In a concerning development for pet owners, Blue Ridge Beef has issued an urgent recall of over 2,400 pounds of their specialized puppy and kitten food.
See the tweet below!
This recall follows alarming findings of salmonella and listeria contamination, posing grave health risks not only to pets but also to their human handlers.
Blue Ridge Beef has proactively recalled the affected products, marking a significant volume of their “Kitten Mix” and “Puppy Mix.”
The contamination problem was officially flagged from testing that identified the presence of salmonella and listeria.
Pets consuming the tainted products could experience symptoms such as lethargy, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. For concerned pet owners, the first sign of these symptoms should prompt a visit to the vet immediately. Additionally, humans handling these products could face severe symptoms, including nausea and fever, necessitating medical attention if symptoms appear.
“Salmonella and Listeria can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans 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,” states the recall alert.
The issue arose when the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets collected samples following a customer complaint.
The products in question tested positive, prompting a swift response from Blue Ridge Farms, headquartered in Statesville, North Carolina.
Since then, the company, in line with the FDA advisory, has been urging consumers to dispose of these products safely and to sanitize any surfaces that have come into contact with them.
These products were packaged in two-pound clear plastic logs, distributed from January 3 to January 24, 2025, across several states including Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
For consumers needing further assistance or who wish to return the products to the place of purchase, Blue Ridge Beef can be contacted at 704-873-2072 or [email protected].
Beyond disposing of the contaminated products, thorough washing of hands, and cleaning of pet food bowls and containers is recommended to prevent any transfer or lingering of bacteria.
The FDA also cautions pet owners to be vigilant about symptoms in both humans and pets, advocating for immediate contact with healthcare providers should any adverse health effects arise.
The broader concern surrounding this recall isn’t only the immediate health risk, but rather the ongoing diligence—or lack thereof—in ensuring pet foods meet safety standards.
As the FDA’s involvement suggests, pet food safety is paramount, yet this recall highlights potential lapses in the oversight procedures.
The need to strengthen such protocols is indisputable not just for pet safety, but equally to protect consumers handling these products.
Blue Ridge Beef Issues Voluntary Recall of Blue Ridge Beef Puppy Mix and Kitten Mix Due to Salmonella & Listeria Contamination https://t.co/iHyD2C6HVb pic.twitter.com/1lmr0O3rvK
— U.S. FDA Recalls (@FDArecalls) April 11, 2025
