In the news

Savage Pet (El Cajon, CA) recalled 66 Large Chicken Boxes, 84 oz., and 74 Small Chicken Boxes, 21 oz. with the lot code/best by date of 11152026 due to its potential to contain H5N1, bird flu. Savage Cat Food products were distributed to retailers in California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. While no human infections have been identified among people handling raw pet food products, humans can become infected if a live virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose, or mouth. In February, Savage Pet was made aware of one cat in Colorado who contracted H5N1, got sick, and recovered. Colorado State University Laboratory tested sealed packets of Savage Cat Food using PCR testing for H5N1. The PCR test results were “non-negative.” The product with “non-negative” PCR results was sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa for virus isolation testing. The product in question was removed from the market while awaiting final test results. On 03/06/25, the NVSL virus isolation testing results confirmed the virus to be negative. On 3/13/2025, Savage Pet was made aware of an additional case in New York of a kitten that was feeding lot 11152026 and contracted avian flu. Further testing is ongoing. The company decided to recall the product. The product with lot code/best by date of 11152026 was distributed in November 2024. The boxes are cardboard and contain individual plastic packets inside. The lot code/best by date is stamped on the bottom of each packet. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/savage-pet-recalls-savage-cat-food-chicken-large-and-small-boxes-because-possible-bird-flu-health

SeaBear Company ( Anacortes, Washington)  is recalling two variations of seafood chowder (Smoked Salmon Chowder & Alehouse Clam Chowder) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The Smoked Salmon Chowder and Alehouse Clam Chowder were distributed through physical retail stores in Alaska, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington and direct home delivery via SeaBear’s website nationwide between 10/1/2024 and 03/14/2025. The recalled SeaBear Smokehouse chowder products are shelf-stable and packaged in a 12oz dark blue pouch. No illnesses have been reported to date. SeaBear initiated a voluntary recall after they became aware of a pouch seal issue from a customer complaint. Upon further investigation, they identified a mechanical issue with the equipment, which caused the seals to not fully bond and caused some pouches to leak. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/seabear-company-recalls-smoked-salmon-chowder-and-alehouse-clam-chowder-because-possible-health-risk

The CFIA has recalled two types of Date squares sold in Ontario due to Salmonella contamination. The recall includes two types of Palm bites, the original date squares, and Chocolate date squares. Both products were sold in 1 and 3 pieces per package. The products were produced between October 8 and February 14. There are no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of the product. The product was sold in Ontario and online. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/palm-bites-brand-date-squares-recalled-due-salmonella

The Department of Health and Human Services  DHHS) officials are warning people not to drink raw milk that was produced with best-by dates through March 22, 2025, by Brookvale Pines Farm due to Listeria concerns. DHHS officials said the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food notified officials that a cow at the farm was diagnosed with a Listeria infection. Brookvale Pines Farm had to euthanize one of its cows because of a neurological illness. Health officials then found it tested positive for a strain of listeria that could have gotten into the raw milk the farm sells. Brookvale Pines Farm raw milk was sold in half-gallon containers at the Brookvale Mercantile in Brentwood, New Hampshire. The farm is not selling raw milk while further testing is ongoing, health officials said. Brookvale Pines Farm raw milk was last available for purchase on March 12. “We don’t know how long the bacteria might have been in the cow’s body, and we don’t know if there was this bacteria in the raw milk that was sold before the cow became obviously ill,” said Dr. Benjamin Chan, New Hampshire state epidemiologist. @ https://www.wmur.com/article/dhhs-listeria-raw-milk-new-hampshire-31425/64186741