Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Blue Ridge Beef Natural Mix recall: Salmonella contamination

Recall published 1+ years ago

Salmonella contamination

Blue Ridge Beef Pet food & treats — recalled pet food & treats
Photo published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Salmonella contamination

The hazard here is Salmonella contamination, a bacterial infection that is usually unpleasant rather than dangerous, but which hits young children and older adults much harder.

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 31, 2025
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Blue Ridge Beef
Product type
Pet food & treats
Distribution
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia
UPC codes
854298001054

Products covered by this recall

Natural Mix

What the company announced

“This is a correction to the company’s press release, previously issued on January 31, 2025, to identify the correct lot number.”

STATESVILLE, NC – February 5, 2025 – Blue Ridge Beef is recalling 5,700 lbs. of their 2 lb log Natural Mix due to a contamination of Salmonella . Lot # N25/12/31 (Lot numbers are stamped in the clips on the end of the chubs/bags) UPC# 854298001054.

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.

Samples of the product was collected on 01/08/25 by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and tested by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Food and Drug Protection Laboratory. The product tested positive for Salmonella .

On 01/27/2025 the firm was notified by the FDA that the product tested positive for Salmonella .

The products were distributed between January 3/2025 to January 24/2025. 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 State, Tennessee, Rhode Island. Image of product below:

Products affected are:

  • Product: Natural Mix · Size: 2 lb · UPC: 854298001054 · Lot Numbers: N25/12/31 (lot)

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.

  • 854298001054

Lot or batch code

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

  • N25/12/31

Package size

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

  • 700 lbs
  • 2 lb

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 — The hazard here is Salmonella contamination, a bacterial infection that is usually unpleasant rather than dangerous, but which hits young children and older adults much harder.

  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.

Refunds, and what else you can claim

The purchase price is the floor, not the ceiling. Where a recall caused you a real cost, say so.

  • Claim the refund at the store first; it is the fastest route and needs the least paperwork.
  • If you bought several packs over time, list them. Firms routinely settle for more than a single unit when a customer asks.
  • Medical costs, lost earnings or a spoiled event are not handled at the service desk. Write to the company contact on this page instead, with dates and documents.
  • Keep copies of everything you send. If a recall caused harm, that file is what any later claim rests on.

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?

Salmonella contamination 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 854298001054; lot code N25/12/31. 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 Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia.

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