Natural Balance Recalls Food Due To Botulism Risk
Natural Balance has announced that it is recalling it’s Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs due to a supplier’s recall. The affected formulas include 15oz cans of: Irish Stew, Hobo Chili, Chinese Take-Out and Southern Style Dumplin’s with Gravy. The supplier, Castleberry Foods, found one instance of botulism in improperly sealed cans of human food.
The recall information was only sent to subscribers of their newsletters. This information is not yet available on the Natural Balance website. (Update: The message has been posted on the Natural Balance site as of Sunday.)
Full recall details below:
Natural Balance was informed at 2:45 pm by our USDA manufacturer, Castleberry Foods, in Augusta, GA, that they are doing a voluntary recall on all 15 oz edible foods for humans as well as our Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs (Irish Stew, Hobo Chili, Chinese Take-Out and Southern Style Dumplin’s with Gravy).
This voluntary recall is from one reported case of botulism in Castleberry’s human edible Hot Dog Chili Sauce. Botulism is generally due to an improperly sealed can or a can that has become damaged, thus letting air inside.
Natural Balance checks all of its cans for any kind of leakage, puffiness or damage before they are shipped, and we have found none. However, to comply with our manufacturer, we are asking that you discontinue use and return Eatables for Dogs to your store for a full refund. We will give you more information as we get it.
Update: The FDA also just announced the recall expansion.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2007
Media Inquiries:
Kimberly Rawlings
Michael Herndon
301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA
FDA Expands Its Warning about the Risk of Botulism Poisoning From Certain Castleberry Food Products and Dog Food
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expanding its July 18 warning to consumers. This expansion is for consumers and pet owners regarding canned food products and dog food produced by Castleberry Food Company of Augusta, Ga., due to the risk of botulinum toxin. Castleberry is expanding the recall to include all of the following canned products with all “best by” and code dates, and FDA is warning consumers not to purchase or eat any of the canned products listed in the table below.
Hot Dog Chili Sauces
SIZE
UPC CODES
Austex Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10 OZ
30300-97101
Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10 OZ
30300-99533
Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10 OZ
30300-00101
Castleberry’s Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10 OZ
30300-07101
Bunker Hill Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10 OZ
75266-04152
Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10 OZ
11110-83942
Meijer Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10 OZ
41250-85862
Food Lion Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10 OZ
35826-06911
Bloom Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10 OZ
25439-92448
Thrifty Maid Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10 OZ
21140-21367
Natural Balance Eatables dog food varieties:
Irish Stew with Beef Dog Food
15 OZ
23633-59860
Chinese Take Out with Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken Dog Food
15 OZ
23633-59861
Southern Style Dumplings with Gravy with Chicken and Vegetables
Dog Food
15 OZ
23633-59862
Hobo Chili with Chicken Pasta Dog Food
15 OZ
23633-59863
The agency is expanding its warning based in part on FDA test results and information obtained during a joint FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection of the Castleberry’s facility in Augusta, Ga.
Exposure to botulinum toxin can be fatal and two people in Texas and two people in Indiana remain seriously ill and hospitalized with botulism poisoning associated with eating Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce.
While the previous recall and the known illnesses are linked to production dates of April 30 to May 22, 2007, the firm has extended the recall to include all products listed irrespective of “best by” date. The firm is cooperating with FDA in the recall of these products and has ceased processing and distribution.
In addition, Castleberry is recalling other products containing meat, which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is also warning the public not to eat certain brands of Castleberry products containing meat. The list of these USDA-regulated products can be viewed at this link to the USDA website: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_033_2007_Release/index.asp
Consumers who have any of these products or any foods made with these products should throw them away immediately. Double bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home. Additional instructions for safe disposal can be found at www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm
Retailers that have any of these products are asked to assure that they are removed from use and do not accidentally get reintroduced for sale, service or donation.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning in humans can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, calves, etc. Botulism poisoning can also cause paralysis of the breathing muscles which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided. Individuals who show these symptoms and who may have recently eaten one of the Castleberry’s products currently under recall should seek immediate medical attention.
The disease has only been seen occasionally in dogs and has not been reported in cats. Ferrets are highly susceptible to botulinum toxin. The incubation period can be 2 hours to 2 weeks; in most cases, the symptoms appear after 12 to 24 hours. Botulism is characterized by progressive motor paralysis. Typical clinical signs may include muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing, visual disturbances and generalized weakness may also occur. Death usually results from paralysis of the respiratory or cardiac muscles. Pet owners who have used these products and whose pets have these symptoms should contact their veterinarian immediately. At this time we are not aware of pet illnesses associated with these products although we recommend that all these products should be discarded.
