RECALL: Big Dog Natural recalls 2 kinds of raw dehydrated dog food

Chicken Supreme potentially contaminated with Salmonella, Fish Supreme potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Big Dog Natural of Brick, New Jersey, USA, is voluntary recalling a select production lot of Big Dog Natural raw dehydrated dog food Chicken Supreme potentially contaminated with Salmonella and Fish Supreme potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes that was shipped in the week of 10/31/2015 to 11/13/2015 to online customers. Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes 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.
These products were sold directly to consumers through the company’s online website and in the US. The voluntarily recalled product include all weight volumes of the Big Dog Natural Chicken and Fish Supreme. No additional products are affected by this recall.
Big Dog Natural became aware of a potential issue after receiving notification from the FDA that an investigational sample of Chicken Supreme tested positive for Salmonella and an investigational sample of Fish Supreme for Listeria monocytogenes.
Pets with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes 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 these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes 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 health care providers.
Consumers should discontinue feeding the affected product and monitor their pet's health, and contact their veterinarian if they have concerns. Consumers who purchased the product can obtain a full refund or exchange by returning the product in its original packaging.
Consumers with questions should visit Big Dog Natural’s website or call +1.732.785.2600 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. EST.

Protein For Pets launches raw dog food line

Protein For Pets (P4P), the rapidly expanding company that is revolutionizing the way people shop for natural pet food and supplies, is launching P4P Naked, an exclusive brand of raw dog food that will be available in its stores beginning July 2015.
The introduction of P4P Naked marks the latest of many steps Protein For Pets is taking to become even more eco- and economically friendly. P4P Naked raw dog foods are made in California and sold in California. In addition, the P4P Naked brand stimulates and strengthens the local economy because all dollars spent start and stay in California.
“As Protein For Pets continues to grow, we are taking significant strides to further enhance our easy, one-of-a-kind customer-friendly experience as well as help the environment,” said founder and CEO Marco Giannini, who plans to open at least four more locations this year. “We are thrilled to introduce P4P Naked to consumers who are looking for a top-quality raw dog food option that is both unique and cost-effective.”
“Just as with humans, there are many benefits dogs reap from eating a healthy diet. Shinier coats, healthier skin, higher energy levels, cleaner teeth and smaller stools are just some of the advantages dogs will experience as a result of eating raw food such as P4P Naked,” said Giannini. “In addition, and equally important, eating raw foods supports a healthy planet. The earth benefits from utilizing simpler food sources while great amounts of natural resources are spared.”
Among its new P4P Naked offerings, Protein For Pets will feature USDA Organic Chicken for dogs that is Non-GMO Project Verified and Step 3: Enhanced Outdoor Access. There is also a P4P Naked raw turkey for dogs that is hormone- and antibiotic free. Both the P4P Naked organic chicken and raw turkey for dogs are available in two-pound rolls.
But that is only the beginning. The forward-thinking company will also have a selection of P4P Naked dry kibble choices that are available in drop-down gravity dispensers and then packaged in recyclable bags. This allows Protein For Pets customers to choose the amount of food they want to purchase at a given time. The foods, which include grain-free chicken, chicken and brown rice and lamb and brown rice, all have no wheat, corn, soy or animal by-product meals.
The trend-setting company will also sell reusable food bags which customers can continue to bring to the store when they need to fill up during future visits. Offering customers the opportunity to purchase P4P Naked in bulk enables them to save even more. Fewer trips to the store requires less fuel which is a win-win for the planet as well as for pet parents’ wallets.
Protein For Pets has stores open in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ventura, Anaheim, Rancho Cucamonga, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, Rancho San Diego and Santa Clarita. Having recently successfully secured additional funding through CircleUp, the ambitious company plans to further expand throughout California, and eventually the West Coast of the United States.
 Formed in early 2014, Protein For Pets was created to fill a void in the retail landscape for an independent pet food and supply store that is strictly driven by customers’ needs and convenience while also making the increasingly important natural pet food and supply concept more accessible to people of all income levels. With an emphasis on supporting health and the environment, Protein For Pets is dedicated to promoting its motto of “Happy Pets, Healthy Planet.”

RECALL: OC Raw Dog recalls 2,055 pounds of food

Turkey & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulation has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

OC Raw Dog of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, USA, is voluntarily recalling 2,055 pounds of Turkey & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulation, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. 
This voluntary recall is limited to Turkey & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulations that were packaged into 6.5 lb. Doggie Dozen Patties and 5 lb. Bulk Bags with the lot number 1511 and use by date of 10/8/15.  These products were distributed in Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Colorado and sold to consumers through independent pet specialty retailers.
This recall is a result of a routine sampling program by the Nebraska Department of Food and Agriculture which revealed a presumptive positive to Salmonella.
OC Raw Dog has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continues their investigation as to what caused the problem.
The company says it will make several changes to its methods of production in order to further protect its product.
If you are in possession of this recalled product, please submit a picture of the package with the lot number to Olivia@ocrawdog.com for verification of product in the marketplace.  Please return the product to the retailer where you purchased for a full refund or replacement product.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at +1.844.215.DOGS (3647) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration.

Farm-to-bowl dog food gaining popularity among pet owners, farmers

Farm-to-bowl dog food is gaining popularity among some producers and consumers of petfood looking not only for a healthy option for their pet, but also a way to help the environment by reducing waste on farms. 
Two years ago, Jake Dickson, a butcher in New York, New York, USA, began selling premium, locally sourced dog food blended with veggies from a farmers market and leftover meats from his shop. Although the food is "quite expensive," Dickson said about 100 customers per week purchase it.
"For us, it's all about 100 percent utilization of the animal," Dickson said. "If we're going to slaughter it, we want to use every part. And second, if we use every part, we're more profitable as a company."
The trend in sustainable petfood has also led some to set up subscription-based "doggie CSAs," or community-supported agriculture.
One such doggie CSA is run by Dennis Adams and his wife, who live near Columbus, Ohio, USA, and raise free-range sheep, alpaca and chickens at Cota Farms. Adams grinds up the leftover meat after it's processed and sells it as raw dog food at local farmers markets. Adams now has 50 subscribers to his CSA, and he has even recruited other ranchers and farmers in the area to sell their meat.
"This is premium, organic meat," Adams said. "Dogs are lucky to get it."
Another doggie CSA is operated by Tasha Ardalan in San Diego, California, USA. Ardalan collects the season's leftover fruits and vegetables from local farmers, who would otherwise just throw them out. "The farmers love it," she said. 
Ardalan mixes the produce with meats from local ranchers and sells the raw, organic dog food patties for about US$4 per pound to subscribers of her CSA, Foxy Treats. Ardalan says she consults with local veterinarians to formulate the recipes. "Some customers are a bit skittish about the food being raw," she said. "So I just tell them to bake it."