Ongoing Salmonella outbreak spreads to raw turkey pet foods

An outbreak of multidrug-resistant strain of Salmonella Reading, which has infected 279 people since November, has spread to the pet food market, according to the CDC.

Woody's Pet Food Deli has recalled its Raw Free Range Turkey pet food sold in Woody's Pet Food Deli locations in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Woodbury, Minnesota. The product is sold in 5-pound plastic containers, and the affected lots can be identified by the white date sticker on the lid of the container.

Affected products are listed below: 

Use by date: 01/10/20

Use by date: 01/12/20

Use by date: 01/15/20

Courtesy Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Pet owners who have recalled products in their home should not feed it to their pets and are encouraged to throw it out or return it to Woody's Pet Food Deli for a full refund.

Salmonella-infected pet foods can sicken both humans and animals. Human symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever, while infected pets may show signs of lethargy, decreased appetite, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Pets that have consumed the recalled food and are exhibiting these symptoms should be treated by a veterinarian.

Because of the risk of germs like Salmonella and Listeria, the CDC does not recommend feeding raw diets to pets. If pet owners do feed their pets raw food, the agencies encourage they use precautions such as washing hands with soap and water after handling food, cleaning and disinfecting any surfaces the food touched and freezing the food until it is ready to be eaten. 

In February 2018, two cases of the same Salmonella Reading strain were linked to Raws for Paws Ground Turkey Food for Pets, and a larger pattern of pet food recalls has emerged in recent months with eight companies affected by excess levels of vitamin D in their food formulations late last year.

For additional information or questions contact Woody's Pet Food Deli at info@woodyspetdeli.com.