Expanded Bravo Packing Recall

 Bravo Packing, Inc. Expands Previously Announced Voluntary Recall of Pet Food Products Due to Potential Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes Health Risks to Humans and Animals

Link to FDA Page, click here

Summary

Company Announcement Date: March 16, 2021

FDA Publish Date: March 16, 2021

Product Type: Animal & Veterinary

Food & Beverages

Pet Food

Foodborne Illness

Reason for Announcement: Due to Potential Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes

Company Name: Bravo Packing, Inc.

Brand Name: Bravo Packing, Inc.

Product Description: Pet food: Performance Dog, beef, green tripe, and bone

Company Announcement

Bravo Packing, Inc. of Carneys Point, NJ is expanding the previously announced voluntary recall of two pet food products to now include all pet food and bones in all package sizes. During an FDA inspection, samples collected tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes and resulted in a recall due to the potential health risks to humans and pets.  Bravo Packing, Inc. is expanding the recall due to potential cross contamination. (Full list of products below.)

Salmonella can cause illness in pets eating the products, as well as people who handle contaminated pet food products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products, infected pets, or any surfaces exposed to these products. People infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis (an infection of the heart muscle), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. People who have these symptoms after having contact with the products identified in this recall or with a pet that has eaten these products should contact their healthcare providers. A pet with a Salmonella infection may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. If your pet has consumed the recalled products and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. Pets exposed to contaminated food can be infected without showing symptoms. Infected pets, including those without symptoms, can also shed Salmonella through their feces and saliva, spreading pathogens into the home environment and to humans and other animals nearby.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

No human or animal illnesses related to the identified products have been reported to date.

Bravo Packing Inc. generally works with distributors that fill orders to retail stores and to consumers directly nationwide.

Consumers with any of the affected products should handle them with caution, discard products in a secure container, and wash hands and surfaces properly. Consumers with questions should contact Bravo Packing, Inc. at 856-299-1044 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM-2:00 PM, EST).

Recalled Products:

Pet Food Product Names	Size
“Performance Dog” (chub) frozen raw dog food	2 lbs.
“Performance Dog” (chub) frozen raw dog food	5 lbs.
“Green Tripe” (chub - ground bovine stomach) frozen raw dog food	2 lbs.
“Green Tripe” (chub - ground bovine stomach) frozen raw dog food	5 lbs.
“Beef” (chub - ground) frozen raw dog food	2 lbs.
“Beef” (chub - ground)frozen raw dog food	5 lbs.
“Performance Dog” (patties) frozen raw dog food	unknown
“Tripe” (patties ¼ lbs.) frozen raw dog food	unknown
Bones (smoked) 14 varieties	unknown

Link to Initial Press Release

Company Contact Information

Consumers:

Bravo Packing, Inc., Joe Merola

 856-299-1044

Product Photos

Bravo Packing, Inc. Recalls All Performance Dog and Ground Beef Raw Pet Food

Original FDA Page

Bravo Packing, Inc. Recalls All Performance Dog and Ground Beef Raw Pet Food Because of Possible Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes Health Risk to Humans and Animals

Summary

Company Announcement Date:  March 03, 2021

FDA Publish Date: March 03, 2021

Product Type: Animal & Veterinary, Food & Beverages, Pet Food, Foodborne Illness

Reason for Announcement: Potential for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes

Company Name: Bravo Packing, Inc.

Brand Name: Bravo Packing, Inc.

Product Description: Ground Beef and Performance Dog, frozen raw pet food

Company Announcement

Bravo Packing, Inc. of Carneys Point, NJ is recalling all Ground Beef and Performance Dog, a frozen raw pet food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Salmonella can cause illness in animals eating the products, as well as people who handle contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products, infected animals or any surfaces exposed to these products.  Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, server headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis (an infection of the heart muscle), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. People who have these symptoms after having contact with this product or an animal that has eaten this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Pets exposed to contaminated food can be infected without showing symptoms. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. Infected animals including those without symptoms, can also shed Salmonella through their feces and saliva, spreading pathogens into the home environment and to humans and other animals in the household.

No human or animal illnesses have been reported to date.