Castleberry recommends consumers with any questions or concerns about this recall should go to Castleberry’s website (www.castleberrys.com) or call Castleberry’s consumer hotline at 1-800-203-4412 or 1-888-203-8446.
Consumers with questions can call FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.
(Thanks to many reader tips)
July 21st, 2007 at 9:43 pm
When is this ever going to end…I am so tired of all the recalls….Thankyou Itchmo
July 21st, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Itchmo
Thanks for posting this and helping us keep our pets safe. This still isn’t on the FDA site and the other recalls from this company were posted . Thanks also to Natural Balance for letting people know before Monday.
July 21st, 2007 at 10:33 pm
“botulism in Castleberry’s human edible Hot Dog Chili Sauce also was recalled in Kroger brand hot dog chili sauce and Austex hot dog chili sauce.
July 21st, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Thanks to Itchmo and Natural Balance for letting us know.
July 21st, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Thank you ITCHMO.
July 21st, 2007 at 11:48 pm
:) I’m just wondering if the hot dog sauce I put on my hot dogs is the same stuff that goes into the hobo chili dog food cans :)
While the topic is new, how are people doing cooking their own foods? Ive run into a snag….my two most sr felines are SLIGHTLY anemic & SLIGHTLY low in calcium. Does anyone have a clue where I can find a RDA chart for animal nutrients?
July 21st, 2007 at 11:54 pm
If any one was feeding their pet this it is on the FDA sight and tells about the effects on our pets. They said that dogs do not get it as often but cats do. the effects sounded pretty bad too.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:06 am
I give credit to NB for not hiding the issues with the pet foods like SOME companies
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:19 am
Look at the FDA Alert for Human Food Recall by the same Company - Castleberry in GA?
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_...../index.asp
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:27 am
Sorry, wrong link here is the right one.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_...../index.asp
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:29 am
Why give Natural Balance any credit? This went into recall mode and I saw no warning on their site before they had to come forward. I don’t think they had any choice. Itchmo thank you for always being there and keeping us up to date.
By the way, there is NO mention on the Natural Balance website about this. And they must have known before today. Hiding as usual. Nothing to read about it from them. I think they were just part of the exposure. NOTHING on their site!!
Sorry, but they knew about it and are CYA mode. By the time it hits FDA recall there was plenty of fore knowledge.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:08 am
Yeah, Natural Balance only admits things when cornered.
Well if anybody wants a piece of Dick Van Patten he can usually be found at Santa Anita Race Track betting on the horses.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:14 am
EXACTLY!, Betty.
I haven’t been this pi$$ed since March!
I quit buying NB just after their recall, until TODAY!!! And guess what I bought? 5 cans of EATABLES!
Already have opened a can for one of my 7 doggies tonight. He hadn’t eaten in 5 days…but ate an old can of this earlier today, so I made a special trip totally across town with no A/C just for my sick dog.
5 hours after I feed him, I find the recall notice.
Unbelieveable they LET ME BUY The CRAP late this afternoon at PetCo. I am so pi$$ed!
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:19 am
I feed my liver compromised dog the eatables chicken n dumplings mixed in with her Royal Canin Liver hepatic formula kibble. It was the only way she would eat it. She seems worse these last two months.
Someone posted above that this does not effect dogs much but it would her as her liver is compromised. Anyone have a link to read more about the symptoms in dogs?
My other dogs have eaten some also though not as much but it I chose it because it was made with human ingredients in a human mfg plant and twice the cost of regular canned dog food.
I am snake bit they were eating the recalled canned Nutro Ultra before. I just can’t pick a safe food.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:47 am
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/.....170502.htm
Botulism:
Improper handling and storage of food is the usual source of botulism in foxes as well as in mink. Storage of meat byproducts in metal drums, in which anaerobic conditions prevail, is an excellent medium for production of botulism toxin. In almost all instances, type C toxin has been incriminated. Signs include flaccid paralysis and abdominal breathing, usually followed by death. Because vaccines approved for foxes are not available, those approved for mink are used.
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/...../50707.htm
Botulism is a rapidly fatal motor paralysis caused by ingestion of the toxin of Clostridium botulinum . The organism proliferates in decomposing animal tissue and sometimes in plant material.
Dogs, cats, and pigs are comparatively resistant to all types of botulinum toxin when administered orally.
