Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Blue Ridge Beef Kitten mix pet food recall: Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

Recall published 1+ years ago

Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

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

The hazard: Salmonella contamination

Salmonella is what triggered this notice. The bacteria transfer readily from hands and surfaces, which is why the clean-up matters as much as the disposal.

What the notice says: Salmonella 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: Salmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the United States. It spreads easily from a contaminated product to hands, taps, cloths and other food in the same kitchen.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

The CDC describes salmonellosis as diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps that usually begin between six hours and six days after exposure and last about four to seven days. Most people recover without treatment. Children under five, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to become seriously ill. Seek care for diarrhoea with a high fever, bloody stools, vomiting that stops you keeping liquids down, diarrhoea lasting more than three days, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine, a dry mouth or dizziness when standing.

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
January 3, 2025
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Blue Ridge Beef
Product type
Pet food & treats
Distribution
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia
UPC codes
8542980013436, 854298001436

Products covered by this recall

Kitten mix pet food

What the company announced

STATESVILLE, NC - January 3, 2025- Blue Ridge Beef is recalling 1,350 lbs. of their 2 1b log Kitten Mix Lot N25-0716 UPC 8542980013436 due to a contamination of Salmonella . (Lot numbers are stamped in the clips on the end of the chubs/bags).

Salmonella 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 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.

Due to a customer complaint of animal illness, a sample of the product was collected on 12/12/2024 by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources and tested by the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory. The sampled product tested positive for Salmonella .

On 01/03/2025 the firm was notified by the FDA that the product tested positive for Salmonella .

The products were distributed between July 18, 2024 to July 26, 2024. The product is packaged in clear plastic and sold primarily in retail stores located in the States of: Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania. Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York . Image of product below:

Products affected are:

  • Product: Kitten Mix · Size: 2 1b · UPC: 854298001436 · Lot Number: N25-0716

Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return to place of purchase or 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. For more information contact [email protected] or 704-873-2072.

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 4 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.

  • 8542980013436
  • 854298001436

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • N25-0716

Package size

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

  • 350 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 Salmonella

Blue Ridge Beef — Salmonella is what triggered this notice. The bacteria transfer readily from hands and surfaces, which is why the clean-up matters as much as the disposal.

  1. Stop eating the product and keep it away from anything ready to eat.
  2. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling the pack, and wash any dish, utensil or surface it touched in hot soapy water.
  3. If you repackaged or froze it, check the freezer too. Salmonella is not killed by freezing.
  4. Watch everyone who ate it for about a week, and call a doctor sooner for a child under five or an adult over 65.

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 this product are urged to return to place of purchase or destroy the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access.

Company contact: Blue Ridge Beef — Consumers: 704-873-2072, [email protected]

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 to be contaminated with Salmonella Salmonella 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 8542980013436, 854298001436; lot code N25-0716. 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?

Stop eating the product and keep it away from anything ready to eat.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return to place of purchase or destroy the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia.

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