WASHINGTON – Four batches of K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast are subject to a recall because the products have potentially been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported.
Christchurch, New Zealand-based K9 Natural manufactured the affected products which include 2.2 lb. and 11 lb. bags imported into the US market in June 2017. No pet or human illnesses have been reported to date.
K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast 2.2 lb. bags bearing batch number #170517 with an expiration date of 17NOV2018 were shipped to distributors in Washington, California, Texas and Colorado. The affected products were next distributed to pet specialty retail stores.
The 11 lb. bags of K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast were shipped to distributors in Washington, California, Texas, Colorado and Pennsylvania. The batch numbers on these affected products are:
- #150517 with an expiration date of 15NOV2018
- #160517 with an expiration date of 16NOV2018
- #170517 with an expiration date of 17NOV2018
The company said the batch number and expiration dates are stamped in the bottom left corner on the back of packages. K9 Natural is urging consumers who purchased the product to stop using it and return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement.
In a statement, K9 Natural said, “At K9 Natural, the safety of our products, pets and customers is paramount and we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality food made of the highest quality ingredients. We are disappointed that this situation has occurred and K9 Natural remains committed to ensuring high levels of product quality and cleanliness right from the farm to the retail store.”
Listeria can cause serious illness in humans and pets. Young children, pregnant women, frail or elderly people or others with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infection. The pathogen can affect animals eating the product, while humans are at risk for infection by handling the products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the food or any surfaces exposed to the contaminated food.
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