The signs of botulism are caused by muscle paralysis and include progressive motor paralysis, disturbed vision, difficulty in chewing and swallowing, and generalized progressive weakness. Death is usually due to respiratory or cardiac paralysis. The toxin prevents release of acetylcholine at motor endplates. Passage of impulses down the motor nerves and contractility of muscles are not greatly hindered; only the passage of impulses from nerves to motor endplates is affected. No characteristic lesions develop, and pathologic changes may be ascribed to the general paralytic action of toxin, particularly in the muscles of the respiratory system, rather than to the specific effect of toxin on any particular organ.
BTW–we need to get the word to the media that these NB foods are affected. Going to Google News and searching “pet food” does not bring up ONE story link regarding this recall. The emphasis on this recall story is primarily on the human food products which have now expanded to canned beef stew, canned chili, canned barbeque beef & pork, Canned chipped beef, etc. Here’s the Castleberry’s link for the recalled products:
http://www.castleberrys.com/news_productrecall.asp
“Castleberry’s Food Co. of Augusta recalled more than 80 types of canned chili, beef stew, corned beef hash and other meat products in addition to the 10 brands it had recalled Thursday.
“Brand names of the recalled products include Austex, Best Yet, Big Y, Black Rock, Bloom, Bryan, Bunker Hill, Castleberry’s, Cattle Drive, Firefighters, Food Club, Food Lion, Goldstar, Great Value, Kroger, Lowes, Meijer, Morton House, Paramount, Piggly Wiggly, Prudence, Southern Home, Steak N Shake, Thrifty Maid, Triple Bar and Value Time. The recall also includes four varieties of Natural Balance dog food.” (from AP).
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:49 am
Thank you so-o-o much, Itchmo, for doing a fantastic job. I depend on you, and appreciate you. There is a doggie and kitty that allows me to live with them [seems that way!] and I love them very much.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:57 am
The people that run Natural Balance are messed up. The people who run Pet Co are messed up.
We obviously have no one but Itchmo to tell us when something is recalled.
Natural Balance didn’t exactly put it on their website. It’s botulism for godsakes! It can kill people and if it can kill people it can most certainly kill smaller animals.
I’d like to see Dick Van Patten eat some of his irish stew himself now.
Like I always say…(With sarcasm) “Thanks for the warning, Gilligan.”
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:56 am
[…] Full recall details below from Itchmo: […]
July 22nd, 2007 at 3:46 am
WHAT in the bloody hell is the matter with these people? Thanks for keeping us alerted, itchmo.. sad that anyone has to do it but glad someone does.
July 22nd, 2007 at 8:01 am
I knew it! I had several cans of Southern Chicken and Dumplings.Gave it to my 3 dogs one night a week ago,and my Hound mix Gracie has been ill since.She is going to the vet tomorrow am.I don’t trust the FDA nor do I trust Petco,Petsmart.etc..If it wasn’t for this great site,I would not be well informed.Thanks for all your hard work.
I am only feeding organic food now brought from a reputable firm.This is disgusting!
July 22nd, 2007 at 8:40 am
“While the topic is new, how are people doing cooking their own foods? Ive run into a snag….my two most sr felines are SLIGHTLY anemic & SLIGHTLY low in calcium”
Connie ,I really don’t know about cats,but older dogs are usually a tad anemic.I’m not a vet but have heard/read vets saying this.That’s not to say you shouldn’t look into it further,of course.
Not sure about the calcium.
Also there may be some differences in blood work results between a cat fed commercial food and fed homecooked.That seems to apply to work done on raw feeding at any rate.
FWIW.
Lorna
July 22nd, 2007 at 8:49 am
Thanks Itchmo. Great job as always, God bless you all.
I do not trust NB and never will.I called & e-mailed them when the first recalled started. They sent me an e-mail saying they checked their food before being made and after being made and their was no corn or wheat glotten in their food. I changed my 3 dogs & 1 kitty to their food. they did fine for about a month or so, and then they all got diarrhea. I took them to the vet the next day, it took 7 days to stop the diarrhea. I called them they said it was not their food. The vet tech said too much fiber. I asked them again about quality control and then this time they said they didn’t do the checks but where the food was made that company checked it. They sent us a free 30# bag of food which I never feed them. I think they where way to late to recall, keep saying they where checking. I’m happy some people vets bills where paid, but I think they only have good pr people. I think they didn’t tell me the truth in my many calls and e-mails so I will never trust them again.
