Nature's Variety expands raw chicken diet recall

Washington

-- A recall of select frozen chicken diet formulas for dogs and cats has been expanded to all of the company’s frozen chicken meals.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that the recall, initially started in February, would be expanded March 8. The original recall, attributed to possible Salmonella contamination, was limited to Nature’s Variety brand chicken medallions (UPC# 7 69949 60130 2), chicken patties (UPC# 7 69949 60120 3) and chicken chubs (UPC# 7 69949 60121 0).

The recall now includes all Chicken Formula and Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats with any "best if used by" date on or before February 5, 2011.

“Nature's Variety has elected to clear the market of raw frozen chicken diets as it implements a state-of-the-art new food safety process called high pressure pasteurization for use on all Nature's Variety Raw Frozen Diets,” according to the FDA.

Consumers are being asked to return unopened products to retailers for a full refund, or to dispose of opened packages in a safe manner. Receipts can then be brought to retailers for a full refund.

Nature’s Variety initiated the recall after a customer complaint. The product in question was tested and came back negative for Salmonella contamination, but other products tested positive.

No pet or human illnesses have been reported.

Nature’s Variety can be reached with additional questions at 800-374-3142 or by visiting naturesvariety.com.