Bravo Packing, Inc. is voluntarily recalling the products after samples of Performance Dog and a sample of Ground Beef were collected during an FDA inspection, tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

Performance Dog generally works with the distributor located in Brooklyn, New York, that fills orders to brick-and-mortar retail stores or to consumers directly nationwide.

Performance Dog and Ground Beef both come frozen in 2-pound and 5-pound plastic sleeves. If you have an Ground Beef or Performance Dog, please throw it away. Consumers with questions should contact Bravo Packing, Inc. at 856-299-1044 (Monday – Friday, 9:00AM-2:00PM, EST).

Company Contact Information

Consumers:

Bravo Packing, Inc., Joe Merola

 856-299-1044

Product Photos

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The Recall System Is Putting You At Risk

by Life's Abundance 

Blog entry from 1/28/2021

Behind the scenes here at Life’s Abundance, when the alert of a recent pet food brand’s recall due to deadly levels of aflatoxin first hit our inbox, there was a sense of urgency to spread the news. At that point, the death of 28 dogs was being reported by the FDA and the media hadn’t picked it up yet.  A meal time had already passed since the notice was posted, and another one was approaching. Unsuspecting pet parents not fortunate enough to sign up to have these alerts delivered to their inbox were about to dip into potentially contaminated bags to feed their beloved dogs.

Eventually, the news media began broadcasting the story. Sadly, dozens more dogs being fed the recalled food died. As of this writing, the investigation is still ongoing with over 110 deaths reported.

Now, a few short weeks later, another pet food brand issued a recall in an overseas market due to excess levels of Vitamin D. The steps being taken in both cases bring the inherent problems of the recall system into relief. They also illustrate the unmatched value built into the Life’s Abundance way of doing business.

The Media Fallacy

Relying on the media for recall information is inherently problematic. Unless the problem is big enough to have harmed a large number of people or pets, most consumers will never hear about a recall. Of the dozens of recalls and product withdrawals in the U.S. each year, how many do you remember hearing about? The ones that make the headlines tend to have caused widespread illness, whether in people or pets. Even then, you need to be at the right place at the right time to catch the information.

The Full Time Approach

A brand with a problematic product surely is aware of the issue. The question is whether they have a system in place to communicate it out to customers. If they do have a system in place, chances are they don’t know who you are - your purchase was likely made through a retailer so they have no way to contact you. Taking the step of signing up for news alerts for each brand you have in your home might catch recall news and deliver it to you. Is that a practical approach? With dozens of brands represented in your pantry, refrigerator and bathroom, probably not. Is it a surefire way to hear about a recall? Odds are slim unless the brand has a system in place to push out an alert to subscribers, and has committed to do so. Keeping tabs on the brands you buy could amount to a full time job.

The Point of Sale

A flyer posted on the bulletin board at retail locations is sure to reach a lot of people.  But is it reaching the right people? If you buy your supplements from a specialty store, or your dog food from a pet supply store, it’s unlikely you will return to that shop until you’ve used up the product that may be the subject of the recall notice. And now, at a time when grocery delivery services are being used, visits by consumers are a fraction of what they were - meaning they’ll never see that sign on the register or bulletin board.

Trust The Brand You Choose

At Life’s Abundance we love pragmatic innovation, and the troubled recall system outlined above got our attention decades ago. There has to be a better way, we thought. That’s when we committed to a quick notification system. To explain, because of our direct relationship with consumers, combined with our controlled manufacturing, we know which consumer received which product, down to the lot number. In the event there is ever an issue with a product, our proactive communications system allows us to reach 6,000 people by phone in just one hour ensuring that we can contact all affected customers quickly. We can also reach them by email and through the mail.

As consumers, parents and pet parents ourselves, we understand that deciding to buy a product can feel like a leap of faith. With Life’s Abundance, that leap is backed by our commitment to provide you with safe, high-quality products and, importantly, a system to follow through on that commitment. When it comes to the safety of the ones we love, peace of mind is certainly a measure of a product’s value. Combine that with thoughtful formulation, exceptional quality and rigorous safety measures, and you’ve got a win on your hands.

