Opps.

Many thanks to Dr. Sue, Yes, it is Nature's Variety being recalled, not
Nature's Valley. Fever will do that, so will carelessness and I'm not
sure which to blame for that mistake of mine so I'll just blame myself.

Although ferrets usually don't get salmonella easily (unlike some other
forms of food poisoning) it can be very hard to treat when they do get
it.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm203612.htm

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market
withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the
media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the
product or the company.

Nature's Variety Expands Nationwide Voluntary Recall to Include All
Raw Frozen Chicken Diets with Any "Best If Used By" Date On or Before
2/5/11
Contact:
Jeff Dezen/JDPR
864/233/3766 ext. 11
[log in to unmask]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Lincoln, NE, March 8, 2010 -- Nature's Variety
has expanded its voluntary recall of Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets
for dogs and cats to include the "Best If Used By" dates of 10/29/10
and 11/9/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.
Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling
contaminated pet products. People handling pet food can become infected
with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their
hands after having contact with the product 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 become lethargic and have diarrhea
or bloody diarrhea, fever, or vomiting. Some pets may experience only a
decreased appetite, fever, or abdominal pain. If your pet has consumed
any of the affected products and is experiencing any of these symptoms,
please contact your veterinarian.

The recall includes the following products with a "Best If Used By"
date of 10/29/10 or 11/9/10:

UPC#7 69949 60131 9 -- Chicken Formula 0.75 lb trial sized medallions
UPC#7 69949 60130 2 -- Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
UPC#7 69949 60120 3 -- Chicken Formula 6 lb patties
UPC#7 69949 60121 0 -- Chicken Formula 2 lb single chubs

In an abundance of caution, Nature's Variety has also chosen to expand
this voluntary recall to include all Chicken Formula and Organic
Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats with any "Best If
Used By" date on or before 2/5/11. Nature's Variety has elected to
clear the market of raw frozen chicken diets as it implements a state-
of-the-art new food safety process called High Pressure Pasteurization
for use on all Nature's Variety Raw Frozen Diets.

The products included in the expanded recall are any Chicken Formula or
Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with a "Best If Used By" date
on or before 2/5/11, including:

UPC#7 69949 60131 9 -- Chicken Formula 0.75 lb trial sized medallions
UPC#7 69949 60130 2 -- Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
UPC#7 69949 60120 3 -- Chicken Formula 6 lb patties
UPC#7 69949 60121 0 -- Chicken Formula 2 lb single chubs
UPC#7 69949 50121 3 -- Chicken Formula 12 lb case of chubs
UPC#7 69949 60137 1 -- Organic Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
UPC#7 69949 60127 2 -- Organic Chicken Formula 6 lb patties

The "Best If Used By" date is located on the back of the package above
the safe handling instructions. The affected product was distributed
through retail stores and internet sales in the United States and
Canada.

No other Raw Frozen Diets are involved in this expansion other than
chicken, and no other Nature's Variety products are involved.

Nature's Variety now uses High Pressure Pasteurization on their Raw
Frozen Diets as a unique process to kill pathogenic bacteria through
high-pressure, water-based technology. Having incorporated this state-
of-the-art technology on a portion of their raw product offerings in
late 2009, Nature's Variety was able to confidently implement the
process universally on all Raw Frozen Diets after the 2/11/10 recall
in order to enhance food safety. Nature's Variety also utilizes a test
and hold protocol to ensure that all High Pressure Pasteurized Raw
Frozen Diets test negative for harmful bacteria before being released
for sale.

"Nature's Variety believes replacing all raw frozen chicken products on
the market with new raw frozen chicken products that use High Pressure
Pasteurization is an important and responsible step in order to
reinforce consumer confidence and trust," stated Reed Howlett, CEO
of Nature's Variety. "By recalling all raw frozen chicken products
with ‘Best If Used By' dates on or before 2/5/11, we can provide our
pet parents with new raw frozen chicken products that have been
processed through High Pressure Pasteurization. Adopting High Pressure
Pasteurization is an important step to ensure that our products meet
the strictest quality and food safety standards."

Howlett stated, "Our commitment to consumers in the future is the same
as it's been in the past -- to offer Raw Frozen Diets made from the
highest quality ingredients, made in our own plant in the Midwest, by
people who care deeply about pet nutrition, health, and happiness."

If you are a consumer and have purchased one of these products, please
return the unopened product to your retailer for a full refund or
replacement. If your package has been opened, please dispose of the raw
food in a safe manner by securing it in a covered trash receptacle.
Then, bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to
your local retailer for a full refund or replacement.

Consumers with additional questions can call the Nature's Variety
dedicated Customer Care line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at
800-374-3142. For additional resources about High Pressure
Pasteurization or other Nature's Variety food safety protocols
visit www.naturesvariety.com

For more information about Nature's Variety,
visitwww.naturesvariety.com.

[Posted in FML 6633]