Blue Ridge Beef Issues Salmonella Contamination Recall for Dog Food

Blue Ridge Beef has announced a recall of approximately 5,700 pounds of its Natural Mix dog food due to potential salmonella contamination, as reported by the FDA on Friday. The recalled product was distributed from January 3 to January 24, 2025, and is recognized by its clear plastic packaging and lot number N25/12/31, along with UPC# 854298001054.

This recall follows a prior incident in December when Blue Ridge Beef pulled 9,600 pounds of Puppy Mix from seven U.S. states after a Virginia customer reported animal illness, which was subsequently linked to salmonella contamination. Testing confirmed the presence of this bacteria, which poses a dual risk by impacting the health of pets and potentially causing illnesses in humans who come into contact with contaminated products.

Salmonella infection in pets can result in symptoms such as lethargy, diarrhea (including bloody diarrhea), fever, and vomiting. However, some infected animals may only display mild symptoms, like a decreased appetite and abdominal discomfort, yet still carry the bacteria, which can spread to other animals and humans.

The FDA advises pet owners who have provided the recalled food to their pets and notice these symptoms to consult a veterinarian promptly. Meanwhile, human exposure to contaminated products can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, which typically begin six hours to six days post-exposure. Most individuals recover within a week, but those who are very young or elderly may experience more severe illness requiring medical intervention.