Midwestern Pet Foods Voluntarily Expands Recall

 Original FDA link, click here

 Midwestern Pet Foods Voluntarily Expands Recall of Pet Food for Aflatoxin Health Risk

Summary

Company Announcement Date:

January 11, 2021

FDA Publish Date:

January 11, 2021

Product Type:

Animal & Veterinary
Food & Beverages
Pet Food

Reason for Announcement:

Aflatoxin Levels Exceed Acceptable Levels

Company Name:

Midwestern Pet Foods Inc.

Brand Name:

Sportmix, Nunn Better, ProPac, and Others

Product Description:

Dog and Cat Pet Food

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Company Announcement

Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc., of Evansville, IN is expanding its December 30, 2020 voluntary recall of certain dog and cat food products produced in our Chickasha Operations Facility to include all dog and cat pet food products made with corn products because those products may contain aflatoxin levels which exceed acceptable limits. Products were distributed nationally to online distributors and retail stores nationwide. Midwestern Pet Foods is expanding its voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution to help protect the health and safety of pets. The products recalled cover all that expire on or before July 9, 2022, depicted as “07/09/22” in the date code on the product, as discussed below. Products with expiration dates after 07/09/22 are not included in the recall.

Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, which can grow on corn and other grains used as ingredients in pet food. At high levels, aflatoxin can cause illness and death in pets.

There have been reports of illnesses and deaths in dogs associated with certain lots of products. No human illnesses have been reported. Out of an abundance of caution, we have expanded this recall to cover all corn products containing pet foods with expiration dates prior to 07/09/22.

If your pet shows signs of aflatoxin poisoning including sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes, gums, or skin due to liver damage), and/or diarrhea, contact a veterinarian immediately. Provide a full diet history to your veterinarian. It may be helpful to take a picture of the pet food label, including the lot number and best buy date.

Lot code information may be found on the back of bag and will appear in a three‐line code, with the top line in format “EXP 03/03/22/05/L#/B###/HH:MM”.

As explained above, this recall covers ONLY product manufactured at Midwestern Pet Food’s Chickasha, Oklahoma facility. Note that the unique Chickasha Facility identifier is located in the date code as a
“05” and “REG. OK‐PFO‐0005” at the end of the date code.

In addition, the only Midwestern Pet Foods facility that produces product bearing a three‐line date code is our Chickasha Facility (See first image below).

Retailers and distributors should immediately pull recalled lots from their inventory and shelves. Do not sell or donate the recalled products. Retailers are encouraged to contact consumers who have purchased the recalled products, if you have the means to do so (frequent buyer cards, etc.).

Pet parents: do not feed the recalled products to your pets or any other animals. Destroy the food in a way that children, pets and wildlife cannot access them. Wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers. Always ensure you wash and sanitize hands after handling recalled food or any utensils which have contacted recalled food. Contact Midwestern Pet Foods Consumer Affairs at 800‐474‐4163, ext. 455 from 7AM to 4PM Central Time, Monday through Friday, or by email at info@midwesternpetfoods.com for additional information.

This voluntary recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. All other Midwestern Pet Foods products are unaffected by this recall action.

Recalled products are as follows, with lot codes found in Expanded Recall Lot Numbers:

• Pro Pac Adult Mini Chunk
• Pro Pac Performance Puppy
• Splash Fat Cat 32%
• Nunn Better Maintenance
• Sportstrail 50
• Sportmix Original Cat 15
• Sportmix Original Cat 31
• Sportmix Maintenance 44
• Sportmix Maintenance 50
• Sportmix High Protein 50
• Sportmix Energy Plus 44
• Sportmix Energy Plus 50
• Sportmix Stamina 44
• Sportmix Stamina 50
• Sportmix Bite Size 40
• Sportmix Bite Size 44
• Sportmix High Energy 44
• Sportmix High Energy 50
• Sportmix Premium Puppy 16.5
• Sportmix Premium Puppy 33

 

Original Press Release

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Company Contact Information

Consumers:

Midwestern Pet Foods Consumer Affairs

 800‐474‐4163, ext. 455

 info@midwesternpetfoods.com

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Life's Abundance Pet Food - Why Consumers Trust Us

Why Consumers Trust Life's Abundance Pet Food

from the Life's Abundance Blog 7/1/19

NOTE: Life’s Abundance is not the subject of any FDA investigations or cases of DCM.