July 22nd, 2007 at 9:19 am
Thanks to Itchmo for letting us know.
This is yet another reminder to avoid companies that:
1. Delegate their manufacturing and quality control to contract companies.
2. Have EVER been affected by a recall.
3. Won’t answer your questions with facts.
Many companies have jumped on the “natural” bandwagon with new formulas and cutsey packaging.
Beware the marketing hype.
July 22nd, 2007 at 9:43 am
hey Jenny, what type of NB do you feed your’e animals? I feed my dogs the organic dry, does anyone know anything about that?? I also feed them Brandon farms organics dry and canned.
July 22nd, 2007 at 9:46 am
Connie- You can raise the calcium by adding cooked egg whites & a little ground cooked eggshell[wash shell & bake before grinding]. Try spinach,liver[only a little]hearts or gizzards for the iron.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:09 am
DebbiI do not feed any NB products anymore nor ever will. I did feed reducied calorie dry & canned. Forgot the name but will look it up if you need it. all their treats was NB too. Kitty is only an inside cat so I know it was the food. I’m not good enough on the computer to put copies of e-mail & phone calls on this site or I would. I feell they where not truthfull to me & way too late to recall to ever trust. I home cook & a little bit of Kumpie (because it was checked). I can’t get kitty to eat enough home cooked yet.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:18 am
Debbi I also use to give pot. & duck canned to some of the dogs.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:41 am
Gonna get a little mean here–NB has FINALLY decided the recall was worth mentioning on their website. The way it was done looks like they’re graduates of the Duane Ekedahl School of Media Relations, though. So let’s do some comparing between NB’s announcement, Castleberry’s, and a CNN news report:
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/
“Natural Balance was informed at 2:45 pm Pacific time by our USDA manufacturer, Castleberry Foods, in Augusta, GA, that they are doing a voluntary recall on all 15 oz. edible foods for humans as well as our Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs (Irish Stew, Hobo Chili, Chinese Take-Out and Southern Style Dumplin’s with Gravy).
“This voluntary recall is from one reported case of botulism in Castleberry’s human edible Hot Dog Chili Sauce. Botulism is generally due to an improperly sealed can or a can that has become damaged, thus letting air inside. Natural Balance checks all of its cans for any kind of leakage, puffiness or damage before they are shipped, and we have found none.
“However, to comply with our manufacturer, we are asking that you discontinue use and return Eatables for Dogs to your store for a full refund. We will give you more information as we get it.
“All of our ClubNBâ„¢ Members were informed by email. Thank you for being involved in ClubNB, this is what it was designed for, to allow you to know the latest information.”
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US.....gation.ap/
CNN
“A Georgia plant that makes the canned chili sauce suspected in a botulism outbreak had a production problem two months ago, a company official said Thursday.
“But a check of the cans had found no problems at the time, company spokesman Dave Melbourne said.
“The Augusta plant made the sauce that is suspected of seriously sickening an Indiana couple and two children in Texas.
“Cans of chili sauce found in the victims’ homes were produced around the time of the Castleberry’s Food Co. production problem, said Melbourne.
“About two months ago, cans were coming out of a heating and sterilizing process too hot before going into a cooling canal, he said. Company officials stopped production because they wanted to make sure cans had not expanded and possibly allowed contamination, he said.
“A check of can contents by independent evaluators also found no problems, Melbourne said.
“All four of the patients became seriously ill and had to be placed on ventilators, health officials said.”
http://www.castleberrys.com/news_productrecall.asp
Castleberry’s recall page:
“Expanded Voluntary Product Recall Information - 7/21/07
“The expanded recall includes the products listed below with ALL “best by†and code dates. (The recall originally announced on July 18 affected only 10 products with “best by†dates from APR30 2009 through MAY22 2009.)”
Then the entire list of products is shown on this page.
NB’s Natural Eatables pages trumpet the fact that these foods are produced in a plant which primarily makes human food. NB implies they have a LOT of confidence in the producer; then they say something stupid about checking all their cans for defects before shipping. As if Castleberry’s didn’t do the same. The CNN story says there was no visual indication that there was anything wrong with the botulism-contaminated human food products–not even an independent evaluation found it.
NB says only one person was ill from eating the chili sauce and glosses over the seriousness of the illness from the contaminated product. CNN says there were four people sickened and that the product made then seriously ill–needing to be placed on ventilators.
NB’s web announcement does NOT give the “Best By” date codes to assist you in determining if you have one of the possibly botulism-contaminated products–Castleberry’s does.
