Four varieties of Natural Balance’s Eatables for Dogs are being recalled by the FDA due to concerns over botulism contamination. The dog food was made by Castleberry’s, a Georgia meat processor, that also made the hot dog chili sauces already recalled. (This latest expanded recall also includes more varieties of human food. You can also find out what brands of human food are affected by checking out the Castleberry’s link) The varieties of dog food are 15oz cans of:
- Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew With Beef, Potatoes & Carrots UPC-code 23633 59860
- Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Chinese Take Out With Sauce With Vegetables and Chicken UPC-code 23633 59861
- Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs HOBO Chili with Chicken & Pasta UPC-code 23633 59863
- Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Southern Style Dumplings With Chicken & Vegetables UPC-code 23634 59862
The FDA warns that: Consumers who have any of these products or any foods made with these products should throw them away immediately. If the “best by” date is missing or unreadable consumers should throw the product out.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning 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, dry mouth, 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.
And the CDC warns if your dog has eaten the recalled food: Watch your pet for signs of botulism for 10 days after it ate the recalled product. If your pet develops signs of botulism, seek veterinary attention immediately. Signs of botulism in pets are similar to those in people. In addition, your pet may have difficulty holding its head up or its tongue may hang out of the mouth. There is no specific treatment for botulism in animals, but supportive medical care may be helpful.
Contact of the botulism toxin with your eyes, face, or hands can also make you ill. Throw the suspect cans away by double bagging them in plastic bags. Do not try to recycle the cans. If you already opened a can or if you need to clean something that touched the recalled food, the CDC has a FAQ on botulism. If you want a refund, it is suggested you remove the label and take only the labels to the store.
There is a very well maintained list of safe (not part of the recall) pet foods at PetSitUSA.com. I strongly encourage you to check it out.
You can find out much more on previous recalls on my Pet Food Recall Archive Page.
Kandu was born without front legs and his previous owners thought he couldn’t have a good life and needed to be euthanized. But, Kandu’s new family and friends are committed to making sure he can do anything and enjoys a rich life.
Michael Vick, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, has been indicted for conspiracy in relation to a dog fighting organization based on his property since 2001.