The FDA’s June 27 update linking 16 dog food brands to reports of the canine heart disease dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has pet parents understandably concerned. Our hearts go out to affected families, and we’re happy to address your questions about our brand.

Our Purpose is YOU

At Life’s Abundance we are fueled by our passion for helping families, including pets, live longer, happier, healthier lives. You and your family are at the top of our minds as we develop products, select ingredients, choose suppliers and answer your questions.

If you already feed your companion Life’s Abundance food, thank you for placing your trust in us. If you or someone you know is considering making a switch, we hope you will choose Life’s Abundance.

Our way of thinking sets us apart, but it doesn’t end there.

• Authenticity. We don’t buy into fads and marketing gimmicks. Our formulas are based on proven science and evolve only when research confirms that an adjustment will provide a nutritional benefit. In fact, because we are proactive in our approach, we were among the first to include guaranteed probiotics in our foods.
• Guaranteed Taurine. We guarantee minimum amounts of taurine in all of our dry dog foods. Though this nutrient is not required by AAFCO, we have always seen it as an important and beneficial supplement in our dog foods.
• Regular Testing. We regularly test all of our dry foods. Some tests are standard protocol and some go above and beyond standard requirements. For example, after a 2018 FDA report indicated there may be a link between DCM and taurine deficiency, we re-tested taurine levels in all of our dry dog food diets. Then, later that year we re-tested Vitamin D after a series of recalls due to an excess of this nutrient. In all cases, we remain vigilant about the safety of our products.
• Proven Results. For two decades families like yours have trusted us to provide the best nutrition for their pets. Generations of dogs and cats have thrived on our products and thousands of pet parents have shared their experience through reviews we can be proud of.
• Feeding Trials in Process. We recognize the importance of standardized, scientific testing and the value of Feeding Trials and we are underway with the process to trial all of our dry dog foods.
• Quick Notification System. We are proud of the fact that we have never had a recall. But, what we are most thrilled with is our Quick Notification System. Unlike most brands, because we have a direct relationship with customers, in the event there is ever an issue with a product, we will be able to notify consumers immediately. Rather than waiting to hear about a problem in the news, from a friend, or never hearing about it all, Life’s Abundance will contact you directly by email, phone or even mail. That’s a level of service you simply can’t get anywhere else.

As a company and as pet parents ourselves, news of events like DCM makes us pause to acknowledge what it means to be based on a foundation of integrity, and to appreciate those families whose well being our products support.

Be assured, we are monitoring this investigation closely and will provide updates as they become available.

Dog Food Recall - Hill’s Pet Nutrition Voluntarily Recalls Select Canned Dog Food for Excessive Vitamin D

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Voluntarily Recalls Select Canned Dog Food for Excessive Vitamin D

The official FDA link for this recall is below

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm630232.htm

When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Visit their site https://www.hillspet.com/productlist

See Photos Below or Click Here 

For Immediate Release

January 31, 2019

Contact

Consumers

Hill’s Consumer Affairs
 contactus@hillspet.com 
 1-800-445-5777

Media

Karen Shenoy
 contactus@hillspet.com 
 785-221-1187

Announcement

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is voluntarily recalling select canned dog food products due to potentially elevated levels of vitamin D. While vitamin D is an essential nutrient for dogs, ingestion of elevated levels can lead to potential health issues depending on the level of vitamin D and the length of exposure, and dogs may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling, and weight loss. Vitamin D, when consumed at very high levels, can lead to serious health issues in dogs including renal dysfunction. Pet parents with dogs who have consumed any of the products listed and are exhibiting any of these signs should contact their veterinarian. In most cases, complete recovery is expected after discontinuation of feeding.

In the United States, the affected canned dog foods were distributed through retail pet stores and veterinary clinics nationwide.  No dry foods, cat foods, or treats are affected.

Pet parents who purchased the product with the specific lot/date codes listed should discontinue feeding and dispose of those products immediately or return unopened product to your retailer for a refund.   For more information, please contact Hill’s via our website or at 1-800-445-5777.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition learned of the potential for elevated vitamin D levels in some of our canned dog foods after receiving a complaint in the United States about a dog exhibiting signs of elevated vitamin D levels.  Our investigation confirmed elevated levels of vitamin D due to a supplier error. 

