RECALL: Natura Pet recalls dry cat, ferret food due to vitamin insufficiency

Natura Pet Products has initiated a limited, voluntary recall of certain dry cat and dry ferret food lots produced in its Fremont, Nebraska facility. Due to a formulation error, these products contain insufficient levels of vitamins and excess minerals.
There have been no reports of animal health concerns to date, but these lots do not meet established quality standards and should not be consumed by pets, said Natura. No other EVO products or lots are affected by this issue. The affected product and lot codes are:
EVO Grain Free Turkey & Chicken Formula dry cat & kitten food; 15.4 pounds; UPC 5148 541400
Exp. 02/19/2016; Lot code 4300A700D2
EVO Grain Free Turkey & Chicken Formula dry cat & kitten food; 2.2 pounds; UPC 5148 541402
Exp. 02/20/2016; Lot code 4301A700A4
EVO Grain Free Turkey & Chicken Formula dry cat & kitten food; 2.2 pounds; UPC 5148 541402
Exp. 02/20/2016; Lot code 4301A700B4
EVO Grain Free Turkey & Chicken Formula dry cat & kitten food; 2.2 pounds; UPC 5148 541402
Exp. 02/20/2016; Lot code 4301A700C4
EVO Grain Free Ferret Food; 6.6 pounds; UPC 5148 542101
Exp. 02/19/2016; Lot code 4300A700D3
The problem was discovered during the investigation of an ingredient inventory discrepancy. Only the above five lots are affected. These lots were distributed through independent retailers in CA, GA, MI, MN, NV, PA, TX, VT and Canada, as well as online.
Retailers have been contacted and are instructed to immediately withdraw these lots from store shelves. Consumers who purchased the product should discontinue feeding the product immediately and discard as normal household waste. Natura said it is taking immediate corrective action as a result of its investigation.

Natura helps dog shelter recover from fire

Natura Pet Products announced teaming up with local businesses to help the German Shepherd Rescue in Tehachapi, California, USA, recover from a fire that destroyed its facility.
In late April, the no-kill shelter for dogs caught fire. First responders were able to retrieve the German shepherds, but the blaze destroyed the shelter’s facility and owner’s home.
Natura partnered with Gil’s Bike Shop and Canine Creek Pet Wash & Boutique to donate and raffle a mountain biker at a local farmer’s market in August. All raffle proceeds will be used to purchase petfood for the German Shepherd Rescue.

Natura requires all distributors to be AIB certified

Natura Pet Products recently announced all of its distributors will be required to pass certification with the American Institute of Baking International.
AIB Certification specifies rigorous standards for food safety. To receive certification, an organization must pass independent inspections, training and audits that demonstrate its ability to protect the safety of the food supply chain. As part of Natura’s new partnership agreements, the company is requiring all distributors to pass AIB Certification.
“The AIB certification requirement is part of Natura’s ongoing efforts to ensure our petfoods and treats meet the strictest standards for safety and quality from our manufacturing plants to our customers’ pet bowls,” said Don Scott, president of Natura.

Non-Chinese nutrients now available

NaturaPet announced this month 100% of their ingredients will come from trusted, non-Chinese suppliers, according to an article by Examiner.com. Natura became the first petfood company in the industry to test and guarantee that all of its products are free from melamine and cyanuric acid. Supplements are needed to ensure that pets receive optimum nutrition, and among the necessary supplements - certain B vitamins and taurine - have been unavailable from anywhere other than China.
After working with its suppliers, Natura has found alternative sources and has been using them exclusively.
"We will not compromise on food safety and nutrition because both are so critical to the health of pets," said Don Scott, president of Natura.
The Natura product line includes Innova, California Natural, EVO, HealthWise, Mother Nature, and Karma.