Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Blue Ridge Beef Kitten Grind, Kitten Mix, and Puppy Mix recall: Potential contamination of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes

Recall published 2+ years ago

Potential contamination of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes

Blue Ridge Beef Pet food & treats — recalled pet food & treatsBlue Ridge Beef Pet food & treats — recalled pet food & treats (photo 2)Blue Ridge Beef Pet food & treats — recalled pet food & treats (photo 3)Blue Ridge Beef Pet food & treats — recalled pet food & treats (photo 4)
4 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Listeria contamination

This is a Listeria recall, so the usual kitchen tests do not apply — the bacteria grow in a cold fridge and leave no smell, no cloudiness and no off taste.

What the notice says: Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Why it matters: Listeria monocytogenes is unusual among foodborne bacteria because it keeps growing at refrigerator temperature. A contaminated pack does not become safer for sitting in the cold, and it will look, smell and taste completely normal.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Listeriosis is mild or silent in most healthy adults, but it is serious for pregnant people, newborns, adults over 65 and anyone whose immune system is suppressed. The CDC describes intestinal illness as diarrhoea and vomiting, and invasive illness as fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions. In pregnancy it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or infection in the newborn even when the parent feels only mildly unwell. Symptoms can start within a day or not appear for weeks, so tell any doctor you see that you ate a recalled product and give them the date.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
December 22, 2023
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Blue Ridge Beef
Product type
Pet food & treats
Distribution
Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin
UPC codes
854298001016, 854298001436, 854298001696, 854298002436
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date.

Products covered by this recall

Kitten Grind, Kitten Mix, and Puppy Mix

What the company announced

A previous version of this press release was issued on 12/22/2023. This press release was updated to include all states that may have received the recalled product lot numbers.

STATESVILLE, NC – January 3, 2024 – Blue Ridge Beef is expanding their recall to include additional lot numbers. This recall includes all lot numbers and used by dates between N24 1114 to N24 1224 of their 2 lb log of Kitten Grind UPC 8 54298 00101 6; 2lb log of Kitten Mix UPC 8 54298 00143 6 and their 2lb log of Puppy Mix UPC 8 54298 00169 6 due to contamination of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes . Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

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, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella and Listeria infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

On 12/15/2023 the firm was notified by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services that one lot of each of the products were sampled and tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes . However, out of an abundance of caution the firm is recalling all lots with the used by dates between N24 1114 to N24 1224.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The products were distributed between 11/14/2023 – 12/20/2023. These products were packaged in clear plastic and sold primarily in retail stores located in the states of: CT, FL, IA, IL, MA, MD, MI, NC, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, VA & WI. Image of the products are below.

Products affected are:

  • Product: Kitten Grind · Size: 2lbs · UPC: 8 54298 00101 6 · All Lot #/Use By Dates Between: N24 1114 to N24 1224
  • Product: Kitten Mix · Size: 2lbs · UPC: 8 54298 00243 6 · All Lot #/Use By Dates Between: N24 1114 to N24 1224
  • Product: Puppy Mix · Size: 2lbs · UPC: 8 54298 00169 6 · All Lot #/Use By Dates Between: N24 1114 to N24 1224

The lot numbers and used by dates are located on the silver tabs at the end of the tubes.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to contact Blue Ridge Beef at [email protected] for a full refund and destroy the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access. Do not sell or donate the recalled products. Do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals. Wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers. Always ensure you wash and sanitize your hands after handling recalled food or any utensils that come in contact with recalled food. Consumers with questions may contact Mr. Steven Lea at (704) 880-4500 Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm EST.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 7 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 854298001016
  • 854298001436
  • 854298001696
  • 854298002436

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • N24 1114

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 2 lb
  • 2 lbs

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Listeria

Blue Ridge Beef — This is a Listeria recall, so the usual kitchen tests do not apply — the bacteria grow in a cold fridge and leave no smell, no cloudiness and no off taste.

  1. Do not eat it and do not open a sealed pack to inspect it — opening it only spreads the bacteria around your kitchen.
  2. If anyone in the household is pregnant, over 65 or immunocompromised, call a clinician for advice even if nobody feels ill. That conversation is quick and it is the whole point of a Listeria recall.
  3. Photograph the label, the lot code and the date mark before the pack leaves the house — that picture is what a refund claim runs on.
  4. Throw it out in a sealed bag, or return it to the store. Either is accepted; what matters is that nobody else eats it.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to contact Blue Ridge Beef at [email protected] for a full refund and destroy the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access.

Company contact: Blue Ridge Beef — Consumers: Mr. Steven Lea, 704-880-4500

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Blue Ridge Beef pet food & treats recalled?

Potential contamination of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 854298001016, 854298001436, 854298001696; best-by date N24 1114. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Do not eat it and do not open a sealed pack to inspect it — opening it only spreads the bacteria around your kitchen.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to contact Blue Ridge Beef at [email protected] for a full refund and destroy the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and others.

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