NB says it was notified at 2:45 PM, Pacific Time on Saturday, July 21, that Castleberry’s was expanding the recall to include the NB products. As of after 10 PM Pacific Time on the same day, the information was NOT available on NB’s website. It was available at Castleberry’s, FDA, USDA, etc., but NOT on the brand’s website. NB also proudly states that all NB Club members were notified by e-mail–but what about those who do not have internet access, are not aware of the NB Club or may be buying NB for the first time?
NB danced around this just as they did when their first melamine-contaminated food story broke. The tone of their web announcement implies that NB doesn’t consider the Natural Eatables to be a problem and that they are basically “placating” Castleberry’s by going along with their recall. Castleberry’s, their co-packer, appears to be VERY honest, open and above board in the information they have released to the public regarding this. Too bad it didn’t rub off on NB, who should have learned how to handle recalls by this time.
We have no information from NB as to what they are prepared to do if there are botulism-related illnesses in the way of paying vet bills, etc. Some people are still fighting to get their medical bills paid from the NB melamine-contaminated food recalls. Regardless of what caused the illness, melamine or botulism, the law says NB IS responsible. I can see where a company might blow it once, but NB has blown it TWICE in the way they’ve chosen to handle things.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:49 am
“NB’s web announcement does NOT give the “Best By†date codes to assist you in determining if you have one of the possibly botulism-contaminated products–Castleberry’s does.”
they re doing it with out the dates as is Castleberry’s on the second recall.
“The recall is being expanded after information gathered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and FSIS indicated that processing malfunctions at the establishment have existed longer than initially estimated. For that reason, Castleberry’s has agreed to recall all of the following products that may still be in commerce, regardless of the “best buy” date stamped on the bottom of the can. Consumers who have any of the products listed are urged not to eat them, but rather return or dispose of them. ”
this is more thorough than using best by dates as they can just clear the shelf. remember the begining of the pet food recall and the best by dates BS?
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:01 am
you know, i ate some of that stew with my dogs because it was marketed as being safe for human consumption. when the whole recalled started I stopped all wet…thank God I stopped this wet even when it wasn’t recalled!
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:07 am
Well, that did it for me now, I just ordered a bag of Great Life buffalo dry dog food, no more NB. for my furry friends. Thanks to Itchmo, again for being on top of it all, what would we all do without this website??
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:59 am
Itchmo email alerts are a life saver! I thank you for doing so much work and sharing
I have to go through my cupboards right now.
The problem with botulism is the way it sneaks up on you. By the time you are going cross eyed or having other visual problems you may be too paralyzed to get help.
I remember a doctor talking about the toxin. Cooking the food at a true boil for fifteen minutes neutralizes the toxin, so he recommended boiling the food 20 minutes to be safe. THIS IS NOT a suggestion to eat any food that may be improperly canned. it just means, if you boiled a food 20 minutes, and still feel sick after eating it, it probably is not botulism toxin - or if it is - you have a better chance of living than if you had eaten it cold out of the can. I wonder if microwaving is as effective, since microwaving is so fast.
I hope no one else, man or pet, gets sick.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:01 pm
To KIMS ..learn what you write you idiot…why would you say that you want to go after dick van patten…Do you think honestly he would want to do something bad to your dog…give me a break..why would you want to go and attack dick van patten a 80 year old…..ALSO HE DID EAT THE EATABLES ON TV… KIMS LEARN YOUR STUFF STUPID
ITCHMO ADMIN: Please refrain from name calling.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Geez people, what would you have them do? NB is not about to risk anything and is trying to be upfront and STILL gets hammered. Maybe Castleberry did not inform them earlier (I do not think they are required to) until the recall was expanded. Honestly, this is the LAST thing NB would want after the last couple of months.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Hi didn’t finish. Please everyone pass this info on to fellow animal lovers and ask them to sign petitions against this HERO ???? sick, sadistic, Michael Vick
Thank you all so much.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:17 pm
[…] 22, 2007Natural Balance Recalls Food Due To Botulism Risk Itchmo.com has posted a recall notice for several varieties of Natural Balance dog foods. The foods are made by Castleberry Foods in […]
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:17 pm
now I am mixed up, okay, Dick Van Patten is 80 and as a side note, he is having alot of trouble getting around, so do I feed both foods, the Great Life and sometimes the NB organics? Now I feel sorry for the whole NB co. it seems to me that they are trying to do the right thing, so maybe we,collectively, should just cut them some kind of slack, don’t buy the food, but on the other paw, don’t slam them either, maybe we will never know the whole story.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Petco has removed the Natural Balance recalled food from their website. I contacted them after reading this story this morning. They lady on the phone was very thankful that I called, she checked the FDA site and sent an emergency alert to their website operators. As well, I went to the Petco in Brooklyn Park, MN off Jolly Lane. After verifying the print out I gave them from the FDA, they removed the product as well.
