Raw Pet Food Recalled Due To Bird Flu Contamination Risks

With bird flu ever encroaching into human industry, we need to be more vigilant than ever, with this latest recall requiring us to be vigilant for our pets.

Wild Coast Raw, is recalling selections of its frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats due to a potential contamination with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu.

The recall was initiated after bird flu was detected in the pet food by the Oregon Department of Agriculture, as well as the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

According to the FDA website, which listed the recall:

The product, 16oz and 24oz frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats was distributed to pet food retailers in Washington State and Oregon. The product is frozen in a small round white plastic container with a green label. The affected lots are identified by a sticker on the lid with a number of #22660, #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672 and #22664 with a Best Buy date of 12/25. The recall is widened to include any raw material sharing similar production dates and lot codes as #22660 and #22664. These two lot codes were included in the WSDA’s public health alert on 2/14.

If your pet has been fed the now-recalled product, be on the lookout for symptoms of bird flu.

Symptoms for pets include:

Fever, lethargy, low appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs like tremors, stiff body movements, seizures, lack of coordination, or blindness.

If your pet exhibits any of these signs after eating the recalled product, contact a veterinarian.

According to the FDA, no human infections have been identified among people handling raw pet food products. However, people can become infected if pet food that has been contaminated with bird flu comes into contact with a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth.

If you have come into contact with or used the potentially contaminated pet food, thoroughly clean and sanitize all surfaces and utensils, as well as watch for symptoms of bird flu.

Symptoms for humans include:

eye redness or irritation (conjunctivitis), cough, sore throat, sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches, fatigue, fever, trouble breathing, seizures, rash, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

If you discover any of these symptoms after being exposed to bird flu-contaminated pet food, you should contact a doctor as well as your local health department.

How can you tell if your pet food is potentially contaminated?

In a release from WILD COAST, the following lot numbers on the lid list the contaminated batches:

#22660, #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672, and #22664 with a Best Buy date of 12/25. The recall was widened to include any raw material sharing similar production dates and lot codes as #22660 and #22664.

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If you do have any contaminated pet food, here are some tips from the FDA:

• Do not sell or donate the recalled products.
• Do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals.
• Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to immediately and securely discard it to prevent animals and wildlife from consuming the recalled product.
• Contact your place of purchase for a full refund.