Hawaii Department of Health Issues Recall Alert for Raw Dog Food Products

Strategic Insights -

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) issued a recall alert for certain lots of raw dog food products due to potential Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The affected products were sold directly to consumers online and through local boutique pet stores. The DOH is working with local pet stores to ensure the recalled products are no longer available for sale.

Pets infected with Salmonella or Listeria monocytogenes may not display symptoms, but can include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, and decreased activity level. Infected pets can also shed the bacteria in their feces without showing signs of illness. People can become infected by handling contaminated products, having contact with pets that have eaten contaminated products, and/or having contact with surfaces that have touched the contaminated food.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hawaii Department of Health issued a recall alert for certain lots of raw dog food products due to potential Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
  • The affected products were sold directly to consumers online and through local boutique pet stores.
  • Infected pets may not display symptoms, but can include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, and decreased activity level.
  • Infected pets can shed the bacteria in their feces without showing signs of illness.
  • People can become infected by handling contaminated products, having contact with pets that have eaten contaminated products, and/or having contact with surfaces that have touched the contaminated food.
  • There have been no reports of illness or adverse events attributed to the recalled products.
  • Consumers should check the products listed below by "best used-by date" (BUBD) and do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals.
  • People who have eaten the recalled product(s) and are experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

Statistics:

  • To date, there have been **no reports of illness or adverse events** attributed to the recalled products.
  • The affected products were sold directly to consumers online and through **local boutique pet stores**.
  • Infected pets can shed the bacteria in their feces **without showing signs of illness**.
  • People can become infected by handling contaminated products, having contact with pets that have eaten contaminated products, and/or having contact with surfaces that have touched the contaminated food, with **risk increasing for those who are very young, very old, or have weak immune systems**.
  • Most people who contract Salmonella infection **recover without treatment**.
  • In some cases, Salmonella infection can spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites **requiring hospitalization**.

Sources:

  • Hawaii Department of Health news release
  • Hawaii Department of Health Newsroom
  • https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/doh-alerts-public-to-answers-brand-dog-food-recall-due-to-potential-salmonella-andlisteria-monocytogenes-contamination/