Urgent recall of popular dog and cat in seven US states due to salmonella risks – and FDA warns contaminated products could infect human owners

A popular dog and cat food company has issued an emergency recall in seven US states after some of its products tested positive for salmonella and listeria.

North Carolina-based Blue Ridge Beef is warning pet owners about its 2-pound trunks of Kitten Grind, Kitten Mix and Puppy Mix sold in Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned humans to be careful when eating because they may also become infected from handling contaminated products.

Consumers who purchased these products are urged to contact Blue Ridge Beef for a full refund and to destroy the food in a way that children, pets and wildlife cannot access it.

The lot numbers for all three recalled products are N24 1114 to N24 1224, as indicated on silver markings at the end of the tubes.

Blue Ridge produces 100 percent pure raw pet food, according to its website.

The potentially contaminated products were discovered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which tested some products at the company's facility and found them positive for salmonella and listeria.

Salmonella is a bacterial infection often described simply as “food poisoning” and occurs when food is prepared by people who have not washed their hands after using the toilet or handling other contaminated foods.

Listeria is a bacterial infection often associated with dairy products — such as ice cream — and deli meats. It can be fatal to pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella may suffer from it Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.

The FDA urges pet owners to watch for decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain.

“Infected but healthy pets can carry the virus and infect other animals or humans,” the FDA shared in an announcement.

“If your pet has consumed the recalled product and is experiencing these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.”

The recall comes nearly four years since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration slapped Blue Ridge Beef with a warning letter after finding the company wasn't meeting code requirements.

The letter stated that the company was not properly inspecting meat in raw pet foods.

“Your company uses tissue from animals that died by a method other than slaughter in the manufacture of pet foods without first determining whether the animals have suffered any type of disease, injury, and/or whether any medications have been given to the animals prior to your slaughter.” . “Captured from the supplier and later used in manufacturing, such that the tissues from the animals are not suitable for manufacturing and processing into your pet food,” the letter states.