Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Sunseed Vita Prima Hedgehog Food recall: Due to potential Salmonella contamination

Recall published 2+ years ago

Due to potential Salmonella contamination

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 also a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products, animal waste, 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
June 21, 2024
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Sunseed Vita Prima
Product type
Pet food & treats
Distribution
Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
UPC codes
087535400604
Reports of harm
To date, there have been no reports of illness.

Products covered by this recall

Hedgehog Food

What the company announced

Vitakraft Sun Seed Inc. of Weston, OH, is voluntarily recalling one lot of Sun Seed Vita Prima Hedgehog Food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella . Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is also a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products, animal waste, or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Vitakraft Sun Seed was notified on June 18, 2024, by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture that Salmonella was detected in an inspection sample of product from Lot Number 417429. The tests which identified the bacteria were part of random testing performed by the State of Minnesota on consumer products, and not prompted by any consumer concerns. To date, there have been no reports of illness.

Products matching the specific lot number below are being recalled:

  • UPC #: 0-87535-40060-4 · DESCRIPTION: Sun Seed Vita Prima Hedgehog Food, 25oz · LOT: 417429 · EXP: 10/18/2025

The package of hedgehog food labeled "Vita Prima" by Sunseed. The package is predominantly yellow and white with a picture of a hedgehog in the bottom left corner. The product is described as "wholesome nutrition" and "all-in-one pellet." Key features highlighted on the package include "vitamin fortified," "highly digestible," and "high in protein." The net weight of the product is 25 ounces (708 grams). The background includes images of grains, emphasizing the wholesome ingredients.

Hedgehogs with Salmonella infections may be lethargic, have bloody or mucoid diarrhea, weight loss, decreased appetite, become dehydrated and/or death. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. This means that the asymptomatic hedgehog my shed the pathogen in its feces for a short period of time or persistently without any other symptoms of illness. As with all pathogens, it is imperative to thoroughly wash hands after handling animals, their food, food dishes and their waste to prevent the transmission of this zoonotic disease. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has any symptoms, please contact your veterinarian for proper supportive care.

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.

Products from the recalled lot were distributed to the following states: FL, IN, IL, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, and VA. Retailers and distributors who received the recalled lots have been contacted and asked to remove these lots from their inventory and shelves.

Consumers who have purchased a product from the recalled lot should discontinue use of the product, handle the remaining product with gloved hands, and wash hands thoroughly after handling the product. The customer may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Customers who have further questions are welcome to contact Customer Service at 1-800-221-6175 Extension 123, Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 5:00pm EST.

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 6 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.

  • 087535400604

Lot or batch code

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

  • 417429

Best-by / use-by date

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

  • 10/18/2025

Package size

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

  • 25 oz
  • 25 ounces
  • 708 grams

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

Sunseed Vita Prima — 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. Watch everyone who ate it for about a week, and call a doctor sooner for a child under five or an adult over 65.
  3. Bag it and bin it, or take it back to the store — do not feed it to pets or livestock either.
  4. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling the pack, and wash any dish, utensil or surface it touched in hot soapy water.

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: The customer may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: Vitakraft Sun Seed Inc. — Consumers: Customer Service, 1-800-221-6175 Extension 123

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 Sunseed Vita Prima pet food & treats recalled?

Due to potential Salmonella contamination Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is also a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products, animal waste, 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 087535400604; lot code 417429; best-by date 10/18/2025. 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: The customer may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and others.

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