Dog Food Warning
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning about raw dog food that may be contaminated with Salmonella. Dogs attend 'A Sausage Dog Celebration' as part of London Dog Week at M Restaurant on March 24, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images/John Phillips

In another dog food warning, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging pet owners not to feed their pets three lots of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products raw dog food. The dog food has not been officially recalled but has tested positive for Salmonella.

The three lots include:

  • Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs with a lot code of 5309(11)181019, manufactured on October 19, 2018.
  • Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs with a lot code of 5375(11)181106, manufactured on November 11, 2018.
  • Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Turkey Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs with a lot code of 5339(11)181026, manufactured on October 26, 2018.

The affected dog food is produced by Arrow Reliance Inc. that is doing business as Darwin’s Natural Pet Products. The dog food is sold online directly to pet owners and is packaged as a frozen product.

The FDA is warning pet owners not to feed the contaminated food to their pets. They should throw the affected product away. The FDA also recommends cleaning the area where the product was stored as well as all bowls, utensils, food prep surfaces, pet bedding, toys, floors, and any other surfaces that may have come in contact with the contaminated dog food. In addition, consumers should wash their hands after handling the affected dog food.

Pet owners that have a pet that has become ill from Salmonella should seek medical treatment from a veterinarian. Humans that come in contact with the affected dog food may also suffer illness and need medical treatment from their healthcare provider.

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause illness and death in animals as well as humans. It is especially susceptible in young children, elderly adults or those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of Salmonella illness include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. While most people will recover without treatment, some may need hospitalization if the Salmonella infection spreads to their bloodstream .

Symptoms of Salmonella infection in pets may include vomiting, diarrhea that can be bloody, fever, loss of appetite, or decreased activity levels. Some pets will show no signs of the Salmonella illness but may shed the bacteria in their feces, which can contaminate humans or other animals.

Pet owners can report issues with pet food products to the FDA through its Safety Reporting Portal or by calling their state FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators.

The FDA discovered the contaminated dog food, after a consumer complaint.

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