The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning concerning certain lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, a popular brand of raw pet food. FDA testing of several Darwin’s Natural Pet Products samples revealed the presence of harmful bacteria, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Specifically, five samples were positive for Salmonella, and an additional sample tested positive for both Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono). This alarming discovery prompts an immediate call to action for pet owners who feed their companions Darwin’s Natural Food.
The affected products are Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats and Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Dogs. These items are sold frozen in 2-pound packages and distributed through a subscription service, primarily online. The FDA strongly advises consumers to check their freezers for the specific lot numbers detailed below and to refrain from feeding these products to their pets under any circumstances.
Despite the FDA’s recommendation for a recall of all six implicated lots, Arrow Reliance, Inc., the manufacturer, has not yet initiated a recall. This lack of action heightens the urgency for pet owners to be vigilant and proactive in ensuring the safety of their pets. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully examine any Darwin’s Natural Selection Antibiotic & Grain-Free products you may possess against the affected lot numbers before considering feeding them to your beloved animals.
Should you find that you have any of the pet food lots listed below, the FDA’s guidance is clear: dispose of it immediately in a secure container, preventing access to pets and wildlife. Do not donate the contaminated food. Furthermore, it is essential to thoroughly clean and disinfect all pet supplies and surfaces that may have come into contact with the food or your pet to prevent the spread of these dangerous bacteria.
Both Salmonella and L. mono pose a significant health risk to both animals and humans. If you or your pet exhibit symptoms of infection, seek medical or veterinary attention promptly. Detailed information on symptoms for both humans and pets is provided in the sections below.
Product Details of Recalled Darwin’s Natural Food
The potentially contaminated Darwin’s Natural Food is packaged in 2-pound white and clear plastic bags, each containing four individual units. The dog food packaging features blue labeling, while the cat food utilizes a blue and green color scheme. Crucially, the lot codes, which are essential for identifying the affected products, are printed on the front of the lower left unit of each package.
Here is a definitive list of the Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe products and their corresponding lot codes that are under FDA advisory:
- 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
Immediate Actions for Pet Owners with Darwin’s Natural Food
If you possess any Darwin’s Natural Selections pet food matching the product descriptions and lot codes provided, it is imperative to stop feeding it to your pets immediately. Dispose of the food in a securely sealed container to prevent unintended consumption by animals, including wildlife. Remember, these products should not be donated or given away under any circumstances.
Locate the product lot codes on the front of the lower left unit of the packaging. Even if you have discarded the packaging but suspect the food might be from the affected lots, err on the side of caution and dispose of the food.
For households that have had these Darwin’s Natural Food products, thorough cleaning and disinfection are crucial. Use a disinfectant suitable for pet environments to clean all pet supplies. This includes food storage containers, food and water bowls, utensils, food preparation surfaces, pet bedding, litter boxes, toys, floors, and any other surfaces that might have contacted the food or your pet. Special attention should be paid to cleaning refrigerators or freezers where the food was stored, as described in this CDC guide. Additionally, promptly and carefully clean up pet feces in areas accessible to people or other animals. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling the pet food or cleaning potentially contaminated items and surfaces.
Understanding Salmonella and Its Dangers
Salmonella is a bacterium widely recognized for its ability to cause illness, and in severe cases, death in both humans and animals. The risks are particularly heightened for vulnerable populations such as the very young, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Salmonella infection in humans typically manifests as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. While most individuals recover without specific treatment, severe cases can necessitate hospitalization due to dehydration. In such instances, the infection can spread beyond the intestines into the bloodstream and other organs if not promptly addressed. If you experience these symptoms, it is essential to consult your healthcare provider.
Pets infected with Salmonella may not always exhibit obvious symptoms. However, potential signs include vomiting, diarrhea (possibly bloody), fever, reduced appetite, and lethargy. If your pet displays any of these symptoms, immediate veterinary attention is recommended. It is also important to recognize that infected pets can shed Salmonella bacteria in their feces even when they appear healthy, posing a continued risk of environmental contamination and potential infection for humans and other animals.
Understanding Listeria monocytogenes and Its Risks
Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono) is another bacterium that presents significant health concerns for both humans and animals. It is particularly dangerous for pregnant individuals, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. The CDC notes that listeriosis in humans can present with a diverse range of symptoms, including headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, in addition to more common symptoms like fever and muscle aches.
Pregnant women often experience only mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, Listeria infection during pregnancy carries severe risks, including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and life-threatening infections in newborns. The CDC provides further information on risk factors associated with listeriosis for pregnant women, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals here. Anyone experiencing symptoms of listeriosis should seek medical advice immediately.
While less common in pets, L. mono infections are possible. Symptoms in pets can range from mild to severe diarrhea, anorexia, fever, neurological signs, muscle weakness, respiratory distress, pregnancy loss, depression, shock, and even death. Similar to Salmonella, pets can shed L. mono in their feces and saliva without showing any signs of illness, contributing to household contamination and potential transmission to humans.
Why is the FDA Concerned About Salmonella and L. mono in Pet Food?
The presence of Salmonella and L. mono in pet food, especially in brands like Darwin’s Natural Food, is a serious public health concern because of the potential for illness in both pets and humans. Pets can become sick from consuming contaminated food and can also act as carriers, shedding bacteria and infecting humans without showing symptoms themselves. The FDA has documented cases of human and animal illnesses linked to Salmonella-contaminated pet foods, as highlighted in these FDA reports: Salmonella-human cases, Salmonella-kitten, Salmonella-kitten, dog. Although direct pet food to human L. mono transmission cases are less documented, the risk remains significant. Once these bacteria colonize a pet’s gastrointestinal tract, they can be shed through feces, leading to ongoing environmental contamination and potential spread. Therefore, proper cleanup of pet waste and home disinfection are critical.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act mandates that pet food, like human food, must be safe, produced under sanitary conditions, free from harmful substances, and truthfully labeled. It’s important to note that neither refrigeration nor freezing effectively eliminates Salmonella or L. mono, underscoring the importance of discarding contaminated products.
Reporting Pet Illnesses Related to Darwin’s Natural Food
If you suspect your pet has become ill after consuming contaminated Darwin’s Natural Food, your first step should be to consult with your veterinarian. Veterinarians wanting to test pets for Salmonella and L. mono, especially in households with human cases of these infections, can utilize the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN Network).
Consumers are also encouraged to report any complaints regarding pet food products electronically via the FDA’s Safety Reporting Portal. For assistance with submitting a report, consumers can also use the SmartHub – Safety Intake Portal – Report a Product Problem (fda.gov).
For Further Information
For more details and updates regarding this situation, please refer to official releases from the FDA and resources from the CDC on Salmonella and Listeria.
