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.

Did you purchase the recalled Nature’s Menu Super Premium Dog Food with a Blend of Real Chicken & Quail for your dog? Did your pet experience any illness as a result of eating the food? Tell us about it in the comment section below.

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