Nature’s Variety has expanded its recent recall of Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats with “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10 to include all raw frozen chicken diets with any “Best If Used By” date on or before 2/5/11. These products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. By simply handling the treats you can become infected, especially if you have not thoroughly washed your hands after having contact with the treats or any surfaces exposed to the products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience…

• nausea

• vomiting

• diarrhea or bloody diarrhea

• abdominal cramping

• fever

Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including…

• arterial infections

• endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart)

• arthritis

• muscle pain

• eye irritation

• urinary tract symptoms

If you have any of these signs after having contact with this product, contact your doctor immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may show…

• lethargy

• diarrhea or bloody diarrhea

• fever

• vomiting

Some pets may only experience a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has had any of the affected products or is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

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

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 over the Internet in the U.S. and Canada.

Nature’s Variety says that it is now using a technology called high pressure pasteurization on their raw frozen diets to kill pathogenic bacteria and that it has a test and hold protocol to ensure that all those raw diets test negative for harmful bacteria before being released for sale.

If you have any of these products, return the unopened package to the store to get a refund or replacement. If your package has been opened, throw it away safely by securing it a trash bag. Then bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to the store for a refund or replacement.

If you have any questions, you can call the 24-hour customer service line 1-800-374-3142 or e-mail Nature’s Variety directly by visiting the company’s web site, naturesvariety.com.

You can read entire press release from the FDA here.