Please contact your local Petco’s. It is the weekend, so corporate communications might be slow.
Thanks!
Robert Davis
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I have to wonder when the fda put it on their web site as it wasn’t there before I posted last night. I am not going to trust any pet food company and am feeding my dogs home cooked . The pet food safety system is so broken and in need of repair. It is basically non-existent. I refuse to continue feeding my dogs garbage in a bag or can!
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:38 pm
I ate eatables & Lived to tell about it!!!!!
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:39 pm
I just called PetSmart’s Customer Service–their website shows nothing about the NB recall and they were not aware that there was a recall at all. Cyber-walked the rep to the FDA site and link where the recall information is. I’d believe that PS is going to be pulling all NB Eatables and putting something together for their website re: this as of now. They apparently were not advised of this by NB.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:43 pm
what does one do when the internal specialist says the reason my dog has blood in her stool is because she can’t tolerate a soft diet, was feeding her home-cooked food, and she got sick. So, subsequently, she has to be on a stupid, crap dry diet. Does anyone have any relatable experiences? That is why I began feeding her dry organic foods, now I hear bad things about Karma!
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Botulism is caused when the manufacturer doesnt seal the can properly. FDA IS BASICALLY TELLING THE MANUFACTURER THAT ANYTHING MADE ON THAT SPECIFIC LINE THAT HAD 1 CASE OF CAN NOT PROPERLY SEALED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS TO BE PULLED…SO UNFORTUNATELY EVEN IF THE PRODUCT FINE IT DONT MATTER…FDA IS A JOKE
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Botulism is caused when the manufacturer doesnt seal the can properly. FDA IS BASICALLY TELLING THE MANUFACTURER THAT ANYTHING MADE ON THAT SPECIFIC LINE THAT HAD 1 CASE OF CAN NOT PROPERLY SEALED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS TO BE PULLED…SO UNFORTUNATELY EVEN IF THE PRODUCT FINE IT DONT MATTER…FDA IS A JOKE AS IS KIMS
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:45 pm
THOMAS:
I received an alert by email from the FDA Last night and posted it on this thread last night. You can sign up for their alerts from their website.
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Natural Balance website states, “NO EATABLES ARE ACTUALLY AFFECTED.” there may be no cases of botulism with the product, but they are AFFECTED by the RECALL. Play on words - really like that.
I contacted Amazon.com and they are working with their sellers to remove the product there as well. I’ve also tagged several of those cans of food on Amazon.com with “pet food recall” so others will see until they are removed. Plus a Pet Food Recall Discussion was added there as well.
Stay Safe everyone!
Robert
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:05 pm
I really don’t get this. There hasn’t been a botulism outbreak in over 30 years. The rules changed that they had to use higher temperatures for a longer period of time to kill the botulism spores. As I understand canning, it’s like an autoclave (high heat and pressure). In hospitals you have to autoclave stuff like used culture plates and surgical equipment, etc. to kill contamination. Those autoclaves have time, pressure, temperature charts, and alarms so you know if they didn’t work right. Why wouldn’t a commercial cannery know right away the system failed? How could they not be monitoring this? I used to think that the food supply system was as strictly regulated as hospitals are.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Mrs P, from the cnn article above:
“About two months ago, cans were coming out of a heating and sterilizing process too hot before going into a cooling canal, he said. Company officials stopped production because they wanted to make sure cans had not expanded and possibly allowed contamination, he said.
“A check of can contents by independent evaluators also found no problems, Melbourne said.”
if they were coming off the line too hot and the cans expanded, wouldn’t the too hot have killed the botulism?
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Mrs P
Yeah, I was wondering if the Botulism claim is just a cover-up for something more serious such as Chinese ingredients being tainted!!
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Thank you Itchmo….Keep up the great work. I feed my dogs Evangers wet food along with some dry kibble Nature’s Variety. I use to feed my girls NB but stopped a long time ago when the 1st recall came out. Evangers have great wet dog food. Give them a try.
Thanks again Itchmo.