Nature’s Variety Instinct Dog Food Recall of July 2015

July 24, 2015 — Nature’s Variety has announced a voluntary recall of select lots of its Instinct Raw Chicken Formula for Dogs because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.

What’s Being Recalled?

The affected products appear to share the same “Best By” date and are limited to the Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Frozen Diets packaged in the following forms:

• Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites for Dogs
  UPC# 769949611431
  4 pound package
  Best By date 04/27/16

• Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites for Dogs
  UPC# 769949611448
  7 pound package
  Best By date 04/27/16

• Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Patties for Dogs
  UPC# 769949611486
  6 pound package
  Best By date 04/27/16

The “Best By” date is located on the back of the package below the seal. The affected product was distributed through retail stores in the United States and limited distribution in Canada.

No other Nature’s Variety products are affected.

Even though no illnesses have been reported, consumers should follow the “Simple Handling Tips” published on the Nature’s Variety package when disposing of the affected product.

What Caused the Recall?

Nature’s Variety became aware of a potential issue after receiving notification from the FDA that a routine surveillance sample of seven pound Instinct Raw Chicken Bites for dogs tested positive for Salmonella.

About Salmonella

Salmonella 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.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.

Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.

Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.

Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.

Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.

If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has the symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

What to Do?

Consumers feeding the affected product should discontinue use and monitor their pet’s health, and contact their veterinarian if they have concerns.

Consumers who have purchased one of the above products can obtain a full refund or exchange by either returning the product in its original packaging or bringing a proof of purchase back to their retailer.

Consumers with additional questions can call the company’s Consumer Relations team at 888-519-7387 from 8 am to 7 pm CT, 7 days a week during the recall.

Or, consumers can email Nature’s Variety directly via [email protected]

U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

Canadians can report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.

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