Blue Ridge Beef Issues a Recall of Blue Ridge Beef Natural Mix Due to Salmonella Contamination
On January 31, 2025, Blue Ridge Dog Food announced a recall of a popular brand of their Natural Mix dog food due to Salmonella contamination. iHeartDogs has gathered information from all available resources to provide you, our trusted readers, with all the details so you can keep you and your dog safe. While recalls are always to be taken seriously, they do happen. It is important to read all of the details before making any decisions about a specific brand. Some recalls are voluntary, and while we wish there was greater oversight by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we applaud the brands that choose to take these types of steps for the safety of our beloved dogs.
Summary of the Recall
-
Company Announcement Date: January 31, 2025
- FDA Publish Date:
- Product Type:
- Animal & Veterinary
Food & Beverages
Pet Food
Foodborne Illness - Reason for Announcement: Salmonella contamination
- Company Name: Blue Ridge Beef
- Brand Name: Blue Ridge Beef
- Product Description: Natural Mix
Company Announcement:
STATESVILLE, NC – January 31, 2025—Blue Ridge Beef is recalling 5,700 lbs. of their 2 lb log Natural Mix due to Salmonella contamination. 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 humans are at risk 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 only have 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.
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture collected samples of the product on 01/08/25 and tested them 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, and Rhode Island. Image of the product below:
Products affected are:
|
Product |
Size |
UPC |
Lot Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Natural Mix |
2 lb |
854298001054 |
N26/12/31 (lot) |
What Should You Do
Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return to the 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 blueridgebeefnc@yahoo.com or 704-873-2072.
This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.
Salmonella: What You Need to Know
Symptoms of Salmonella Infection in Dogs
Dogs who have salmonellosis may be totally asymptomatic, giving no sign at all that they’re infected. Dogs who do have symptoms may show a range depending on how severe the infection is. If they exhibit symptoms, they’ll likely begin showing any of the following within the first 72 hours of being infected:
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- Loss of appetite
- Depression
- Decreased activity
Causes of Salmonella Infection in Dogs
The salmonella bacteria is often caught through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat but can also be transmitted through contaminated food, raw eggs, and the poop or saliva of an infected animal. Dogs also run the risk of getting it through recalled pet food and unrefrigerated wet food. Dogs who are infected can shed the bacteria in their feces and saliva for some time after the infection.
Dogs with weak immune systems, such as puppies, senior dogs, and those on antibiotics, are more likely to contract a salmonella infection.
Diagnosis of Salmonella Infection in Dogs
Some of the first symptoms you may notice are strange behavior, fever, vomiting, and consistent diarrhea. See your veterinarian immediately and bring a fresh stool sample with you. Salmonella infection shares symptoms with other gastrointestinal issues, like gastroenteritis, parasites, or food allergies, so your vet will need to run a series of tests to diagnose salmonellosis accurately.
The vet will ask you for a history of your dog and what symptoms you may have noticed. Let them know if your dog has eaten raw meat or eggs, recalled pet food, or come into contact with any animals that may have been infected. The vet will take urine and fecal samples for testing, which will rule out other conditions. In severe cases, or in case of sepsis, your vet may also take blood cultures.
Treatment of Salmonella Infection in Dogs
Most mild cases can be treated at home by making sure your dog gets enough fluids during recovery. He’ll lose a lot of fluid through vomiting and diarrhea, so make sure you provide lots of clean, fresh water. Depending on the extent of the infection, your vet may prescribe antibiotics to help fight the infection or prevent shock.
Severe cases may require that your dog be hospitalized. Severely dehydrated dogs may require IV fluid therapy, and those who develop a blood infection or sepsis as a result of their salmonella infection may need a plasma or blood transfusion. Most dogs who get a salmonella infection fully recover, but results may not be as good for dogs that develop sepsis.
Recovery of Salmonella Infection in Dogs
While your dog is recovering at home you’ll need to provide lots of clean water to keep him from dehydrating. You may need to limit how much he eats for the first few days after his diagnosis, but as he grows stronger, you can gradually give him more until he’s back to eating as he was before.
Because the salmonella bacteria can be transmitted via feces and saliva, you’ll want to wear protective gear like gloves when picking up after your dog. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling anything your dog has touched (toys, bowls, etc.) and avoid being licked. When washing your dog’s dishes, use a brush set aside just for your dog, and try not to use the sinks in your home that your family uses (consider using a hose outside.) Your dog’s feces and saliva can continue to carry the salmonella bacteria even weeks after he’s been infected.Your veterinarian may want to see your dog for a follow-up. Depending on the progress he’s made, they may want to take more urine or fecal samples to make sure that the infection has cleared.
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