Nature's Variety: Raw Organic Chicken Formula RECALL

I just recently went to a new All Natural Dog food store in the upstate NY area and it quickly became my new favorite pet supply store. I LOVE their large variety on all natural dog and cat foods they have. They also have a refrigerated section for raw diets. Not too long ago I explained what a raw diet is and the Pros and Cons.

Nature's Variety has a raw diet line of frozen proteins such as chicken, beef, venison, duck, lamb, duck, bison and rabbit. Its great because its FROZEN and you feed it to your dogs FROZEN. Its a bit pricey but worth it for a great raw diet.

Unfortunately a few days ago, they had to RECALL the Organic Chicken Raw food. The report is below.

QUALITY ASSURANCE NOTICE:  Nature’s Variety has announced a voluntary recall of one batch of Instinct® Raw Organic Chicken Formula with a “Best if Used By” date of 10/04/13. This action is being taken because pieces of clear plastic may be found in some bags and could cause a potential choking risk to pets.  The source of plastic has been identified and the issue has been resolved.
The affected product is strictly limited to a single batch of Organic Chicken Formula with the “Best if Used By” date of 10/04/13.  
This includes:
• UPC# 7 69949 60137 1 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula medallions, 3 lbs. bag
• UPC# 7 69949 70137 8 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula medallions, 27 lbs. case
• UPC# 7 69949 60127 2 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula patties, 6 lbs. bag
• UPC# 7 69949 70127 9 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula patties, 36 lbs. case
The “Best if Used By” date is located on the back of the package below the “Contact Us” section.  The affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the United States and Canada.  No other products were impacted.
Nature’s Variety became aware of a potential issue after receiving a consumer complaint.  The source of the issue was identified and resolved.  To date, there have been no reports of harm to dogs or cats.
Reed Howlett, CEO of Nature’s Variety, stated, “At Nature’s Variety we take quality and safety very seriously.  We believe that under all circumstances, the health and safety of pets comes first.”
Consumers feeding the affected product should discontinue use and monitor their pet’s health, and contact their veterinarian if they have concerns.  Consumers who have purchased one of the above products can obtain a full refund or exchange by either returning the product in its original packaging or bringing a proof of purchase back to their retailer.
Consumers with additional questions can call the Nature’s Variety Consumer Relations team at 1.888.519.7387 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST.

Wellness Natural Dog Food RECALL/ Diamond Pet Food Proccessing Plant

I often speak highly of the natural dog food brand Wellness, however I have been hearing some very disturbing information from other pet owners so I decided to do my own research.
Here is what Wellness posted on their Facebook page October 30th 2012

"At Wellness, your complete satisfaction is always our top priority. Only the best tasting, most nutritious food will do for our furry family members. With that in mind we want to let you know that we have discovered that a small amount of our 12lb Small Breed Adult Health Dry Dog Food with the “Best By” date of August 18, 2013 did not meet our high standards. A small batch of the product with this specific date code was found to be higher in moisture than our recipe calls for. High moisture may cause food to mold before its expiration date, but poses no health risk.
We want you and your pet to be completely satisfied, so we are asking those who may have this limited supply of food to contact us for a replacement. No other dates, bag sizes or recipes are affected. Thanks for your support of Wellness, and we apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-225-0904. We'll be open at 8am eastern on Wednesday morning."

Small Breed Adult Health Dry Dog Food - 12lbs best by August 18, 2013 has been recalled. Its not that the bag didn't meet their high standards, the food is contaminated!!!

After more research I found that the manufacturing company Diamond Pet Foods, manufactures many dog foods on the market and that plant seems to have more recalls than any other dog food manufacture plant. That raises a RED FLAG on my radar.  

 Diamond Pet Foods manufactures the following dog foods:

• Costco's Kirkland Signature
• Solid Gold Health Products for Pets
• Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods
• Kirkland Signature Nature's Domain (Available only at Costco)
• Taste of the Wild Pet Foods
• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul
• 4Health (Available only at Tractor Supply Company)
• NutraGold Super Premium Holistic Formulas

In May 2012 products manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods were all recalled due to Salmonella poisoning in 9 different states. Humans that had handled the dog food were hospitalized and dogs who were so ill passed due to the poisoning. 

For your health and the health of your pets RESEARCH WERE the pet food you feed your dogs in being manufactured. Many pet food company's don't have their own manufacturing plants so they contract bigger companies to have it done. Those plants also contract with many other pet food companies as well so when there is a break out of contaminated foods it spreads through out the plant. 

DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!