We care deeply about all pets and are committed to providing pet parents with safe and high quality products.  Hill’s has identified and isolated the error and, to prevent this from happening again, we have required our supplier to implement additional quality testing prior to their release of ingredients.  In addition to our existing safety processes, we are adding our own further testing of incoming ingredients. 

For further information, please contact Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. at 1-800-445-5777 Monday-Friday during the hours of 9am-5pm (CST) or at contactus@hillspet.com.  Information can also be found at

www.hillspet.com/productlist

This voluntary recall only impacts canned dog food and primarily in the United States. It is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Impacted products outside of the United States will be subject to separate notices on the country-specific website.  If you are outside of the United States, please check your own country’s Hill’s website for more information.

Product Name	SKU Number	Lot Code/Date Code
Hill's® Prescription Diet® c/d® Multicare Canine Chicken & Vegetable Stew 12.5oz	3384	102020T10
		102020T25
Hill's® Prescription Diet® i/d® Canine Chicken & Vegetable Stew 12.5oz	3389	102020T04
		102020T10
		102020T19
		102020T20
Hill's® Prescription Diet® i/d® Canine Chicken & Vegetable Stew 5.5oz	3390	102020T11
		112020T23
		122020T07
Hill's® Prescription Diet® z/d® Canine 5.5oz	5403	102020T17
		112020T22
Hill's® Prescription Diet® g/d® Canine 13oz	7006	112020T19
		112020T20
Hill's® Prescription Diet® i/d® Canine 13oz	7008	092020T30
		102020T07
		102020T11
		112020T22
		112020T23
Hill's® Prescription Diet® j/d® Canine 13oz	7009	112020T20
Hill's® Prescription Diet® k/d® Canine 13oz	7010	102020T10
		102020T11
Hill's® Prescription Diet® w/d® Canine 13oz	7017	092020T30
		102020T11
		102020T12
Hill's® Prescription Diet® z/d® Canine 13oz	7018	102020T04
		112020T22
Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic + Mobility Canine Vegetable & Tuna Stew 12.5oz	10086	102020T05
		102020T26
Hill's® Prescription Diet® w/d® Canine Vegetable & Chicken Stew 12.5oz	10129	102020T04
		102020T21
Hill's® Prescription Diet® i/d® Low Fat Canine Rice, Vegetable & Chicken Stew 12.5oz	10423	102020T17
		102020T19
		112020T04
Hill's® Prescription Diet® Derm Defense® Canine Chicken & Vegetable Stew 12.5oz	10509	102020T05
Hill's® Science Diet® Adult 7+ Small & Toy Breed Chicken & Barley Entrée Dog Food 5.8oz	4969	102020T18
Hill's® Science Diet® Puppy Chicken & Barley Entrée 13oz	7036	102020T12
Hill's® Science Diet® Adult Chicken & Barley Entrée Dog Food 13oz	7037	102020T13
		102020T14
		112020T23
		112020T24
Hill's® Science Diet® Adult Turkey & Barley Dog Food 13oz	7038	102020T06
Hill's® Science Diet® Adult Chicken & Beef Entrée Dog Food 13oz	7040	102020T13
Hill's® Science Diet® Adult Light with Liver Dog Food 13oz	7048	112020T19
Hill's® Science Diet® Adult 7+ Chicken & Barley Entrée Dog Food 13oz	7055	092020T31
		102020T13
Hill's® Science Diet® Adult 7+ Beef & Barley Entrée Dog Food 13oz	7056	092020T31
		112020T20
		112020T24
Hill's® Science Diet® Adult 7+ Turkey & Barley Entrée 13oz	7057	112020T19
Hill's® Science Diet® Adult 7+ Healthy Cuisine Braised Beef, Carrots & Peas Stew dog food 12.5oz	10452	102020T14
		102020T21
Hill's® Science Diet® Adult 7+ Youthful Vitality Chicken & Vegetable Stew dog food 12.5oz	10763	102020T04
		102020T05
		112020T11

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Follow FDA

Product Photos

The official FDA link for this recall is below

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm630232.htm