There is another pet food recall in the news, but this one is unique for a couple of reasons. The recall involves a raw diet, specifically the Nature's Variety Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats because it is contaminated with Salmonella. The affected foods from Nature's Variety have a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/1.
This recall is different from two recent recalls because it involves a raw diet. Perhaps even more "noticeable" to me is the fact that the manufacturer of this food has the recall announcement posted on the front page of their web site. A large notice from the CEO of Nature's Variety appears first in a rotating slideshow, urging viewers to learn more about this recall. From the recall notice, here are the affected lots:
- 3 lb chicken medallions (UPC# 7 69949 60130 2) with a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10
- 6 lb chicken patties (UPC# 7 69949 60120 3) with a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10
- 2 lb chicken chubs (UPC# 7 69949 60121 0) with a "Best If Used By" date of 11/10/10
Detailed press release about this recall. (PDF)
Why is this significant? Compared to the Nutro and Wysong recalls from October 2009, where the recall information was buried deep on the manufacturer's sites, essentially hidden unless you went searching for the information. This is a refreshing change. Of course, it is never "good news" to hear about a food recall, but it is a nice change of pace to find the information readily available. Thankfully, this recall stems from just one consumer complaint, and no pets or humans have been infected with Salmonella at the time of this writing.
I heard from one supplier, and this is what he had to say: "Nature's variety was good about getting the word out. They emailed us and followed up with a phone call."
What do you think? Is this a step in the right direction for consumer alerts? Please post your thoughts in the comments.
Have your pets been affected by a pet food recall? Share your story.
Image: Nature's Variety web site screenshot
Comments
You compared this recall to the ones in October 2009. 1 HUGE difference between the two you forgot to mention.
One was for non-threatening mold while this one is for Salmonella. While no one pet has been infected, one is way more serious as the other.
I do not feed any of these diets sadly because I cannot afford it but still you have to look at all the facts before you make claims.
Thank you for your comment – good point – the recall reasons are different and possibly different levels of concern, although I don’t want my pets eating moldy/spoiled food. There are many risks with spoilage.
While the recall reasons are different,* my comparisons were more about how the information is being shared and disseminated with distributors and the public.
In 2007, hundreds-thousands of animals were sick and dying, and the “information chain” about the recall was a mess and broken. While no one ever wants to have a recall, if the company feels that they need to remove their product from the market, whatever the reason, they should be forthright with the information (on their site) for consumers, and have a good plan for alerting their distributors and retailers.
A viewer on the AboutVetMed facebook page is a large pet food supplier/e-retailer. He gave his perspective and a supplier’s comparison of how the information was shared:
Lets face it. Recalls stink. They are never good. If there is a silver lining it is Nature’s Variety has an excellent model for alerting consumers. We were contacted by Nature’s Variety directly within hours. We were also contacted by each distributor we purchased food from.
I believe Nature’s Variety has been very open and transparent about the problem and the steps they are taking to prevent it in the future. I believe this is a very unfortunate incident but NV will do the right thing by taking steps necessary to keep our pet safe.
This is in stark contrast to the recent Wysong recall. Wysong buried the recall information on their web site, did not answer phone calls, and was very defensive when we did contact them. When we finally got in touch with them they claimed they were busy alerting customers and all the necessary contacts were made. Further notification was not necessary. They claimed they were not hiding anything. I personally found that very interesting since we sell Wysong and had not been contacted. Remember we were trying to contact them. We purchase Wysong from three different distributors. None of the distributors were contacted either. Our contact with each distributors was the first they had heard of the situation. – Anthony Holloway, CEO K9Cuisine.com
Thank you for your comments.
*Wysong’s press release states: Higher than target moisture levels have been found in some bags of Wysong dry extruded dog foods manufactured in June, July and August of 2009. High moisture can result in premature spoilage and mold. http://www.wysong.net/moreinfo.php
Although the communication was a vast improvement, none of this should ever happen to us, the American consumer. The number of recalls of products, both for use by humans and for our pets, in the past few years indicates the lack of quality control being done by manufacturers, meat-packing plants, and distributors. American distributors of foreign products are going to have to take some responsibility for testing the items prior to distribution since they obviously cannot trust the Chinese manufacturers. And it’s not just pet food — the toys our animals play with could be coated with lead or other harmful substances as we’ve seen with toys meant for American children. Some testing should be performed here in America prior to distribution… or we should just stop purchasing any foodstuffs or toys of foreign origin. At least we can fine and imprison American manufacturers if their products harm the end-user.
NV seems to be on the right track. Such transparency especially with food product problems permits a pet owner to prevent the ill effects by changing their pet’s food source or lessen them by immediately beginning a correct treatment since the cause of injury would be suggestively known, possibly saving their pet’s life.
Sometimes things “just happen” (accidents). But at the very least, when a company is forthright with a known or even potential hazard, then pet owners, parents, guardians can work on fixing it versus no mention and owners/parents/guardians are left scratching their head. (Definitely a step in the right direction.)
I disagree that mold is less dangerous to dogs than salmonella. Where is the evidence that ANY food mold is not dangerous and the ANY strain of salmonella has harmed a healthy dog?
http://veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/avhc/Medicine/Moldy-food-and-mycotoxins-potential-problems-for-p/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/588596
Though I would follow the FDA’s recall instructions, I am just as puzzled by this recall as the writer on the veterinary public health blog below.
http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2010/02/articles/animals/dogs/raw-food-recall-salmonella/
I am an experienced raw feeder. My dog was not endangered by the poisoned cooked food in 2007 because of this. I have always treated raw pet food just like any other raw meat. I wonder what the initial complaint was about if there was no salmonella in that lot.
From the FDA notice:
“Nature’s Variety became aware of a potential problem after receiving a consumer complaint. Subsequent testing indicated that the lot code related to the consumer complaint tested negative for Salmonella. However, additional subsequent testing found the “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10 to be contaminated with Salmonella.
No pet or human illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this lot code.”
I just hope raw food companies are not needlessly run out of business by zealots that don’t even feed raw food themselves. We are in a deep recession, so do not need more Americans unemployed, and not everyone wants to formulate their own raw diets.
Nature’s Variety is a great company and have been responsive to my ordinary consumer emails in times past. Logically the company owners and directors must care about pets, because raw food diets are not something you would get into if you wanted to make a profit no matter what. While raw food diets are ‘gaining steam’ they are still not mainstream profiteering markets like the convenience foods.
Kudos to Nature’s Variety for being open about their recall!
Other companies, Mars/Nutro, should learn from this example of HOW to build trust with your customers. Nutro still is causing illnesses & Nutro is in complete denial accompanied by lack of any investigation or action.
Not to be off subject, the Wysong recall has been totally cleared up apparently.
Some representatives have the story..
Wysong Direct Phone: 1-877-881-4705