Pet food recalls, class actions affect consumers nationwide

Pet food recalls, class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Blue Ridge Beef and Carolina Prime Pet recently issued pet food recalls. Consumers filed class action lawsuits involving pet food against Merrick Pet Care, Wellness Pet Food and Mars Petcare US. 
• Why: The companies recalled their pet food due to potential salmonella contamination while consumers filed the pet food class actions over “natural” claims.
• Where: The recalls affect consumers in a number of U.S. states. The pet food class actions were filed in New York federal courts. 

Pet food makers Blue Ridge Beef and Carolina Prime Pet recently issued recalls over potential salmonella contamination. 

In addition, consumers filed pet food class actions against Merrick Pet Care, Wellness Pet Food and Mars Petcare US claiming they falsely advertised pet food products as “natural.” 

Blue Ridge Beef recalls nearly 5 tons of puppy mix 

Blue Ridge Beef issued a recall for nearly 5 tons of its puppy mix in early December after determining it was contaminated with salmonella. 

The recall involves 9,600 pounds of the Blue Ridge Beef’s 2-pound log of puppy mix with lot nos. 08/06/N25 and 08/16/N25 and UPC 854298001696. Blue Ridge Beef primarily sold the food in retail stores in Connecticut, New York Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Blue Ridge Beef distributed the puppy mix products between Aug. 6, 2024, and Aug. 23, 2024, according to the recall. 

Consumers who bought the recalled Blue Ridge Beef puppy mix should return the product to its place or purchase or destroy it in a way that children, pets and wildlife cannot access it, the recall notice states. 

Carolina Prime Pet recalls dog treats over salmonella concerns

Carolina Prime Pet issued a recall for 400 16-ounce bags of Hollywood Feed Carolina Made Chicken Chips treats for dogs in November over concerns they may be contaminated with salmonella.

The company says it has not received any reports of pet illnesses in connection with the recall. Consumers who purchased the recalled dog treats should not give them to pets, the recall notice states.

Carolina Prime Pet distributed the recalled dog treats to Hollywood Feed stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania, according to the recall. 

Merrick Pet Care falsely advertised pet food as ‘natural,’ class action claims

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Merrick Pet Care in November over claims the company falsely advertises many of its pet food products as “natural.” 

The class action lawsuit argues Merrick Pet Care advertises its pet food products as being “natural” despite them containing multiple synthetic ingredients, including xanthan gum, pyridoxine hydrochloride and thiamine mononitrate, among others. 

The consumer claims Merrick attempts to capitalize on a growing market for natural products consumers are willing to pay a price premium for. 

“Defendant’s labeling and advertising puts forth a straightforward, material message: the products contain only ingredients that are natural,” the Merrick pet food class action says. 

Wellness Pet Food deceives consumers, class action says 

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Wellness Pet Company in November over claims its “natural” pet food labels are deceptive to consumers. 

The class action lawsuit argues Wellness Pet markets its pet food products as “natural” when the products actually include synthetic ingredients, such as xanthan gum, tricalcium phosphate and pyridoxine hydrochloride.

“Reasonable consumers would understand ‘natural’ to mean free of synthetic substances,” the Wellness Pet class action says. 

Mars Petcare falsely advertises pet foods as ‘natural,’ class action claims

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Mars Petcare US in November over claims the company falsely advertises many of its pet food as “natural.” 

The class action lawsuit argues Mars pet food products advertised as “natural” actually contain multiple synthetic ingredients, including xanthan gum, zinc sulfate and menadione sodium hydrochloride, among others. 

The consumer claims Mars markets many of its pet foods as “natural” to capitalize on a consumer preference to purchase pet food products that do not contain synthetic ingredients. 

“Reasonable consumers would understand Defendant’s labeling to mean that the Products contain only natural ingredients, and not any synthetic substances,” the Mars Petcare class action says. 

Have you been affected by a recent pet food recall or class action? Let us know in the comments.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Earth Rated class action claims pet wipes falsely advertised as plant-based
• Recall initiated for Answers dog food due to potential salmonella, listeria contamination
• Petco class action alleges website not fully accessible to those with vision-related disabilities
• Canine joint support supplements falsely advertised as clinically proven, class action claims