Raw cat food recalled in U.S., Canada for Listeria, Salmonella

Three flavors of Rad Cat Raw Diet pet foods are being recalled from 48 U.S. states and Western Canada because they might be contaminated with Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes, posing a health hazard to humans and pets.

Lab tests confirmed Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes in samples of the cat food from Radagast Pet Food Inc. of Portland, OR, according to the company’s recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration website.

“The FDA third party contracted lab found two lots of (Rad Cat Raw Diet) Grass-Fed Beef tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, one lot of Free-range Chicken tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, and one lot of Free-range Turkey tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes,” according to the notice posted Thursday night.

The infection-causing bacteria can affect animals eating the products and pose a risk to people who handle the products, especially if they don’t thoroughly wash their hands and any surfaces or utensils that come into contact with the pet food.

A variety of sizes and package styles of the Rad Cat Raw Diet pet foods are covered by the recall, including free 1-ounce sample cups as well as  8-, 16- and 24-ounce tubs.

The recall covers four lot codes: 62384, 62361, 62416 and 62372. Specific best-by dates in 2017 for the recalled lots and various product sizes are available in the recall notice. Consumers can find the date codes on the lids of the cat food tubs and on the bottom of the sample cups.

Radagast Pet Food Inc. distributed the implicated cat food in Western Canada and all U.S. states except Hawaii and Mississippi.

Radagast company officials are urging consumers to dispose of the recalled cat food “in a secure garbage receptacle” and thoroughly wash any pet bowls, utensils or surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled cat food.

“For refund claims, fill out all sections of our Consumer Claims Form which can be found on our website www.RadFood.com and return this form only to the retailer where you purchased the product for a refund. Consumers may call Radagast Pet Food Inc. for assistance in filling out the Claim Form,” according to the recall notice.

Anyone who has handled the recalled pet food and develops symptoms of Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes infections should seek medical attention. Salmonella symptoms usually develop within two to eight days, but Listeria monocytogenes can take up to 70 days before causing symptoms.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Salmonella symptoms in humans include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms.

Pets with Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may 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 any of the recalled products and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

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